20g Cube Reef Tank Build

[mads61401]

We had a 10 gallon reef tank that we started in November, but we already wanted an upgrade so we bought the Waterbox Cube 20g AIO. We started running it February 19, 2025 as is with a 2oz bottle of Dr. Tim's Saltwater One and Only. One week later on February 26, 2025 I tested the water using an API kit. The test read as follows:
pH: 7.8
ammonia: 0 ppm
nitrite: 0 ppm
nitrate: 0 ppm
phosphate: 0.25 ppm

Details:
We make our water using jugs of distilled water from the store, and mixing it with Instant Ocean sea salt. The salinity is around 1.025. Used Dr. Tim's One and Only live nitrifying bacteria and Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride solution

Lighting:
AI 16HD

Filtration:
Original filter system of the Waterbox 20, but we have an Innovative Marine desktop AIO UV-C sterilizer waiting to go in.

Flow maker:
Still hunting for a deal on a Nero 3

Heating:
Sicce Scuba 100W heater preset at 77°F

Lid:
Kraken reef lid with evaporation cover coming in the mail

Subrate & Structure:
CaribSea Life Rock secured with reef safe epoxy putty and superglue, and CaribSea Arag-Alive reef sand

Fish & invertebrates:
To transfer from old tank to Waterbox when ready:
2 clowns
3 blue leg hermit crabs
2 red leg hermit crabs
1 peppermint shrimp
1 skunk cleaner shrimp
3 nassarius snails

Corals: all from Top Shelf Aquatics
1 Evergreen Galaxae
1 Pulsing Xenia
1 Halle Berry Zoanthid
1 Starburst Montipora
1 Teal Birdsnest
1 Utter Chaos Zoanthid

 

[mads61401]

2/28/25 Dosed more Dr. Tim's One and Only and Dr. Tim's ammonium chloride solution.

Water test 3/3/25
pH: 7.8 (too low)
ammonia: 2.0 ppm (too high)
nitrite: 0 ppm
nitrate: 0 ppm
phosphate: 0

 

[Coral-Zone]

Great rock setup