29g Biocube help/advise/critiques always needed

[Copingwithpods]

I haven't updated this in a bit so here goes

So far (except the cobalt neotherm heater that was total and absolute garbage including their customer service) I have been extremely happy with my equipment choices.

The refugium
In tank refugium basket although it has a few flaws has worked out great. The light

Although only 20 watts and granted I'm only using one panel has been perfect in growing my cheato.

A week's worth of growth

What I toss, not bad considering I only feed my fish every other day and there are only 4 of them. About a softball size chunk. I'd call that a win.

For flow

The mightyjet 326 has been a God sent. The ability to dial in flow has been invaluable specially with fine sand. So glad I didn't go with more popular more reliable AC options. Currently running it at 10 watts which seams to be perfect coupled with the random flow generator. Have turned it up to 13 watts with no problem. Well worth the investment IMHO. The Nero5 and its adjustability is key in a nano, specially in a nano, and double specially (that sounds wrong) for a nano with fine sand. Only gripe is the Bluetooth (it's garbage). Only reason I won't be upgrading my light to the new ai prime 16hd.

Also this.....

The app... Am I on feed mode? On schedule? Is everything off? Who knows, you don't know I don't know the app doesn't know and it won't tell you. Hey AI how about highlighting the current mode! ok mini rant over

 

[Copingwithpods]

Currently acclimating this guy

 

[Copingwithpods]

Little update, got some new inhabitants

Very nice lettuce nudi

Found a very nice frag of what I think is a Duncan, never seen a blue and purple. I'll get a better picture once it adjusts and opens up.

My clam is doing great but it's made me realize I need more light so once all this crazyness is over I'll pick up another ai prime.

Bonus found a really cool yellow sponge

 

[Magellan]

I love the clam!! How big will that get?

 

[Copingwithpods]

Thank you, I believe maxi clams can reach 18 inches but not for many many years.

I love the clam!! How big will that get?

 

[Magellan]

Thank you, I believe maxi clams can reach 18 inches but not for many many years.

That’s what I was thinking - that they get huge! I barely have room left in my tank for a small frag, much less a clam lol

 

[Copingwithpods]

Where there's a will there's a way!

Got a slightly better picture of my skeptical Duncan

 

[Magellan]

Where there's a will there's a way!

Got a slightly better picture of my skeptical Duncan

He’s thinking about it!

 

[Copingwithpods]

Definitely happy now

 

[Okinawa_reefer]

Looking pretty good. Following along!

 

[Copingwithpods]

Got a few new frags today. An unknown, a branching Monti, a birdsnest and a green tipped acro forgot name.

 

[Okinawa_reefer]

The green monti looks like a montipora spongodes. It will mostly encrust over the rock but will grow some small branches upwards in random spots. Looks great!

 

[Copingwithpods]

The green monti looks like a montipora spongodes. It will mostly encrust over the rock but will grow some small branches upwards in random spots. Looks great!

Spot on thanks for clearing that up. It was such an unusual shape I had to nab it. I could tell it was a Monti of some kind so I wasn't too afraid of giving it a shot. The acro on the other had we will have to wait and see, it's the biggest one I've ever had. I have 2 acro frags and they are both doing good. Just trying to take it slow in acro world before I go for anything expensive.

 

[army446909]

Spot on thanks for clearing that up. It was such an unusual shape I had to nab it. I could tell it was a Monti of some kind so I wasn't too afraid of giving it a shot. The acro on the other had we will have to wait and see, it's the biggest one I've ever had. I have 2 acro frags and they are both doing good. Just trying to take it slow in acro world before I go for anything expensive.

I had the same experience the first time I saw my spongeoides Monti. It looked like the frag was giving me the finger with 2 branches on it, one straight up, and one straight out to the side from the side of the frag plug.

 

[Copingwithpods]

I had the same experience the first time I saw my spongeoides Monti. It looked like the frag was giving me the finger with 2 branches on it, one straight up, and one straight out to the side from the side of the frag plug.

Now that you mention it I might prematurely trim all the fingers except one

 

[Copingwithpods]

Got some better shots of the new guys now that the light is ramping down.

This coral in perticular has me very intrigued. I'm really liking it, it's got a very rough texture and beautiful colors I can't possibly photograph with my Nokia 3310

Few not so good extras.

Half blue half pink morph

I hate frags on the sandbed but I'll let them settle in before I pick a spot for them

 

[Copingwithpods]

Finally some visual confirmation that acros will grow, color up and encrust in my system. I'll take it with a grain of salt and see how they are looking a few months from now.

It isn't much (3 weeks of growth) but it means it isn't dying.

 

[Katrina71]

You're tank is gorgeous!

 

[Erin O]

Just starting to follow along! Beautiful tank!

 

[Copingwithpods]

You're tank is gorgeous!

Thank you, one day I'll get a good picture of it.

Just starting to follow along! Beautiful tank!

Awesome let me know if you have any questions and I'll fire up all 3 neurons and try to answer it

With all this free time now it's hard not to sit by the tank and whisper "grow FASTER!" Some corals are really hard to judge, others not so much when you look back.

This Monti seams to be growing well.