32 Biocube with DIY LEDs

[webmanny]

Hi everyone,

I have been running a 32 gallons Biocube with DIY hood light and fuge light for about 3 months now. I have mostly LPS corals and I am following the Triton method after the BRS ULM segment.

Here are some pictures of my build and some of the tank progress.
Fuge light:

Hood light:

ATO reservoir:

Return pump:

Skimmer:

Hood light controller and temp controller for fans:

Rock work:

Tank in January just filled:

First corals added 19 days after setting up the tank. The cycle finished super fast using only ammonia.

February and some new corals: I got a bad case of Green Hair Algae this month on the sand only, but it went away by March:

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

Awesome DIY work! Looks like you're off to a great start!

 

[webmanny]

Just a quick update on the tank. Everything looks great. Got back the results from Triton ICP and most everything was on level. I had elevated numbers on Tin and Aluminum. However, I know where that came from. The tin came from the DIY lights and some leftover solder I didn't clean.

As far as the aluminum goes, my guess is that putting my arm in the tank many times to arrange things might have something to do with it. Antiperspirants have very high levels of aluminum and your arm can leach it into the tank.

I added some media that absorbs hard metals and will measure again in a few months to see where everything is.

 

[webmanny]

Hey guys,

Hard to believe it's been 11 months since I started this tank. I am extremely happy with the results so far. I think I am up to 5 water changes since I started and 2 of those were because I made stupid mistakes I made.

I'm happy to report that everything is doing great and I have not lost a single coral. I have swapped a few and I had to get rid of my flame angelfish because it was the cause of the two clams I lost.

I have an overloaded tank with mostly LPS corals.

Here are some pictures. That brown stuff on the sand was a flow issues that I'm working on by moving some rocks around a bit. Hopefully, I'll find that sweet spot soon.

 

[webmanny]

Ab update on the tank. Things have been going good. Still using Triton, had to increase dosing since the tank was consuming more every day. I have done 2 water changes since my last post in November to correct mistakes I made with my skimmer and the other because left the ATO on by mistake. Lucky for me, the emergency optical switch caught it before the tank overflowed.

Other than me making dumb mistakes, the tank has been super. Only issue I had is the clams dying. I think my tank is just not matured enough of maybe I needed to increase dosing before I did, but I will give it a year or so more before I try them again.

Here are some pictures.

 

[webmanny]

Video update.

 

[webmanny]

wow. Hard to believe that it has been over 2 years. Here is an updated photo of my tank taken today. I am still running Triton, but I am considering changing to a single solution for simplicity and to try something new.

This my newest addition to the tank. The Torch in the center.