42 Gallon Cube Mixed Reef Build

[Flake]

It absolutely did not take long with a tank again to realize how much I missed the hobby and to also realize how limited my space for zoas and acans is in a 13.5 gallon tank. I found a red sea 200 XL G2 for a good price on a local group so it's time for an upgrade - yes, I checked all the seams and do a seam check regularly. It's just such a nice size and came with everything. It's currently pretty boring as we wait for it to cycle, but that leaves me with plenty of time to figure out how i'm going to move forward with this one. I desperately need lighting advice. I'm looking at the AI Hydra 32 - it claims to be enough for the tank, but if anyone has any experience with it on a cube with SPS - i'd be grateful. If anyone has a better rec, i'd appreciate that too!

Goals:

• Keep SPS again
• Peaceful fish
• Zoa garden

Sounds pretty simple but number one always intimidated me. I was pretty successful in the past with SPS but I want some of the brighter colors which typically come with bigger price tags. Killing a 3 digit coral due to ineptitude would be a rough lesson.

Equipment:
Red Sea Reefer 200XL G2
Red Sea Reefmat 250
Red Sea DC-1200 Skimmer
2x AI Nero 3
Radion XR15

FTS APR 2025:
Pardon the filthy glass. Nothing exciting worth cleaning it for.

 

[kevgib67]

It absolutely did not take long with a tank again to realize how much I missed the hobby and to also realize how limited my space for zoas and acans is in a 13.5 gallon tank. I found a red sea 200 XL G2 for a good price on a local group so it's time for an upgrade - yes, I checked all the seams and do a seam check regularly. It's just such a nice size and came with everything. It's currently pretty boring as we wait for it to cycle, but that leaves me with plenty of time to figure out how i'm going to move forward with this one. I desperately need lighting advice. I'm looking at the AI Hydra 32 - it claims to be enough for the tank, but if anyone has any experience with it on a cube with SPS - i'd be grateful. If anyone has a better rec, i'd appreciate that too!

Goals:

• Keep SPS again
• Peaceful fish
• Zoa garden

Sounds pretty simple but number one always intimidated me. I was pretty successful in the past with SPS but I want some of the brighter colors which typically come with bigger price tags. Killing a 3 digit coral due to ineptitude would be a rough lesson.

Equipment:
Red Sea Reefer 200XL G2
Red Sea Reefmat 250
Red Sea DC-1200 Skimmer
2x AI Nero 3

FTS APR 2025:
Pardon the filthy glass. Nothing exciting worth cleaning it for.

Beautiful, this is going to be fun. Sorry, I’m not an equipment guy but I’m sure someone will pop in with an answer. Best of luck!

 

[Flake]

The lighting issue is solved. We’ve gone with a Radion XR15. My LFS didn’t have the mount so I’m waiting for that to come in to open the box.

I also finally got my first Hanna checker. I picked up the nitrate one. Slowly I’d like to convert all my tests over but for now this is a good start.

The tank is slowly cycling. We’ve got high ammonia and high nitrite so it’s doing its job. I know patience is key in this hobby but it’s never been my strong suit. :)

 

[kingranch2003]

The lighting issue is solved. We’ve gone with a Radion XR15. My LFS didn’t have the mount so I’m waiting for that to come in to open the box.

I also finally got my first Hanna checker. I picked up the nitrate one. Slowly I’d like to convert all my tests over but for now this is a good start.

The tank is slowly cycling. We’ve got high ammonia and high nitrite so it’s doing its job. I know patience is key in this hobby but it’s never been my strong suit. :)

Great call on the xr15. My cube and sps love it!

 

[trellemania]

Nitrate hanna was a good start! I am hoping to slowly transition as well! Can't wait to see it shape up!

 

[Anna K]

It might be more beneficial for you to buy the master checker from Hanna if you plan to switch everything over to that brand in the future! I think it'll save you a bit of money as well

 

[Flake]

It might be more beneficial for you to buy the master checker from Hanna if you plan to switch everything over to that brand in the future! I think it'll save you a bit of money as well

Most likely true. However, I’m trying to keep that expense as low as possible so it’ll be as I run out of tests, slowly.

 

[kingranch2003]

What are you using for flow? Imo getting flow correct in a cube is a challenge.

 

[Flake]

What are you using for flow? Imo getting flow correct in a cube is a challenge.

I've two Nero 3's on opposite sides of the tank. Seems to move things around well enough but hard to tell with nothing in it.