60 gallon reef cube build

[themadman]

After a week and a half and a whole lot of hours the initial installation of all equipment is finished! What an absolutely gratifying, humbling, and learning experience. All-in-all everything went awesome and I can't complain. I can't even believe everything fit. The biggest hiccup during the process other than 100 trips to Home Depot was a bulkhead leaking I discovered at 1 AM and had to stay up to fix. Got to bed at 3:30 AM and back up at 6 for work. It was a rough one. Now just to finish cycling process and add some CUC. Very excited with everything and to see how this tank evolves in the future.

 

[themadman]

Anyone know that this is? Just started poking out recently. Looks like a really fat worm that tapers down to a really skinny worm on top.

 

[MermaidTail]

Dude- this is awesome! This is like my dream tank and stand (white furniture in my office). Definitely following along! Keep the updates coming.

 

[themadman]

Close-up

 

[webbrage]

dang I really like that side cabinet if I had something like that it would be perfect for a auto top off system and bucket, got me thinking

 

[themadman]

Thanks all. I'm definitely happy with going white. And that side cabinet has definitely been an awesome addition. I have no carpentry skills but I told the guy exactly what I wanted and he came through building the stand for me. So nice being able to move it out to work on stuff and then slide it back in. Also the top opening makes it awesome for filling up the ATO.

 

[themadman]

Ok today I'm 15 days into the cycle.

Red Sea test kit
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0.2
Nitrate over 50

Hanna alk 9.5

Apex PH low around 7.8. Rises to 8.02 or so when I have a nice day and open windows.

Salinity on Milwaukee digital 1.025 consistent.
33.5 on apex probe.

Temp 78.5

Couple of questions: ammonia has been 0 since day 6 every test. Do I need to worry about feeding the bacteria?

Also is the PH a little low due to the cycle process more than likely?

Should I continue to leave UV off during cycle? I am running carbon and GFO in BRS mini reactor during cycle.

Also the worms I took pics of did not survive the cycle they are already gone or in process of disintegrating.

And general feedback on cycle parameters welcome.

Thanks!

 

[themadman]

Tank update: it's been 3 weeks since I added life to the tank. CUC, a bicolor blenny, and a pair of cleaner shrimp. I added the first corals to the tank on Tuesday this week. Jason Fox zoas, paly's, and a cyphastrea. Tank is progressing nicely and can't say I've had any significant setbacks. Just learning as I go and seeking help and knowledge as much as possible. My only concern at this point is I'm about 40 days into the tank or so and still don't really see any life in my sandbed. I've seeded it with things recommended from both inland aquatics and indo pacific sea farms. A little photo tour of the tank at this point:

 

[ScottMyers123]

Looking nice.

 

[themadman]

Ragnar the bicolor blenny

 

[themadman]

Tank additions update

 

[aaron23]

looking great anymore updates?

 

[themadman]

Long overdue update!!

 

[themadman]

 

[themadman]

Anyone with tips on what spectrum I should set my radion to take better iPhone pics feel free to let me know! My pictures suck! But tank is doing great. Just been letting it mature and everything has been looking very happy. Coming up on one year anniversary in April. Next addition is a bubble tip anemone.

 

[Brennen j]

Anyone with tips on what spectrum I should set my radion to take better iPhone pics feel free to let me know! My pictures suck! But tank is doing great. Just been letting it mature and everything has been looking very happy. Coming up on one year anniversary in April. Next addition is a bubble tip anemone.

I don't have a radion light but on my sb reef lights I try to limit the blue spectrum because it washes out all the color on a camera phone and over saturates the corals unless that's what you were going for. Also there's an app called Snapseed that's really helpful for editing pictures of coral.

 

[themadman]

I don't have a radion light but on my sb reef lights I try to limit the blue spectrum because it washes out all the color on a camera phone and over saturates the corals unless that's what you were going for. Also there's an app called Snapseed that's really helpful for editing pictures of coral.

Awesome thank you! I will download that. That is a beautiful bubble tip!!! Awesome pic!

 

[themadman]

Newest addition. Waited a year to get a nem. One of the main motivations for getting into the hobby. Now to hoping my clowns will take to it! Special thanks to Rik (ProjectAnemone) for the hookup and awesome communication. Amazing colors!

 

[themadman]

 

[|ak1|]

That nem looks sick bro