60g Corner tank (Peacock Mantis Shrimp) and 32g Biocube build.

[Brady4000]

01/2021
Hey all,

This is the first post of many. I’ll be attaching videos and photos of the Biocube 32 and Peacock Mantis Build.
I was able to get 100lbs of dry rock and coral skeletons for both builds. I bleached and washed them over the course of a month or so. I won’t be using them all, so I’ll just sell off the rest.

I’ll start with the Biocube.

In the Biocube 32 I have:

300W Heater
Biocube Skimmer
InTank media baskets and refug
ACKE Plant growing light velcroed to glass
INK Bird temp gauge
Auto aqua Smart ATO Lite
7g RO reservoir
Two Fans velcroed to the back
Biocube Mini UV sterilizer
Magnetic Fish Feeder

 

[SPR1968]

Very nice, I love the aquascape design, it looks very natural

 

[Tamberav]

That will be a happy mantis!!

 

[Brady4000]

That will be a happy mantis!!

The mantis build is in my 60g, this is going to be a reef tank.

 

[Brady4000]

Very nice, I love the aquascape design, it looks very natural

Thanks!

 

[Tamberav]

The mantis build is in my 60g, this is going to be a reef tank.

I was just thinking 60g of space!! At the LFS they are in empty 5g tanks They look so bored.

 

[Brady4000]

I was just thinking 60g of space!! At the LFS they are in empty 5g tanks They look so bored.

That’s a beautiful mantis. They do not belong in a 5g tank... also that one has no where to hide

 

[Brady4000]

Biocube Video

 

[Tamberav]

That’s a beautiful mantis. They do not belong in a 5g tank... also that one has no where to hide

Yah I am hoping it found a good home already. I took that pic when I was there a week ago.

 

[Brady4000]

Yah I am hoping it found a good home already. I took that pic when I was there a week ago.

Yea hopefully, I’ll have my tank mantis tank ready in about a month or so. If that poor guy is still in that small box and near my location. I’ll reach out to you.

 

[Brady4000]

Here is my 55g saltwater mixing reservoir setup.

-500w heater
-Large unknown pump lol... came with my 60g tank and was broken. You could not attach anything to it, and it’s loud. But dose the job haha.
-thermometer

 

[Brady4000]

Ok and now the build I am currently working on my 60g corner mantis tank.

Calling it “The Dead Reef”. Since it’s not going to have coral in it, I am going to make it a coral graveyard. Mantis don’t do well in too much light.

I turned the wet dry sump into a regular sump.

Working on the Aqua scaping as we speak.

 

[Brady4000]

Aqua scape is in the tank . Cycling the mantis tank with 20lb of live sand, Dr Tim’s and a good ol shrimp. Moving right along.

Can’t wait for my macro and mantis!!!

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Cool!! Following!

 

[Brady4000]

Added coral to the Biocube today!!! These are the first coral I ever bought, so wish me luck!!

Now to add lots and lots of display macro to the Mantis tank!

 

[Brady4000]

Mantis tank update.
He will be showing up on Wednesday!!!! So excited!! Tank is now cycled and has 5 yellowtail damsels and two Emerald crabs that where just messing things up in the Biocube.

Never again will I put crabs in a coral tank.. lesson has been learned! Lol

I also have a whole mix of macro coming in on frags, so it will take time to grow and one sponge. I hope they arrive safely!! And I hope the mantis kills the crabs before the crabs kill the macro hah.

 

[Brady4000]

Biocube update

Added more coral LPS and 1 SPS Montipora... $20 experiment to see if the sps will live in stock lighting. Don’t judge me lol.

Also tomorrow I change out the gravel substrate to sand... yet another mistake, gravel in saltwater tank.... So I’ll be pulling EVERYTHING out of the tank removing the gravel.. spreading it out on the driveway and waiting for shells to start walking lol. Adding live sand and dosing the tank with 30g of Dr Tim’s and putting it all back together again.. fingers crossed!!!

 

[lordthaxto]

Nice biocube build! Working on one myself

 

[Brady4000]

Nice biocube build! Working on one myself

Nice! Pics? Love seeing other cubes

 

[Brady4000]

Biocube Update

Changed out the substrate from gravel to sand!! No coral or livestock losses yay!

90% water change
Added Dr. Tim to help
Used live sand “special grade”

How I did it.

1. Filled up a 15g tub with saltwater a heater and a bubbler.
2. Pulled all rock and livestock and put it in tub.
3. Trashed all the water in the tank. with the exception of 5g.
4. Pulled the gravel and put it in a rubber tub, this was to find the hermit crabs.
5. Used a Shop-Vac to get the rest, and scrubbed the bottom of the tank for any debris.
6. Added liverock back to empty tank.
7. Added sand around live rock.
8. Filled tank 1/2 way with the 15g water in the tub. When the tub got low I added the livestock and crabs.
9. Added the 5g of old water
10. Topped it off with fresh saltwater
11. Added Dr. Tim’s 30g
12. Pulled filter and turned off skimmer for 24hrs