80G cube - 32x24x24 - Build Thread

[reef tank 2.0]

i'll address the rock work first. when I first started building the aquascape, I had my caves built at the substrate level. once I added sand and everything else, I realized it was really low to the base. within the past 4 months or so, I started adding more rock to the sides of the tank. I really like the center of the tank rock work cause it gives me that flat shelf like rock that makes it easy to place frags on. BUT, the par level only hits 200-250 in that spot. I have a lot of room to build upwards. I have a lot of dry rock here that I could use to build up that rock work, but its all small rock that would need glued. i've been window shopping whenever I go to the LFS for some pieces of rock that I could place on that flat area to get higher rock. but haven't found any that would look good with that I have. I know I need some more hiding spots for the fish. so there is that. I know I need more rock. but don't want it looking like a blob of rock. the rock build up I have on the sides of the tank have holes for the fish to pass through. on the flip side of all this, I like the open tank look only for the fact that the fish can swim around. But I don't have many "swimmers" either. the wrasse moves all around, as well as the chromis.

I don't know what kind of structure would look good in the center of the tank that would avoid me redoing things. I'd like to simply add to. if do add more, I need to keep that stylophora in mind. he's happy right there. I add rock, and it then effects flow. again, trying to avoid redoing anything.

as for the par, I hit around 50/75 in the corners, 200-225 in the center of the tank on top of that flat area. I'm around 100/125 or so on the left and right of the tank. when I placed my par meter in the upper part of the water column, I was hitting between 300-400+ par. so the potential is there to add across. but gotta get the center rock work built up so it looks good.

 

[ElementReefer]

You could consider magnetic frag rocks for the back wall. I have one and it instantly adds some height without having to glue or balance rock.

Purple Nano Shelf Single Magnetic Frag Rack

These petite frag racks can help your prized coral frag stand out without the rack being an eye sore in your display. The natural rock appearance of these racks allows you to create some cool floating coral scapes on the sides of your tank. Reef Rax Frag Racks will work with up to 1/4" thick...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

 

[reef tank 2.0]

You have a photo of yours in place?

 

[ElementReefer]

Sadly not any good ones lol. It was on my old tank. That was my first reef tank and it was a rollercoaster.

Plenty of example pics online though!

 

[reef tank 2.0]

9 months and WE HAVE PHOSPHATES registering on the test card. It's definitely on the lower end, but t is a faint baby blue.

been about two weeks since my last coral frags addition, but here are my parameters. Haven't changed much at all, other than the phosphates. This is where I am a week away from my next water change:

ALK - 8.0
CAL - 450
MAG - 1275
PH - 8.2
PHOS - Yes, can't tell the exact number.
TRATE - 12.7

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I mentioned a few threads ago that I believe I have signs of Coraline starting to show. I believe that was a false statement. I'm not seeing it anywhere at the moment. If I do see any, it MIGHT be on the rocks, but definitely nothing on the glass. With my blue lights, it kinda makes it hard to see on the rocks. I am still waiting for it to appear. Once that happens, it's NEM time!!! :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

 

[reef tank 2.0]

went to my first frag show today.
Added 4 corals to my tank and a bunch a snails

Green Goblin Anacropora
Scrambled Eggs Zoa
Fire Work Clove Polyp
I don't remember the name of the 4th one (SPS).

I'll add photos once everything opens up.

I have 14 coral frags in my tank now. a few have grown nicely, but most are slow growers.

 

[ElementReefer]

I ended up getting 11 pieces.

 

[ElementReefer]

Baha sorry there was supposed to be a shame emoji at the end of that!

Anything open up yet?

 

[reef tank 2.0]

Few pieces have. But the cloves are so so. I'll see how things look tomorrow when lights come back on. I'll see if the sps coral and the cloves open up for photos

Here's a couple pictures

 

[ElementReefer]

Looking good. What did you think of the frag swap experience?

 

[reef tank 2.0]

I actually liked it. You can't beat frag show prices. Prices definitely make it more appealing. There was a good variety of corals but it seemed like there were a lot of zoas. Not sure if this was smaller/larger than shows in the past, but it seemed like a decent turnout.

I'm not one to spend a lot of money on a single frag, I'm not that brave yet. I think I was there 45 minutes or so. Made a few passes.

I might consider just waiting for this frag swap each year, in order to add quantity to my tank. Keeps me from spending $50 for shipping or LFS coral prices.

 

[ElementReefer]

Website:
WYSIWYG Skywalker’s Raging Sparkle Yoda
$180

Frag swap:
The pink and green zoa in the back corner
$20

 

[Cichlid Dad]

ater doctoring the sump drain plug area, i filled it up and we have zero leaks at the drain. I am waiting for a couple things to come in, but once they do, the stress test, I mean the leak test, will be in progress. the only concern i have are all the unions at the back of the tank. im not really concerned about the fittings (45's, 90's, etc), its those unions, once the return pump is powered up. I'm guessing in the next couple days. :worried-face:

today, i got the skimmer stand created and installed in place. my last tank, i had a skimmer stand, and the base of the skimmer would sit on top of the egg crate. I had the egg crate glued to pvc "legs" to keep it all in place. This time around, I was gonna do the same. This time, my skimmer needs to be 10-13/16 high to accomodate the height needed for my skimmer. I had some 2" pvc on hand, from a brainy idea i had with my last set up, but never used. SO I cut 4 posts out of that, and attached them to the egg crate. BUT this time, I was getting ready to glue it..........i was thinking, hold up, why on earth am i doing this?? that glue is a pain in the rear, and it wasn't all that secure since it only had egg crate to adhere to. So i decided to drill 4 small holes in the pvc, and i passed a zip tie through each set. looped it through the egg crate and cinched it in pace. DONE. I didn't have white zip ties, so I used the black I had on hand. Nobody is gonna see it, it's below water in a black sump :face-savoring-food:

Here are some pictures of the stand in progress and complete and in place.

How is this sump doing for you?

 

[reef tank 2.0]

@ElementReefer - ya, the first couple tanks I came to, I was asking the names. After that, I gave up and just went towards the corals that caught my eye. I know when I see the "names" of these Zoas online, there is a price tag that follows. There were a number of Zoas that stood out, but between all the vendors, they seem to all have the same ones or variations of.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

@Cichlid Dad - the sump is doing great. I haven't had any issues since getting it up and running. It's been about a year now since it's had water in it. It's not too late, but one thing I should have done was place a piece of nylon screen over the drain hole. The same type of screen I use for the tank lid. It's not too late though. I would need to drain the sump, and secure the net in place. I'll do that when I need to do a larger water change.

I had a bit of rubble in the sump and one day I was doing a water change and the strong suction sucked in a piece of rubble into the drain pipe. Although I can still do the water changes without problem, I can tell the flow has been restricted. I believe the rock is right at the union. won't be hard to get to, just have to disassemble. nothing leaks now at that stock tank drain, which is why I haven't tried to break anything loose to get this rock out. Its not hurting anything though.

Other than needing to secure the trap screen in place, all's been well. I definitely like the fact that the tank itself is "plastic". Very forgiving for rock drops and scratches.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

here's a couple pictures of the clove Polyp and whatever the other thing is. The cloves are wide open and had to turn the blues off in order to get a decent photo

I have the cloves in about 100+ par and the lower side of the flow. I have random flow patterns so it's not consistent.

The SPS thing, Thats orange on the lower half, and green on the upper half. it was white at the tip when I got it, so I am not overly concerned about that, yet. It's in roughly 100-150 par, with moderate/high flow. I have it close to my purple Stylo which is doing really well.

 

[ElementReefer]

That’s a Bubblegum Montipora digitata. I picked up one at the frag swap too. It’s what I would call a medium difficulty SPS. They like light. I’ve had the all red version, Forest Fire, for about 18 months.

 

[reef tank 2.0]

thanks for that info

I wonder if we saw each other without knowing it :D
this guy had two small pieces, roughly this size. it was $10. sold!! :beaming-face-with-smiling-eyes:

should it be moved to 200+ par?

 

[ElementReefer]

I was there from about 11:30 to 1:00. It’s not a huge event so if you were there at that time then you probably did!

Digitata would appreciate that par level. I usually leave new frags in modest light for a few weeks until they get used to my tank.