Average Joe's 50 cube

[Mr Dream Weaver]

Hello everyone, this is going to be a journal of my journey with this used SC aquariums 50 cube. So for some of you probably a flash back to about 2017 or so. I got the this bad boy for about 200 bucks. Hope that was a good deal, idk.

I think im finished with the centerpiece. But i might ad some arches to the islands, idk yet.

I was originally going to 3d print and set up a reverse under gravel filter. But with my non existent CAD skills that was too daunting.

My main focus right now is trying to figure out how to light this, and the sump layout. I want full coverage for a mixed reef. I was eyeing down the AI Hyrda edge 44HD, but idk. I really liked the full coverage of aquaticlife t5s hybrid system, but with bulbs thats nearly 200 bucks. For a little more i can get an LED with the controllablity i want. I really need help picking a light. If i had unlimited budget i would just do both. But before the light i need to add the DI to my RO system. ticked i didnt have money for black Friday sales. Im basically combining two 3 stage RO filters. I just need the resin and some fittings.

As for the sump, a classic SCA 301 skimmer im going to rock at the beginning. But i want to print a filter sock holder, as for the rest of the space, idk yet. I like k1 filter media i might do a MBBR type deal with some k1 getting agitated in the middle.


As for livestock. This is going to be the forever home for my clowns from my original build thread. Plus a classic pistol shrimp/goby combo. Any other ideas im also open to besides that!

Thanks for stopping by,
May your corals grow fast, and your tank never crash!

 

[Peace River]

Sweet! Congratulations on the new adventure!!!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Nice looking aquascape!

 

[alonsooro]

Yeah, aquascape looks great. I love this stage, the new adventure, enjoy the ride!

 

[alonsooro]

Update? :)
Almost 2 months cycling?

 

[Mr Dream Weaver]

Hey thanks for checking in man!

Tanks still chugging along. I just barely got the money together to get most of the RODI stuff I needed. I bought two used 3 stages for super cheap, and all the resin and filters came yesterday. I just married them together last night. Unfortunately, the RO housing had these twist connections and i broke one tightening it, but i had push connections coming today anyway. I normally just haul 5 gal buckets home from the LFS, (its a 10 min walk), but for the 50 cube i decided i need to produce my own water. Sick of hauling water anyway.

I almost have enough for the light, im going for a new Nicrew hyperReef 200w gen 2 with controller. I was going to do AI hyrda edge 44hd, but i figured more power for less? I just have softies, but ill just turn it down.

Tank is in the throws of the ugly phase. Water parameters all all out of wack. Nitrates were at about 50 before i changed 15 gallons with the 3 buckets i hauled home. Ive been dosing small amounts of ammonia powder. But put some snails in to help clean it up.
Has a wicked bacterial bloom right now.

I want to improve the filtration in the sump, but im not use how. I kind of want to 3d print a "filter box/tower" that will fit in the little 4x4" section in the sump. I got some k2 media, but im at a loss for how to get it circulating, or if i need it at all. That and i need to plumb it up proper like.

But yeah, long story short,
Still building RODI up, just need a few more parts.

Still saving for light, i wish i had enough for some blanket LED solution. I want a light same dimensions as the tank. But going 200w Nicrew instead.

Still cycling tank. But past the nitrogen cycle, and onto biome cycle.

Soon to be getting some pajama Cardinals, move my clowns over, then eventually goby and pistol shrimp. And if my copepod breeding goes well, a Mandarin goby.

Let me know what yall think, id appreciate any ideas/criticism/recommendations.

Until next time, good luck and be safe out there!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Good luck with getting over the ugly phase!

 

[alonsooro]

Hey thanks for checking in man!

Tanks still chugging along. I just barely got the money together to get most of the RODI stuff I needed. I bought two used 3 stages for super cheap, and all the resin and filters came yesterday. I just married them together last night. Unfortunately, the RO housing had these twist connections and i broke one tightening it, but i had push connections coming today anyway. I normally just haul 5 gal buckets home from the LFS, (its a 10 min walk), but for the 50 cube i decided i need to produce my own water. Sick of hauling water anyway.

I almost have enough for the light, im going for a new Nicrew hyperReef 200w gen 2 with controller. I was going to do AI hyrda edge 44hd, but i figured more power for less? I just have softies, but ill just turn it down.

Tank is in the throws of the ugly phase. Water parameters all all out of wack. Nitrates were at about 50 before i changed 15 gallons with the 3 buckets i hauled home. Ive been dosing small amounts of ammonia powder. But put some snails in to help clean it up.
Has a wicked bacterial bloom right now.

I want to improve the filtration in the sump, but im not use how. I kind of want to 3d print a "filter box/tower" that will fit in the little 4x4" section in the sump. I got some k2 media, but im at a loss for how to get it circulating, or if i need it at all. That and i need to plumb it up proper like.

But yeah, long story short,
Still building RODI up, just need a few more parts.

Still saving for light, i wish i had enough for some blanket LED solution. I want a light same dimensions as the tank. But going 200w Nicrew instead.

Still cycling tank. But past the nitrogen cycle, and onto biome cycle.

Soon to be getting some pajama Cardinals, move my clowns over, then eventually goby and pistol shrimp. And if my copepod breeding goes well, a Mandarin goby.

Let me know what yall think, id appreciate any ideas/criticism/recommendations.

Until next time, good luck and be safe out there!

Yeah, best thing is to get your own RODI, you can control what comes into your tank.
Why are you still adding ammonia? I am curious. Because maybe you're giving your tank an increasing load and your bacteria still can't handle. My guessing.
If your have some animals in there, maybe you can let the tank establish his bacteria population, I think.
And what is the little white things beside the skimmer?

 

[Mr Dream Weaver]

Hey thanks for checking in man!

Tanks still chugging along. I just barely got the money together to get most of the RODI stuff I needed. I bought two used 3 stages for super cheap, and all the resin and filters came yesterday. I just married them together last night. Unfortunately, the RO housing had these twist connections and i broke one tightening it, but i had push connections coming today anyway. I normally just haul 5 gal buckets home from the LFS, (its a 10 min walk), but for the 50 cube i decided i need to produce my own water. Sick of hauling water anyway.

I almost have enough for the light, im going for a new Nicrew hyperReef 200w gen 2 with controller. I was going to do AI hyrda edge 44hd, but i figured more power for less? I just have softies, but ill just turn it down.

Tank is in the throws of the ugly phase. Water parameters all all out of wack. Nitrates were at about 50 before i changed 15 gallons with the 3 buckets i hauled home. Ive been dosing small amounts of ammonia powder. But put some snails in to help clean it up.
Has a wicked bacterial bloom right now.

I want to improve the filtration in the sump, but im not use how. I kind of want to 3d print a "filter box/tower" that will fit in the little 4x4" section in the sump. I got some k2 media, but im at a loss for how to get it circulating, or if i need it at all. That and i need to plumb it up proper like.

But yeah, long story short,
Still building RODI up, just need a few more parts.

Still saving for light, i wish i had enough for some blanket LED solution. I want a light same dimensions as the tank. But going 200w Nicrew instead.

Still cycling tank. But past the nitrogen cycle, and onto biome cycle.

Soon to be getting some pajama Cardinals, move my clowns over, then eventually goby and pistol shrimp. And if my copepod breeding goes well, a Mandarin goby.

Let me know what yall think, id appreciate any ideas/criticism/recommendations.

Until next time, good luck and be safe out there!

Yeah, best thing is to get your own RODI, you can control what comes into your tank.
Why are you still adding ammonia? I am curious. Because maybe you're giving your tank an increasing load and your bacteria still can't handle. My guessing.
If your have some animals in there, maybe you can let the tank establish his bacteria population, I think.
And what is the little white things beside the skimmer?

My logic for dosing the small amount of ammonia was i didn't want the bacteria to starve/die, that and just grow a larger population. I only dose a little, once a week now. Like .25ppm.
You're right those, the snails probably produce enough waste to keep things going.

The thing on the right is an old Tunez ATO pump that came with the tank. I need a reservoir for it. Back left is my 3d printed sock holder, middle is the k2 media just chillin. Skimmer is a ancient now, but it seems to work fine.