Build Thread: 27-Gallon Drilled Cube Reef Build

[chrishogs]

@JumboShrimp any thoughts?

 

[JumboShrimp]

Glad to see you have gotten the tank 'Salty', and I bet you have already learned a lot along the way. One key now is to be very judicious on your stocking list. Do a ton of research/online window browsing. If that were my tank (and I'm even sitting here looking across the room at a 32-gallon BioCube as reference), I would probably get a maximum of 4 small fish. So by that, you can see if you impulse-buy something you really didn't want (or is incompatible, aggression-wise), you could quickly get stuck. Steady as she goes, and keep the great photos coming!

 

[chrishogs]

Quick update on the coral plan for the cube and where things are heading.

After a lot of revisions, mock-ups, and staring at the tank from every angle imaginable, the coral layout is now fully locked and documented in my binder. The goal with this system has always been composition first — letting negative space, flow, and color relationships do the heavy lifting rather than packing the tank.

February 3rd Coral Delivery (Locked List)

This upcoming delivery focuses on establishing structure, color balance, and depth without overloading the system. No SPS, no rush pieces, and nothing that forces future compromises.
Zoas:

• Pink Diamond Zoanthids — fixed anchor on the right zoa ridge
• TSA Kaleidoscope Zoanthids
• Armor of God Zoanthids
• Island Time Zoanthids
• TSA Blueberry Zoanthids
• Laser Lemon Zoanthids (recently added to balance warmth and contrast)

Zoa placement is fully mapped with intentional spacing to control growth and prevent premature fusion.

Ricordea florida (5 total, deliberate cap)

• Green Ricordea — left vertical structure (upper-mid)
• Orange Ricordea — left vertical structure (lower)
• Gold Ricordea — back wall through the arch (front-visible)
• Deep teal / blue Ricordea — back-left depth rock
• One additional accent Ricordea (already owned)

Ricordea count is intentionally capped to avoid visual clutter and maintain negative space.

LPS

• Demon Rampage Chalice — tucked under the central arch for depth and shadow
• TSA Death Rattle Micromussa — lower-left forward pocket
• TSA Screaming Orange Acan — lower-left, front-facing with proper buffer
• F2M Holy Grail Micromussa — repositioned to a lower vertical pocket for separation
• TSA Black Hole Blastomussa — lower-right forward pocket
• Space Ripper Blastomussa — adjacent but isolated on its own plug
• Duncan (Duncanopsammia axifuga) — left structure, forward-facing and elevated

All LPS placements account for future growth, nighttime sweepers, and long-term spacing.

What’s Not in the Tank (By Design)

• No SPS
• No leathers
• No anemones

This system is intentionally LPS + soft-dominant, focused on movement and color layering rather than chasing PAR numbers.


Future Coral Plan (Post-Stability Additions)

These are planned, not rushed. Timing will be based on tank stability, not impulse.

Scolymia (Single Showpiece)

• Gold ring / halo style preferred
• Refined color zoning (teal, green, gold)
• No chaotic confetti patterns
• Will be the only scoly in the tank

Hammer Coral (Branching)

• Soft pastel tones (lavender, ice blue, peach, light gold)
• Strong extension and clean flesh
• Positioned above the left-side zoa crown

Torch Coral (Single Head)

• Cotton Candy–style coloration (aqua/teal body, soft pink or white tips)
• Elegant movement over aggression
• This will be added last once the tank is fully mature

Optional Ricordea Accent

• Only if something truly special appears
• Otherwise, the Ricordea count remains locked

Philosophy Going Forward

• One high-quality piece at a time
• No crowding, no forced upgrades
• Let the tank age into the layout rather than fighting it

February 3rd will complete the core structure of the reef. Everything after that is refinement.

As always, appreciate the feedback and discussion — this build has been a blast to slow down and do intentionally.

 

[chrishogs]

we have lots of corals! Really liking the placement. The missed shipping 4 of the Ricordea but they should be here Thursday.

 

[chrishogs]

 

[chrishogs]