Castle's First Reef Tank 20 Gallon Cube

[Castle136]

Hi all!

**22 May Update with photos of progress on the build**

I'm a new reefer and am looking to set up my first tank. Based off space limitations and reef/life balance, I'm doing a 20g nano build for my first. This has been a lifelong dream to get a reef tank up and running. I'm excited to get into the hobby! I've already been looking into the builds, the chemistry, etc. of how to properly establish and maintain a reef aquarium. I've looked on here, BRStv, WWC channel, and SR to try and get the best base level understanding that I can get in order to ensure the animals under my care have the best environment and that I have the best chance of success. My plan is to do an LPS dominant reef with some softies and eventually work towards introducing a few acros (but that will not be until much farther down the line when the reef is established and I've had some experience built). For nutrient export I'll be doing a 5g water change weekly on this build and maintaining the mechincal filtration cup/sock with the pieces of floss changed.

For animal life, I'm planning on:

- Pair of Clownfish
- A Yellow Goby with Pistol Shrimp
- A Royal Gramma
- Either a Possum Wrasse or Mystery Wrasse
- A cleaner shrimp
- Utilitarian inverts (hermit crabs, snails, etc)

Here is my build plan that I have ordered/coming in for my main display tank and what I'm looking at for QT:

- MAX NANO G2 Cube Aquarium/stand (20 Gal)
- Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture
- RMS XR15 G5 & G6 Tank Mount System EcoTech Marine
- BRS 2 Part Doser - 1.1 mL per minute
- A3 Apex aquarium controller system
- Osmolator 3 Auto Top Off
- (2) 75W Jager heaters (main and backup)
- VorTech MP10mQD - Mobius Ready QuietDrive Propeller Pump
- 5 Stage Premium plus 75 GPD RO/DI System
- BRUTE 44 Gal. White Vented Plastic Outdoor Trash Can
- 5 Gallon Jug for ATO
- (2) 5 gallon buckets to do water changes
- 32oz (1000ml) container for All Reef one part to go into doser
- Python 25ft no spill syphon kit
- SICCE Ultra Zero 793 GPH Multi-Purpose Water Pump for water changes/mixing
- Salinity Refractometer for Seawater and Marine Fishkeeping Aquarium 0-100 PPT with Automatic Temperature Compensation
- Piranha Float PLUS
- Alkalinity DKH Colorimeter HI772 Hanna Checker - Marine Water
- Phosphate Ultra Low Range PPM Colorimeter HI774 Hanna Checker - Marine Water
- AF Magnesium Test Kit
- RedSea Calcium Pro Test Kit
- NYOS Nitrate (NO3) Reefer Aquarium Test Kit
- Pro Reef Salt (100 gallon box)
- Tropic Marin All for Reef Powder 800g
- Reefmat replacement roll to use as mechanical filter stuffing
- 20lbs live sand from TBS
- 30lbs live rock from TBS

Quarentine Tank Supply:
- Imagitarium Open-Glass Aquarium Tank, 10 Gallon
- (2) Hitop 25W heaters – 1 for tank – 1 as backup
- Tetra whisper air pump
- (2) Air stones
- Air pipping
- Copper Hanna Checker – Marine Water
- Copper Power treatment
- Metroplex treatment
- Polyguard treatment

Looking forward to hearing the community's thoughts on my build/any recommendations you all have so that I can set myseful up for the best chance of success and also ensure the best environment for the animals.

Cheers

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Your stocking list looks fine, the only fish I would not do is a mystery wrasse. Those need a much larger tank than a 20g. Your equipment list looks good too! Can't wait to see what the tank looks like once you get it set up!

 

[c4haskett]

Don't waste your money on radion's. You'll be disappointed. Much better options on the market.

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Looks like you are squared away. I would go with possum over mystery due to size. But they are really cool fish.

 

[Castle136]

Your stocking list looks fine, the only fish I would not do is a mystery wrasse. Those need a much larger tank than a 20g. Your equipment list looks good too! Can't wait to see what the tank looks like once you get it set up!

Thanks for the feedback! Makes sense and wouldn't want to have the animal outgrow the tank. I'll post pictures here once everything comes in and it gets up and running.

 

[Castle136]

Looks like you are squared away. I would go with possum over mystery due to size. But they are really cool fish.

Thank you! Really appreciate the feedback. Seems to be the consensus and I'll be going with the Possum.

 

[Castle136]

Don't waste your money on radion's. You'll be disappointed. Much better options on the market.

What makes the radion's less satisfactory?

 

[c4haskett]

What makes the radion's less satisfactory?

Low par. There is also an issue in the app that "forgets" the time and throws your light schedule off. Very common problem.

 

[Castle136]

Low par. There is also an issue in the app that "forgets" the time and throws your light schedule off. Very common problem.

Great to know thank you!

 

[bangcamaro]

Excited to see your tank! you have a similar size to me so i cant wait to see your progress!

 

[Castle136]

Excited to see your tank! you have a similar size to me so i cant wait to see your progress!

Thank you! I'll be getting my rock/sand from TBS on 17 June and will post updated pics when I get it filled.

 

[bstodds15]

Good luck! Will be following along.

Keep in mind the pistol shrimp will do whatever it feels like with the sand bed. I have a yellow watchman/tiger pistol pair in a 55g and them moving sand around is cute until one night they completely bury something. Worth the inconvenience though lol.

 

[Castle136]

Good luck! Will be following along.

Keep in mind the pistol shrimp will do whatever it feels like with the sand bed. I have a yellow watchman/tiger pistol pair in a 55g and them moving sand around is cute until one night they completely bury something. Worth the inconvenience though lol.

Thank you!

I hadn’t considered sand movement in the YWG and pistol shrimp combo. Funny and inconvenient simultaneously haha. I’ll be on the lookout as I get it setup thanks for the tip!

 

[strykerdog11]

Don't waste your money on radion's. You'll be disappointed. Much better options on the market.

What makes the radion's less satisfactory?

I run radion on my g2 20 gallon. Par high enough to keep sps, no issues at all. Iv ran kessil, AI prime and Hydras in the past and the stock light the tank came with. So far radions have gave me the best look and growth by far!

 

[strykerdog11]

Hi all!

**22 May Update with photos of progress on the build**

I'm a new reefer and am looking to set up my first tank. Based off space limitations and reef/life balance, I'm doing a 20g nano build for my first. This has been a lifelong dream to get a reef tank up and running. I'm excited to get into the hobby! I've already been looking into the builds, the chemistry, etc. of how to properly establish and maintain a reef aquarium. I've looked on here, BRStv, WWC channel, and SR to try and get the best base level understanding that I can get in order to ensure the animals under my care have the best environment and that I have the best chance of success. My plan is to do an LPS dominant reef with some softies and eventually work towards introducing a few acros (but that will not be until much farther down the line when the reef is established and I've had some experience built). For nutrient export I'll be doing a 5g water change weekly on this build and maintaining the mechincal filtration cup/sock with the pieces of floss changed.

For animal life, I'm planning on:

- Pair of Clownfish
- A Yellow Goby with Pistol Shrimp
- A Royal Gramma
- Either a Possum Wrasse or Mystery Wrasse
- A cleaner shrimp
- Utilitarian inverts (hermit crabs, snails, etc)

Here is my build plan that I have ordered/coming in for my main display tank and what I'm looking at for QT:

- MAX NANO G2 Cube Aquarium/stand (20 Gal)
- Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture
- RMS XR15 G5 & G6 Tank Mount System EcoTech Marine
- BRS 2 Part Doser - 1.1 mL per minute
- A3 Apex aquarium controller system
- Osmolator 3 Auto Top Off
- (2) 75W Jager heaters (main and backup)
- VorTech MP10mQD - Mobius Ready QuietDrive Propeller Pump
- 5 Stage Premium plus 75 GPD RO/DI System
- BRUTE 44 Gal. White Vented Plastic Outdoor Trash Can
- 5 Gallon Jug for ATO
- (2) 5 gallon buckets to do water changes
- 32oz (1000ml) container for All Reef one part to go into doser
- Python 25ft no spill syphon kit
- SICCE Ultra Zero 793 GPH Multi-Purpose Water Pump for water changes/mixing
- Salinity Refractometer for Seawater and Marine Fishkeeping Aquarium 0-100 PPT with Automatic Temperature Compensation
- Piranha Float PLUS
- Alkalinity DKH Colorimeter HI772 Hanna Checker - Marine Water
- Phosphate Ultra Low Range PPM Colorimeter HI774 Hanna Checker - Marine Water
- AF Magnesium Test Kit
- RedSea Calcium Pro Test Kit
- NYOS Nitrate (NO3) Reefer Aquarium Test Kit
- Pro Reef Salt (100 gallon box)
- Tropic Marin All for Reef Powder 800g
- Reefmat replacement roll to use as mechanical filter stuffing
- 20lbs live sand from TBS
- 30lbs live rock from TBS

Quarentine Tank Supply:
- Imagitarium Open-Glass Aquarium Tank, 10 Gallon
- (2) Hitop 25W heaters – 1 for tank – 1 as backup
- Tetra whisper air pump
- (2) Air stones
- Air pipping
- Copper Hanna Checker – Marine Water
- Copper Power treatment
- Metroplex treatment
- Polyguard treatment

Looking forward to hearing the community's thoughts on my build/any recommendations you all have so that I can set myseful up for the best chance of success and also ensure the best environment for the animals.

Cheers

I run a similar set up! With very similar equipment with pretty good success!

 

[Castle136]

Don't waste your money on radion's. You'll be disappointed. Much better options on the market.

What makes the radion's less satisfactory?

I run radion on my g2 20 gallon. Par high enough to keep sps, no issues at all. Iv ran kessil, AI prime and Hydras in the past and the stock light the tank came with. So far radions have gave me the best look and growth by far!

This is great thank you! I decided to go with the Radion and am excited to see the results.

 

[Castle136]

Hi all!

**22 May Update with photos of progress on the build**

I'm a new reefer and am looking to set up my first tank. Based off space limitations and reef/life balance, I'm doing a 20g nano build for my first. This has been a lifelong dream to get a reef tank up and running. I'm excited to get into the hobby! I've already been looking into the builds, the chemistry, etc. of how to properly establish and maintain a reef aquarium. I've looked on here, BRStv, WWC channel, and SR to try and get the best base level understanding that I can get in order to ensure the animals under my care have the best environment and that I have the best chance of success. My plan is to do an LPS dominant reef with some softies and eventually work towards introducing a few acros (but that will not be until much farther down the line when the reef is established and I've had some experience built). For nutrient export I'll be doing a 5g water change weekly on this build and maintaining the mechincal filtration cup/sock with the pieces of floss changed.

For animal life, I'm planning on:

- Pair of Clownfish
- A Yellow Goby with Pistol Shrimp
- A Royal Gramma
- Either a Possum Wrasse or Mystery Wrasse
- A cleaner shrimp
- Utilitarian inverts (hermit crabs, snails, etc)

Here is my build plan that I have ordered/coming in for my main display tank and what I'm looking at for QT:

- MAX NANO G2 Cube Aquarium/stand (20 Gal)
- Radion XR15 G6 Blue LED Light Fixture
- RMS XR15 G5 & G6 Tank Mount System EcoTech Marine
- BRS 2 Part Doser - 1.1 mL per minute
- A3 Apex aquarium controller system
- Osmolator 3 Auto Top Off
- (2) 75W Jager heaters (main and backup)
- VorTech MP10mQD - Mobius Ready QuietDrive Propeller Pump
- 5 Stage Premium plus 75 GPD RO/DI System
- BRUTE 44 Gal. White Vented Plastic Outdoor Trash Can
- 5 Gallon Jug for ATO
- (2) 5 gallon buckets to do water changes
- 32oz (1000ml) container for All Reef one part to go into doser
- Python 25ft no spill syphon kit
- SICCE Ultra Zero 793 GPH Multi-Purpose Water Pump for water changes/mixing
- Salinity Refractometer for Seawater and Marine Fishkeeping Aquarium 0-100 PPT with Automatic Temperature Compensation
- Piranha Float PLUS
- Alkalinity DKH Colorimeter HI772 Hanna Checker - Marine Water
- Phosphate Ultra Low Range PPM Colorimeter HI774 Hanna Checker - Marine Water
- AF Magnesium Test Kit
- RedSea Calcium Pro Test Kit
- NYOS Nitrate (NO3) Reefer Aquarium Test Kit
- Pro Reef Salt (100 gallon box)
- Tropic Marin All for Reef Powder 800g
- Reefmat replacement roll to use as mechanical filter stuffing
- 20lbs live sand from TBS
- 30lbs live rock from TBS

Quarentine Tank Supply:
- Imagitarium Open-Glass Aquarium Tank, 10 Gallon
- (2) Hitop 25W heaters – 1 for tank – 1 as backup
- Tetra whisper air pump
- (2) Air stones
- Air pipping
- Copper Hanna Checker – Marine Water
- Copper Power treatment
- Metroplex treatment
- Polyguard treatment

Looking forward to hearing the community's thoughts on my build/any recommendations you all have so that I can set myseful up for the best chance of success and also ensure the best environment for the animals.

Cheers

I run a similar set up! With very similar equipment with pretty good success!

Awesome build! I’d be stoked to get half the results as this on my tank!

 

[Castle136]

*17 June Update*

Got the live rocks and live sand in from TBS today! Huge shout-out to the team there, absolutely amazing experience with them and the end result could not speak for itself more. No clarifying agents and the water has been crystal clear thus far (caveat of only being 12 hours old for the tank).

Here are the photos of the setup as it stands! Felt great getting it all setup and calibrating the system. Got the friendly hitchhikers that came with the shipment plus 5 extra hermit crabs as a CUC to start off the system. Added Dr. Tims to just give a little more of a boost for the brand new build given the already inhabited tank. Excited to see the progress!

 

[X-37B]

You will like the Radion. I run the gen 5 blue on my 15 aio. I run ab+ @ 85%.

 

[Castle136]

You will like the Radion. I run the gen 5 blue on my 15 aio. I run ab+ @ 85%.

Awesome build and looks like great results! Thank you!