Do!Aqua Cube - Invert Paradise

[DFason]

This tank was going to be a NPS tank to complete my three tier set up but life has has been to busy to have it set up that way. Instead the goal of this tank is longevity. My current 35g is going on two years and I want the same for this tank. Oh and its all about the inverts! I have been fascinated with small inverts for some time but not until the past year have suppliers been carrying them. Layers up Monti caps with tiny shrimps running around...paradise for me!

Inverts - I hope to have these all paired or in groups besides the Maxi.

1. Bongo Shrimp
2. Glass Anemone Shrimp - Periclimenes brevicarpalis
3. Urocaridella sp. - Tiny Guys
4. Thor amboinensis - Sexy Shrimp
5. Stichodactyla tapetum - Maxi Mini

The equipment is going to be super simple. I plan to DIY a canister filter with running a "closed loop" with a series of lily pipes then through a small carbon reactor then bio-pellets then through the return lily pipe. I will hide the heater and other gizmo's through a small looking box that will resemble a "overflow". Oh and this baby will be lit by 18 LED's in my own housing that I CNC.

I was going to go with BRS dry rock but the more I think about it I really want to go with live rock. I want to go with mostly monti caps to give the tank multi levels and dimension. Blue Polyp Cap, ATL Pink, Purple Rimmed, Orange.

CNC Housing - 8.5x2.5x1 It will be anodized black.

18 LED with plenty of room to expand :D

Backbone to the system

Livestock so far.

Hope you enjoy!

-Dave

 

[btkrausen]

Nice mini maxi you got there. I wanna see videos of the sexy shrimp in action. Always thought about trying these guys out.

 

[sprinklerdudes]

pretty cool , did you do the machine work on the aluminum yourself?

 

[cparka23]

Isn't the goby going to end up in the anemone one day?

 

[btkrausen]

Isn't the goby going to end up in the anemone one day?

I wouldn't think so. I've had a few nems in my tanks, and never had one eat a fish. Carpet anemones are the ones that are famous for eating fish, not the mini Maxi's

 

[DFason]

Thanks guys. The anemone could chow down on the gobies but I am taking a gamble. They are very healthy so I dont see that being a problem.

I machined the aluminum/housing myself. I have a small CNC that I have. I took some time but really turned out great! I'll have photo's of it soon. I'm hoping I can work on my DIY canister filter today after work.

I've been eying a few maxi's online, but just need to pull the trigger.

-Dave

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

I had the same thought about the maxi mini and the goby.

I have heard that the maxi's are fish eaters, however...you dont know until you try. Hopefully the goby knows better.

 

[skinz78]

Looking great! did you make the heatsink yourself? You don't have shrimp yet correct?

 

[cparka23]

I have heard that the maxi's are fish eaters, however...you dont know until you try. Hopefully the goby knows better.

Yep. I asked a sort of statement-question for that reason. As long as Dave knows, it's not worth another mention.

That heatsink will look amazing after it's anodized, and this setup is coming along very nicely. Keep the DIY coming!

 

[skinz78]

I had a Maxi Mini eat my Lyretail Anthias and one of my Clown Goby's, the nem has been sumped since then.

 

[btkrausen]

Wow, I've never heard of a mini eating a fish, thats crazy. You'd think since they are much smaller they couldn't eat them.

 

[skinz78]

Yep they have some crazy stinging and sticking power. When mine caught my clown Goby it was partially my fault when I was doing my tank upgrade I chased him into the nem when trying to catch him. The Goby was only stuck for a second but it was enough to kill him.

 

[btkrausen]

Thanks for sharing. I had a maxi in my cart when placing an order through divers den, but decided last min to not get him. Do they move around a lot?

 

[skinz78]

No mine haven't really moved around on me at all. They just set up shop and stayed there, but I have heard of them moving on people.

 

[btkrausen]

No mine haven't really moved around on me at all. They just set up shop and stayed there, but I have heard of them moving on people.

Thanks, thats why I decided not to buy, I didn't want him moving around and stinging my SPS. Appreciate the insight.

 

[DFason]

Thanks for the heads up. I think the gobies " know" to stay away. I will pick a few more up this week. I wish I could capture a accurate FTS. The LED's are simply amazing.

I am looking for a White Cap goby/shrimp pair but have not had luck. I've found plenty of single White Caps but no pairs.

Almost finished with the DIY light. Should have some more photo's tomorrow. :)

-Dave

 

[skinz78]

In my experience with Shrimp / Goby pairs you can make them pair up if you put them in a small confined space together. I have even lost a goby in my display tank and then added a new one and it went right to the shrimp and paired up.

 

[DFason]

The white cap will only pair with a specific shrimp. I wish though!

Also I do have the shrimp in there already. I have three sexies and one anemone shrimp. I'll try and get some better photo's.

-Dave

 

[btkrausen]

Sweet, I was see a video of them dancing :) You should get a Yasha goby who would pair with a pistol. I have a pair of yashas and a pistol in my tank, pretty fun to watch.

 

[DFason]

I need to clean some stuff up...

Enjoy!

-Dave