First Saltwater Tank 14gal Cube!

[Joe_Mullet]

Updated this a bit from the original post but the tank has since evolved:

It has been a dream of mine to own a pair of Clownfish so I finally decided to take the plunge and start a saltwater tank (super simple right). I wanted to keep things pretty budget friendly since I'm a beginner. But despite my research I still feel like there are some things I would already have done differently but oh well lol. Chose a cube shaped tank because of its pleasing shape and the fact it doesn't take up too much space in my bedroom.

Build:
Tank: Imaginarium 14 Gal cube
Fliter: Coralife Marine Filter with skimmer (HOB) "Upgrated" to the Sicce Shark Nano 320
Heater: Sicce Jolly Preset Aqueaon 50 watt
Wavemaker: Sicce Voyager Nano
Light: 30 watt Hygger clip on goose neck
Sand: Carabsea live sand
Rock: Liferock (not sure what brand it was but it wasn't live rock)

Lifeforms:
Pair of Clownfish
CUC: 3 Hermits, 1 Peppermint shrimp, Naussarius, Dwarf Cerith snails
Macroalgea I have already picked out: 4 random Caulerpa species & Crimson Hearts
Soft Coral: Kenya Tree, Pulsing Xenia

I really want an Urchin but with my plans to have Macroalgae it may not be a good idea for the tank for now.

I'm currently in week 2 of fish-less cycling so it's a little bare bones but I have been testing regularly and already have some nitrates showing, been using Microbe-Lift Nite Out II daily with ghost feeding.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

very nice!!

 

[Joe_Mullet]

Might as well do a little update, finished the cycle, added Macros and a clownfish pair. Currently ordered a new filter, going to try the Sicce Shark 320 internal as well as an ATO from ReefBreeders.
The Coralife HOB filter is fine, but with the noise and microbubbbles I don't think it's worth keeping it running with the skimmer attached especially because I'm going for a softie/macro tank I think the skimmer is overkill for my system.

 

[Joe_Mullet]

.

 

[Joe_Mullet]

Update: it's been 40 days since I started this tank currently NOT enjoying the very green algae growth but I'm getting some coralline at least, I suspect it came from the little liverock piece I have

I'm surprised it's spreading so early but I'm not complaining lol

 

[MC Blowfish]

It's looking good.

 

[EastonsReef]

Following along, looking good so far!
One thing I didn't see on your equipment list you may want to look into. An inkbird thermostat and ATO. Inkbird will save your tank if the heater fails and ATO is a nice quality of life upgrade. Looking forward to seeing the progress!

 

[Joe_Mullet]

update :)

 

[OZoned]

update :)

Awesome.