Hexagon Diary

[Anna K]

Thought I'd go ahead and make a tank build thread, so anyone new, can see WHAT NOT TO DO. :face-with-tears-of-joy:
Is my tank even considered a tank??

I'm definitely a glutton for punishment (but it's working so far).
Please enjoy this wonderful step-by-step diary guide of 'Things Not to Do" professionally exhibited by me, Anna.

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Here is my current setup as of 2/18/25 (get ready for the what the heck shenanigans)

Tank: Top Fin Captivate Starter Kit, 20G, Tall Hexagon :rolling-on-the-floor-laughing::grimacing-face::crying-face::dizzy-face: (19.1" x 16.16" x 24.4")
Sand: CaribSea Ocean Direct Caribbean Live Aquarium Sand
Rocks: CaribSea LifeRock Dry Live Rock
Water: Nature's Ocean Live Nutri-Seawater (don't come for me :face-with-tears-of-joy:)
Light: AI Prime 16HD (replaced the Hipargero A036)
Powerhead: Fluval Sea CP3
Heater: Aqueon Submersible 100W
Filter: Fluval Aquaclear Power Filter 30g
Testers: API Marine Saltwater Master Test Kit, Wutest 9-way aquarium test strips (don't buy this), Salinity Refractometer
Tools: 18.9in curbed tweezers, Aqueon Algae Cleaner, Seachem Reef Glue, Kordon pH Decrease
Misc: Red Sea Reef Energy AB+

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1/27/29

2/4/25 First coral - I was scared to take them off the plugs :grinning-face-with-sweat:

Grew some balls and took frags off their plugs and got a Duncan colony 2/15

Current Test Dates
Salinity Refractometer: 1/28, 2/4, 2/11, 2/18
Strip Test: 1/28, 1/29, 1/30, 2/1, 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 2/7, 2/10, 2/11, 2/12, 2/14, 2/16, 2/17
Master Test: 2/15, 2/17, 2/18
All test have come back in the ideal parameters for the tank so far

Light Settings (if you have any pointers on this please lmk)

I've been changing out about 4.5 - 5 gallons of water every week so far :)

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So far I am enjoying watching my coral extend and grow and look pretty under the light.
I enjoy feeding my bubble tip anemone (Steve). Steve doesn't like me.

 

[Llyod276]

First off, forget Steve! Second, dang you move fast what was that a week between set up and the first frags and then your feeding on top of it??? Bro you don't go in guns blazing, no you just straight drop bombs. And it works apparently??? Bro come and fix my wife's nano!!!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along! Hexagon tanks are always unique to look at so I'm curious to see the progress on yours!

 

[Anna K]

I've updated my lighting parameters to the following below. I'm hoping this change will make my Duncan colony open up fully

Update on my duncan colony that I picked up from @Corals.com

But everything I'm now reading about the light is telling me to have the first 4 set to 100 or more and why are lights the most confusing part of this whole thing

 

[Llyod276]

Believe it or not, I was worried about the duncs in the wife's swamp tank but they're open and happy...