New 25G AIO Cube Setup in Progress

[Runner]

Well, I have finally done it. I have been collecting a few things (light, ATO, heaters) over the last couple of years, and I already had the 20"x20" stand, so I went ahead and officially jumped back into the hobby. Pretty much have all the hardware I need and am running with it. The photo below is from 4 days ago -- have added rock and aragonite filter media and jump started cycle with ammonia and nitrate additives since then.

• The tank is Hydra Aquatics "Brilliant Back Filter Rimless" 25G Starphire cube
• Circulation pump is Aquatop NP-305
• The light is a Current Orbit R24 52W Reef LED
• The ATO has a decent sensor on top (in pump section) and a small pump that fits in my 2.5G RODI container
• Heater is a BRS 100W titanium tube controlled by an Inkbird ITC-308S controller.

Going with 35 lbs aragonite sand and 30 lbs dry rock for now until cycled, then adding pods/phyto/coraline algae, then cleaning crew. Then I will figure out what corals/fish to add, but have some ideas. Most definitely going to have goby/shrimp pair again. :)

Been interesting saving and planning and buying exactly what I wanted rather than just patching things together on a tight budget. The only thing I did not do that I wanted to do was go with an internal overflow and a sump -- but figured the AIO would give me most of what I wanted with less hassle.

 

[viceversabrd]

Looks great! How do you like the aquarium? I've been going through the same process of determining whether I want an AIO or overflow/sump......it's been difficult going back and forth haha. I gravitated towards the hydra aquatics because they seem to be on of the only rimless cubes using clear silicone, for some reason the black silicone on the other brands irks me.

 

[Runner]

I love the tank. Very clear with clean edges. I waffled back and forth about getting a 20x20x20 cube with thru-the-back overflow and sump, but figure this setup is somewhat less hassle.

 

[Runner]

Over a week and fully into the cycle. Have steady ammonia supply and nitrite falling while nitrate going up, so guess I did something right. About to add 20 lbs more fake dry rock and dump in a bunch of nitrifying bacteria to bump it towards completion.

Have had lights out, so no algae signs yet.

 

[viceversabrd]

I love the tank. Very clear with clean edges. I waffled back and forth about getting a 20x20x20 cube with thru-the-back overflow and sump, but figure this setup is somewhat less hassle.

Yeah everything that Im seeing says that it's a solid brand. Got a link to that 20 cube you were considering? .....for my research haha

 

[Runner]

Was looking for the size more than the brand given I have an old stand that kept me from going too large. There was a 20x20x20 rimless Seapora tank I considered that was larger and cheaper (basically a walmart brand). I was thinking of drilling it myself and using an overflow like:

Prodigy M Low Profile Overflow Box (700 GPH)

The Prodigy by Eshopps was created for advanced aquarists with efficiency and beauty in mind. There’s no bigger eyesore in a beautifully aquascaped reef tank than a giant overflow box in the middle of your view. Overflows are a critical component of modern sump filtration, but they’re often not...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

But Aquarium locally carries the entire line of tank that I ended up buying. Loved it the moment I laid eyes on it

 

[viceversabrd]

Was looking for the size more than the brand given I have an old stand that kept me from going too large. There was a 20x20x20 rimless Seapora tank I considered that was larger and cheaper (basically a walmart brand). I was thinking of drilling it myself and using an overflow like:

Prodigy M Low Profile Overflow Box (700 GPH)

The Prodigy by Eshopps was created for advanced aquarists with efficiency and beauty in mind. There’s no bigger eyesore in a beautifully aquascaped reef tank than a giant overflow box in the middle of your view. Overflows are a critical component of modern sump filtration, but they’re often not...

www.bulkreefsupply.com

But Aquarium locally carries the entire line of tank that I ended up buying. Loved it the moment I laid eyes on it

Aaah gotcha yeah I'm between the one you got (hydra aquatics aio 25gal) and UNS 50c which is basically a 20x20 (30.9 gal) cube that'd id have to drill and add the eshopps overflow, sump etc. What fish are thinking about putting in yours? How's the layout in the back filtration compartments? couldn't find much literature on those, think we could fit a Red Sea nano reef mat back there somehow ?

 

[Runner]

Aaah gotcha yeah I'm between the one you got (hydra aquatics aio 25gal) and UNS 50c which is basically a 20x20 (30.9 gal) cube that'd id have to drill and add the eshopps overflow, sump etc.

I did look at the Ultum tanks and really liked them. Aquatic Marine in town carries those, and have the 16x16 cube AIO in stock. I wanted larger, though, but could not get it through Ultum in an AIO and still fit on my tand. Seriously considered the 50C as well but decided not to drill. Very comparable to the AIO I purchased.

 

[Runner]

Back compartments I have aragonite based rubble and bio media for now. avoiding skimmer as long as possible. Will be mixed reef with LPS and zoas and palys, most likely. Fish haven't settled on anything except watchman goby/shrimp pair.

As for the Red Sea reefmat, had never heard of those before. Will take a closer look but would say it could fit in the AIO compartment, which is 3" deep. I would hate the way it protruded over the top though. Would need something to hide that.

 

[Runner]

Added 20 lbs of rock and bottle of nitrifying bacteria on Friday. Yesterday morning, Ammonia 0 and Nitrites about 2ppm. Added some ammonia and tested about 2ppm four hours latter, but back to zero this morning (added a little more to keep things going). So close to ready for cleanup crew.

 

[Runner]

Just got back from a 3 day trip that became a 6 day trip thanks to snow and ice and 1200 Delta Airlines cancelations. And tank is stable. Ammonia and nitrite are zero. pH is 8.0. Nitrate is 10 to 20 ppm.

Have a few snails wandering around and cyano is in multiple places. Full cleanup crew arrives in 3 or 4 days.

Feeling pretty good thus far. Even figured out my list of occupants:

• Watchman goby
• Tiger pistol shrimp
• Firefish of some kind
• Pearly jawfish
• Midwater fish of some kind: Anthia or peaceful basslet or the like

Will pick out corals after fish are settled. GSP (glued to back wall), zoas, and LPS such as branching hammer or the like.

P.S. specific gravity coming in at 1.027, so might lower that slightly. Otherwise looks good.

 

[TacticalBacon]

Looks great. I am 3 months into my 43g cube.
I was going AIO but when I found out I could get sumo for less money. I was sold.

I still want an AIO just to have different tank in another room.

I am in Knoxville.
Has anyone gotten fish from Aquarium? I had an issue with some of their tests results is I have stayed away.

Also Reef Chasers in Cleveland has some nice corals.

 

[Runner]

Been a long time since I bought fish at Aquarium, but never had real issues with them back in the day. The Coral Reef was the best store then, but it morphed into a breeder out in Jefferson City and closed retail doors here. First class place in breeding clownfish, then other species. Guy who started it was a hobbyist and former club member. Aquatic Marine was my go-to place after that. Just getting to know them again though. Yet to buy fish anywhere.

 

[Runner]

Also Reef Chasers in Cleveland has some nice corals.

Will give them a look. You have some of what I am looking for. Locally Aquatic Marine has a decent selection that looks healthy. Was shocked at the prices until I checked online and saw everything had similarly gone up.

 

[Runner]

Cyano and hair algae big in my tank now. Cleanup crew minimal thanks to USPS late delivery and massive snails and crab carnage in the box. Reordered full crew and some frags -- overnight delivery this time.

 

[Runner]

Well, overnight after they take a few days to assemble for shipping. Just changed water and cleaned glass. Notice the big Mexican turbo cut a wide path through the algae and left clean white rock behind. Glad I am getting a couple more of them. Along with astreae, large cerith, tongs nassarius, and Scarlett hermits.

Still waiting on fish, but have an idea what I want.

Wat is 8.2 pH and about 10 nitrate.

All steady and good for now.

 

[ZIGGY63]

Looking good

 

[Runner]

Water doing well. Added full cleanup crew and within days rock and sand is clear of cyano and hair algae. About to add the purple and pink coraline algae additives -- and get a good mix of pods to beef up diversity.

 

[Runner]

Still not much added, but nice clean home for snails and Scarlett hermits persists.

 

[Runner]

Finally spotted my new hi-fin goby and randalli shrimp together. They are sooo tiny. Not the best pic, but you can see them.