Soft Coral Cube Build

[ruxsir]

Figured I started a build thread for this tank.

Marineland 20 x 18 x 20 cube
Eshopps eclipse small overflow
Marineland Newport stand
AI prime 16
Ecotech MP10
5.5 gallon sump
5.5 gallon ATO
Eheim 100W heater
Duetto ATO

Tropic Eden Morroca Rock
Barebottom
1 lb of gulf live rock and 5 lbs of Australian live rock rubble in sump

Plumbing was taken from a 40 breeder than never got set up so had to modify it a little.

Using a glass lid to prevent evaporation as my apartment isn’t the biggest.

Plan is for mostly soft corals. Mainly leathers, some zoas.

Probably a pair of clownfish. Maybe also a royal gramma.

 

[smitten with ocean life]

i really like it! very nice!

 

[dvgyfresh]

very nice build! You may want to rethink the glass lid, it is really going to lower oxygen in the tank. Unless you run an air stone from outside

 

[ruxsir]

very nice build! You may want to rethink the glass lid, it is really going to lower oxygen in the tank. Unless you run an air stone from outside

I’ll see how it goes for a little while. My place is about 600 sq ft so I am most worried about the evaporation in such a small space. Always easy enough to just take it off.

 

[ruxsir]

Excited to see this tank stocked when the sun hits it

 

[xWascallyWabbit]

Can't wait to see it progress! Keep us posted

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[Aquadude1]

Following

 

[ruxsir]

Turned on the MP10 tonight to stir up the detritus that has settled off the live rock rubble in the sump.

Running at max 35% on lagoon mode right now. We’ll see if I change this depending on how corals respond.

Not sure if this noise is normal. Can’t hear it with the TV on, or from father than 5 feet away if my place is dead quiet.

Here’s a quick video.

 

[dvgyfresh]

Turned on the MP10 tonight to stir up the detritus that has settled off the live rock rubble in the sump.

Running at max 35% on lagoon mode right now. We’ll see if I change this depending on how corals respond.

Not sure if this noise is normal. Can’t hear it with the TV on, or from father than 5 feet away if my place is dead quiet.

Here’s a quick video.

I don’t think that is normal , I’ve never had one but I can’t imagine it being that loud , do you have warranty or return? When I bought my hygger gyre I had the same issue , I just exchanged it and now it’s dead silent

 

[ruxsir]

I don’t think that is normal , I’ve never had one but I can’t imagine it being that loud , do you have warranty or return? When I bought my hygger gyre I had the same issue , I just exchanged it and now it’s dead silent

No I bought it used like 2 years ago. Used it for a year, kept in storage for a year. The video does make it seem a lot louder than it is but it is noticeable with the Tv off and silence. I’ll let it run and see it if quiets down. I have another MP10 I could use the wet side from.

 

[ruxsir]

Picked up some corals from a local reefer.

Two toadstools
One Gorgonian
One devils hand leather


Attached them to some rock rubble with zip ties until they attack. Glue the gorg to a hole in the rubble.

Took the wetside off the MP10. Shaft cracked. Replaced with my other MP10 that’s in storage wetside. Much quieter now just hear the slight hum of the motor when about a foot away.

Only runnning it at 35% for now. Will turn it up when the corals attach to the rubble.

Lot of gunk has settled on the bottom from cycling and no wavemaker being on. Also stirred up the live rock rubble in the sump to find a couple pieces. Hoping the vortech stirs it up into the filter sock. We remove the rest with a water change in the next week.

Running Dmitry’s AI signature series on the prime, probably about 40% right now. Will turn this up most likely.

Took a couple pieces of Aussie rock rubble out that had some black algae on them. Tried scrubbing it off but didn’t get all of it. Gonna let this pieces dry out and save them to glue corals onto.

 

[ruxsir]

Vortech making noise again. Must be the dry side. I have it angled sideways which I don’t think could be causing it. Going to try and rotate it so the wire is vertical. If not, will change it out with other dry side I have. Non mobius however so would like this one to work.

 

[Aquadude1]

Picked up some corals from a local reefer.

Two toadstools
One Gorgonian
One devils hand leather


Attached them to some rock rubble with zip ties until they attack. Glue the gorg to a hole in the rubble.

Took the wetside off the MP10. Shaft cracked. Replaced with my other MP10 that’s in storage wetside. Much quieter now just hear the slight hum of the motor when about a foot away.

Only runnning it at 35% for now. Will turn it up when the corals attach to the rubble.

Lot of gunk has settled on the bottom from cycling and no wavemaker being on. Also stirred up the live rock rubble in the sump to find a couple pieces. Hoping the vortech stirs it up into the filter sock. We remove the rest with a water change in the next week.

Running Dmitry’s AI signature series on the prime, probably about 40% right now. Will turn this up most likely.

Took a couple pieces of Aussie rock rubble out that had some black algae on them. Tried scrubbing it off but didn’t get all of it. Gonna let this pieces dry out and save them to glue corals onto.

Looking good! Do you have any plans for extra food for the coral?

 

[ruxsir]

Looking good! Do you have any plans for extra food for the coral?

Like fish/ feeding corals?

Nitrate was tested at 28 and phosphate was .3 (expired reagent). Gonna try and keep them around there for now.

Would like a pair of true Solomon island perculas or C Quest Onyx clowns.

 

[JumboShrimp]

You had my attention from "Soft Coral Cube Build." Best wishes!

 

[ruxsir]

You had my attention from "Soft Coral Cube Build." Best wishes!

Thanks!

 

[ruxsir]

MP10 started making this vibrating nose. I think it’s coming from the wet side but I can’t tell. The other wet side ceramic shaft was broken. Hoping this one isn’t broken as well because there’s no way to replace them other than order new wet sides.

Thoughts?

 

[ruxsir]

Added this Nero 3 temporarily until I can figure out this MP10 noise. Unbelievably annoying to listen to it. Nice to have silent water movement now.

Reached out to ecotech support so we’ll see what they say.

Don’t really want to have to purchase 2 new wetsides for the two MP10s.

Don’t want the Nero to be permanent because I don’t want the cord in the tank. Although it is not really noticeable at all.

 

[JumboShrimp]

It's amazing how much money one can save by being willing to 'live with' a cord in the tank.