Waterbox Cube 20 Build Thread - Wise Edition

[tinyfellows]

I can’t remember if nitrates can give a false reading for nitrites or the other way around. But I was told that when I was cycling my tank

 

[RichWise73]

Yesterday’s parameters (forgot to post):
pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 2 ppm
Nitrate - 10 ppm

Added Microbacter7

 

[RichWise73]

Today’s parameters:

pH - 7.92
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 2 ppm
Nitrate - 10 ppm

Added Microbacter7.

 

[ShepherdReefer]

Looking great

 

[RichWise73]

Looking great

Thanks

 

[RichWise73]

Today’s parameters:

pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0.25 ppm

 

[RichWise73]

Today’s parameters:

pH - 8.0
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 10 ppm

Hint of algae forming on top of the sand.

 

[RichWise73]

Today’s parameters:

pH - 8.2
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 5ppm

Performed a 33% water change on 1/14 and started skimmer. Also started dosing All For Reef on 1/14.

 

[tinyfellows]

I’d keep an eye on your alk cause when I first started dosing all for reef after having coral for a couple months the recommended dose was way to much and my alk quickly got over 10. But now with my tank being 10 months old I am dosing 5 ml for a 20 gallon

 

[RichWise73]

I’d keep an eye on your alk cause when I first started dosing all for reef after having coral for a couple months the recommended dose was way to much and my alk quickly got over 10. But now with my tank being 10 months old I am dosing 5 ml for a 20 gallon

Thanks for the heads up. I tested a few parameters prior to starting the AFR dosing and they were as follows:
Alk - 6.9 dKH
Calcium - 390 ppm
Magnesium - 1155 ppm

I started off dosing 3.8 ml per day. I'll check my parameters again tomorrow to see where they are and adjust accordingly.

 

[RichWise73]

Added some snails as part of the clean up crew.

 

[RichWise73]

Added some Zoas and favia. My lid will be shipped today so I plan on adding the first fish after the lid is here.

 

[RichWise73]

Today’s parameters:


Salinity - 1.025 (calibrated refractometer)

pH - 8.3 (Portable pH meter)

Alkalinity - 7.6 dKH (Hanna checker)

Phosphate - 0.03 ppm (Hanna checker)

Magnesium - 1260 ppm (AF)

Calcium - 370 ppm (Red Sea)

Nitrate - 5 ppm (Nyos)

Temperature - 78° F (laser temp gun)

Increased the dosing amount for All For Reef to increase alkalinity and calcium levels.

 

[RichWise73]

Today’s Parameters:

Salinity - 1.025
pH - 8.3
Alkalinity - 8.7
Phosphate - 0.04 ppm
Magnesium - 1200 ppm
Calcium - 400 ppm
Nitrate (Nyos) - 1 ppm
Temperature - 77.7° F

 

[RichWise73]

 

[RichWise73]

Today’s parameters:


Salinity - 1.025
pH - 8.4
Alkalinity - 9.0
Phosphate - 0.02 ppm
Magnesium - 1200 ppm
Calcium - 390 ppm
Nitrate (Nyos) - 1 ppm
Temperature - 78.1° F

Manually dosed calcium and magnesium to increase levels and increased AFR auto dosing by 0.5 ml/day.

Unplugged skimmer to see if nitrates rise above 1.

 

[RichWise73]

Yesterday’s Parameters:

Salinity - 1.026
pH - 8.4
Alkalinity - 9.2 dKH
Phosphate - 0.02 ppm
Magnesium - 1350 ppm
Calcium - 450 ppm
Nitrate (Nyos) - 5 ppm
Temperature - 78.3° F

 

[RichWise73]

 

[officialreefbros]

It’s like Christmas morning. Wave maker and sand ordered this evening. Hoping to open the box of life rock tomorrow and designing the rock scape.

How have you been liking the 1/4 inch VCA random flow generator with the sicce 1.0? I currently have the 1/2 inch kit and am debating down sizing to the single or double 1/4in.

 

[RichWise73]

How have you been liking the 1/4 inch VCA random flow generator with the sicce 1.0? I currently have the 1/2 inch kit and am debating down sizing to the single or double 1/4in.

So far, I like it a lot. It definitely delivers a lot of random flow. I can see polyps of sps frags swaying and then get a large ripple at the surface. It took a bit of adjusting for me to find a good mix that allowed good surface agitation and keep a majority of the flow directed towards the corals. Once I found that spot though, I’ve been very happy it.