Waterbox cube 20 reef build

[maxone]

Hey everyone Im making this thread to document my reefing journey. I purchased a waterbox cube 20 to go all out on for me to have during college. So far I have a ai prime for lighting I have the new tunze nano auto top of system on it. For flow I have the nero 3 and the axis 40 as my return pump I chose these pumps solely because they aren't too expensive but I can still have them setup on the same program which I will be posting here soon as well as my light schedule etc. I cycled the tank for about two weeks without lights on I also used the dr tim's nitrifying bacteria to seed the tank with its beneficial bacteria. After the tank was cycled I moved everything from my 20 tall that I already had for about 2 years. It wasn't much but that tank has been through a bunch of almost crashes because of poor maintenance. I ended up moving my 2 clownfish one being all black with a orange face and a mocha storm, a royal gramma, and a bengal cardinal. For the inverts I added one hermit crab and 3 trochus snails 4 Astraea snails, 2 nassarius snails, and one Tiger conch. I did transfer over one coral which is a random zoanthid rock from my last tank It did have some bristle worms in the rock but i tried my best to take them out and i dipped the rock twice in coral dip to try to kill them. One of my biggest goals with this tank is to take it slow and have no parasites or issues with livestock. I am thinking of upgrading some more equipment like switching from a glass to a titanium BRS heater. I also want to invest in a good protein skimmer one that wont give me issues and preferably not to loud since the stand that I am building will double as a night stand. Im also thinking of decking it out with the apex controlers. Lots of good things to come for this build but I still have to build my aquascape and finish the stand for it to start making it look nice. If you have any critiques or suggestions please let me know.​

 

[JerryB1232]

Looking forward to this build thread! I just recently graduated college, and I went through 3 tanks in 4 years due to moving and internships. I hope you are able to keep it up instead breaking down and starting new like me every year. Your equipment is great so far and glass heaters are good as long as you do not run them out of the water. The Bristleworms are good too, they serve the exact same purpose as the nessarius snails and do not cause any harm to the reef tank. I have a 25g and have an icecap k1 nano protein skimmer, it is very much not quit, but I have it on a timer to turn off during sleeping hours. The other option I heavily looked into was the bubblemagus miniq, this one might be a better fit for bedroom tanks.

 

[maxone]

I hope I dont have to take that route and just stick with this one tank or maybe add more but my campus isnt far from home so it shouldnt be an issue. I was also looking at the sicce shark skimmer do you know anything about those?

 

[JerryB1232]

I hope I dont have to take that route and just stick with this one tank or maybe add more but my campus isnt far from home so it shouldnt be an issue. I was also looking at the sicce shark skimmer do you know anything about those?

No, the k1 is the only one I have owned.

 

[maxone]

Update
I purchased a reefnroll fleece roller, soccer shark skimmer 150, last bit of epoxy and glue to build my aqua scape here’s a picture of how my tank looks now to give reference

 

[maxone]

Update
I purchased a reefnroll fleece roller, soccer shark skimmer 150, last bit of epoxy and glue to build my aqua scape here’s a picture of how my tank looks now to give reference

Update
I purchased a reefnroll fleece roller, soccer shark skimmer 150, last bit of epoxy and glue to build my aqua scape here’s a picture of how my tank looks now to give reference

 

[maxone]

The aquascape in the photo is something really basic I did and am going to change to something more like a BRS “HNSA” to create a more naturalistic and reassuring habitat for the inhabitants in it and to create more strategic areas for my corals to be placed. Now this will be my first attempt at an HNSA I will be sharing my livestock list to see if I will need more caves or overhangs things like that any and all advice would be greatly appreciated

 

[NDFoz]

The aquascape in the photo is something really basic I did and am going to change to something more like a BRS “HNSA” to create a more naturalistic and reassuring habitat for the inhabitants in it and to create more strategic areas for my corals to be placed. Now this will be my first attempt at an HNSA I will be sharing my livestock list to see if I will need more caves or overhangs things like that any and all advice would be greatly appreciated

I have the same tank, return pump, running 2x Nero 3’s, the Reef-N-Roll Filter Roller, I am running a IOAOI 50G Nano Protein Skimmer, The Plank Auto Feeder. I am hoping that I am on the downward side of a HORRIBLE Dino outbreak that decimated my tank. Lost a couple of corals, 2-Clowns, Clown Goby, and some inverts. Not pleased about the clowns losing those two really bothered the kids and I when we found them belly up. I run 2x 12” AI Blade Grows.

I look forward to your build and progress! So definitely keep us in the know.

 

[Lou City Reefing]

Update
I purchased a reefnroll fleece roller, soccer shark skimmer 150, last bit of epoxy and glue to build my aqua scape here’s a picture of how my tank looks now to give reference

Are you liking the filter roller + skimmer combo on a tank this size?

I also have the WB 20 AIO Cube, and was debating between the Reef n Roll or the Red Sea Nanomat with the 3D printer adapter. Are you only able to use the filter rolls from Reef N Roll’s website or are there other options?

 

[maxone]

I defienteley dont think that the combo is anywhere near necessary for the average livestock load a tank this size would ususally have but to give you an idea of why I am using the two I will post my finalized livestock list for my tank to give an idea for how big of a bioload I will end up having. The skimmer I just received a couple of days ago works great from what I can see. I dont have the bioload yet for it to be running ( all of the skimate is clear/white meaning that it isnt collecting a lot of poop I guess) I only have a pair of clownfish that get feed pellets twice a day by an auto feeder. On another note, my reefnroll just shipped, so I haven't been able to use it yet, but when I get it, I will try and test out different rolls and see if it would be compatible with other brands. I have heard, though, that it's not a good idea to be running a low micron size for your fleece, especially if you have it set up in an aio system where all of the water flows through it. Apparently, it can lead to your water being almost completely stripped of nutrients, which isn't good for your corals or nuisance algae. I will be trying to find a fleece roll that is in the 100-250 micron range.

 

[maxone]

I have the same tank, return pump, running 2x Nero 3’s, the Reef-N-Roll Filter Roller, I am running a IOAOI 50G Nano Protein Skimmer, The Plank Auto Feeder. I am hoping that I am on the downward side of a HORRIBLE Dino outbreak that decimated my tank. Lost a couple of corals, 2-Clowns, Clown Goby, and some inverts. Not pleased about the clowns losing those two really bothered the kids and I when we found them belly up. I run 2x 12” AI Blade Grows.

I look forward to your build and progress! So definitely keep us in the know.

Where did you get your nem guards for your Nero3´s, and how good have they been working? Also, how do you like having the reefnroll?

 

[maxone]

My finialized livestock list for my tank I have decided on these fish and am trying to create enough caves and disruptance in the aquascape that I am building to minimize and get rid of any possible aggression and to create a more natural feeling envirnment for the fish.

• Pair of clownfish (already have them)
• 2-3 Zebra-barred dartfish
• harptail Blenny
• pink-streaked wrasse
• banggai cardinal (maybe)

 

[JerryB1232]

I defienteley dont think that the combo is anywhere near necessary for the average livestock load a tank this size would ususally have but to give you an idea of why I am using the two I will post my finalized livestock list for my tank to give an idea for how big of a bioload I will end up having. The skimmer I just received a couple of days ago works great from what I can see. I dont have the bioload yet for it to be running ( all of the skimate is clear/white meaning that it isnt collecting a lot of poop I guess) I only have a pair of clownfish that get feed pellets twice a day by an auto feeder. On another note, my reefnroll just shipped, so I haven't been able to use it yet, but when I get it, I will try and test out different rolls and see if it would be compatible with other brands. I have heard, though, that it's not a good idea to be running a low micron size for your fleece, especially if you have it set up in an aio system where all of the water flows through it. Apparently, it can lead to your water being almost completely stripped of nutrients, which isn't good for your corals or nuisance algae. I will be trying to find a fleece roll that is in the 100-250 micron range.

Sounds like your water level in the skimmer is too high. I would lower the water level to the point where you don’t get anything out and then slowly move the water level up every 30 minutes or so until you start getting some bubbles going into the cup. If you stop there you will be skimming dry.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

My finialized livestock list for my tank I have decided on these fish and am trying to create enough caves and disruptance in the aquascape that I am building to minimize and get rid of any possible aggression and to create a more natural feeling envirnment for the fish.

• Pair of clownfish (already have them)
• 2-3 Zebra-barred dartfish
• harptail Blenny
• pink-streaked wrasse
• banggai cardinal (maybe)

I wouldn't do the cardinal. I feel like you are pushing your stock limit a little with the wrasse, considering you already have two clowns and want 2-3 dart fish plus a blenny

 

[maxone]

Sounds like your water level in the skimmer is too high. I would lower the water level to the point where you don’t get anything out and then slowly move the water level up every 30 minutes or so until you start getting some bubbles going into the cup. If you stop there you will be skimming dry.

okay i´ll try that but what color should my skimate be?

 

[JerryB1232]

okay i´ll try that but what color should my skimate be?

Here is mine

 

[maxone]

This is how mine looks now

 

[maxone]

 

[JerryB1232]

How often are you having to empty it?

 

[maxone]

It got like that after an hour I haven’t had it running longer just because I don’t have it dialed yet and haven’t had the time to but should I lower the water level ? Adjust air ?