20 gallon hex build(first tank)

[gator05156]

I'm starting this thread to document my first build and foray into saltwater reef keeping. Any comments/tips are welcome.

 

[NonstopSoda]

awesome! have a good time and ask any questions you need!

 

[gator05156]

July 27th. First day with the original light setup. Good picture of the refinished table I'm using as a stand.

 

[gator05156]

New lights added Aug 4th. Also added the box under the table for supplies. Thought that was a nice touch. Lights are HygerHG016 with sunrise/sunset. Also installed the small powerhead.

 

[gator05156]

Also forgot to mention...doing a fishless cycle with live sand, dry rock, and a chunk of shrimp. Cycle well under way as of today. Ammonia is almost 0ppm, nitrites and nitrates happening now.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[AlyciaMarie]

I don't think I've seen a tank this shape before. Super cool!

 

[gator05156]

I'm thinking that when it comes time to stock, I'm going to go with an "ornamental cuc"...pom pom crabs, porceline crabs, and tiger pistol shrimp. Then stock with corals. Anyone have any positive/negative experiences with that type of setup?

 

[kevgib67]

This is going to be a very unique build, following. What are you thinking for fish?

 

[gastone]

I kept a 42hex as my main display tank for years. Always a challenge with canopies (they used to be a thing). They don't get much love, but I always enjoy a build on one. Good luck!

 

[gator05156]

This is going to be a very unique build, following. What are you thinking for fish?

Not sure yet. I'm hunting for the one or two "showpiece" fish...something that will fit in my tank but at the same time stand out. Open to suggestions.

 

[gator05156]

I kept a 42hex as my main display tank for years. Always a challenge with canopies (they used to be a thing). They don't get much love, but I always enjoy a build on one. Good luck!

What sort of issues other than canopies/lighting did you encounter?

 

[kevgib67]

Not sure yet. I'm hunting for the one or two "showpiece" fish...something that will fit in my tank but at the same time stand out. Open to suggestions.

I wouldn’t have a saltwater tank without a clown fish pair, but that’s just me. Royal grammas have a nice pop of color as well as a yellow tail damsel.

 

[gator05156]

I wouldn’t have a saltwater tank without a clown fish pair, but that’s just me. Royal grammas have a nice pop of color as well as a yellow tail damsel.

I just can't do clowns...I like em but oo common. Looing for something exotic. Lol

 

[Foodfish]

Hello fellow vermonter, tanks lookin good!

 

[gator05156]

Hello fellow vermonter, tanks lookin good!

Thank you. Where ya from? B'town area?

 

[gastone]

What sort of issues other than canopies/lighting did you encounter?

The seams were a pita. It was constantly splitting. Mind you I purchased it used in college circa 1996, and set it up as a reef tank in 2002. Who knows what kind of life it lived prior to me and I'm hard on equipment as well. But something about orthogonal seams on a 120° joint just don't jive. I went out of town for hurricane Isabel in 2003 and came home to a tank drained about 2/3 of the way. Somehow a basketball sized frogspawn, breeding pair of GSMs and rbta all survived. I did another crappy patch job (didn't take the time to learn how to re-silicone a tank, just cleaned up the obvious split and slapped some more on there), refilled and waited for the next debacle. Finally broke it down in 2008/09. Always enjoyed the aquascaping challenge. Had two large towers of rock, connected by a bridge at the top.

Drilling for an overflow is tough as the short pane width doesn't accommodate an overflow easily. Wavemakers were tough as the tank is so small, without a long dimension, that circulation is a bit funny. Of course things have changed with the myriad of options 15 years later, even with lighting. No problem lighting today. I'm sure there's more but truth be told, solving the challenges (or working within their constraints anyway) was always a big part of the enjoyment of the hex.

 

[gator05156]

The seams were a pita. It was constantly splitting. Mind you I purchased it used in college circa 1996, and set it up as a reef tank in 2002. Who knows what kind of life it lived prior to me and I'm hard on equipment as well. But something about orthogonal seams on a 120° joint just don't jive. I went out of town for hurricane Isabel in 2003 and came home to a tank drained about 2/3 of the way. Somehow a basketball sized frogspawn, breeding pair of GSMs and rbta all survived. I did another crappy patch job (didn't take the time to learn how to re-silicone a tank, just cleaned up the obvious split and slapped some more on there), refilled and waited for the next debacle. Finally broke it down in 2008/09. Always enjoyed the aquascaping challenge. Had two large towers of rock, connected by a bridge at the top.

Drilling for an overflow is tough as the short pane width doesn't accommodate an overflow easily. Wavemakers were tough as the tank is so small, without a long dimension, that circulation is a bit funny. Of course things have changed with the myriad of options 15 years later, even with lighting. No problem lighting today. I'm sure there's more but truth be told, solving the challenges (or working within their constraints anyway) was always a big part of the enjoyment of the hex.

Thank you for the response. New to this, and I really appreciate you taking the time to offer some of your experience.

 

[gator05156]

I think my cycle is about finished...have some coral coming in a week or two, some copepods...and some dragons breath. Will post a pic when it arrives. Pretty danged excited to get something in the tank.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I think my cycle is about finished...have some coral coming in a week or two, some copepods...and some dragons breath. Will post a pic when it arrives. Pretty danged excited to get something in the tank.

Can't wait to see the coral!