27 Gallon Cube

pelphrey · Dec 9, 2015

Haven't added any ammonia to the tank and my nitrites are still sky high!

Would anyone recommend doing a water change, if so what percentage?

Mkiddrocks · Dec 26, 2015

Hello Pelphrey, been keeping up with your forum. Great tank and good diy skills. I would highly recommend doing a water change. It would give you better water quality and did you add a piece of raw fish or food for bacteria to devour and mature your cycle? While you're at it add some chaeto or macro algae in your sump

just my 2cents.

pelphrey · Dec 26, 2015

Mkiddrocks said:
It would give you better water quality and did you add a piece of raw fish or food for bacteria to devour and mature your cycle? While you're at it add some chaeto or macro algae in your sump just my 2cents.

I used Dr Tims as my ammonia source. I've used this ammonia to cycle all of my tanks. I think I added to much and kept adding ammonia when I should have stopped! I'm still not cycled, patiently waiting! Thanks for the input!!

Mkiddrocks · Dec 28, 2015

Ah i get you. Yes just be patient once you see copods you would know your tank is ready. How is it coming along?

pelphrey · Dec 28, 2015

Two months in and the cycle is slowly moving forward. My Nitrites are still sky high, I did a large water change yesterday and moved the rock work around. When I started the cycle I put all of my rock in the tank just to get it in and start the cycle. I was able to move a large rock into my sump.

I also go over the Red Sea test kit, which I am a fan of! And I briefly go over the Milwaukee MA887 refractometer, this is an awesome piece of equipment!

pelphrey · Jan 5, 2016

In the fight to reduce my nitrites I did 1 large water change followed by a smaller water change 2 days later. I started this cycle at the end of October, so it has been a very long cycle. My nirtites were off the charts for probably a month, not sure if that stalled the cycle or not. After the large water change my nitrites are now showing up on my Red Sea test kit chart and I have a slight hint of nitrates. I am now dosing ammonia every few days, just a small amount to "feed" the tank.

It has been a long process and I am getting more and more excited about it finishing and adding some life to the tank!

pelphrey · Jan 11, 2016

I bought a frag rack from The Alternative Reef last week. Although I don't have any coral currently I've always kept my eye out for frag racks. Since this is in my living room/kitchen area I wanted a frag rack that looked "natural" and would blend in well with the rest of the tank. This frag rack did not disappoint. This was a limited production run so I barely snagged 1 before they were all gone. Communication was great, shipping was fast and the item was packaged with extra care. The magnetic system to hold this in place is also easy on the eyes and overall I think it looks great in my tank. If you get the chance to purchase one of these I would highly recommend it! Now I just need to get this tank cycled so I can fill it up!

Be sure to check out their section here on the forum -
https://www.reef2reef.com/forums/the-alternative-reef.131/

bairdimusprime · Jan 11, 2016

FANTASTIC BUILD THREAD!
excellent job happily following

pelphrey · Jan 25, 2016

The cycle is finally neat its completion. I got tired of topping the tank off in the morning and evening so I got the JBJ ATO. I really wanted the Smart Micro ATO but it used magnets for the sensor. With my return chamber being in the back, not visible I went with the JBJ. Going this route will easily allow me to move the sensors if I need to.

I also picked up a lid for a 5 gallon bucket. This has proven to be a life saver in terms of storing my salt. Buying salt by the box is much cheaper than the bucket, and I already have a ton of buckets around anyway!

pelphrey · Jan 25, 2016

bairdimusprime said:
FANTASTIC BUILD THREAD!
excellent job happily following

It has been a blast building it, I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel! But that doesn't mean the hardware won't stop there. Thanks for following along!

pelphrey · Feb 1, 2016

The tank is coming along nicely... Finally! The cycle has completed and I've added my first inhabitants. I got my JBJ ATO setup and after multiple configurations I have it set the way it works for me and my setup.

I picked up some hardware to make my own fuge light (Got the idea from the Melvsreef website). I should have this light setup this week or weekend. Hopefully be adding corals soon! It has been a very long process. I started buying all of the hardware a year ago. Patience has been key!

pelphrey · Feb 8, 2016

The progress has been slow, as everyone always states. Nothing good happens fast! This has given me a chance to add the few last pieces to this puzzle. One being a refugium light. I ran across a few threads on what lighting to use and then I found this website http://melevsreef.com/node/1742 thanks @melev !!! I picked up the Cree bulb and clamp on light. I didn't use the clamp to mount the light, I made a bracket for it. It is amazing when you have a small cabinet and you can still shove MORE "stuff" inside of it.

I have another @Bulk Reef Supply order coming in this week so stay tuned for next weeks update!

pelphrey · Feb 10, 2016

Sneak peak for what is to come with the cube! I wanted to get the carbon out of the mesh bag, so I got the mini @Bulk Reef Supply reactor. The cabinet still has a little room left! It is amazing how much stuff you can cram into such a small space.

Kessil controller next to the MP10 driver

Going to pick up some gel filters soon

pelphrey · Feb 11, 2016

Was looking through craigslist and found a listing that had a number of frags, we negotiated a price and I picked them up. The Kessil is set to ramp up to about 40%-50% over the course of the day before it ramps back down. All coral seem to like the conditions so far!

This is quoted from the listing -

I am tearing my nano tank down. I have zoas/palys, Ric's, scoli, Tyree green toadstool, chalice frag.

Zoas/palys
Sunny D mini colony
Oxides mini colony
Toucans mini colony
Eagle eyes mini colony
Radioactive dragon eyes mini colony
3 polyps of fruit loops
Mini colony of something I forgot name pretty though

@Bulk Reef Supply Mini Reactor doing work!

Wondering if I should put the reactor output in the return chamber?

These power strips are well worth the $20!

The Alternative Reef Nano Frag Rack @gooch

Need help IDing this please-

pelphrey · Feb 12, 2016

Shoutout to @915MANG for the Cheato and the gel filter. I've met many amazing people because of this hobby!

pelphrey · Feb 13, 2016

I got the @Bulk Reef Supply Mini Reactor setup and I sort through my cabinet of supplies!

pelphrey · Feb 15, 2016

Ordered some ABS plastic this morning, I will be making a lid for my overflow box. The inside of the box is getting a little to much light and I want to prevent as much algae growing in the box if I can. Also moved my output line from the reactor, it is now running into the return section. The filter sock has been reintroduced to the sump, I need to pick up a few more. I think a snail or 2 in the refugium will also help out!