Canuck's first go 20gal

[scubatan]

Hi all, first tank ever has arrived - Waterbox 20gal AIO Cube.

Hoping to get it wet in the next week or so. Will update and document my progress here.

Hoping to pick up some tips and tricks from some friendly folks on here.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Woohoo! You got this and I have the same tank and love it.

 

[scubatan]

Woohoo! You got this and I have the same tank and love it.

Thanks! Do you run the carbon that came with the tank? I've read that you only really need to use carbon if you have something going wrong.

 

[AydenLincoln]

Thanks! Do you run the carbon that came with the tank? I've read that you only really need to use carbon if you have something going wrong.

Yes it lasted one use of how many it came with it may have been three packs I forgot. And no that isn’t true it keeps the water clear and helps with filtration.

 

[scubatan]

Yes it lasted one use of how many it came with it may have been three packs I forgot. And no that isn’t true it keeps the water clear and helps with filtration.

Thanks - another question - the filter sock ring that came with the tank, it doesn't sit flush in the first compartment, there is a gap on one side and you can slide back and forth. So water will easily go through this gap and not all through the filter media. Is yours like this as well or is it intentional?

 

[CO2TLEY]

Hope you enjoy it. I have the same tank too. As far as your filter sock, if I’m understanding correctly, it’s just not seated correctly. I use to turn mine and even push a handle of a glass scrubber down the sock until it seat itself correctly. I ended up ditching the socks for a fleece roller. Good luck with the build

 

[scubatan]

Hope you enjoy it. I have the same tank too. As far as your filter sock, if I’m understanding correctly, it’s just not seated correctly. I use to turn mine and even push a handle of a glass scrubber down the sock until it seat itself correctly. I ended up ditching the socks for a fleece roller. Good luck with the build

See here is the ring holder sitting - but there is room on the right side of it and the whole thing can slide left to right. Is it supposed to be like this?

 

[CO2TLEY]

Ohhh i see, i did misunderstand. Maybe @AydenLincoln has a better idea than me. I only ran filter socks for about a month, and never noticed it. Once you go fleece roller, you don’t use the filter sock ring anymore

 

[AydenLincoln]

See here is the ring holder sitting - but there is room on the right side of it and the whole thing can slide left to right. Is it supposed to be like this?

I don’t have filter socks anymore I got a fleece roller and yes that’s normal because if it was completely flush you wouldn’t be able to insert and remove it as easily. The little gaps are to help the water flow through easier and make it level. If you look on the other side you’ll notice the same thing. It’s called a baffle.

 

[scubatan]

Finally got the rocks, sand and water in, heating it up now. Plan is to just have the heater, return pump and wavemaker on for the cycle with no filter media.

Having some difficulty with the water levels, I understand I want a cascade through chambers 1 2 and 3. The stock return pump is open fully.
Water is about 2.25cm from top of display (seems kinda low?). Water cascades down from 1 to 2, but 3 the water is about the same as 2, just above the bevel.
Does this all seem correct?

 

[aztoza]

Following!

 

[scubatan]

Still working on the rockscape but happy to report first additions are in. 1 gladiator and 1 snowflake!

 

[aztoza]

Still working on the rockscape but happy to report first additions are in. 1 gladiator and 1 snowflake!

Lookin' good!

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Still working on the rockscape but happy to report first additions are in. 1 gladiator and 1 snowflake!

Those are great clownfish to have!

 

[scubatan]

Update - seemingly over night some hair algae has shown up on a couple frags as well as either dinos or diatoms on the sand/rock.

Plan is to stick to weekly water changes, get a vacuum siphon to clean the sand.
Maybe get a couple snails? Pods? The uglies are coming and I’m fine if waiting them out is what it takes.

For the frags I tried to tweeze the hair algae but it’s basically impossible. So I got some 3% hydrogen peroxide and went 1:1 with tank water and dipped the frag for 1 minute. Will see how the algae looks in the next day or two but I read this can work pretty well.

If you have any tips for the above stuff I’d appreciate it!