JB’s 60 Gal Cube Adventure

[Jason boles]

I was agitated at the lack of control and swings with my little 15 gal and went browsing online.

I found a 60 gallon tank with rocks and accessories for 99 bucks. I didn’t know what all I was getting but I took the plunge.

I ended up not using anything except the tank, stand, and old plumbing. I ordered a bu ch of new toys and had Christmas in July.

I tried to work with the rocks that came with the tank, but I hated them. I bout more and tried to emulate my favorite cube scape (shout out to MedRed’s 60 g cube on NR).

I got an aquatic life hybrid, and ordered a second Kessil 160 as I already have one and I plan on using both over the tank. I ordered a sapphire cube sump 20, reef octopus s-130 skimmer, maxspect sf330, and the hanging fixture for the light.

I really dislike the hanging fixture, but prefer the aquatic life over giessman as I can use my 160’s.

So without further ado some crappy iPhone pic after days of work. I also added most of the live rock from my 15 gallon once I got the salinity up. Going to test parameters tomorrow and add my fish and few surviving corals.

 

[Jason boles]

Equipment:

60 gal rimless tank (unsure brand)
Trigger Saphire cube 20
Nyos reactor 1.0 (GFO Carbon)
Reef Octopus S 130 Skimmer
Vectra S1 return pump
Maxspect sf 330 - 1 side, flow director removed
Aquatic Life 24” T-5 hybrid with two Kessil 160s. Lights from back to front are blue plus, purple plus, coral plus, blue plus.
IM DIY lid

Fish:

Leapord Toby Puffer
3 Black Axil Chromis
Orange Spotted Blenny
Yellow Watchman Goby (found dead)
Blue Spotted Jawfish (disappeared)
2 Clowns (Mocha Storm / Black Storm)
2 Bella goby (mated pair)

Inverts

5 nausarius
2 astrea
1 Margareta? (It’s round and came from old tank)
2 Fighting conch
3 Pom Pom crabs
2 sexy shrimp

Coral

2 pink tube anemone
Torch
Acans
Ricordia
Yuma
Chalice
Acropora
Clove polyps
(May attempt to update with coral names later)

 

[Jason boles]

Things I’m considering or need to buy:

New heater. I like the slim profile black ones, not sure name.

Considering getting nyos media reactor for bio pellets or media. I’m still unsure what I will run though. I def wanna put some charro in the fuge. I’m thinking I will use my ai prime light to light it at night. Still studying other things.

Oh I got a vectra S1 for my return pump! I love it.

My other consideration is plumbing. I’m just using what came with the old tank and it’s currently working. I love the nyos look so I don’t think I’ll need a manifold. I’m going to hold off for now on plumbing.

After adding my inhabitants from my old tank I will hold off on anything else for a long while.

 

[Jason boles]

Took back my unused rocks to the LFS.

I purchased some more Red Sea coral pro, a nyos torq 1.0, new heater, and a clown friend for Domino!!

I also purchased a Kasa smart WiFi strip so that I can set a schedule and also see if things are pulling power when I’m away.

I emptied my 15 gallon into the 60. Attached a few of the corals. They are all looking very happy already and I only have the t5’s on.

Domino and his new friend immediately paired up with zero aggression!!! It was so fulfilling to watch. Especially after flooding my floor at least 4 times in the last few days.

Sister is bringing me her fancy cam and I’m hoping I can get better shots!

 

[xiholdtruex]

Very nice I love 60g cubes! that setup is exactly what I have in mind with the aquatic life hybrid setup! looks good so far

 

[Bryson.bobby]

Looking good!

 

[Jason boles]

Set my lighting schedule. My kessil s are ramping up to 100 percent for 6 hours and on 12. T 5s for 7.

I keep getting the gurgling rush noise into my sump. I thought I worked it out yesterday. I’m afraid to setup my ato as I have no clue where to put the sensor, and am afraid it isn’t dialed in enough.

I was able to fit the nyos torq with carbon and gfo by moving the slimmer to back right corner and placing it in the front right. Literally not a inch of space to spare.

Not sure if I need more or less water to stop the gurgle. I got it stopped yesterday.

I have added all the equipment for a while so hopefully it will work itself out over the next week as I play with water levels.

Also I’m so lost on the skimmer. It just bubbles over with a bunch of water almost immediately. I have the water lower, but I also read they act crazy for the first week or so?? I’m going to just let it run and fuss with it in a week.

I also bought a shipping package from WWC for the love sale. All my corals are loving this tank. I’m going to cut my old rocks up to remove them and put them in their place for their new homes and get the older rocks into my refugium out of my display.

Think I will be ok adding corals this soon since I have the filtered rock and used all my 15 gallon tanks water in this tank??

 

[Jason boles]

I really wanted some acans but I’m banning myself from the WWC live sale. I hope I can keep all these corals Alive and haven’t been too impulsive. I think I have pretty much filled the tank....

I’m going to start testing a lot and getting the tank ready for the big haul.

So my sister really came through and now I need to learn how to use this bad boy!!

I couldn’t believe what she brought me and told me if I use to just keep it!!

I also purchased a few fish and clean up crew. I’m getting my all time wish fish!! More to come.

I’m also going to get some cheats going with my ai prime hd.

 

[Jason boles]

I have gotten my lights to a schedule that I like and think will suit my tank well. I will eventually rent a par meter and see what we are getting.

Removed the guards on my Maxspect and it seems to have stopped blowing the sand on the bottom. Currently have it side profile and I like it much better.

I am so lost on using this camera. I charged the battery and attempted to point and shoot with it. It was a blurry mess.

I have an admission to make... I'm a shopaholic, love good deals, and corals. I may have accidentally bought a huge amount of corals to fill my tank up with during the live sale..... and after on ebay.... and one more frag pack after that...

I did a spreadsheet that doesnt have everything I purchased, but a good amount on it. Here is a portion of my haul.

Jason Fox Fruity Pebbles Montipora

Jason Fox Chemical Reaction Chalice

WWC Tiki Torch Montipora

Sunkist Ricordea

Ultra Rainbow Ricordea

Neon Hammered Torch

WWC Grafted Cap Montipora

WWC Redrum Chalice

Sunkist Ricordea

Orange Rainbow Ricordea

Sexy Shrimp

Orange Ricordea

WWC Firemelon Chalice

WWC Graffiti War Coral

Ice Man Mushroom

WWC Lich King Zoanthids

Orange Ricordea

WWC Interstellar Mushroom

Ultra Rainbow Ricordea

WWC Rainbow Madness Cyphastrea

WWC Ultimate Fruit Loops Zoanthids

WWC Slimeball Anacropora

WWC Purple Polyp Birdsnest

Scrambled Eggs Zoanthids

Jason Fox Sour Twist Acropora

Jungle Juice Zoanthids

Jason Fox Sector 001 Favites

Jason Fox Sour Twist Acropora

Jungle Juice Zoanthids

WWC Queen Midas Zoanthids

WWC Green Submarine Zoanthids

Magic Carpet Mushroom

WWC Mambo Jambo Zoanthids

Electric Oompa Loompa Zoanthids

WWC Viridian Zoanthids

GB Buttkissers Zoanthids

9 Coral Pack

Utter Chaos Zoanthids

Lavender Duncan

I have to admit that I am nervous with such a young tank and all these amazing corals. I started with reef crystals salt that was given to me by the previous owner. I bought a large bag of Red Sea coral pro, and have been doing 5 gallon water changes daily to bring my parameters with in a good range before the corals arrive.

I also was browsing live aquaria and saw one of my original dream fish which is rarely available, or used to be rare there is still one for sale now.

I got a leapord toby puffer today!! I also got a fighting conch a couple snails, and a orange spotted blenny.

I have all the rocks from my old tank in the new tank. I also fed the tank red sea A and B today thinking it may give things a boost.

Alll my dead corals from my 15 gallon are springing to life under the new lights and stable parameters in this tank.

My corals will ship out on 8/9. so 10 more days... Let me know if there is anything I can do to better prepare my tank so that I can keep them all alive. I know I have been rash and moved way too fast. I also used bottle bacteria when I set things up.

 

[pledosophy]

Wow you are living dangeroulsy there for such a young tank.

I would continue to dose that bottled bacteria if I were you.I would also make sure you are set up to dose your CA and ALK as with a drastic increase in bioload you will be needing that. I don't see a protein skimmer in your pictures. That would help you.

I would also pick up some coral food, especially since the tank is so young. Maybe nab some reef roids and some live phyto. If you can find a pod culture dump that in there too.

Good luck. That is jumping in with both feet for sure.

 

[Jason boles]

Haha. Thanks!! I have several coral foods. There is over 20lbs of rock that has been in a tank for one and half years.

I have a huge slimmer and carbon gfo going. Pods are on the way. I will get another bottle of bacteria, can’t hurt.

I also have jugs of two part from BRS already mixed up and ready along with all the test kits.

 

[Jason boles]

I have put in my last fish. I got two of my dream fish.

I added 20 more lbs of sand, now I have 40. I got a blue spotted Jawfish, 3 blue acil chromis, leapord Toby puffer, 3 tiny Pom poms, and a cinch.

I have been feeding pretty heavy and doing daily 5 gal water changes.

Removed half of the gyre and was able to ramp it higher for the top portion of the tank. I lost the end cap so I just put the other side on without the propeller.

I also got a DIY net and put it together and hid all my wires.

Doug the leapord Toby is our and about and so darn cute!!!

 

[Jason boles]

Dusted off my polyp lab lenses! I forgot how awesome they are.

Doug enjoys hiding upside down. Of course he came out to play once I finished taking the pics!

 

[Jason boles]

Quick update:

One of the chromis just disappeared... no clue where it could have gone. When they go to sleep at night the other two disappear as well. I checked everywhere....

My Orange Spotted Blenny was hitting the sand hard like scratching itself a few days ago. He has not done this again the last two days, but doesn't seem as active. I have only had him for a week though, so its not like I have a long history. No visible signs of anything. I don't have the ability to setup another tank, nor could I get this guy out without tearing down the whole tank. He/she is still eating just fine. Everyone else in the tank seems to be no worse for the wear. I have been watching them all like a hawk. Sometimes the jawfish opens his mouth really wide to "breathe" , but I am not sure if this is abnormal behavior.

Been feeding everyone twice a day pretty heavy, and doing a 5g a day water change. I orginally filled the tank with the previous owners Instant ocean bucket that was caked together thinking I would wait months before adding coral. Well I blew that right out of the water with the live sale.... sigh. So I am using coral pro and it is ticking the dkh up about .1 every day.


On to an issue I need some help with. I used what the guy had before me as my plumbing. Its a vaccum type hose for the drain, and a soft connect hose for the return. I figured if I could get away with this for now I may upgrade later.

I am having a really hard time getting my sump level along with how fast I run my return to make it stop gurgling. Sometimes I will change the water out and it will be fine for hours, and then you hear the rush of water into the sump. I am assuming that plumbing this will give me the ability to dial this in and then put my sump at whatever level I wish.

One huge issue is that I have been hesitant to put the ATO online since the water level constantly shifts. Thankfully I have been doing the water changes so my salinity hasn't creeped just yet.

I don't know the size of pipes to get. I read 3/4 and 1 inch where pretty standard. I am going to buy some supplies from BRS and get it done.

Please let me know of any advice / suggestions as this is the first time I have dealt with this.

My dead corals are continuing to color up and thrive under the new lights! Its amazing to watch them come back to life.

 

[Jason boles]

Here is my new frag racks! Fancy huh.

Getting ready for Friday’s big shipment. 60 +/- frags are incoming.

I also think I’m dreaming. As I was blowing off the rocks this purple algae won’t come off. Could it be coralline algae within 2 weeks of starting?? My last tank didn’t even show signs till after a year.

 

[Jason boles]

They have arrived!!

Everyone has been acclimated and are in the tank. Going to start placing them in a bit

 

[Jason boles]

Lots of work the last week.

Wasn’t happy with the plumbing, and trying to dial in the return so I ordered some hard pvc. I underestimated my space by a long shot. I was barely able to fit the valve and 4 45’s. The unions, and slip fittings were not used. I also didn’t glue it because it was so hard to take off. No leaks as of yet.

Got all 62 of my WWC placed and glued. Tank looks amazing. It’s pretty full. 2 acans that looked the same both melted within 24 hrs. Everything else so far is enjoying the new tank.

I am dealing with some diatoms.

Got a few more snails today. One of my tube anemones came out if it’s protective layer and was just a crown with a slime black bulbous tail. I could t get it back in the sand and I turned around and it disappeared.

Bought a replacement chromie so I’m back to three.

While doing the plumbing I somehow split the nyos apart while taking it out and rod carbon went everywhere so I had to vacuum it out and when I took out my slimmer found the recirculating plate had fallen off. It’s working much better now. Lol.

No more flashing for a week, and I never saw any signs of Ich. I am feeding lots of good quality food. The fish all seem to be happy and starving.

Going to start target feeding the corals next week one time a week. I also started dosing reef energy a and b again today.

I already have coralline on my glass I’m cleaning off daily! Careful what you wish for. My hope is it makes the ugly phase a bit easier.

 

[Jason boles]

I’m digging my scape. Just going to hopefully keep everyone alive and watch it all grow in. I think I gave everyone a good amount of grow space.

I do wanna move my jellybean chalice, but I’m terrified to mess with it because it’s so tiny and I want it to grow and live. Maybe later.

I also still have no freaking clue how to use this fancy camera‍

 

[Jason boles]

Everything is trucking along great! Few fish have disappeared. Going to stop adding anything for a few months.

Interestingly I added seachem matrix rocks to the top chamber of my nyos (was contemplating adding biopellets). I noticed that it was the ultimate pod hotel after a few days. It was so full I could see hundreds of pods through the plastic at all times of day.

So I removed the filter out of the center part so that they can more freely fall over the sides into the fuge. Hopefully they don’t go for a ride in the skimmer .

My skimmer is crazy. Seems to work best at 8, but it sometimes just overflows wet and other times it just has clear bubbles in the bottom. I’m assuming my water just isn’t dirty.

Corals are starting to grow. My jellybean is coloring up nicely.

Contemplated getting and xr 30, or kessil 360 because my sps at top washed out a bit. Decided to just leave things alone for a bit and I figure that it will color up with time as it acclimates. Acans are a bit dull too. We shall see. If I’m still dissatisfied in another month or two I may change. 160s are running at 100 percent.

Almost at the 30 day mark. Lol

 

[Hannahrain]

Love cube tanks and I like your aquascape.