Joby’s 60 gallon cube build

[joby619]

Hello fellow reefers. I figured I’d post my cube build to help document my re-entry into the reef world. My first reef attempt was in the about 20 years ago. I ran it for about 5 years, but it was overrun with cyano and was eventually torn down when I moved houses. I consider it a failed reef that became a FOWLR.

I ended up buying my cousins custom cube that he tore down when he moved into his new house. It is a custom 3/8” thick Starfire glass cube with built in overflow. Custom sump with refugium, skimmer, gfo reactor and bio pellet reactor, ATO, original ApexJr and eb4.

I built 2 rock structures using a box of real reef ready mix mini and a box of Carib sea shapes. I put little feet on the structures so they could sit flat on the bottom of the glass.

I did not have a large container so I mixed the water in the tank.

Added Carib sea speacial grade live sand which completely clouded up the tank for a couple days. In hindsight, I should have rinsed it because I am sure it will cloud the tank everytime I clean it.

I added microbacter7 for the next 7 days and then dosed it with Dr. Tims one and only so I could add fish.

AquaSD was having their grand opening so I really only wanted to start with 2 clowns, but their special was buy 2 get 1 free so I ended up taking home a free flame hawk. In addition to buy one get one, they had a special goodie bag for the first 50 customers which contained a frag. I did not intend to turn on the lights or put any coral into my new tank, but it was a “gift.” I don’t even know what it is. Any ideas?

Here is the tank witha gen3 xr30 pro. I don’t know how to take iPhone photos without it looking completely blued out.

Currently have a gyre jump 2K in there because BRS had a super sale on them, but going with 2 MP40s because I don’t like the power cord in the tank. I hope to have a successful reef this time. “Trying” to take it slow. Please let me know what y’all think.

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Welcome to reef2reef, and great start!

To help you identify the coral, from that picture it will be nearly impossible.

Any chance you can get a better picture?

 

[joby619]

Welcome to reef2reef, and great start!

To help you identify the coral, from that picture it will be nearly impossible.

Any chance you can get a better picture?

My cousin thinks it’s a monti based on the picture.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Great looking aquascape!

 

[joby619]

Great looking aquascape!

Thanks. I probably spent a month or so designing redesigning and finally settling on it.

 

[joby619]

Algae Barn Chaeto arrived today. They only had the 8oz available so I ordered it even though it’s probably too much for my set up.

 

[kevgib67]

Welcome back, really nice and glad you are here!

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

My cousin thinks it’s a monti based on the picture.

It could be a montipora, but to me it looks like some sort of favia.

 

[Derpy Clown Fish]

Very cool setup! I like how the structure is tall and centered.

 

[joby619]

It could be a montipora, but to me it looks like some sort of favia.

I really should have asked them when I was up there, but it gives me a good excuse to go back. Might be an expensive trip though.

 

[slogan315]

Looks like a chalice. not similar in color but similar in texture to a raja rampage chalice

 

[joby619]

Another pic

 

[joby619]

Small update: I’m pretty sure I identified the coral as it looks exactly like the one in the tank.

 

[joby619]

Also finally found a way to take pictures of the tank without it being completely blued out. I ordered a new apex dos from fishandcoralstoredotcom and they sent a couple of free items like a stickers, measuring shot glass etc. One of the freebies was a pair of orange glasses that work amazing for the tank!!!

 

[joby619]

So what happen was… I noticed that aquaSD had a couple of hammers that I wanted on eBay so I figured I bid on a couple and probably maybe win 1 or 2 items. I ended up winning 7 items . Patience is not my strong suit, but hopefully the tank is ready enough.

 

[joby619]

Please help identify hitch hiker and how to remove. See video

 

[WalkerLovesTheOcean]

Please help identify hitch hiker and how to remove. See video

Nice torch. The picture and video are way to blurry to correctly identify it. Can you try to get a clearer video?

 

[joby619]

Nice torch. The picture and video are way to blurry to correctly identify it. Can you try to get a clearer video?

I tried to get better images but it’s just way too small. Kind of looks like it’s playing peekaboo. What kind of hitch hiker does that?

 

[joby619]

Built a cabinet for some of my gear.

Corals seem to be opening up.

 

[joby619]

Quick update on my tank. I am having a bit of brown stuff in my sand. Not sure which of the ugly phases I am going through. I tried a leather coral and it died but I think it’s because my nitrates and phosphates were both zero at the time. I dosed nitrates once and it seems to be staying between 5 and 7 now. Still no phosphates though. My anemone got sucked into my power head but I think it’s recovering. Here is what it looks like today. I also have 2 small aptasia and I am wondering if I should try a filefish, f aptasia, franks lemon stuff or boiling water. Any suggestions?