Ricksreeefs
Well-Known Member
Nice build following
New Waterbox 20 Cube Build
- Thread starter GATOR DAVE
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GATOR DAVE
Community Member
So here is a picture of the Tiger pistol shrimp and Wheeler Goby right after I got them. Unfortunately the Goby only lived a few days. I bought him the day that he got to fish store and them immediately brought him home. Not sure if it was too much stress or what, but first fish in the tank was not as long lived as I had hoped. All water parameters were tested again right after he died and were great so..... another will be introduced sometime soon.
GATOR DAVE
Community Member
So a little busy in the tank since the last post. I had a diatom bloom occur in the tank while I was on a weekend getaway to the Cocoa Beach Airshow. Even though I used mature water from a friends tank with all the bacteria a small growing tank needs, I knew with new rock, sand, and additions to the tank that is was going to cycle eventually. So, while I had a small CUC initially in the aquarium taking care of the bits of algae that I was already getting, it was too much for them to handle. So the addition of 10-12 more hermit crabs and a couple of larger snails, we let the feasting begin!!!! They cleaned the entire tank, every nook and cranny in 4-5 days and it is back to being crystal clear again. Great job to these little guys for all of the hard work!!
GATOR DAVE
Community Member
3 weeks from initial fill:
So after the diatom bloom and CUC feast that I had, I felt that it was time to introduce some other new things to the tank. I have gotten my first 2 pieces of SPS coral in the tank and a rainbow bubble tip anemone!!! I wanted to get the anemone in before the addition of any more coral to the tank to allow him to find his spot and get settled all in. Not to mention, what aquarium doesn't deserve a clown fish (coming soon)!! The new SPS pieces were given to me to see if I can grow them. I know my water parameters are good since I test alllllll the time right now, but I really do want to see for myself if SPS is as hard to grow in the tank as a lot of people have said. The pieces and anemone were put in yesterday 4/28, and everything looks happy. My golden hammer coral and sunset montipora have been in the tank since 1 week after initial fill and have been thriving, so I can't wait to see the SPS take off.
Of note as well, I still have not done a water change out as of yet. I know many will tell me that I have to change out water in the tank religiously every week or 2 because this is a nano tank, but I am trying to prove that wrong and keep to a monthly changeout. So this time next week I will do the first one as long as water parameters continue to allow it!!!
i have a yellow filter coming for my phone so I can take pictures with the lights on so I can start taking some better pictures, but for now this will have to do!!!
So after the diatom bloom and CUC feast that I had, I felt that it was time to introduce some other new things to the tank. I have gotten my first 2 pieces of SPS coral in the tank and a rainbow bubble tip anemone!!! I wanted to get the anemone in before the addition of any more coral to the tank to allow him to find his spot and get settled all in. Not to mention, what aquarium doesn't deserve a clown fish (coming soon)!! The new SPS pieces were given to me to see if I can grow them. I know my water parameters are good since I test alllllll the time right now, but I really do want to see for myself if SPS is as hard to grow in the tank as a lot of people have said. The pieces and anemone were put in yesterday 4/28, and everything looks happy. My golden hammer coral and sunset montipora have been in the tank since 1 week after initial fill and have been thriving, so I can't wait to see the SPS take off.
Of note as well, I still have not done a water change out as of yet. I know many will tell me that I have to change out water in the tank religiously every week or 2 because this is a nano tank, but I am trying to prove that wrong and keep to a monthly changeout. So this time next week I will do the first one as long as water parameters continue to allow it!!!
i have a yellow filter coming for my phone so I can take pictures with the lights on so I can start taking some better pictures, but for now this will have to do!!!
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GATOR DAVE
Community Member
Thank you!!! I think the key was getting water from a mature tank that has bacteria in it as it has really moved the build along faster than starting from initial mixing of water. Thanks for the likes!!Ive got a WB 20 as well. I'm at day 50ish. At 21 days in I had nothing in the tank except sand rock and water! You go boy!
Looking good!
Ricksreeefs
Well-Known Member
Nice! I had a yasha goby that I kept in a breeder box for about two weeks until I got my candy cane pistol shrimp. Right after I put him in they pair, a little later I saw they weren’t together anymore
a few days later the poor little guy died no clue what happened now the pistol shrimp is all alone. Really like how the build is going though good luck with the sps!GATOR DAVE
Community Member
4/30
We took a trip to the LFS to bring home a clown fish to the tank. While we were there we started talking about the Wheeleri Goby I had bought with my Tiger Pistol Shrimp and how active the shrimp used to be. Since the Wheeleri had died, the spotting of the shrimp has been non existent. So we decided that we would also try to reintroduce a new goby for the tank in hopes the shrimp will come back out and join the party. Well a yellow watchman Goby is what we brought home and it took about 30 seconds for him to find the shrimp and become best friends. So since then we have seen the shrimp non-stop as he is now making a new condo in the sand bed and under the rocks for him and his new Goby. Let me tell you about my best friend!!!! The shrimp is so active I had to move the couple of SPS corals that I had in the sand acclimating to the lights because he kept uprooting them and using them as his new doors to his castle. He has definitely been amusing since he has a new friend.
So back to what we actually went to the store for, we found a really nice small picasso clownfish that has joined the tank. I feel like he is always swimming in the EBC and hasn’t rested since he had been in. We have a nice Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone but he has not been real interested in it yet. We tried the method of using a clear acrylic tube to let him initially swim in to the tank and in to the BTA but he still hasn't felt the need to call it home yet. I am looking for other suggestions on how the clownfish might host the anemone. I had thought about getting a small quarantine basket for them but the BTA is pretty locked in to his spot already and I don't want to take a chance of hurting the foot trying to get him out. So again any suggestions???
We took a trip to the LFS to bring home a clown fish to the tank. While we were there we started talking about the Wheeleri Goby I had bought with my Tiger Pistol Shrimp and how active the shrimp used to be. Since the Wheeleri had died, the spotting of the shrimp has been non existent. So we decided that we would also try to reintroduce a new goby for the tank in hopes the shrimp will come back out and join the party. Well a yellow watchman Goby is what we brought home and it took about 30 seconds for him to find the shrimp and become best friends. So since then we have seen the shrimp non-stop as he is now making a new condo in the sand bed and under the rocks for him and his new Goby. Let me tell you about my best friend!!!! The shrimp is so active I had to move the couple of SPS corals that I had in the sand acclimating to the lights because he kept uprooting them and using them as his new doors to his castle. He has definitely been amusing since he has a new friend.
So back to what we actually went to the store for, we found a really nice small picasso clownfish that has joined the tank. I feel like he is always swimming in the EBC and hasn’t rested since he had been in. We have a nice Rainbow Bubble Tip Anemone but he has not been real interested in it yet. We tried the method of using a clear acrylic tube to let him initially swim in to the tank and in to the BTA but he still hasn't felt the need to call it home yet. I am looking for other suggestions on how the clownfish might host the anemone. I had thought about getting a small quarantine basket for them but the BTA is pretty locked in to his spot already and I don't want to take a chance of hurting the foot trying to get him out. So again any suggestions???
GATOR DAVE
Community Member
Thank you TonyP!!! It is going to look so good in the tank! I have the perfect center point for it to go!Your WD is ready for your cube Sir! Baked & Fully encrusted!
GnarcoticFiend
Community Member
How did that sicce syncra 1.5 fit in the return chamber? I wanted to get one instead of the 1.0 but I was afraid it wouldn't fit. Is it loud at all? Thanks
GATOR DAVE
Community Member
The 1.5 fit with room to spare in the return chamber. It was a little loud in the beginning but has quieted down now that I am sure some slime is helping lubricate everything. I have it turned up about 3/4 of full strength. Between the return pump and the power head I have more than enough flow in a 20gal tank. Let me know if you have any other questions.
GnarcoticFiend
Community Member
Thank you for getting back to me so quickly Gator Dave! That flush-mounted power unit looks super clean and I'd love to do that with my cabinet as well haha. Definitely the cleanest cube 20 I've ever seen
GATOR DAVE
Community Member
The skimmer does fit in the center chamber. You will have to play with it in the chamber (raise or lower) it to get the correct adjustment so the skimmer works correctly. Once you get it adjusted the skimmer does what it’s supposed to do. I will attach a few pictures so you can see. Hope this answers your questions!
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GATOR DAVE
Community Member
5/13
So I have been answering a few questions about the tank and setup I have, but have yet to provide any updates on my tank. I did my first water change on 5/10, just over a month after the initial fill. That was my goal to try and be on a monthly changeout with this nano tank instead of the weekly/biweekly that many have said they were doing. I was testing pretty religiously with all parameters staying in check, and was really thinking I still didn't need to do a water change out of necessity. So as long as nothing changes in the tank that would require an earlier water change schedule based on water testing, I am going to maintain on a 15% to 20% monthly water changeout schedule.
Also today, after 9 days in the tank, my clown fish decided it was time to host in the anemone. I was starting to think that he wouldn't ever get into it, but now he is the happiest clown fish in all the water. On another note, the hosting has caused the anemone to be on the move. I am amazed at how far it can stretch its foot. He moves daily and seems to stay in the same areas so I can work around him with the introduction of new coral.
Speaking of new coral, yesterday 5/12, I put in my first piece of Walt Disney Acro into the tank. I had a few other pieces of SPS coral in the tank to ensure that water parameters were in check prior to adding the Walt Disney and I was very happy when I saw full polyp extensions on it about an hour after introducing it in to the tank. I have to thank TONYP for the amazing piece that I got from him. It is center stage in the waterbox and I can't wait to see it grow!!
So I have been answering a few questions about the tank and setup I have, but have yet to provide any updates on my tank. I did my first water change on 5/10, just over a month after the initial fill. That was my goal to try and be on a monthly changeout with this nano tank instead of the weekly/biweekly that many have said they were doing. I was testing pretty religiously with all parameters staying in check, and was really thinking I still didn't need to do a water change out of necessity. So as long as nothing changes in the tank that would require an earlier water change schedule based on water testing, I am going to maintain on a 15% to 20% monthly water changeout schedule.
Also today, after 9 days in the tank, my clown fish decided it was time to host in the anemone. I was starting to think that he wouldn't ever get into it, but now he is the happiest clown fish in all the water. On another note, the hosting has caused the anemone to be on the move. I am amazed at how far it can stretch its foot. He moves daily and seems to stay in the same areas so I can work around him with the introduction of new coral.
Speaking of new coral, yesterday 5/12, I put in my first piece of Walt Disney Acro into the tank. I had a few other pieces of SPS coral in the tank to ensure that water parameters were in check prior to adding the Walt Disney and I was very happy when I saw full polyp extensions on it about an hour after introducing it in to the tank. I have to thank TONYP for the amazing piece that I got from him. It is center stage in the waterbox and I can't wait to see it grow!!
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GATOR DAVE
Community Member
No worries!!! I really like how the insert turned out as well. I was glad I spent that time making everything easy to control. I love not seeing any of the cords, just a clean looking tank. Thanks for the good vibes!!
GATOR DAVE
Community Member
Thanks, it really has come a long way in a month. I can’t wait to see what the tank looks like in another month!!!
GATOR DAVE
Community Member
5/15
So after so much progress in a month, I am having my first setback. I came home from work Thursday and discovered that I have Dinoflagellates. Yep the brown muscus stuff with the bubbles in it, not happy about that. So my PO4 and NO3 levels have been very consistent and 0 and 8ppm respectively, while my NO3 level is fine, the non-existent PO4 is what I am thinking has caused this to occur. I do not overfeed by any means so I really think there isn’t enough good bacteria and algae in my tank to compete with the Dino's and they are taking over. Is there such a thing as a tank being too clean and this occurring??
PLAN "A"
The tank is wrapped over the sides with a black trash bag to block out all light, and I have started dosing 3% Hydrogen Peroxide in the tank to start getting rid of the Dino's. (1mL per 10 gal) for the next 3 to 4 days.
Today, I am also going to dose the tank with PO4 and continue to check my NO3 levels to ensure that I am not driving down these nutrients down while I am treating the tank.
Daily changes of my filter floss. Eventually the Dinos will either break off and get pulled out of the tank into the filter floss, or I am going to need to suck it out, either way I have to get rid of this mess from the tank. I worry about introducing new water to the tank after vacuuming out the tank. I definitely don't want to add fuel to this fire!
Bacteria. Yes I am planning on introducing some good bacteria into the tank to help me finish the job. I plan on using Dr. Tims Eco-balance to add to the tank. I will add this Monday when I get home from work a few hours before I take off the black curtains on the tank. This will hopefully some magic to the tank as well.
Long term:
I have ordered a small refugium light (still hasn't shown up yet) that I am planning on setting up in chamber 1 of the waterbox and having some Chaeto or Sea Lettuce in there. I will definitely get this set up as soon as the light comes in and I remove the black out from the tank.
I will post updates on this as the days go by. Any other suggestions and help is always appreciated.
Well that is the plan so far. If PLAN "A" doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters - 204 if your in Japan!!!
So after so much progress in a month, I am having my first setback. I came home from work Thursday and discovered that I have Dinoflagellates. Yep the brown muscus stuff with the bubbles in it, not happy about that. So my PO4 and NO3 levels have been very consistent and 0 and 8ppm respectively, while my NO3 level is fine, the non-existent PO4 is what I am thinking has caused this to occur. I do not overfeed by any means so I really think there isn’t enough good bacteria and algae in my tank to compete with the Dino's and they are taking over. Is there such a thing as a tank being too clean and this occurring??
PLAN "A"
The tank is wrapped over the sides with a black trash bag to block out all light, and I have started dosing 3% Hydrogen Peroxide in the tank to start getting rid of the Dino's. (1mL per 10 gal) for the next 3 to 4 days.
Today, I am also going to dose the tank with PO4 and continue to check my NO3 levels to ensure that I am not driving down these nutrients down while I am treating the tank.
Daily changes of my filter floss. Eventually the Dinos will either break off and get pulled out of the tank into the filter floss, or I am going to need to suck it out, either way I have to get rid of this mess from the tank. I worry about introducing new water to the tank after vacuuming out the tank. I definitely don't want to add fuel to this fire!
Bacteria. Yes I am planning on introducing some good bacteria into the tank to help me finish the job. I plan on using Dr. Tims Eco-balance to add to the tank. I will add this Monday when I get home from work a few hours before I take off the black curtains on the tank. This will hopefully some magic to the tank as well.
Long term:
I have ordered a small refugium light (still hasn't shown up yet) that I am planning on setting up in chamber 1 of the waterbox and having some Chaeto or Sea Lettuce in there. I will definitely get this set up as soon as the light comes in and I remove the black out from the tank.
I will post updates on this as the days go by. Any other suggestions and help is always appreciated.
Well that is the plan so far. If PLAN "A" doesn't work, the alphabet has 25 more letters - 204 if your in Japan!!!
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