Modern Integrated 50gal Cube...Build Thread!

[mudskipper1]

What kind of hermit was it? Or do you not want hermits of any kind in the tank? I have always used hermits, scarlet preferably, or when I can't find them, mexican red-legged, and they have always been model citizens in my tanks.

 

[joshbryer]

What kind of hermit was it? Or do you not want hermits of any kind in the tank? I have always used hermits, scarlet preferably, or when I can't find them, mexican red-legged, and they have always been model citizens in my tanks.

Hi MudSkipper-

I'm not positive but I believe it is a scarlet hermit... I'm not opposed to hermits in the tank, but I want to get an ID and do some research on this specimen first. I've heard pretty widely differing opinions on hermits and their temperment. You've never had aggression or predation as they've gotten larger?

 

[BennyFrank]

IME scarlets have always been peaceful (and amusing), it's the blue-legs that you have to watch out for.

 

[Frogmanx82]

+1 on the red legs and scarletts. Haven't had any issues with either of them. One good thing about hermits, they are ridiculously easy to catch even if there is a problem.

 

[joshbryer]

IME scarlets have always been peaceful (and amusing), it's the blue-legs that you have to watch out for.

+1 on the red legs and scarletts. Haven't had any issues with either of them. One good thing about hermits, they are ridiculously easy to catch even if there is a problem.

I appreciate the info, I'll get a good ID and if it's a scarlet add him into the tank!

 

[mudskipper1]

Just be sure to keep a selection of empty shells in the tank for them to switch into as they please, I have heard that can help keep them peaceful, and I always have, and never have had problems.

 

[reeftanknewbie]

Just be sure to keep a selection of empty shells in the tank for them to switch into as they please, I have heard that can help keep them peaceful, and I always have, and never have had problems.

Same here. I have been putting a selection of shells in the tank for all of my hermits to switch into without any issues and no loss of snails.

 

[joshbryer]

Just be sure to keep a selection of empty shells in the tank for them to switch into as they please, I have heard that can help keep them peaceful, and I always have, and never have had problems.

Same here. I have been putting a selection of shells in the tank for all of my hermits to switch into without any issues and no loss of snails.

Thanks for the tip guys/gals!


Quick update time....

So, the snails have been miracle workers, really hungry or both. They've literally cleaned the rock of almost any trace of diatoms in under a week. When I was looking into what type of snails to get I read a quote from someone that was along the lines of:

"Any experienced reefer eventually realizes that snails are basically useless..."

Yea, right. I think he then went on to try and push a sea hare onto someone, but that's a digression. In this case, I'd say my snail power CUC was quite the opposite. Mr. Conch is doing pretty damn good too, and he's by far the coolest little dude in my tank right now.

The bryopsis is definitely not liking the tech-m.... It's starting to melt away on the rocks, and I've only been dosing it at 100ppm bumps for 4 days which would put me around 1450ppm now, need to test again tonight. It's still fern gully on the glass and overflow box, but it's way cleaner on the rocks. I can only imagine it's the tech-m, unless by some act of nature the snails decided to start eating it, which I can't believe because all I see is them eating around it. Go Tech-M. I'm gonna have to order another couple gallons when I'm done just for fear that they'll ever discontinue it!

Got the Ca and Alk dosing pumps calibrated and started yesterday. They're currently set to dose when the lights are off at staggered times from one another. The Calcium should be roughly where I want by tomorrow morning, but the Alk is gonna take a bit longer because it was really low when I tested yesterday. Curious to see if it's gonna hold back my Calcium levels as well.

That's all for now, thinking I'm going to add some peppermint shrimp and maybe a couple other inverts this week. More to come....

 

[Frogmanx82]

All that concern about a little scarlett hermit and you're going to add peppermint shrimp!! You should do a bit more checking on the peppermints, they aren't all that reef safe and can be a devil to catch. Cleaner shrimp would be a more colorful and safer choice.

 

[joshbryer]

All that concern about a little scarlett hermit and you're going to add peppermint shrimp!! You should do a bit more checking on the peppermints, they aren't all that reef safe and can be a devil to catch. Cleaner shrimp would be a more colorful and safer choice.

I appreciate the info, I didn't realize. Though you should probably be able to tell by now that I'd be compulsively looking into anything that goes into the tank before I actually purchase anything. I also didn't really think that throwing a hermit in the sump for a day or two to look into them and get a better ID to be drastic concern... :beer:

 

[Carpet_Surfin]

Awsome build, can't wait to see it stocked with coral and some fish. :beer:

 

[reeftanknewbie]

I appreciate the info, I didn't realize. Though you should probably be able to tell by now that I'd be compulsively looking into anything that goes into the tank before I actually purchase anything. I also didn't really think that throwing a hermit in the sump for a day or two to look into them and get a better ID to be drastic concern... :beer:

I don't see it as being compulsive but rather responsible. While I am new in the sense of current reef keeping habits/skills,etc; I have had tanks off and on for several years and I am mindful of what I purchase not only for the inhabitants in my tank but also of the hobby taking things out of the ocean that we later regret, neglect, then die. Great work, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with all of us to weight in on. Just my thoughts.

 

[joshbryer]

Awsome build, can't wait to see it stocked with coral and some fish. :beer:

Thanks Surfin! :beer:

I don't see it as being compulsive but rather responsible. While I am new in the sense of current reef keeping habits/skills,etc; I have had tanks off and on for several years and I am mindful of what I purchase not only for the inhabitants in my tank but also of the hobby taking things out of the ocean that we later regret, neglect, then die. Great work, and I appreciate you sharing your thoughts with all of us to weight in on. Just my thoughts.

Thanks, I appreciate all the input I'm getting on this thread...very helpful. I'm trying to be as mindful and paced as possible too...

 

[shaggss]

I'm trying to be as mindful and paced as possible too...

Ah screw that! Lets stock this thing already! Get a few tangs and throw 'em in......!!!!

Merry Xmas Josh :celeb3: :bum: :celeb2:

 

[Frogmanx82]

I appreciate the info, I didn't realize. Though you should probably be able to tell by now that I'd be compulsively looking into anything that goes into the tank before I actually purchase anything. I also didn't really think that throwing a hermit in the sump for a day or two to look into them and get a better ID to be drastic concern... :beer:

I didn't say it was drastic, I was just commenting on the peppermint shrimp.

If you like shrimp, then cleaner shrimp are a great choice. You have two to pick from. There is the skunk shrimp which can be bought in groups. They are always out, very active, but they are aggressive feeders and if you're hand feeding any corals they can be a bit annoying stealing food. I find if they get a big chuck of an algae wafer, that keeps them busy for a while.

The blood shrimp has great color but they are a bit reclusive. Mine does not stray more than 6 inches from his cave. He comes out to grab food at feeding time then back in his hole he goes. You can get more than one, but they will likely stay in different holes and not interact too much. They are a lot less of a problem with with the food stealing.

 

[joshbryer]

Happy New Year!! :celeb1:


The bryopsis is pretty much gone thanks to the Tech-M...as of a couple days ago the mag was around 1800, and I'm gonna keep it there for another few weeks. Everything pretty much melted off the rocks, but I went in and did a big manual removal off the glass and I'm gonna do a final sweep up this weekend. I am now having another little bloom of some type of hair-ish stuff on the glass, but it really looks more like a macro of some type. I'll snap some pictures in the next couple days before I pull it out. Also a light coat of cyano-ish stuff on some of the rocks, but not too bad. Obviously still having some type of nutrient issues....

The tank is definitely not stable to my liking yet... Between the mag dosing and trying to get my alk and calcium up to correct levels, the salinity has drifted way up and is hovering between 1.028-1.029 depending on the day. I did another 10% water change and I've been wet skimming, but I need to get a handle on it and also get my other params stable.

All my cerith snails and the conch are doing well, but 2 of the 4 trochus snails bit the dust and the other two aren't looking too hot. Not sure if it's from the salinity, if they coudn't handle the mag or if they shouldn't have been eating all that dying bryopsis :eek2:, but I'm kinda bummed on that.

Other than focusing on alk/cal/mag stability I'm looking towards getting a first fish in 3-4 weeks because he'll have to do his multi week stint in qt anyways. I've been eyeing a midas blenny as my first addition.....

I didn't say it was drastic, I was just commenting on the peppermint shrimp.

If you like shrimp, then cleaner shrimp are a great choice. You have two to pick from. There is the skunk shrimp which can be bought in groups. They are always out, very active, but they are aggressive feeders and if you're hand feeding any corals they can be a bit annoying stealing food. I find if they get a big chuck of an algae wafer, that keeps them busy for a while.

The blood shrimp has great color but they are a bit reclusive. Mine does not stray more than 6 inches from his cave. He comes out to grab food at feeding time then back in his hole he goes. You can get more than one, but they will likely stay in different holes and not interact too much. They are a lot less of a problem with with the food stealing.

That's great info, thanks. I'm still figuring out my invert stocking plan.....

Ah screw that! Lets stock this thing already! Get a few tangs and throw 'em in......!!!!

Merry Xmas Josh :celeb3: :bum: :celeb2:

Yea, I bought 2 blue tangs and a trigger and they're all in my qt right now. It's 10 gallons, that should be ok right?

:eek2: :spin3:

 

[afernandez]

hey josh i think your due for an update

 

[BigMike80]

I agree....Im subscribing.

 

[joshbryer]

hey josh i think your due for an update

Been super busy between work and family in town lately, so no real news...


Last weekend I did a big manual clean out of all the hair-like macro that was in the tank and then went lights out for 3 days. I added some bristle worms, amphi/cope pods and coralline cultures from Indo-Pacific Sea Farms, and I'm getting my Alk and Calcium into balance. Looking towards getting the QT systems up and running shortly so that I can start stocking...

I'm thinking of starting with a Midas blenny and some Acans...

I agree....Im subscribing.

Glad you're enjoying, hopefully more updates soon!

 

[chimmike]

How did you like the trochus snails? I'm considering doing those and not having any astreas because I'm so tired of half my purchased astreas dying from flipping over