Modern Integrated 50gal Cube...Build Thread!

[dogstar74]

Definately an A or 9.5 or whatever scale you would like. If you're going for the A+ however or full marks 10, then I'd keep the Light power supply cable comming from the wall gromet. (never heard that term before) and drop those black power cords down the back behind the overflow. That would clean up the tanks horizon and put this over the top. The rest of the build is pristine and amazing!

Aaron

 

[SharkaThon]

I might have missed it, but what are you stocking the tank with?

This is an amazing build! More power to you for going high-tech on a "small" tank. I do agree with whoever said that all this equipment is enough for a 180g, but the fact that you are responsible and dedicated enough to get it all for a 50g is incredible!

 

[Frogmanx82]

I enjoy these build threads. I just wanted to point out to people new to the hobby that it doesn't have to be this complex. For those that enjoy building, this is a good example of thorough planning. Hard to believe its your first tank.

I'm curious why the slot for the cords was placed so high. It seems like it would have been cleaner if it was below the height of the tank and hidden. If you're going for a super clean look that's a few points off your score. The cord for the light could be taped down so that it doesn't poke up over the light.

The rockscape looks really good. I like the cave underneath and you have some nice spots for corals.

I'm curious too about the stocking plan. If this is your first tank, there are some lessons you don't want to have to learn the hard way.

 

[canesfan44]

I forgot to mention, I'm glad you're not the same Josh I used to go to school with. I didn't like him too much, lol. I like you a lot better.

 

[joshbryer]

I love your thread. I'm doing everything with the tank I'm putting together that you are with yours, only everything you're doing is better and more detailed than myself (your stand/cabinet is much, much, much nicer than mine). I'm glad to see we're not the only ones taking our time and doing things right... the first time. The only thing that shouldn't take me too long is cycling the tank. I've been cycling my dry rock in a tub since September, but I still won't add any fish or corals to my tank for at least 2 months after I set it up. I love your thread and keep up the good work. :thumbsup:

Thanks man...glad to know I'm not the only one who's mildly ocd with his hobbies It's cool that your rock will be well cycled...the 2 months will be a great seeding process!

Definately an A or 9.5 or whatever scale you would like. If you're going for the A+ however or full marks 10, then I'd keep the Light power supply cable comming from the wall gromet. (never heard that term before) and drop those black power cords down the back behind the overflow. That would clean up the tanks horizon and put this over the top. The rest of the build is pristine and amazing!

Aaron

Hey Aaron, thanks man. Unfortunately the black cords run to the vortechs, which have the large white control boxes attached to them. Those won't fit through any of the desk grommets I found so they needed to run through the wall. I'm still looking for some nice cable wraps to tidy the whole thing up. It is a complaint I have (though minor) about the vortechs as well as the Powermodule....they both have these huge honkin control boxes attached and the cords aren't detachable. Definitely made the wiring harder than planned.

I might have missed it, but what are you stocking the tank with?

This is an amazing build! More power to you for going high-tech on a "small" tank. I do agree with whoever said that all this equipment is enough for a 180g, but the fact that you are responsible and dedicated enough to get it all for a 50g is incredible!

Hey Shark, thanks much. I'm still thinking about the stocking plan in detail, but it will be mainly sps dominant with some acans and maybe a clam mixed in there for good measure. As far as fish go, I don't have my mind made up but am thinking some combination of some of the following:

Blue Spot Jawfish (with jawfish condo)
Picasso Clown (a clown is the only mandate so far from my better half)
Rhomboid Wrasse (I'd love a pair)
Algae Eater? (Suggestions welcome)


Any thoughts?

I enjoy these build threads. I just wanted to point out to people new to the hobby that it doesn't have to be this complex. For those that enjoy building, this is a good example of thorough planning. Hard to believe its your first tank.

I'm curious why the slot for the cords was placed so high. It seems like it would have been cleaner if it was below the height of the tank and hidden. If you're going for a super clean look that's a few points off your score. The cord for the light could be taped down so that it doesn't poke up over the light.

The rockscape looks really good. I like the cave underneath and you have some nice spots for corals.

I'm curious too about the stocking plan. If this is your first tank, there are some lessons you don't want to have to learn the hard way.

More than fair on your point regarding complexity....I certainly did engineer this to be pretty complex on setup, though hopefully semi automated in the long run.

The wall pass through placement is a bummer, one of my only unfixable mistakes so far. Another semi design flaw of the powermodule is the way the cord connects to the unit. I don't have too many options for moving it around because it's very rigid at the connection point and cants the angle of the fixture so it's not square to the tank. They really should have had the cord exit on the side or back rather that the top. I'm talking to an architect friend about fabricating a housing for it that will hopefully fix some of those sins. All very good points however..... I'm pretty stoked on how the rockwork came out too.

As far as stocking, I touch on it a bit above but I'm keen to hear any advice to help me avoid pitfalls. I'm hopeful to start stocking in February sometime, but it'll depend on the state of the tank.... detrivores mid to late december, maybe cuc in mid to late January.

I forgot to mention, I'm glad you're not the same Josh I used to go to school with. I didn't like him too much, lol. I like you a lot better.

Hahahaha, yea I'm not a bad guy usually.


Starting to see more signs of algae, which oddly enough I'm excited about. The ammonium chloride should be here monday and once things have balanced out a bit on the chemistry front I'll get my detrivore seeding underway. Still trying to find a science supply house near me, so if anyone has any leads, let me know.

 

[DocHoliday]

subscribe.

 

[Frogmanx82]

Forget the Rhomboid wrasse. For one thing they are jumpers, for another they can be $200 per fish, and finally a 50 might be a bit small for them which would lead to more jumping. There are many more common wrasses to pick from that are just as pretty. In any case, wrasses should be the last thing you add. They like an established pod population, they can be aggressive, and if you find you want some inverts, you would be glad you held off on the wrasse.

The blue spot jawfish can be a jumper too. Do you have plans for a screen of any kind?
Clowns are probably the best aquarium fish you can get, can't go wrong there.
For algae eaters, just get snails, maybe some hermits if you get hair algae.
Something out of the blenny or goby group is always good. They tend to be fish with personality.

 

[joshbryer]

Forget the Rhomboid wrasse. For one thing they are jumpers, for another they can be $200 per fish, and finally a 50 might be a bit small for them which would lead to more jumping. There are many more common wrasses to pick from that are just as pretty. In any case, wrasses should be the last thing you add. They like an established pod population, they can be aggressive, and if you find you want some inverts, you would be glad you held off on the wrasse.

The blue spot jawfish can be a jumper too. Do you have plans for a screen of any kind?
Clowns are probably the best aquarium fish you can get, can't go wrong there.
For algae eaters, just get snails, maybe some hermits if you get hair algae.
Something out of the blenny or goby group is always good. They tend to be fish with personality.

Definitely planning on a mesh top. Thanks for your advice on the rhomboid, I'll look further into them. I've heard they're great fish temperament wise. Also thought that I would have territoriality problems with subsequent additions if I added the clown first, wrasse last.....

I've heard many opinions about clowns some of which are of love, others claim they are the spawn of the devil.

 

[SharkaThon]

I was gonna recommend a Lawnmower Blenny for taking care of the algae. They do a pretty good job.

 

[joshbryer]

I was gonna recommend a Lawnmower Blenny for taking care of the algae. They do a pretty good job.

Hey Shark, thanks. That's actually one of the fish I was thinking of, I'll dig up some more info.


There's quite a bit of algae starting up....I did a ~10% water change and changed media in the carbon and GFO reactors. Late in the week I put the lights onto a 5 hour a day light cycle, which I'm sure started it up, but I figure after almost 3 weeks better to get it over with now. Especially in daylight with the lights off, the rocks appear quite brown/green to the eye.

Also a light dusting of brown on patches of the sand. Diatoms I'm assuming?

Here's a couple pictures of my aiptasia friend and a new one on the glass:

There's also a couple patches of green hair algae on the sand....they're probably about 1" long, pretty much came up overnight. Hopefully the GFO and water change will help keep everything from getting out of control.

 

[mjaustin22]

that aquascape is killer!!!

 

[Frogmanx82]

Now is a good time to get snails. You really have to get nassarius snails. I should have more than the 5 I have which are the only 5 I bought and I've had them all over a year. They do a great job stirring the sand and its amazing to watch them eat algae wafers as they rise up out of the sand and sniff out food with amazing speed (for a snail). For algae I recommend trochus or astrea. I'm not a turbo fan. They are too big and in my experience not as hardy. I've never had issues with astreas getting stranded on the sand bed.

Don't get a lawn mover blenny to eat algae. They may or they may not eat that much. Get one if you want that type of blenny, but IMO there are more colorful blennies to pick from.

There is quite a bit of variability in the aggressiveness of wrasses towards shrimp, crabs, and fish so you just need to research it and think about what shrimp or crabs you may want. Wrasses tend to be very fast and a clown is not going to be able to chase a wrasse with any success and all of them are pod hunters.

I'd recommend a hectors or jester goby(rainford's goby). They are a bit wrasse like, but stay small so they are only mild pod hunters, they do some sand sifting, and eat hair algae. The only problem with them is getting them to eat though mine did well for a year just grazing on the tank. A 50 is a good size tank for them.

 

[canesfan44]

try and get rid of those aiptasia ASAP

 

[joshbryer]

Now is a good time to get snails. You really have to get nassarius snails. I should have more than the 5 I have which are the only 5 I bought and I've had them all over a year. They do a great job stirring the sand and its amazing to watch them eat algae wafers as they rise up out of the sand and sniff out food with amazing speed (for a snail). For algae I recommend trochus or astrea. I'm not a turbo fan. They are too big and in my experience not as hardy. I've never had issues with astreas getting stranded on the sand bed.

Don't get a lawn mover blenny to eat algae. They may or they may not eat that much. Get one if you want that type of blenny, but IMO there are more colorful blennies to pick from.

There is quite a bit of variability in the aggressiveness of wrasses towards shrimp, crabs, and fish so you just need to research it and think about what shrimp or crabs you may want. Wrasses tend to be very fast and a clown is not going to be able to chase a wrasse with any success and all of them are pod hunters.

I'd recommend a hectors or jester goby(rainford's goby). They are a bit wrasse like, but stay small so they are only mild pod hunters, they do some sand sifting, and eat hair algae. The only problem with them is getting them to eat though mine did well for a year just grazing on the tank. A 50 is a good size tank for them.

Really awesome input, thanks for the detailed experiences...much appreciated. I'm planning on spiking ammonia again next week, so I was going to wait on the snails till the week after. Thoughts?

The Jester Goby is very pretty, I'll look into that species further. How did you wean yours into feeding and with what?

try and get rid of those aiptasia ASAP

Yea, I got some aiptasiaX, so I'll try to nuke them today. Does anybody know the biology behind how they spread?

 

[BennyFrank]

Does anybody know the biology behind how they spread?

Spontaneous generation :hammer: Just kidding... like most cnidarians they will reproduce both sexually and asexually. For the smaller ones, AiptasiaX/Joe's Juice should take care of them in one dose. The larger ones will bounce back and require a few doses. Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) will usually handle the smaller ones also.

Make sure to turn off all the pumps before dosing the aiptasiaX. Otherwise it makes it difficult to spot treat the aiptasia and the stuff ends up everywhere.

 

[canesfan44]

I agree with above. Peppermint shrimp work pretty good for small ones, I've also had good luck smothering small ones in a kalk paste. It's important to get rid of the ASAP, that's a major reason why I started with dry rock instead of live was because of aiptasia

 

[Frogmanx82]

My hector's goby, which is very similar to the jester goby never did eat anything I put in the tank. I had it over a year before died on me and it never looked thin until it went down hill very rapidly. It ate pods, sifted sand and nibbled on algae and that was enough. You'd probably have to wait for your pod population to take foothold before getting a jester. I credit my hector's goby for ridding my tank of flatworms. Not sure it was him, but I had those ones with the red spots and they just disappeared. I have a mandarin now and am wary of getting another pod eater. Unless you can get a mandarin that is eating frozen food, I think you don't have enough live rock to support one.

Even with dry rock, you can easily pick up aiptasia from corals you put in the tank. It's tough to keep them out. You do need to get them out asap. Kalk paste, and Aiptasia X are the two best proven methods. I liked Aiptasia X because a bottle lasted 6 months and it was generally effective though I have not been able to eradicate them completely from my tank, even after putting in 6 berghia nudibranches. I haven't seen lemon juice or hot water work that well but some say they do. I have Paul B making an electrocution rod for me. I think it would just be easier to keep up with if you don't have to put your arm in the tank.

 

[canesfan44]

My hector's goby, which is very similar to the jester goby never did eat anything I put in the tank. I had it over a year before died on me and it never looked thin until it went down hill very rapidly. It ate pods, sifted sand and nibbled on algae and that was enough. You'd probably have to wait for your pod population to take foothold before getting a jester. I credit my hector's goby for ridding my tank of flatworms. Not sure it was him, but I had those ones with the red spots and they just disappeared. I have a mandarin now and am wary of getting another pod eater. Unless you can get a mandarin that is eating frozen food, I think you don't have enough live rock to support one.

Even with dry rock, you can easily pick up aiptasia from corals you put in the tank. It's tough to keep them out. You do need to get them out asap. Kalk paste, and Aiptasia X are the two best proven methods. I liked Aiptasia X because a bottle lasted 6 months and it was generally effective though I have not been able to eradicate them completely from my tank, even after putting in 6 berghia nudibranches. I haven't seen lemon juice or hot water work that well but some say they do. I have Paul B making an electrocution rod for me. I think it would just be easier to keep up with if you don't have to put your arm in the tank.

I bought one of Paul's electrocution rods a month ago anmd it works great on big aiptasia and all majanos. Small aiptasia, like most, tend to have their foot in a crevice or cave and are pretty tough to get to with the rod.

 

[joshbryer]

Spontaneous generation :hammer: Just kidding... like most cnidarians they will reproduce both sexually and asexually. For the smaller ones, AiptasiaX/Joe's Juice should take care of them in one dose. The larger ones will bounce back and require a few doses. Peppermint Shrimp (Lysmata wurdemanni) will usually handle the smaller ones also.

Make sure to turn off all the pumps before dosing the aiptasiaX. Otherwise it makes it difficult to spot treat the aiptasia and the stuff ends up everywhere.

Just nuked (hopefully) the aiptasia, we'll see if they're gone for good. The big one might need one more shot. Great tip on the pumps, that would have been really messy. I started looking on google university and found this, pretty good article on aiptasia:

http://www.berghia.net/aiptasiaBiology.html

I agree with above. Peppermint shrimp work pretty good for small ones, I've also had good luck smothering small ones in a kalk paste. It's important to get rid of the ASAP, that's a major reason why I started with dry rock instead of live was because of aiptasia

Yea, I was hopeful to avoid them too, but it seems that putting my seed rock in the sump wasn't enough to prevent their spread, which after reading more about their reproduction, makes sense.

My hector's goby, which is very similar to the jester goby never did eat anything I put in the tank. I had it over a year before died on me and it never looked thin until it went down hill very rapidly. It ate pods, sifted sand and nibbled on algae and that was enough. You'd probably have to wait for your pod population to take foothold before getting a jester. I credit my hector's goby for ridding my tank of flatworms. Not sure it was him, but I had those ones with the red spots and they just disappeared. I have a mandarin now and am wary of getting another pod eater. Unless you can get a mandarin that is eating frozen food, I think you don't have enough live rock to support one.

Even with dry rock, you can easily pick up aiptasia from corals you put in the tank. It's tough to keep them out. You do need to get them out asap. Kalk paste, and Aiptasia X are the two best proven methods. I liked Aiptasia X because a bottle lasted 6 months and it was generally effective though I have not been able to eradicate them completely from my tank, even after putting in 6 berghia nudibranches. I haven't seen lemon juice or hot water work that well but some say they do. I have Paul B making an electrocution rod for me. I think it would just be easier to keep up with if you don't have to put your arm in the tank.

I would love to get a mandarin, such amazing fish. But even with the ORA captive bred mandarins, I agree that my tank might night have enough rock to keep one fed, especially with any other pod eaters in the tank. Paul's electrocution rod is really cool, definitely plan on getting one.

I bought one of Paul's electrocution rods a month ago anmd it works great on big aiptasia and all majanos. Small aiptasia, like most, tend to have their foot in a crevice or cave and are pretty tough to get to with the rod.

Yea I found a really tiny one on the glass once I was in there with the syringe of death.

 

[joshbryer]

Received the Aquatic EcoSystems ammonium chloride today, and just added to the tank.

To begin, I tested the ammonium level pre addition, just to get a baseline and also to make sure there hasn't been a spike from another source. Currently the ammonia level is still at <.05.

The package says that you should add 1.13 grams of the powder per 100 gallons of volume to achieve a 1ppm spike. Since I wanted 3ppm at ~58gal, that yields about 1.97g of ammonium chloride. My nifty friend wolframAlpha told me that 1.97g of ammonium chloride ~= to .262 teaspoons, so I dissolved that in a small bowl of aquarium water and just added to the tank. I'll retest ammonia in about 2-3 hours and see what it is.

On another note, the algae is still on the rise, with a pretty good amount of brown covering everywhere on the rocks that is getting direct light. As well, my sandbed (max 1.25") is filled with little bubbles that are slowly being released into the water column, and I'm not sure what the cause is. I've seen pics of algae that holds small air bubbles but not a sandbed that's filled with them down nearly to the bottom. I want to get the algae cycle over with, but don't want it to get out of hand either. Hopefully snails next week, and I guess lights out for a few days if necessary?