MrAqua 25g cube

[cje0114]

Hey everybody. It's been a few years since I took down my last tank but the bug has bit me again and I'm starting to build a Mr Aqua 25 gallon cube.

It has a custom stand that I am building along with an Eshoppes RS75 sump. I have a Stark LED light fixture for it and plan on using a reef octopus skimmer and TLF media reactor with GFO for filtration.

I'm planning on a shallow sand bed and about 25-30 pounds of dry rock and a piece of live rock to seed it.

I also have the tank drilled with a glass-holes.com overflow and return.

I have some pictures of the little bit that I have done so far and will post more as I go along.

Thanks for looking.

Chris

Pics that I have so far...

I still have a couple vertical trim piece to put on and I have to build the door.


Here's a couple shots of the tank...

 

[cje0114]

And here's what I will be lighting the tank with.. This will be my first time using LED's. I'm pretty excited to see how this light works out.

 

[Aegeon]

Chris,

Your setup looks very similar to mine. I've also got a Mr. Aqua 25g cube with the same overflow kit. I also did a DIY stand, but did a DIY LED fixture too. I'm using one of the Mr. Aqua 7.5g cube tanks for a sump. I purchased a BRS Carbon/GFO reactor, but couldn't fit it in my stand, so I'm not running it for the time being.

I've got 20 lbs of base rock, 7lbs live rock cycling in the system now. I started my build almost 2 years ago, but got side-tracked with life. Finally got everything up and running last weekend, and I'm about 3 days into the cycle now. I've got a build thread in the nano forum titled "Aegeon's 25G Cube Build" if you want to see it.

Best of luck with your build. I'll be following along to see how it turns out.

 

[cje0114]

Thanks. Your tank is kind of what inspired me to do this cube.

I was going to build my own sump but got lazy and just bought one instead. I was also going to build my light but got a nice deal on that stark unit.

Tomorrow I plan on doing a wet test when I get the rest of my plumbing parts. I'll let it run in the basement a couple days to make sure it doesn't explode. This whole rimless idea still has me nervous! Haha.

 

[jgraz]

Looks good so far. I would love a review of that light. Im looking for something to replace the T5's on my 20H reef.

 

[Maximus]

Which Gl*******s kit did you go with? It looks great btw as I am most likely going the same route. Was it fairly easy to drill the holes? Thanks.

 

[cje0114]

Which Gl*******s kit did you go with? It looks great btw as I am most likely going the same route. Was it fairly easy to drill the holes? Thanks.

Thanks!

It's the Super Nano con Dientes Overflow Kit and a 1/2" return. It's super easy to drill glass. Just take your time and let the drill bit do all the work. It took about 30 minutes to drill both holes.

 

[cje0114]

Finally finished getting the tank moved upstairs and added some Sand, water and about 25 pounds of live rock.

I don't know if I'll be adding any more rock or not..I'm kind of liking the minimal look nd have some ideas on how to stock it. I figure the SPS will fill out nicely over time and the sand bed will be for LPS, clams and some ricordia.

Right now I have my LED lighting dimmed as low as it goes. I really like this 60w Stark fixture and how I can set the dimmers to my liking.

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[cje0114]

Not a whole lot going on with the tank. It's been running good. I just added my ato from autotopoff.com last week along with the phosban reactor. The skimmer is a sc65...it's the same as the bubble magus3.5 for half the price. It's a beast!

 

[cje0114]

So I guess the next purchase for this tank will be a 3 pump dose pump to add 2 part and magnesium. I'll probably add that in a month or so....after I add some more frags to the tank.

 

[mrbubbles]

Super nice setup! I have the same skimmer and it totally kicks *** on my 29! definitely worth every penny....your tank should look killer once it's fully stocked and grown out. keep up with the good work!

 

[cje0114]

Added a few more frags since my last update. I'm also have a weird algea growing from the sand. It's thin and a yellowish green color. It seems to grow in short strands about 1/4" tall. It grows in spots around the sandbed only where it gets direct light. Test results are good and it doesn't appear to be bryopsis. I just pick it out when I see it...hopefully it's just a phase that will pass.

 

[troyman]

with all the nice equipment you have why those powerheads they ruin the looks of the tank

 

[cje0114]

with all the nice equipment you have why those powerheads they ruin the looks of the tank

You read my mind! I'm installing an mp10 tonight and the koralias are coming out.

Here's an updated shot. I added a couple more frags and rearranged the rock work.

 

[troyman]

i have a 24 gal aquapod and a mp 10 in it you wont be dissapointed i didnt mean to offend you i hate those koralias looks real nice now

 

[cje0114]

No offense taken at all. I knew the koralias are looking crappy in there. I'm picking up the mp10 on my way home from work tonight.

 

[Whysoserious]

Good start! Alot of bio-cubes lately, glad to see them. Gives ideas to one another. Best of luck!

 

[troyman]

i had a 120 gal was too much to take care the 24 gal is much easier but just as expensive

 

[troyman]

here is my 24 gal

 

[cje0114]

Got the mp10 installed tonight. The tank looks so much better without powerheads everywhere and wires hanging out of the tank.