Teddyzaper's 25g Mr. Aqua cube build

[teddyzaper]

As some of you that have seen my other thread I have decided on a 25g (18x18x18) Mr. Aqua rimless glass cube. I will be recording my process from unboxing to an aquarium full of coral and fish. I am starting this because i have just ordered all i need for this tank, went to my local fish store and put some rocks on hold and went to :uzi: petco, hate that place... Well, since ive been talking about what ive ordered, here is a list with prices, links and the name of the item.

Mr. Aqua 25g rimless cube $103 + $25 shipping
Reef apoxy $8
Saltwater test kit $20
Reef test kit $25
Mag-float glass cleaner $12
Koralia 425gph x2 $58
Reef octopus NWB110 $179
55g salt bucket $22
20lbs of dry rock $50
40lbs of dry rock rubble $68
75gpd BRS RO/DI $130
AI nano Sol super blue $300
Super nano overflow kit CON DIENTES (w/o drill bit, w/ lid) $70
40gal breeder from HELL (A.K.A Petco) $49
2 acrylic sheets for baffles $40

FUTURE:
100w heater from LFS $25
300gph pump from LFS $25
refractometer ~$60
DIY stand ~$50
Plumbing ~$50
misc ~$50
Fish $100
Corals OVER 9000!!

So that is my set up, the tank will be going in under a window between my laundry room and office (on the office side) and the RO/DI will be plumbed into the sink in the laundry (drilling holes through the new walls makes my mom angry :uhoh3 I will make sure to post pics whenever i get something new, for now here is the 40g and plexi, along with where the tank will be placed.

The cabinet wont be there. there is a gas line, but i plan on working around it.

From the sink side looking through the window

MAH GOODIES!


Thanks,
Teddy

 

[ange062]

Looks like a solid setup, look forward to seeing it running!

 

[usatennisfan]

Totally tagging along! Looks like tons of fun! What's the plan for fish and coral stocking?

 

[teddyzaper]

oooh since u asked i will tell.

for fish i want to go:
3-5 pajama cardinals
5 sexy shrimp
1 panda goby
1 spotted mandarin (after ~2 months)

Corals will be SPS near the surface and a mix of an encrusting coral and acans for the bottom with an island for shrooms and an island for star polyps. and maybe a small rock dwelling clam.

 

[teddyzaper]

I have also figured out the dimensions for the stand and plywood, i will be picking up the plywood tomorrow and building it saturday/sunday. SO EXCITING!

 

[usatennisfan]

DIY projects are the best! Have you gotten the glass holes kit yet? I'm looking.g to order one with my next tank but a little hesitant...

 

[teddyzaper]

just got my overflow, in the process of making the stand with my dad. Pics will be up in a couple hours.

 

[cherubfish pair]

Where are you getting your spotted mandarin? The reason I ask is that ORA has tank bred ones and they might have them eating flakes/pellets for several generations instead of a constant supply of amphipods. I will be checking into this because I'd love to have a mandarin on prepared foods.

 

[teddyzaper]

some pics of the stand and the Super nano overflow CON DIENTES! (with a top)

 

[teddyzaper]

i have a quick question. How big are sexy shrimp? i was thinking of getting more then 5, maybe 15-20? how many could i fit comfortably in 1 tank.

 

[cherubfish pair]

They like to walk all over corals and make the polyps close up. They are very nice shrimp but I wouldn't want too many in my tank. For me, their number would be according to how densely I stock my corals. Five would be a good starting place and I've heard they reproduce quite often.

 

[teddyzaper]

thanks!

 

[Jfoster33702]

Is the stand just glued together 3/4 ply?

 

[teddyzaper]

yes, my dad has worked with making stands and furniture and says it will be fine. it was fine when we put 300+ lbs on it, me my mom and my dad, so it will be fine. It is marine grade 5/8inch plywood, and marine grade epoxy glue. It will have a cross brace down the middle so it wont sag. A lot of stands are overbuilt, when this is really all you need for it to stand up your tank. If you do it right it should only use 1-2 pieces of plywood depending on your tank size. this stand cost me $40 which was 1 piece of plywood and the glue. SUPER CHEAP!

 

[teddyzaper]

NEW GOODIES! 2 koralia 425gph pumps, Saltwater master test kit, reef master test kit, reef epoxy and a mag-float.

WOOT, stuff will be flowing through my frontdoor this entire week! I finished sanding the stand and will be painting/sealing tonight.

 

[teddyzaper]

OH MAH GAWD! another update! got the tank, shipped in a HUGE box, made me nervous, thought i got the bigger one

:dance: WOOOOOO!

 

[usatennisfan]

Let the fun begin!

 

[teddyzaper]

hehehehe, yes!

 

[teddyzaper]

BOXES BOXES OH MAH GAWD BOXES! got almost everything, waiting on the lights and stuff......

anyways, here are the contents of the boxes. Skimmer, RO/DI, dry rock, salt. The RO/DI didnt come with the connections i need so i am going to have to wait till the order i placed for them comes in..... :twitch: oh well. I'll just fill it up with the hose connector that is outside. The light should come next week and i will be setting this all up saturday/sunday hopefully.

I also picked up the heater and pump from my LFS and took my tank to a glass shop to get it drilled, should be done friday :bounce2:!!!!

 

[jr973]

Seems like a sweet nano in the makeing