A Macro Cube

[Archaic37]

Hi BAR! Been a while since my last tank which was short lived, hoping to keep this one for longer.

Equipment:
fluval 207
Ai hydra 32
Mp10
Inkbird 200w titanium

Trying to keep a minimal build with macro algae, LPS!

 

[BAYMAC]

That stand incredible. Nice setup!!!

I can't wait to see it age.

If you're doing macro, ditch the canister filter.

 

[Archaic37]

That stand incredible. Nice setup!!!

I can't wait to see it age.

If you're doing macro, ditch the canister filter.

I want some corals as well, the canister is just sponge, ceramic media for added bacteria area.

I found that marble stand on the streets of SF for free!

 

[BAYMAC]

That is an insane curb score, and the top is square!!!

Ditch the sponge at least. You don't need that, especially with ceramic media. Its just a detritus trap for you to clean, and buy more of.

 

[Archaic37]

I also got lucky to find a perfect 18”x18”x18” cube tank used.

Thanks, I’ll take the sponge out. Anything I should use in place of a sponge?

 

[popper]

What came first? The stand or tank? Perfect match.

 

[Archaic37]

What came first? The stand or tank? Perfect match.

Stand first with a shrimp tank on it. Shrimp got a custom wood stand

 

[Archaic37]

I received some advice to add corals first (already added 8 macro algaes) before fish. Any thoughts on this advice?

I’m hoping to get some torch, hammer, frogspawn, acans but am wary of BJD in a new tank. I have enough experience that I definitely do not want gsp, cloves, Kenya tree or zoas.

 

[Archaic37]

Tank has been settling in decently with corals, macro and a bicolor blenny.

I do notice my euphyilia tend to close up after the peak photo period then reopen a couple hours later. I dropped the peak blue, uv channels by 10% and seemed to improve that. I think I’m going to up the flow rate during peak lighting a bit and see if that also helps them. The 2 digis also seem to close their polyps after mid day.

 

[PizzaOven]

Looks good. I would check PAR to see if you're cooking your LPS. If you become a supporting member, you can borrow one from the club!

 

[clownvan]

Looks good. I would check PAR to see if you're cooking your LPS. If you become a supporting member, you can borrow one from the club!

is that how you got the name @PizzaOven? Coral cooking

 

[Archaic37]

Had a few speed bumps, power outage, no heater for days during vacation, all swings but it’s normalized! Corals are open, good color and signs of growth all around.

Currently fighting ULNS. Can’t get nitrates above 0 and phosphorous is at 0ppb.

I’ve been dosing about 20ml of live phyto every few days and my macro algae’s are really establishing.

Current livestock of bicolor blenny and 2 small clowns. Feeding daily with brine and music until they stop eating, spot feeding, TDS pellets, oyster feast. Only have doing 15% WC every 10-12 days.

Just picked up Red Sea reef energy and neophos to give a bit more nutrients.

Lots of pods in the system and signs of good Coraline growth

 

[Darkxerox]

Everything in there probably is sucking up all the fish waste for now (rocks included). Once they saturate you should see numbers go up. In the meantime you could cut back water changes, save some time. Just don't want to end up with a dinoflagellaten mess.