Hi all! I have been outta the game for a while, but Im coming back with even more passion for this awesome hobby! Im super excited to setup my 55 gallon glass CUBE tank again. The tank itself without the frame measures 23x23x23.
I decided to reseal the tank after it seemed to have a small leak when I filled it with test water. Everything went smoothly and i filled the tank with ~9lbs of liverock, ~35lbs of dry rock, ~15lbs of dry sand and ~20lbs of livesand. Threw a deli shrimp in there and started the cycle .
After about 5 weeks, my nitrate levels were around 20ppm and ammonia and nitrites were zippo. did the first 10%WC today. I am running a 12 gallon eshoppes sump, which i dont really like. (Looking for suggestions on a good setup for this and have a small 5 gal glass tank at my disposal). This is the first time I have owned a protein skimmer, and went with an ASM mini g.
Also, I have the ability to run filter socks, which I dont really like because I have to clean them/switch em out very often, but does anyone think I should be running carbon/filter socks/ or some other media before adding CUC?
As for lighting... I have had one of those coralife MH units (150w) and running a HQI 20k bulb, for a very long time when i previously had the tank setup. It seemed to work very well with the LPS corals I had. Im definately going to get a fresh bulb before I throw any corals in there. Does this lighting seem sufficient? I am considering an upgrade, but still contemplating that since I am planning on sticking to mostly LPS (zoas, acans, caulastrea, among others), maybe one or two SPS if its possible with the lighting...
Im also running 2 powerheads, and planning on adding some more liverock with a CUC. I have a pretty open aquascape too, which is why I love the CUBE setup.. Anyhoo thanks for looking, here are the first pics, and Ill be updating as I go! any comments or suggestions are always welcome!!!
Reseal:
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Day 1:
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Ugly and Unfortunate sump/skimmer setup(just added a filter sock today for a few days):
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After 1st WC. I have kept the lights off for the entire cycle.. just turned the on for effect here!:colorful:
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I decided to reseal the tank after it seemed to have a small leak when I filled it with test water. Everything went smoothly and i filled the tank with ~9lbs of liverock, ~35lbs of dry rock, ~15lbs of dry sand and ~20lbs of livesand. Threw a deli shrimp in there and started the cycle .
After about 5 weeks, my nitrate levels were around 20ppm and ammonia and nitrites were zippo. did the first 10%WC today. I am running a 12 gallon eshoppes sump, which i dont really like. (Looking for suggestions on a good setup for this and have a small 5 gal glass tank at my disposal). This is the first time I have owned a protein skimmer, and went with an ASM mini g.
Also, I have the ability to run filter socks, which I dont really like because I have to clean them/switch em out very often, but does anyone think I should be running carbon/filter socks/ or some other media before adding CUC?
As for lighting... I have had one of those coralife MH units (150w) and running a HQI 20k bulb, for a very long time when i previously had the tank setup. It seemed to work very well with the LPS corals I had. Im definately going to get a fresh bulb before I throw any corals in there. Does this lighting seem sufficient? I am considering an upgrade, but still contemplating that since I am planning on sticking to mostly LPS (zoas, acans, caulastrea, among others), maybe one or two SPS if its possible with the lighting...
Im also running 2 powerheads, and planning on adding some more liverock with a CUC. I have a pretty open aquascape too, which is why I love the CUBE setup.. Anyhoo thanks for looking, here are the first pics, and Ill be updating as I go! any comments or suggestions are always welcome!!!
Reseal:
Day 1:
Ugly and Unfortunate sump/skimmer setup(just added a filter sock today for a few days):
After 1st WC. I have kept the lights off for the entire cycle.. just turned the on for effect here!:colorful: