Camren's 45 Gallon Cube Build

Camkha1234 · Dec 22, 2013

So it hasn't started cycling yet, but I did get a lot done. I drained the tank after a week of water testing, so everything is looking good.Then, I changed up the scape, then took it apart, sprayed the individual rocks down, let them dry, then epoxied it all together. I also bought some conduit piping and bent an L shape with a pipe bender in the store. This is what I am using for my light hanger. I then painted it black, drilled a hole in it for a hook screw, and drilled the pipe into the back of my stand.

I also received my Reef Radiance light, and I have to say it is very bright! It should do very well with the SPS I'm planning on getting. I also ordered and received an SCA-301 protein skimmer.

I'm planning on starting my cycle by the beginning of January.

spspirate · Dec 22, 2013

very nice looking tank!

Camkha1234 · Dec 22, 2013

spspirate said:
very nice looking tank!

Thanks a lot!

Saltgator · Dec 23, 2013

Nice cube! That 155e will look great and grow coral! Looking forward to watching this grow.

Camkha1234 · Dec 23, 2013

Saltgator said:
Nice cube! That 155e will look great and grow coral! Looking forward to watching this grow.

Thanks! Yeah I wasn't sure at first if the fixture was going to be enough, but after trying it out, I don't need to worry about that haha. Thanks for following along

ShippD · Dec 23, 2013

Looking great

Camkha1234 · Dec 23, 2013

ShippD said:
Looking great

Thanks!

Camkha1234 · Dec 25, 2013

So I filled the tank with water and added salt. I noticed that a lot of it wouldn't dissolve. It's been about 24 hours now, and I just added a heater 4 hours ago because I was informed that it would help dissolve it faster than in the cold water that it was in. It still hasn't dissolved, however. Any ideas?

Camkha1234 · Jan 16, 2014

I'm happy to say that the tank is cycling! I siphoned out the salt and replaced the water. It's been cycling for about two weeks now. I'll keep updating the thread.

Camkha1234 · Feb 18, 2014

A little over a month later, aaaaaaaaaand it's still cycling. Nitrates are starting to show up, so I'd imagine it should be finished within the next few weeks. Then the real fun begins!

Camkha1234 · Mar 13, 2014

Two and a half months later, and still cycling

And so I wait.

Camkha1234 · Mar 31, 2014

Okay, everything's cycled! I'm trying to figure out what fish I should add first. Any ideas?

reefed419 · Apr 2, 2014

I would go with a couple Cardinals, any of the original ones on your list will be nice. There is always designer clowns, can't have a reef without clowns

TJ's Reef · Apr 2, 2014

Wonderful Raffle win and very nice start to a Reef, your patience will pay off huge here..... Congrats!

Cheers, Todd

Camkha1234 · Apr 27, 2014

Thanks both of you!

So since I last posted I've put 10 corals: a Wellso, a two headed Duncan frag, a Strawberry Shortcake Acro frag that I bought as a brown out piece, a purple photosynthetic Gorgonian, and after going to Reef-A-Palooza I bought two Zoas, a Paly, a Garf Bonsai frag, and two unknown Acros.

As far as fish go, I had purchased a Royal Gramma. At first he was a bit shy, but once I started feeding he was out and about. Three days ago he was hiding in the rocks, ten I found him floating near the overflow the next day. I had absolutely no idea what could have killed him, since my paeans are all in check and everything else seems to be happy in the tank. I may wait a bit on more fish, since this was a pretty said experience And I don't want to risk it again.

As far as pictures go, I'll have them up by tomorrow at the latest.