Elos 20g cube build

mwil79 · Jul 18, 2021

Hi all,

Been around r2r for quite a while now but decided to start a build thread for the first time with my new(used) Elos 20g cube.

Equipment:
Elos 20g cube
Dimensions: 16.9 x 15.8 x 16.9"
Volume: 20gallons
Stand wrapped in black vinyl
(Not my picture as mine is currently soaking to get off the dried up Coralline Algae)

Icecap 15 Reef Sump
Radion G4 Xr15 Pro (Anyone have recommendations on intensity for a 17x17x17 footprint?)
Jebao DCW-2500 return pump (660 gph) Overkill I know but its a DC pump so I'm going to be running it much lower.
Random Flow Generator
Aquamaxx NF-1 Protein Skimmer
I haven't decided on a wavemaker yet but leaning towards and MP10 even though it will again be overkill.

Still currently undecided on if I want to go zoas and shrooms or make a Euphyllia Garden. I also and possibly thinking about a tree style aquascape.

I will be doing all the plumbing this week and will update as I progress. Looking forward to adding more to this thread in my journey for tank #3!

Peace River · Jul 18, 2021

It looks like you are off to a good start on this one! Cheering for you as you continue the adventure!!!

mwil79 · Jul 23, 2021

Tank cleaned up (for the most part) Ai prime dropped on top just so it wouldn't look empty until radion mount arrives.

Plumbing is done. Slightly regret the use of vinyl tubing for the return as it is a bit a stiff but a trusty zip tie held it in place.

Was so close to dumping sand and aquascape in this morning but randomly decided to use a TDS meter on my ro water to find it in the 80s.

Sigh another delay. Ordered new cartridges for my RO unit and now the wait.

mwil79 · Jul 24, 2021

So I was impatient and went to my LFS to get water. All running with rockwork in place and no leaks in plumbing woohoo.

Added some live bacteria and rock from my established tank in the sump. Now to wait. Will take pictures of the rock work when lights come up tomorrow.

E.intheC · Jul 24, 2021

Nice start! I love these smaller Elos cubes

mwil79 · Jul 26, 2021

Not 100 percent sold on the rock work but I went with a pedestal and made a shelf with another piece of rock and screwed some frag holes to make thing easier.

E.intheC · Jul 26, 2021

I like the rock scape- I know you were thinking about Zoas and shrooms or a Euphyllia garden, but have you thought about acans on the “trunk” and euphylia on the top?

I like the Empire poster behind the tank too

mwil79 · Jul 26, 2021

E.intheC said:
I like the rock scape- I know you were thinking about Zoas and shrooms or a Euphyllia garden, but have you thought about acans on the “trunk” and euphylia on the top?

I like the Empire poster behind the tank too

Thats actually a great idea. I have always loved acans but my other display has always been too high flow for them. I may look into loading up the bottom with different acans. I was also thinking of making the bottom filled with different clove polyps to almost make a grass effect.

Gedxin · Jul 29, 2021

Tank looks great, with very unique aquascape! Excited to see it progress!

Have you given any thoughts on what fish you'll be stocking?

mwil79 · Jul 29, 2021

I actually just put two chromis in yesterday just to speed the cycle process. Long term goal I'm not 100% on what fish I would like to add.

mwil79 · Aug 16, 2021

So it's been creeping up on about a month now since I started this tank up. I went way overboard with the amount of coral currently in the tank but some of it is just a place to temporarily hold the coral.

I have 4 fish currently, 2 Chromis and 2 clowns (not sure the type and even the LFS didnt know what they were)

Coral Stock:
Orange Hammer
Rainbow Hammer
Green and purple Hammer
2 headed octospawn
7 frags of blastos (5 are not mine but I am about to start charging rent unless my buddy comes and picks them up)
Acan Colony (30ish heads)
Acan Frag 3-4 heads
Single Rainbow Acan
Toadstool
Florida Ricordea
Rhodactis of some form
Mini Maxi Carpet Nem (yeah I know new tank but you know what, he was floating around in my main display looking for a spot and wasn't happy, 5 minutes into this tank and he's happy full and eating like a champ)
2 Sunkist bounce
Rainbow Incinerator Zoa frag
Beauty and the Beast palys

I think that's it

Going to run some water tests today to see how everything is doing (I have already checked nitrates recently and were hovering around 4ppm)

mwil79 · Aug 17, 2021

Numbers looking good so far, skimmer doing its job well just debating on refugium vs skimming.
Also going to try out Polyplab One dosing with this tank since I have a lot more LPS than anything else.

Rent a PAR meter and realized I was hitting that white shelf with close to 250 par... lower it so its a nice 125ish and 70-100 around the sand bed.

Salinity 1.025
Nitrates 9.4
Phosphates .02
Alk 7.9
Calc 430
Mag: 1390

mwil79 · Aug 22, 2021

Polyplab one great results with alk so far right in the 8 to 8.5 range for days.

mwil79 · Sep 21, 2021

Tank has been coasting now for about 2 months.

Multiple new heads on Acans, growth from hammers and octospawn as well.

Using Polyplab One is still holding strong right around 8ish Alk with 2 ML dose a day
Also started dosing Aquavitro Fuel at 5ml twice a week for aminos + trace elements

Last Check
Alk 8.0
Phosphate .04
Nitrate: 11.3
Cal: Haven't felt the need to check since I've done a few water changes
Mag: Haven't checked this either.

Stock list:
2 saddleback clowns
2 Chromis
2 hermits
9 random snails (was 10 but nassarius seems to have lost a battle to the larger hermit)
1 tiger conch (small guy only about an 1 to 1 1/2 inches long)

Coral:
Acan Coloy
Rainbow Acan (3 babies already!)
Ponape Birds nest frag
Birds of Paradise frag
Beauty and the Beast mini colony (3-4 new polyps in the last month)
Orange Florida Ricordea
Mini Maxi (ate my firefish

)
1 green splatter hammer
1 green and purple hammer that broke off my colony from main display
2 headed Octospawn
Burning Banana Frag
1 WAY too big Toadstool
2 Sunkist Bounces
Green Fuzzy Mushroom Colony
Dragon Fruit Monti frag