Hopeless_addict's 28g nanocube

[hopeless_addict]

This is going to be a really slow build. I've had other reef aquariums and had an amazing time building them, but this time I want to attempt the art of patience along the way. lol. This will be the greatest challenge for me!

With that, it begins........ The cloud of anticipation!


I'm going with a shallow sand bed for now (about 3/4 - an inch thick). I've got a couple pieces of live rock to start with but will be building that up as I go. I have a layout in mind, so we'll see how closely I stick to it when the time comes.

 

[Tahoe61]

What is your lighting source? I had a JBJ HQI for about 7 years, great tank if you know the tanks limitations.

 

[hopeless_addict]

Currently it's the stock lighting that came with the system: 10,000°K/7,100°K combo 105 watt quad compact fluorescent lamp.

 

[hopeless_addict]

With moonlight LED'S

 

[hopeless_addict]

The cloud has lifted and everything is looking good. Water test looks great and right on track. It's nothin' much to look at yet, but that's ok. In the next week or so, I'll be getting more rock and a starter clean up crew.

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

Looks like you are off to a good start! Please keep us updated!

 

[Rob.D]

Your thread needs an update :smile:

 

[hopeless_addict]

You're absolutely right, Rob! ;-) I didn't realize that so much time has passed already! lol. Thanks so much for checking in with it!

So, everything is still looking good! Water tests are great! Nitrites/Nitrates have leveled out and where they need to be.

I've added about 35 pounds of live rock to what I already had.

I've collected a few more corals (a rainbow stylophora, green star polyps, a frag of mean green chalice, a Mystic Sunset monti, a couple other Monti cap frags, some mushrooms and a few kenya tree frags) and I now have a starter clean up crew (consisting of a turbo snai, 3 Nassarius snails, 3 Astrea snails, 6 Blue leg Hermit crabs, and 1 diamond Goby)

It's been incredibly difficult going so SLOOOOOOOOW, but I'm thrilled with the progress.

The only negative thing I have to say is that the large sea squirt that came attached to my first rock, looks like it's died. :-( I'm not sure what happened there, but it's sad.

I'm still trying to decide what fish to put in it. lol. I'd like something bright! I'm thinking maybe a pair of clowns, a neon goby, and maybe some disbar anthias or a canary blenny or ?? ??. Maybe. lol Thoughts? Ideas?

 

[hopeless_addict]

OOOOPS! Sorry for sideways photos. :-(

 

[hopeless_addict]

Let's try it again so we don't hurt our necks. lol

 

[hopeless_addict]

In the last photo, you can see the chalice in the middle (just left of center). It had been dying back before I got it. I figured I would give it a little time to acclimate in my tank and then might need to trim the dead parts back a bit to help it grow again. It's already looking better than it was when I got it. :-D