Starting up my 15 gallon cube!

PizzaIan339 · Oct 26, 2023

After months of research I finally decided to get my first tank! I decided that I wanted a saltwater tank when I first walked into my local fish store and saw all the coral. I knew I wanted something small that could fit on my desk so I got the Innovative Marine 15 gallon cube tank. I just got in the tank the heater, the lid and the media basket. I ordered the rock and sand to come in next week and I will be getting the reef casa halo light. Exited to get my first tank up and running! If you can leave any tips for me down below please!

Gumbies R Us · Oct 26, 2023

Following along!

PizzaIan339 · Oct 26, 2023

Gumbies R Us said:
Following along!

Thanks!

PizzaIan339 · Oct 26, 2023

So I have a bad update. I was inspecting it and I saw that there may be a crack in the back chamber. Not 100% sure if it is but here is a picture to see.

PizzaIan339 · Oct 26, 2023

PizzaIan339 said:
So I have a bad update. I was inspecting it and I saw that there may be a crack in the back chamber. Not 100% sure if it is but here is a picture to see.

I thought it may have been silicone as well so I took a razor blade to it and it was silicone!

PizzaIan339 · Oct 29, 2023

Finished my aquascape and just added water!

I am exited to get the cycle going

Amstar · Oct 29, 2023

Off to good start. What kind of kid are using (the glass one). Have you thought about an ATO for a tank that size - has kept mine very stable with it -especially since I’m not good with remembering to top off evaporation

PizzaIan339 · Oct 29, 2023

Amstar said:
Off to good start. What kind of kid are using (the glass one). Have you thought about an ATO for a tank that size - has kept mine very stable with it -especially since I’m not good with remembering to top off evaporation

I am using the safe screen lid from innovative marine. I will get an auto top off later on I just can’t no it now because I am in a budget.

NoAhoysLeft · Nov 3, 2023

Cool to see other people starting with the same size as me! It's fun for me to know others like the 15s too. Best of luck

I will follow for tank updates

PizzaIan339 · Nov 3, 2023

NoAhoysLeft said:
Cool to see other people starting with the same size as me! It's fun for me to know others like the 15s too. Best of luck I will follow for tank updates

Thanks I will check out your build thread too! I love the tank so far

PizzaIan339 · Nov 5, 2023

I have finally gotten my salinity under control and the cycle seams to be going well!

Fiona22222 · Nov 5, 2023

PizzaIan339 said:
I have finally gotten my salinity under control and the cycle seams to be going well!

That looks brilliant, I am so excited to follow along!

PizzaIan339 · Nov 8, 2023

The 15 gallon is lit up!!!

PizzaIan339 · Nov 11, 2023

Today I picked up a pair of clowns and 2 trocus snails from my amazing LFS! The LFS said that they were a pair and they have had them for a little while with no fighting. I already named the smaller one (the male) Mango. I am still trying to think of other names for the female but if you have any ideas leave them below.

PizzaIan339 · Nov 20, 2023

Quick update on maintenance I have been doing a 10% water change every week and am feeding a pinch of freeze dried brine shrimp every day. Th clowns are doing well and have been eating machines! I am planning on adding my first coral either a zoe or a mushroom in a few weeks. My plans going forward are to make this a mixed nano reef with lots of softies/lps and some sps up top.

PizzaIan339 · Nov 27, 2023

Just a small update but Yesterday I noticed a small amount of algae on the rocks but this morning the snails had already cleared it off. I will dile back on the lights for now before I get corals.

PizzaIan339 · Dec 3, 2023

The last week has definitely been a tough one. I lost one of my two trochus snails for unknown reasons. I just walked in on tuesday and I saw it on a rock in one spot then the next day went back same spot then the next day same spot. I decided to move the snail and I just picked it up off the rock not problem and no suction witch was strange. I put it on another rock and It still stayed there for a few days until I decided to pull it out. when I pulled it out it had no reaction and I was sure it was dead. So know I only have 1 snail. I also noticed some more algae coming up so this marks the start of my ugly stage.

It looks a little off in the pictures but it is definitely there. I know that it is just a phase but it bugs me. Should I get more CUC? Well after those notes I would like to give some positive things! First off the clowns are doing awesome and are eating like champs. They are always curious especially pumpkin (female). I have also noticed growth in Mango (Male) and he is definitely a feisty one!

(Pumpkin well I was trying to get photos of algae)

On another positive I won one of those reefbreeders pico lights that they are doing a giveaway for! (Link) I decided to use it for my bettas 10 gallon planted as my old light mounted to the lid it came with just went out. Here are some pics of that!

I am also 3d printing a new lid designed by me in 2 half’s for the 10 gallon!

For the future I am planning on getting my first frag a zoa or a shroom after christmas when I have a little extra cash. I also want to get some nassarius snails along with some other cuc and a pom pom crab eventually! Over all I am exited with the tank as it is doing well so far! I’ll give another update next week or sooner if anything new happens.

PizzaIan339 · Dec 11, 2023

This week has definitely been an interesting one. I lost my other trochus snail. I think that it died because of a lack of algae. I added cuc a little bit soon before the algae started to take over and they just died. This especially stinks because I found a small feather duster (larry) on the snail. I decided to leave the shell on the sand bed for now just because I do not want to kill Larry.

Another thing is that the uglies are definitely getting worse. I am not sure what they are but If you know leave it below!

I also went to the LFS this week for some rodi water and I decided to get a small piece of live rock with some coraline on it to help with the tank some more.

I made a small cave out of the rock because I f felt there was not enough places for future fish and inverts to hide. My lfs sold me this one pound piece for $5 which I thought was a steal! I love my lfs as they are always helpful and always have a good selection!

Overall this week was pretty good and I am exited for the future of the tank!

Rjukan · Dec 11, 2023

Hi, very nice looking setup!
I'm thinking that "Larry" could very well be aiptasia, a pest that can reproduce fairly quickly. Maybe take a closeup of it so we can confirm.

Also, my opinion is to embrace the ugly stage and let that algae start coating the bleach white rocks. Only after you have a nice amount of it should you add a cuc.

PizzaIan339 · Dec 11, 2023

Rjukan said:
Hi, very nice looking setup!
I'm thinking that "Larry" could very well be aiptasia, a pest that can reproduce fairly quickly. Maybe take a closeup of it so we can confirm.

Also, my opinion is to embrace the ugly stage and let that algae start coating the bleach white rocks. Only after you have a nice amount of it should you add a cuc.

I definitely agree with the ugly stage part I made a mistake and got 2 trochus snails when I saw the tiniest bit of algae and that was definitely not a good choice. I am going to wait a while before I get more cuc. I am pretty sure it is a feather duster. The tube is hard and I also posted a thread hear about it with better pics and most people said it was just a feather duster.
Link to thread