Two Cube Saltwater SetUp

[hexcolor reef]

This is my first saltwater tank setup. I switched from freshwater and wanted to become a saltwater chemist after talking to an associate who has a large set up. I currently have them in my office, on 60g cube tank and a 5g cube tank. I’m planning on using the 5gal as a display for a carpet anemone only tank, while using the 60g to display majority anemone with zoa coral and possibly with any luck some beautiful torches and pearl bubble coral. currently have clown fish swimming around in the 60g. I had a powder brown tang, Toby puffer, sailfin tang, and a blue jaw trigger fish but the all. passed. It’s hard getting certain fish to eat after being added to the tank not knowing too much from the supplier but I’m sure it may have been to human error as well. Tanking it slow as I’m already -$500 loss of fish.
i plan on keeping it simple and learning more. Any feedback welcome!!! Happy to be here!
I also have a Blue Sympodium that hasn’t fully opened up yet, some days it will open up and others will stay closed all day
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[Gumbies R Us]

Love the way the tank looks so far!!!

 

[dstockwell]

Welcome to the Reef

 

[hexcolor reef]

Welcome to the Reef

Thanks happy to be here

 

[hexcolor reef]

Love the way the tank looks so far!!!

Thanks,

Love the way the tank looks so far!!!

appreciate the responses and compliments. Hope you guys stick around for updates

 

[hexcolor reef]

I think I need to go with low light and cool my water down in the 60g cube tank. Not sure but my coral seems to be bleaching. Water temps arounds 76-78. Also does anyone know how to make an anemone tentacles grow longer? Only way I know of is low lighting.

 

[hexcolor reef]

I flipped the rock around to position the anemone better at the bottom, added more clown fish to the tank. Tomorrow I’m visiting a cool saltwater fish store to see if I get lucky with premium tangs or a carpet anemone to add. I’ll be adding another wave maker as well. Current one is a 700gph

 

[dedragon]

gonna just be honest here, you have to slow way down with how you are adding things to your tank. This tank is far too small for any tangs or triggers. The max amount of clownfish in this tank should also just be 2. Maroon clownfish and ocellaris might pair but the chances are very low and you will most likely just end up with the maroon clownfish as maroons turn on and kill mates at times( hard enough to even pair the same species maroons together).

It looks like a very low amount of rock so the first thing I would do would be to add more. I would not attempt a carpet anemone just yet either. They are much harder to obtain in good condition and might need a seperate cipro treatment. With how white the sand looks it is probably a new tank and all anemones tend to not do as well in newer tanks, LTAs are pretty hardy though and might tolerate it. I would wait at least another month before adding more livestock to let the tank mature a bit

 

[hexcolor reef]

gonna just be honest here, you have to slow way down with how you are adding things to your tank. This tank is far too small for any tangs or triggers. The max amount of clownfish in this tank should also just be 2. Maroon clownfish and ocellaris might pair but the chances are very low and you will most likely just end up with the maroon clownfish as maroons turn on and kill mates at times( hard enough to even pair the same species maroons together).

It looks like a very low amount of rock so the first thing I would do would be to add more. I would not attempt a carpet anemone just yet either. They are much harder to obtain in good condition and might need a seperate cipro treatment. With how white the sand looks it is probably a new tank and all anemones tend to not do as well in newer tanks, LTAs are pretty hardy though and might tolerate it. I would wait at least another month before adding more livestock to let the tank mature a bit

I see your point. As for the sand I rake it over every day due to the fact of it browning very quickly. I don’t like that at all so I make sure to do maintenance every other day

 

[hexcolor reef]

Update to tank. Added a conylactis anemone and a pearl bubble coral. Gave it reef roids earlier and after it devoured it got very happy.
the pearl bubble coral is one of my favorite and can’t wait to see it cover the entire rock hopefully. I’ve seen monster sizes and I just think it’s the best thing to have.
The anemone also grabbed on to the feeder taking in the reef roids with krill added to its meal. Adding a rainbow anemone soon with frog spawn while waiting on my giant carpet anemone.
I want to say thanks for the feedback even by the vets in the hobby. Won’t go ignored!

​

 

[hexcolor reef]

The conylactis anemone found its place in the tank. It was cool to see it move. I hope it stays there and doesn’t get closer to the pearl bubble coral. I think I’ll set up a live feed camera on YouTube for this saltwater journey.

 

[Reign1]

I see your point. As for the sand I rake it over every day due to the fact of it browning very quickly. I don’t like that at all so I make sure to do maintenance every other day

Tanks look beautiful. I am currently in the process of planning out my 30" cube as well. I will have to say I agree with dedragon. You really want your aquariums to not only cycle but also mature. In this process your aquariums will go through several stages of "uglies" . The brown/rust colors on your sand are diatoms and are generally one of the first organisms that settle in a new aquarium. The fact that you have this tells me the aquarium is very new. I know the excitement of a new aquarium is overwhelming but I will tell you that being patient is key to being successful..
cheers good luck!!

 

[hexcolor reef]

Tanks look beautiful. I am currently in the process of planning out my 30" cube as well. I will have to say I agree with dedragon. You really want your aquariums to not only cycle but also mature. In this process your aquariums will go through several stages of "uglies" . The brown/rust colors on your sand are diatoms and are generally one of the first organisms that settle in a new aquarium. The fact that you have this tells me the aquarium is very new. I know the excitement of a new aquarium is overwhelming but I will tell you that being patient is key to being successful..
cheers good luck!!

Thanks for dropping by and adding gems. All the ugly stages I’m ready for.

 

[hexcolor reef]

I decided I want to break up some rock and create a scape of my own to give more personality to the tank. Looking to go pick up frog spawn today and possible another anemone, I’m really hoping to find a Chicago or Colorado sun anemone

 

[hexcolor reef]

Two head black panther torch settling in. I’ll let this acclimate while building out the rock. Still have to go pick up the glue.

 

[hexcolor reef]

Done for the day with rocking structure. I’ll still be building on as the week goes by. I’ll be grabbing a rainbow bubble tip anemone to add some extra flare to the tank. Seen one today that for sure resembles a Colorado sunburst
Pics of the tank

 

[hexcolor reef]

Levels in tank currently.
Salinity 35ppm
Phosphate 1.0-2.0
Nitrate 20ppm
Calcium 400
Dhk 214

just added some “nite-out ii” since I haven’t been doing water changes nor have I picked up a ammonia test kit. But since my nitrates are high that’s my second reason to add the night out ii
Updating filtration system or adding a 400gph submersible pump to the mix short term in the 60g which will be a total of 800gph

 

[hexcolor reef]

I haven’t showed my 5g cube tank much here. Waiting to receive my carpet anemone or a nice Zoe garden. Which ever comes first. For now it’s just sitting with my gladiator clown fish.

 

[hexcolor reef]

Update with creating negative space aquascape.
The Gold stripe maroon clown is loving it. Going to pick up a few more pieces of live rock and hopefully see some great deals on coral. Won’t be adding new fish for a few months.

 

[hexcolor reef]

Fish store run today and picked up some blue eyed blonde zoanthids.
Tomorrow noon my time I’ll be picking up my red carpet anemone.
best thing about the hobby is making connections.
picked up some Fritz zyme, had water tested and nitrates spiked to 40PPM with an ammonia spike. but Zoa’s like dirty water. Keeping any eye on the fish to see if I see any strange behavior and possibly do a 20% water change.