Waterbox 20gal cube input

[fragdad]

Hello all,

I was thinking of putting together a 20gal waterbox cube and fill it with torches, elegance, and other softies. What do you guys think hardware wise should I go with. I plan on doing a top of the line cube budget not an issue. I was looking for advice on the best nano skimmers people have used as well as lighting, dosing, heating, etc. thanks in advance and your input is appreciated.

 

[andrewey]

Do you have a lot of experience reef keeping? I can put together a top of the line equipment list for you, however, I can't tell you the number of reefers with limited experience that spend thousands of dollars on similar setups only to tear down the tank after 12-18 months. I just want to make sure we're not jumping into the weeds here, as ironically, I've found having the latest and greatest bells and whistles is often counterproductive to a reefer's base knowledge and ability to sustain a reef long term. I have a strong suspicion that if I gave you a shopping list, I would be doing a disservice to you and your animals at this point...

I hope this doesn't come off as condescending- that really isn't my intent, but reading text is often a poor medium of conveying emotion I just want to make sure you have the tools necessary to succeed and that I don't harm you suggesting a high powered led if you're going to fry your new coral where a plug and play light with fewer options would have been a better starting point. The same might be true of your dosers, and many other pieces of equipment where they can actually crash a tank in an inexperienced reefer's hands! Hope you understand

 

[Tuffyyyyy]

If you’re going top Dollar stuff then I’d suggest a larger tank to begin with. A 40g at least in my opinion.

If the water box is your only option, then I would say you don’t need much. I have this tank with a Kessil a360ne and an ATO, and the colors are amazing. There’s no skimmer worth your time in this realm.

 

[fragdad]

Do you have a lot of experience reef keeping? I can put together a top of the line equipment list for you, however, I can't tell you the number of reefers with limited experience that spend thousands of dollars on similar setups only to tear down the tank after 12-18 months. I just want to make sure we're not jumping into the weeds here, as ironically, I've found having the latest and greatest bells and whistles is often counterproductive to a reefer's base knowledge and ability to sustain a reef long term. I have a strong suspicion that if I gave you a shopping list, I would be doing a disservice to you and your animals at this point...

I hope this doesn't come off as condescending- that really isn't my intent, but reading text is often a poor medium of conveying emotion I just want to make sure you have the tools necessary to succeed and that I don't harm you suggesting a high powered led if you're going to fry your new coral where a plug and play light with fewer options would have been a better starting point. The same might be true of your dosers, and many other pieces of equipment where they can actually crash a tank in an inexperienced reefer's hands! Hope you understand

Helllo,
No you do not come off condescending at all. I started off with a 32 gal bio cube back in early 2009 and had a blast for a couple years until I upgraded to a 75 gal for another couple years. I then moved to a condo for 5 years and had to get rid of the tank. I got back into reefing two years ago. I had a waterbox 100 gal think it was called a 100.3 with the max spec recurve light. I had the octo protein skimmer, heater, dosed etc tank was doing great and I was happy. However I had to sell the townhouse and am now in an apartment. A really good friend took my tank in as an orphan for now as I cannot have a large tank in the apartment. I will be here for prob a year or more depending on how fast we find a house to build or buy. So in the mean time I was thinking of building a bad butt little 20 gal softy tank mainly torches (euphyllia), elegance, and other lps. I am looking for more of a product review for example my Octo Regal 150 protein skimmer worked great for my big tank. However, I have no clue what the comparable skimmer would be for such a small tank that has great reviews. I was more looking for guidance on better rated products relative to the nano world. I am not even sure that I will even need to dose with monthly water changes as the volume of water involved is so small a monthly change of 3 to 5 gallons should take care of any nutrient issues without dosing. I hope I didn’t ramble too much (tequila lol). Thanks for your initial response

 

[fragdad]

If you’re going top Dollar stuff then I’d suggest a larger tank to begin with. A 40g at least in my opinion.

If the water box is your only option, then I would say you don’t need much. I have this tank with a Kessil a360ne and an ATO, and the colors are amazing. There’s no skimmer worth your time in this realm.

Yea I have the 100.3 however I have moved into an apartment and have to go nano as they will not allow aquariums here. So the 20cube should feed my addiction until our house is built lol

 

[fragdad]

Yea I have the 100.3 however I have moved into an apartment and have to go nano as they will not allow aquariums here. So the 20cube should feed my addiction until our house is built lol

Also have you used the radion xr15 g5 blue light? I was thinking of using it but from the reviews and specs I think it may be way overkill for a 20 gal softy tank

 

[josvanmeer]

I had a 24 gallon and moved up to 40 gallons within 4 months, they are simply just too small. Just my opinion. I'd go for their bigger AIO tank at least. It's always that one fish that you like that just can't go into anything that tiny, and then it's upgrade time, you might as well just skip that part. You are saying one year till you buy/build a house, a year is a long time for a reefer to hold in his/her addiction lol. Just my two cents.

 

[andrewey]

Fantastic! Just wanted to double check. Glad to hear it Now to my recommendations!

Since you're capped at the 20 cube, here are my thoughts (obviously everyone has covered the pros of a larger tank, but sometimes life caps you at 20 gallons or you like the fun of a nano tank!).

Skimmer: None is probably necessary, but otherwise look at the Tunze 9004 DC. To be honest, if money were no issue on this size tank and you were looking to the future, I would look at a AWC system. If you didn't mind the look of a HOB skimmer, I'd go aquamaxx hob 1.5.
Light: XR15 G4 or G5 (pending reviews of the G5). Other options include 24" ATI sunpower if you want to go T5, however with the dimensions of your tank, this might have too much spillover.
Heater: Whatever the heater, go with a controller. I'd go with an Apex Controller, but this is personal preference more than anything. As far as the heater, I prefer a finnex heater. If you aren't going with a controller, go with a Ranco Controller- inkbird would be my second choice.
Dosing: GHL doser (depending on number of heads needed)
Wavemaker: Nero 5 or MP10QD
Magnet: Tunze Care Nano or Flipper Nano
RODI: 7 Stage
ATO: Tunze 3155

 

[andrewey]

Oh my gosh, I almost forgot! Most important of all- get some quality live rock shipped in! At least to me, the quality of the live rock might make more of a difference than any single piece of equipment I have on my tank.

 

[johanngh1977]

Im running my radion xr15 g5 blue with hybrid aquaticlife, and its doing really awsome in my IM lagoon 25.. not overkill, this new radion its amazin not one complaint...its perfect