30g Cube restarted

[cindre2000]

So, I am getting back in after a short hiatus. I leave the explaining for a later post...


Tank: ~30g Acrylic custom cube (glasscages.com) 20x20x16
Stand: AGA 20"x10" stand (extended 20" w/ 2x4's)
Sump: 10g (no baffles)

Plumbing: single 1" overflow, 1/2" return with a dual lockline outlet, Aquaclear 802 powerhead (~400 gph minus head).
Circulation: single 'sure-flow' maxijet 900 mod (~1600gph)
Lighting: Icecap Par36 pendant w/ Iwasaki 150w Par36 'Blue' (Advance 150/175 electronic ballast)
Skimmer: ASM G-Mini w/ recirculating mod

Other Equipment: 100w Stealth heater, DIY Auto-Top Off

Day 1:

 

[cindre2000]

Background:

So, I have been residing in a series of small apartments, space was limited so I had to not set up this tank, it was left at my mothers, where it was eventually consolidated into a 120g. The tank was left empty for a while until I had a chance to keep an octopus, at that point I was going to reset up the tank at my fathers and keep it as a cool water tank. Octopus situation did not work out and the tank cracked. I patched it with 2 acrylic sheets and set it up for my father as a FOWLR (since 3 overdriven 15w URI saltwater bulbs is apparently not enough light for even a mushroom). As usual, he grew tired after a while, and since I had moved into a house, I had room again for a tank.

Going Forward:

As it happens, I had 3 nano tanks between the last time I owned this tank until now. A 3g eclipse, a 10g custom cube, and a 2.5g AGA. Every one of them had the exact same problem: I could not get myself to maintain a steady water level (I am just not a good 'top-offer'). Thus, every one of those tanks was a failure. Therefore, the solution this time was an auto-top off, and I am already pleased.

In addition, my wife will not let me spend any money on this tank. Fortunately, I already had 95% of the equipment, along with the live rock and sand. In the setting up phase I believe I have spent, at most ~$30. This leaves me to get the corals. Some I plan to get from friends, but by the most part I have a co-worker who will be getting me probably 80% of the corals I will be growing, mostly in exchange for my knowledge, some frags, used equipment I have laying around, and a little money that I will be getting as a rebate from an online transaction.

As a final note, while my father had the tank, it was an aiptasia garden, I left the rock out of water on the porch for about a week, and then I reseeded for a few days in a sump at work. As far as I can tell, nothing has survived . :twisted:

Day 2:

Added a timer to the lights until I get a battery backup for the in-line timer.

Day 3:

Added a red monti cap frag, 3 tiger turbos, 1 astrea, and a couple mixed hermits.

 

[Anonymous]

Nice sized tank. Do you also keep frogs/grow orchids?

 

[cindre2000]

Yep, I currently have:

1.1.1 Dendrobates lamasi
0.0.2 Dendrobates luecomelas

but I have had auratus, ventrimaculatus, and RETF in the past.

I also am starting a collection of pleurothallis, but right now I just have one (p. schweinfurthii)