Jonathan's Reef

Yeah, you're right. I was really limited with my space for the tank, so this was the best option for me. I really needed the 2'x2' footprint, and I didn't want the plumbing standing out for all to see. Next time, when I'm done renting and can build a tank to my dreams, things will go down slightly differently! The SPS are all looking very good. They were opening up a bit more when I first got them, but they're still growing, showing great colors, and still opening up. I'm just trying to be patient until I can build them into the rock work!

So, I finally did it. I made a build thread. Stay tuned, give input, and enjoy! http://wamas.org/forums/topic/76789-jonathans-50-cube-build/?p=681139

If anyone is interested, I created a build thread where I'll be continuing the build of the mesh top and so much more! http://wamas.org/forums/topic/76789-jonathans-50-cube-build/?p=681139

Wanted to add the coral list as well. Hard to see them all, but here's what I've got in there so far. All the corals are from epleeds. These came from the Auction: Jedi Mind Trick montipora Green Cap montipora Purple and Green Stylo Bonsai Tyree Tri Color Rainbow Granulosa JF Violet Orange Montipora 2 polyps of Rastas 2 polyps of Eye of Sauron (given in addition since the 2 rastas turned to 1 and were closed up) 1 polyps of lazor lemons Purple Urkle chalice Monster Mash chalice Frag of green fuzzy unknown Frag of 20k lokani JF clepto lepto Montipora Setosta Frag of red dragon Head of frogspawn Also bought the 2 heads of mixed color hammers. In my next steps, I forgot to mention the addition of some algae and a light to the sump for a mini fuge, my plans to build a mesh top, and the reworking of the plumbing down below once I am settled on a filter sock setup. Going to be fun!

After many question threads and inquiries into buying used setups, I decided to start from scratch. SC Aquariums had a great Black Friday sale, so I bought a 50 gallon starphire cube that came with the reef ready tank with all 3 viewing sides of starphire, a "custom" stand, a glass sump (yes, glass! Wish they worked with acrylic too), return, skimmer, and all the plumbing. It's been up and running since December, so I'll post a few replies with the story. I didn't do a great job taking photos along the way, but here it is... Their setup is alright although the return seems to go very slowly. I can't get more than 1 or 2 full turnovers in an hour. Since this was taken, I've replaced all the ceramic with rubble rock and added a bit more rock underneath the filter pads. Eventually, I'm going to replace those filter pads with a sock, but I've gotta decide on a water height and final setup first. I love the tank size, but I'm a bit disappointed in the location of the overflow column. When discussing tank options, many people were opposed to reef ready b/c of the space you lose. I feel like this design loses even more space because the area to the sides of the overflow are really just a space for critters to hang out. Not getting much light or structure there. I bought a bit of rock and sand from someone on WAMAS to get my tank started. I sifted about 7 gallons of sand through a really crappy colander making my arms sore and the house stink, but I got the nice, small sand you see here. Planning ahead for a tiger watchman goby to have nice sifting sand. The next week, I bought an OceanRevive Arctic T-247 LED. I got a sweet deal from a guy out of Baltimore, but here's the Amazon link. Everything is cleared up in there, and the LR I got is just sitting around waiting. And after leaving the tank for a week and a half while I was in Atlanta for Christmas, I came back to some unpleasant growth... I cleaned it up a bit and added some old base rock that I had stored at the parents' house after college. I soaked it and scrubbed it all with a wire brush to prepare for the tank. Rock isn't all I brought home though. I added a VorTech MP10qdw (ready for the expansion to a second one already!), Tunze Osmolator nano, Jager 150w heater, a temp probe, and a few random thermometers around to double check. When conditions were good in there, I got a couple emerald crabs, 2 camel shrimp, and a variety of snails and hermits. A couple weeks later, I picked up the 18 coral frags I got from epleeds' Charity Auction (proceeds went to St. Jude's - more props to him!), and I also added a pair of DaVinci Clowns (grade b) that I got from Monkiboy! Unfortunately, the bioload shocked the system. The clowns picked up something the day after they went in, and the algae is trying to kill me! Good news is that the clowns have been in there for a couple weeks now, they're both eating and swimming merrily, and their infection is finally subsiding. Algae on the other hand is still a pain! I picked off as much as I could, and now I'm considering treating with H2O2 a few rocks at a time during water changes. I've heard good things, and no one has cited any actual negative effects (lots of opinions, but no fact so far as I can tell). Any thoughts?? So, my next steps are to clean up the tank, get my algae under control, and then add an anemone for the clowns, I'm on the search for a vivid bubble tip if anyone has one. I'm really looking for something that electrifies under the LEDs. I know they exist! if you've got one, please PM! Once he's found his happy place, I'll be gluing down the frags. I'm planning to add a small tang and a tiger watchman goby (pair if I get really lucky searching). Does anyone have any recommendations for good tangs? I want something with character and good for my tanks size. I don't want your average tangs: kole, yellow, hippo, etc. I'm leaning toward one of the really Desjardini (sp?) Tangs or maybe a clown. Not tied to either though. I welcome input on the tank, setup, livestock, algae battle, or just general thoughts! Thanks for reading!

Lol. Indeed. You've made the world a better place... Now can you get rid of my algae, miracle man? Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

Who knew it was this simple? Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

Wow! How did I miss these? Thanks so much! Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

I have a 50 cube with 3/8 inch glass that I'm building a mesh top for. Any ideas how to mount it below the rim with a sleek look? Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

I went with RR, but it's got a box I. the middle, so the back two sides are really not great for any growing area. I'll be starting a build thread today even though I'm about to start loading corals... Little late Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

I've read mixed reviews on it. Sounds like everyone agrees that they're fine as juvies, but some disagree on whether the third will be welcome once adults Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

Hello, I'm looking at purchasing 3 juvenile A. ocellaris clowns, and I'm wondering if anyone has any experience with keeping a trio? Will they all get along, or is there a good chance that one of them will be rejected? Thanks! Jonathan

Hey everyone, I'm in the North Bethesda/Rockville area, and I'm going to swing by epleeds' house tomorrow around noonish. I see various people concerned with the distance between his place and my area, so if you are one of those people, let me/him know. I will happily pick up frags for you, bring them back to my place, and let you pick them up from me. I live right by the Grosvenor Metro station, so you can use that to gauge your travels. Jonathan

Huh! I always thought you wanted most of the filter sock out of the water so that the water had to drop through. Thanks for the info!

So, my sump came with a compartment for filter media like sponges or filter blocks, but I'd like to use a filter sock. Ideally, the sock should be below the level of the sump to allow for overflow, but if I do that, most socks would be sitting on the bottom and surely in the water. Is that a problem, or should I mount a filter sock higher up and put together some sort of walls to protect the stand from splash damage?

I really enjoyed that video. Thanks mokiboy! I also contacted ReefeScape to see if they had the CuC I'm looking for. Thanks Squishie89!

Anyone seen any topics recommending variety and volume of cleaners for a mixed reef tank?

I would love that idea, but when it comes to clean up crews, it seems you pay at least 2x and usually more like 3-4x the price you pay online. Considering there are no sponsors very close by, driving a distance to pay more is not really appealing. If anyone has suggestions for competitively priced LFSs, I'd love to hear them.

Thanks for all the great input. I'll do some research on these suggestions and post something in the group buy section. Keep an eye out for something around the beginning of the new year.

I'm looking into ordering a clean up crew for my 50g cube. Currently there is only 1 snail in there that came along with the sand I bought from someone. Anyone have any recommendations for best sites to order from? I was considering setting up a group buy for this to get a deal on shipping too, but that has to wait till the site is known, Thanks in advance!

I'm thinking of setting up a JBJ rimless 30 cube using the AI Hydra 26 HD. Has anyone tried out the new AI Hyper Drive Hydra 26 or 52? There are some alternatives that may not offer the same functionality, but offer strong lighting. The OceanRevive Arctic-T247 is a good light but may be a bit much. Kessil A160 may be too little control. The Radion XR15w is a good competitor, but at a higher price than the Hydra HD with fewer perks, I'm leaning toward Hydra. I'd of course like to save some money, but wanting a diverse array of corals, an awesome looking tank, cool lighting control and features, and simplicity of operation in general, the AI Hydra seems good. If you recognize my name on here, you'll know I've been jumping all over the place. I almost pulled the trigger on a 60cube, 50 starfire, 24s, and even a 90cube at some point. In the end, I'm looking for a upper sized nano that will let me grow out some nice frags. I'd rather have bigger and better with a sump and all the under-tank support, but since I'm in an apartment and unsure of when we're moving, this seems like a smart temporary fix. Having that in mind, I'd love to hear some "easy-to-relocate" tank ideas to compete with the JBJ cube. I know there are the Innovative Marine tanks out there, but I like the cube shape far better. Plus, this is a cheaper option. Other thoughts? Thanks everyone!

Sorry for the delayed response. Been super busy around here. You guys make some excellent points. In a normal situation, the drilled back with overflow makes a lot of sense, but the main reason that I wanted to drill the bottom was for aesthetics in the room. When you walk in our house, you'll see the tank from the side, and the wife doesn't want pipes to be part of that first view - nor do I really. I am thinking about whether I want to change up my plan or not though. Maybe I go for a different size/shape and drill it for a different location. Thanks for the great links and great input. sethsolomon, I may come knocking your way for some drilling assistance. Thanks!

I was considering the 50g tank posted here: http://wamas.org/forums/topic/73869-fs-50-gallon-starfire-rimless-tank-and-stand/ I had forgotten about the bottoms typically being tempered. That would put a major damper on things. I think that rules it out. The tank would have to be placed such that it's the first thing you see when you walk into the apartment, and you'd see it from the side. We just don't want people to see pipes hanging off the back. :/ Puts me up to either a Deep Blue 60 cube that requires me to piece together everything, or I buy a standard RR 55g that comes with everything including the light I want. It's a battle between more work and more money resulting in the cooler tank shape and thus reef shape, or less work and less money with a somewhat less awesome reef. Kinda leaning toward the former... or maybe buying both and reselling the 55.. ugh, so many tough choices!

Thanks for the info. I may go the back of the tank route, but the bottom just allows for a much cleaner looking setup. No pipes running along the back would be ideal considering potential placement in the apartment. What makes the bottom more difficult? I could see how aligning the box and securing it may be a pain.

I was planning to buy a great used reef ready system, but I committed literally an hour too late. Now I'm thinking I may try to install my own partition to make a standard tank reef ready. I like the full partition with pipes going in and out the bottom for a cleaner look. Anyone have experience doing this and able to point me to some links for kits? Thanks!