JBJ 20gal Cubey Nano Reef Build FINAL POST

Jcan

Non-member
Hi All,

I am a little behind with putting this up but figured it would be worth sharing. I started the tank on May 10th 2019 and it's coming up on 5 months so. I had taken off almost 4 years after breaking down my 125gal full reef after I moved back to Boston. I have been in the hobby since 2001 and it is amazing to see how much has changed. Here is a list of what I have going on to date. I have found it easiest to screenshot my pics to post and have included timestamps for tracking purposes.
My cycle was extremely fast with the use of Instant Ocean Bio-Spira in combo with live sand/rock. Once I added the the Bio-Spira I also added some livestock in order to "feed" the bacteria and my impatience! LOL

  • JBJ Cubby 20 gallon in white with stand
  • 25 lbs of CaribSea Arag-Alive Fiji Pink Sand
  • 25-30 lbs of live rock kept with no heat/circulation in a tank for about 4-5 years??
  • Innovative Marine Wavelink DC Wavemaker Powerhead - Desktop 165-1500 GPH
  • AI Hydra TwentySix +HD LED Light, White w/ AI Single Arm Hydra LED Tank Mounting Kit
  • Hydor Slim Skim Nano Internal Protein Skimmer
  • Jecod DP-2 Programmable Auto Dosing Pump
  • 2 Dosing Pump Scale Liquid Storage Bucket with Scale, 1.5 Liters Acrylic Made
  • Tunze USA 3152.000 Automatic Top off Nano Osmolator
  • Innovation Marine 5 Gallon ATO Hydro Fill Reservoir

AND lots of help from Julius my SV cat


Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.45.17 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.46.35 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.24.14 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.25.09 PM.png
 
Is it just the epoxy stock you have holding the rocks together?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
Is it just the epoxy stock you have holding the rocks together?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi there, I did just use the epoxy you can see in the picture. I also drilled holes in the rock where I was planning to place my SPS frags. I let the epoxy cure overnight before placing it in the tank. I also used rubber bands to hold everything in place and then cut them off.
 
I got rid of the JBJ lighting and installed the white AI Hydra 26Hd to match the stand. I really wanted to use a specific mount due to aesthetics and in order to do so I had to remove the back portion of the rim for the tank. Otherwise the mount would not sit correctly and with the extra support of the back overflow wall the integrity of the tank structure will remain fine. From there the 1st members of the community where ready to come home. I also started dosing purple up to boost coralline growth.


Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.29.33 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.29.59 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.32.56 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.33.10 PM.png
 
Things progressed extremely well and levels are staying consistent. I have also removed all the sponges and etc. in the all chambers. The 1st & 2nd chambers have sand with the protein skimmer in the 1st and refugium in the second. I also have a piece of live rock and Marinepure ceramic media gems (in media bag) in the 2nd chamber. In the 3rd chamber is a media bag of active carbon. The tank is 3 weeks old at this point and no magor blooms or issues...



Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.33.27 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.33.56 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.36.20 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.36.41 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.37.09 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.37.32 PM.png
 
It might be a little late now but for rockwork like that I’d really recommend aquaforest stone fix. Stuff bonds really well but you have to do it outside of the tank


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
This is at the 1 month mark. I am now starting to dose 2 part and mag.
LEVELS
  • Cal 430-450
  • Alk 9.5
  • Mag 1350
  • Salinity .0026
  • Temp 81
  • Salt D-D H2Ocean Magnesium Pro PLUS



Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.38.56 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.39.31 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.39.55 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 6.40.12 PM.png
 
1. Looks really good.
2. Awesome cat.
3. What kind of fairy wrasse is that?
Thank you! Funny because # 2&3 have something in common... It was a linespot male that I found on the floor half eaten by Julius. Great fish and I had him for about 2.5 months. RIP
 
And this is at the 2 month mark. At this point I have only had a handful of loses. Somehow I did end up with monti eating nudi's but leopard boy took care of that issue... The rocks are really starting to color up at this point and I am seeing tons of growth.



Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.42.08 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.43.37 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.44.28 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.44.45 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.45.07 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.45.46 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.46.09 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.46.55 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.48.12 PM.png
 
I should also note that I do a 4 gallon water changes once a week and replace the carbon every other. I have had NO algae blooms and the refugium is packed with the macro algea I originally started with. I feed the fish and coral every other day. I dose half way through the week (water change) Essential Elements & Aminos.

Screen Shot 2019-10-01 at 9.50.13 PM.png
 
It might be a little late now but for rockwork like that I’d really recommend aquaforest stone fix. Stuff bonds really well but you have to do it outside of the tank


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thank you, I am sure I will be ready for something bigger sooner than later and I will definitely look into that.
 
Here are some shots I was able to get tonight of some of the boys! My little Swissguard is becoming more social and such an interesting fish. My Geometric Hawkfish is one of my favorite personalities though and will always appear somewhat hidden wherever you are looking within the tank... quite a comical fish!



Screen Shot 2019-10-17 at 11.12.47 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-17 at 11.11.30 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-17 at 11.10.42 PM.png
Screen Shot 2019-10-17 at 11.10.04 PM.png
 
Nice fish selection.

I was apprehensive about getting a pygmy hawk, but find he is almost always visible in my 75g. Pleasantly surprised. Cool little fish.
 
Upcoming Events

April 21, 2024
Paul B
Club Meeting

Back
Top