dputt88's 30 gal Macro Algae Cube!

[dputt88]

ok so i recently set up a 30 gal cube to be a macroalgae display tank. plan of doing some fancy macros in here. i got some Marineland double bright LED's with the setup but i think im going to upgrade them to t-5's, i can't tell if its the black sand thats making it look dim or if its the lights.

so here's what i got as of now
-30 gal cube and stand
-fluval C2 HOB filter
-Marineland double bright LED
- one bag live black aragonite sand
-30 lbs dead rock
-10 lbs Live rock
- a tetra HT 30 heater

i've been measuring the ammonia and nitrite daily since the rock was added, ammonia was present almost immediately (6 hours). right now i am between peaks as ammonia has slightly declined and nitrite is just now beginning to rise. i have dosed microbacter 7 twice, whether this makes a difference i dont really know just doin it to find out.

here are some pics...

6/9/12





6/11/12

a little cloudy but when i get home today ill take another shot.

[dputt88]

6/15/12

a little video showing my rock work, the outside is all dead rock, i like how it looks like a mysterious cave mountain. the inside is packe with large piece of live rubble. i made this tank with copepod populations in mind, i plan on keeping some dragonfaced pipefish and later on some seahorses.

video-2012-06-15-20-26-06.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

video-2012-06-15-20-26-06.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

" title="video-2012-06-15-20-26-06.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket" target="_blank">video-2012-06-15-20-26-06.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

[Detroit_306]

Looks good so far, its always fun staring at a tank with no life with it, i do despise that part... i have a 4 bulb T-5 fixture if your interested

[dputt88]

yeah ill pm you about that.

[muttley000]

Looking good

[dputt88]

does it look any brighter? i upgraded my light to the Marineland LED's for Plants! it looks sooo much brighter than the double brights.

the cycle is almost done, ammonia is 0 but nitrite is still present but dropping. i cant wait to get some algae in this thing.

i have to thank Kee's aquariums for there help, great service and great prices too, they are one of the best in the neighborhood, they got me started in this hobby too.

video-2012-06-19-16-51-36.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

video-2012-06-19-16-51-36.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

" title="video-2012-06-19-16-51-36.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket" target="_blank">video-2012-06-19-16-51-36.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

[dputt88]

i ordered a bunch of macro algae last night from reefcleaners.org, should be here friday or saturday.

[dputt88]

my algae is here!!! how about some pics of the little guys.

halimeda. looking a little sad as it just arrived this morning.


cactus caulerpa. a great looking specimen. really excited to see this in a few months.


red gracilaria. one of my favorites, cant wait for it to grow in.


ulva. mostly got it for tang food.


red mangroves. got these for fun. not likely that they will stay here but for now...


and the tank from the front..

[dputt88]

well i got a little bit of a daitom outbreak, also i saw what i believe are flatworms today

well heres the tank moving along. all the cool alaes get here next week.

please note flat worm, front and center. goot growth on the cactus though.


i lost some halimeda braches due to shipping, but look at all of the new ones sprouting!!



heres a quick video..

video-2012-06-27-15-37-57.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

video-2012-06-27-15-37-57.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

" title="video-2012-06-27-15-37-57.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket" target="_blank">video-2012-06-27-15-37-57.mp4 video by dputt88 - Photobucket

[muttley000]

I had some of those flatworrms come in on some live rock once, they went on thier own in a couple of months and never bothered anything. I think it is specific ones that are problems.

[dputt88]

yeah thats kinda what i figured. right now you can tell they have bellies full of diatoms so if anything they are cleaning the tank. plus they are usually known for killing corals right? this wont be a coral tank. also if i see them being a problem ill just use a chemical to kill em off or something.

[demonclownfish]

lemon damsels are good flatworm eradicators

[dputt88]

Well i want a pair of seahorses in there in the future so no fish allowed. Just pipes and ponies

Sent from my Samsung Smartphone using Tapatalk. When I should be doing something more productive.

[dputt88]

i identified the flat worms as these, aparently harmmless.

Amphiscolops sp.

[McPuff]

So you got the cube after all! This will be a super cool tank for sure, especially once you get the pipes and ponies. :0) Be careful with the halimeda as it will spread very quickly and then it's hard to get rid of it. Cool idea overall!