Mr. Microscope's 25 Gallon Cube

[Mr. Microscope]

Here we go! Water test #2. Everything seems solid.

IMG_3499.mp4 video by Mr_Microscope - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid876.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid876.photobucket.com/albums/ab321/Mr_Microscope/IMG_3499.mp4@@AMEPARAM@@vid876@@AMEPARAM@@876@@AME PARAM@@ab321/Mr_Microscope/IMG_3499@@AMEPARAM@@mp4

[Mr. Microscope]

FTS 2012.02.28


All the plumbing seals held during the test last week. So, over the weekend I positioned the rock pillar and added sand. Then, I filled up the tank with salt water. The dust finally cleared last night and I added some live rock this morning from my frag tank to seed the dry stuff and get everything going. I'm considering today the first official day of reef life in my new cube. I can't believe it's finally happening. I feel like celebrating!

Whoopie!!!

[2pairs]

WOW,
Congrats on day one.

I will celebrate with you and have a glass of wine.

[Mr. Microscope]

WOW,
Congrats on day one.

I will celebrate with you and have a glass of wine.

Thanks 2pairs! Might have to crack open a bottle myself.

[Sir Patrick]

I am a little late.....but celebrating out this way also!

Looks good!

[Tropical Buff]

Very impressive build now looking forward to the livestock additions

[Mr. Microscope]

I am a little late.....but celebrating out this way also!

Looks good!

Thanks Sir P!

Very impressive build now looking forward to the livestock additions

Coming very soon! I'll be ditching my frag tub and essentially transferring all the livestock and live rock to this tank. I tried to pull my clowns out of there last night. FAIL! They are way too smart. LOL!

[Badfish]

About Time! Kidding.. I can't wait to watch this bad boy grow in to a reef.

[Mr. Microscope]

About Time! Kidding.. I can't wait to watch this bad boy grow in to a reef.

You're telling me.. LOL! This thing has been three years in the planning and at least six months of work.

[Mr. Microscope]

Update 2012.03.04

Hello All! This post is a couple days late, but here it is. I successfully transferred over all the coral and live rock from my frag tank into my cube. It's an utter mess right now with frags everywhere, but I'm starting to clean it up.

Here's a FTS and side view. The tank is actually viewable from three sides, but these images give the basic idea. The contrast between the white rock and black background was messing with my camera. Also, the blue LEDs were really pushing the detector to the edge.


Once the rock pillar colors up and takes on a well established bacteria colony, I'll begin to remove some of the excess live rock that was added from my frag tank.

A note on the LED's: The setup is about 9 inches about the water and even with all the overhangs I have from the rock pillar I am seeing ZERO COLOR SHADOWING! Woohoo!

Here are some SPS frags that I'm growing out to be placed on the top of the rock pillar.



The hermit crabs are hamming it up.


As for the clowns, they immediately established territory in the little cave right behind the clam. This is awesome because this location is dead center in the front of the tank (I was afraid they'd choose some stupid area in the back.). So, I see them all the time. They're actually starting to show signs that they are trying to host the clam. I'm not so sure I like that. I'll be getting a torch soon. So, hopefully they will realize that that is a bit better.

Here's a close-up of the centerpiece of my SPS garden so far. It's a Palmer's Blue Millepora. Thanks poidog!


I'm also really excited about this minty looking milli. Hopefully, it will be ready to add soon.


That's it for now. Mr. M out!