This is an experiment to see if my zoas do better in an all in one versus a mixed system SPS frag tank. Some zoas thrive while others slowly fade away and it’s usually the expensive ones of course. Also, I want to play around with an idea of suspending zoanthids on their own grow out rocks similar to the approach I have taken for my SPS in my frag tank and I don't have room to do that in my current tanks.
I bought this bundle from someone leaving the hobby and it came with everything ready to run, with most items only a couple of months old. I've been on the fence about what to do with it, but once I found a new in the box white Waterbox stand on Craigslist for less than half retail, it was time to set it up. I had gotten a pedestal stand for free from @thrasher, but it did not have any storage, which was a problem for me because I needed the ATO container and other supplies to be contained within the stand. I have so much reefing stuff, it's an illness at this point.
This is what I started with:
Waterbox Cube 20
Waterbox Cube 20 stand (Facebook deal)
AI Nero 3
JBJ Nano ATO
Sicce 0.5 pump with stock return
AI Prime 16HD (I got two with this package, using one)
Finnex 50 Watt heater
5 gallon bucket of live rock
Fluval protein skimmer - this doesn’t fit the compartment (I will explore modifying later)
Frogspawn and hammer corals, assorted zoanthids
1 pair of ocellaris clowns
This is what I have changed so far:
Upgrade to Sicce 1.0 pump (250gph) with custom 3D printed adapter to allow 1/2” VCA Random Flow Nozzle.
3D printed media cup to replace WB Filter sock. - I clean 4" socks regularly, but this sock is so small - no thanks.
Eheim Jager 100W heater - from my spare parts bin
Ordered:
Kraken Reef custom acrylic lid
Kraken Reef 3D printed screen for existing Weir - keeps small creatures from getting pulled into the overflow
Kraken Reef - Feeding cup - this fits into the acrylic lid and from what I read is the perfect spot for using an automatic feeder without having the pellets get pulled straight into the overflow
I already had the VCA flow nozzle from my old RS 170 build and it works better on this system knowing the flow requirements and sticking to one nozzle versus 2. I had a 0.5 Sicce pump on my frag tank media reactor burn out a week after I purchased this, so I used the 0.5 pump for that. The Sicce 1.0 has same pump flow rate as the stock Waterbox pump, just quieter and more consistent.
More than likely, I will sell these small clowns once I have other fish ready from QT and either move my black ocellaris clownfish over and find him a friend or sell him as well and move to a clown free setup with an assortment of nano reef fish.
I may not worry about a protein skimmer as from what I have read, I can achieve the same thing with water changes. If I can 3D print a fix though I will consider it a challenge. Part of the point of this tank is to allow elevated Nitrate and phosphate levels that zoas prefer, but SPS do not. Also, I do not plan to dose, but if I find I have to, I'll go with an all in one product. I only have one dosing pump left over in my spare parts bin.
I bought this bundle from someone leaving the hobby and it came with everything ready to run, with most items only a couple of months old. I've been on the fence about what to do with it, but once I found a new in the box white Waterbox stand on Craigslist for less than half retail, it was time to set it up. I had gotten a pedestal stand for free from @thrasher, but it did not have any storage, which was a problem for me because I needed the ATO container and other supplies to be contained within the stand. I have so much reefing stuff, it's an illness at this point.
This is what I started with:
Waterbox Cube 20
Waterbox Cube 20 stand (Facebook deal)
AI Nero 3
JBJ Nano ATO
Sicce 0.5 pump with stock return
AI Prime 16HD (I got two with this package, using one)
Finnex 50 Watt heater
5 gallon bucket of live rock
Fluval protein skimmer - this doesn’t fit the compartment (I will explore modifying later)
Frogspawn and hammer corals, assorted zoanthids
1 pair of ocellaris clowns
This is what I have changed so far:
Upgrade to Sicce 1.0 pump (250gph) with custom 3D printed adapter to allow 1/2” VCA Random Flow Nozzle.
3D printed media cup to replace WB Filter sock. - I clean 4" socks regularly, but this sock is so small - no thanks.
Eheim Jager 100W heater - from my spare parts bin
Ordered:
Kraken Reef custom acrylic lid
Kraken Reef 3D printed screen for existing Weir - keeps small creatures from getting pulled into the overflow
Kraken Reef - Feeding cup - this fits into the acrylic lid and from what I read is the perfect spot for using an automatic feeder without having the pellets get pulled straight into the overflow
I already had the VCA flow nozzle from my old RS 170 build and it works better on this system knowing the flow requirements and sticking to one nozzle versus 2. I had a 0.5 Sicce pump on my frag tank media reactor burn out a week after I purchased this, so I used the 0.5 pump for that. The Sicce 1.0 has same pump flow rate as the stock Waterbox pump, just quieter and more consistent.
More than likely, I will sell these small clowns once I have other fish ready from QT and either move my black ocellaris clownfish over and find him a friend or sell him as well and move to a clown free setup with an assortment of nano reef fish.
I may not worry about a protein skimmer as from what I have read, I can achieve the same thing with water changes. If I can 3D print a fix though I will consider it a challenge. Part of the point of this tank is to allow elevated Nitrate and phosphate levels that zoas prefer, but SPS do not. Also, I do not plan to dose, but if I find I have to, I'll go with an all in one product. I only have one dosing pump left over in my spare parts bin.
