Will’s 10gal Waterbox - First tank in 15 years!

[willwoo]

This encrusting brain started as a small 1”x1” frag and has just exploded over the years. Got a small plate coral back in 2019 that did great for years, then suddenly died back quickly, and now its skeleton regularly pops off new baby plate corals. I’ve moved three of them to other tanks, and the mother has about 15 growing out of her now.

 

[willwoo]

Last but not least, my cleaner shrimp is carrying eggs for the first time. It’s the only cleaner shrimp in the tank, so they won’t be viable. But a good sign nonetheless. Apparently my crustaceans are very happy.

 

[willwoo]

Also not sure why this is in mid-sized tanks. Assuming nano & mid-sized were combined back in 2019 when I started the tank.

 

[siege]

Just a few images after cleaning up the tank this afternoon. For those who doubt the ability of the cheap Hipargero LED light to produce good coloration, I hope this will change your mind! I have been so pleased with this light on this nano tank. Almost all of the corals in these photos (with the exception of the maze brain and orange/pink lobo) have come from fellow ARC members!

What are these? I think I must have them.

 

[willwoo]

What are these? I think I must have them.
View attachment 100486

The one on the left I think is a true platygyra brain coral. Right was some kind of hydnophora, but it didn’t live too long. The platygyra has gone nuts and is at least 10x that size now.

 

[willwoo]

Updated full tank shot under the blues.

 

[aquaworld75]

Tank looks amazing! Makes us all want a small nano desk tank. Goes to show how maintenance and upkeep (over 5yrs+) supports the coral growth. Following along!

 

[willwoo]

Thanks! Believe me, this tank has had its rough moments. Lost a really beautiful orange digi colony a few years ago and have definitely let the algae (and Xenia — which I’m now trying to eradicate lol) get out of hand at times. But it’s in a great spot now. Fingers crossed it stays that way.

And on that note, I’ve upgraded the equipment quite a lot this year. Figure it’s time to update that list:

New Lights: Kessil A80 Tuna & AI Blade Glow

Filtration 1: iSeaLive Roller Mat Filter (https://isealive.com/products/waterbox-roller-mat-filter-fits-10-20-cube-15-25-peninsula) and considering getting the auto roller

Filtration 2: Coralife BioCube Mini Protein Skimmer

Dosing: Have been using a 2-channel dosing pump to dose ESV B-Ionic 2 part, but I’m in the process of switching over to TM All For Reef

Also in the process of switching from Red Sea blue bucket to Red Sea black bucket for the Dkh bump and to see how the hard corals respond. I’ve had a little trouble maintaining Dkh lately, dipping as low as 6 at times. I’m thinking it’s likely just due to taking better care of the tank lately = more coral growth = faster Dkh depletion.

 

[willwoo]

Also been a little hesitant to post this because I don’t want the mandarin police called on me… But that giant box in my tank is an isolation box for this lil’ guy from Biota that I paid way too much for several months ago. He came in TINY — like 3/4 of an inch or less — and has been pigging out on TDO B2 and frozen calanus and growing fast. Probably will keep him isolated until he’s about 1.5-2” or so.

I was a little nervous to get a mandarin, especially in such a small system, but he has done great. Been in this hobby for more than 20 years and never had one, but I’ve conquered other tough species including seahorses & pipefish in the past. So figured may as well give it a shot, and very glad that I did. Mandarins are without a doubt my favorite fish of all time.