Victor’s 10G Standard Simple Build

[victorhe]

Historically I’ve been terrible at keeping tank journals, but maybe it’ll be different this time around.

The goal of this build is to have a setup that “makes sense”, now that I have better finances, but less time.
* Low effort maintenance. Less than 2 hours/week. Simple to access and maintain equipment.
* Robust. Sufficient automation such that I can go on trips for up to 2 weeks.

Build Specs:
Tank: 10G Standard Aqueon Tank
Controller: Hydros X4 + XP8
Light : TBD, probably AI Prime HD
Wave maker: MP 10
Heater: Cobalt NeoTherm 75Watt
Cooling: some Amazon computer fan
Skimmer: AquaMaxx Bullet-1
Refugium: Marina HOB large breeder box, Hydor pico 70gph pump
Fuge light: Amazon grow light
Mechanical/Media: Tidal 55, Dr Tim’s bio media

Fish:
Black Clown Goby
Tail Spot Blenny
Black Ice Clownfish Bonded Pair

Temp holding tank, 10G standard, 20230921

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[Letsgotothezoo]

Nice build. Is this for macroalge tank ?

 

[victorhe]

Nice build. Is this for macroalge tank ?

Thanks! It’ll be a mixed reef.

I have some corals in a quarantine setup:

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[victorhe]

Got a workshop table to hold the temp holding tank and quarantine tank.

Before:

After:

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[victorhe]

Got a different 10G standard from petco.
- Spray painted the back and bottom black.
- Taped on a layer of insulation foil on the back and bottom of the tank also.

Cut out a piece of egg crate for the bottom of the tank.

Rinsed up some dry special grade reef sand from two years back.

Transferred everything over to the new tank.

Installed the bullet-1 skimmer (still breaking in).

Installed the HOB breeder box.

20231010 FTS:

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[victorhe]

Made a temporary lid out of some plastic sheet, duck tape, and 1/4in netting:

The pungent duck tape smell is concerning me, will make a V2 temp lid out to spare egg crate.

The original plan was to use a laser cutter to make a lid out of 1/8in acrylic. But the laser cutter at work pooped on me 10% of the way through.


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[victorhe]

Removed the tidal HOB filter. Made a temp lid out of egg crate sitting on top of fish net for now.

Will zip tie the fish next time.

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[victorhe]

Zip tied the netting onto the egg crate for a snug fit.

Added a surface skimmer, replaced the water pump for the HOB with an air pump.

The tank is operational, but I’m starting to realize that I’m not in love with the setup
- the sand, makes my routine of regular water changes more challenging
- bubbles from the HOB skimmer
- lot of wires and equipment in the display portion of the tank


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[victorhe]

The quarantine tank on the other hand is such a simple setup that I enjoy it ten times more.

- Maintenance is a breeze, being a bare bottom shallow tank, 7inches of water height max
- ultra quiet, mainly because there’s no skimmer
- and it’s stocked with corals and pods (not a fair comparison I know)

Speaking of corals I pick up a torch coral, yoda zoas, and rainbow yoda zoas from the CFM last Sunday.

Everything is looking happy finally!

Photo in daylight ish, with just stock iPhone.

just ordered some orange filter lens, hoping I can take better photos.


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[victorhe]

With all the discontent from the 10G, I’m in touch with John from advanced acrylics for a custom acrylic setup to replace it.

He built the QT tank, which I love, so I’m jumping the gun to an acrylic shallow display tank hopefully in the coming month. I’ll probably have to rename this thread by then