Cadlight Versa II 60G Cube

[mchenetz]

So i am starting my first reef tank. I have a Cadlight Versa II 60g cube coming in next week. It looks like it comes with everything i need minus the skimmer and lights. This is my first build so any help is definitely appreciated.


Plan:
- Get live rock and aquascape.
- Add sand
- Add water and cycle the tank for 3-4 weeks. Maybe kickstart with ATM Colony?
- Add coral, wait for it to acclimate
- Setup quarantine tank
- get a fish and hold in quarantine for 14-30 days.


Already Have or shipping:
Aquarium: Cadlights Versa II 60g
Controller: Apex classic
ATO
Heater
pump


Shopping List before i start:
RO/DI unit - need right away
Salt - Instant Ocean Reed Crystals
Test kit - need to get a good test kit, recommendations?
Skimmer - not sure when i actually am going to need this in the cycle. I want to plan out what is needed and spread it out.
Lights- Again, not sure when that becomes necessary. Probably before i get the Coral.
scrapers

Lots more... I just need to think about it.

 

[Trio91]

Pix? I have been thinking about upgrading to a cad lights tank

I fyou are like me and hate colors, Hanna Checkers will work for test kits

If possible, QT 1st before adding your livestock

 

[etmanning1]

Looks like a good plan, you seem to be doing your research!

Skimmer can be added or removed whenever and is considered by some as optional equipment ( I wouldn’t run without one though)

I’d recommend a Hanna checker for ALK (test every day or second day) and Red Sea for all other tests. They sell refill kits so over time Red Sea is the cheapest and a very quality kit.

I’d leave lights off until needed. Turn on as soon as you add fish or coral but not before to avoid algae issues.

Anything else you have questions about be sure to ask!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[mchenetz]

Thanks guys! Marcus, i will get some pics and video as soon as it comes in and thanks for the suggestions. Etmanning1, Thanks for the help. I am sure i will have lots of questions.

 

[Mark_C]

First Reef! GRATZ!
Slllloooooowwwwwww.
Focus on and start with the cycle, treat it as an adventure in itself!
You can spend the time looking at the rockwork and re-arranging it, always keeping it far enough away from the glass to pass a cleaner over the glass.
Cycle till cycle is done (worst part, but wait till your sure, or you'll kill everything you put in), can take up to 2 months.
Cycle without lights. No need as no corals.
Speed up cycle by adding a dead shrimp (from, say, Shop Rite or such) for 2-3 days then removing.
Or you can just pee in the tank once or twice which has worked insanely well for 3 tanks, that errr... someone I know set up.
Look into 'Special Blend', it helps.
Also, Marine Pure blocks are good to add at this point, they act as super live-rock for bacterial propogation.
You don't need a skimmer or lights during the cycle (but you do want it once fish are in to remove excess waste from poop and feeding residuals).
Plan the rest of the stuff over the next 6-8 weeks as tank cycles

Don't skimp, read forums, ask advice, buy decent stuff (post a want to buy thread).

 

[mchenetz]

Mark... Thanks for the advise. I plan to take it slow and do it right. It's going to be hard because i am impatient. However, i wouldn't want to hurt the aquatic lifeforms...

 

[mnat]

I would agree with Mark that your plan might be a bit aggressive. I am always one for starting fish first and coral afterwards. Why? Corals are not going to add any noticeable bio load, you can have them doing amazing and then add fish and boom you have nitrate or phosphate issues. I like the idea of having the tank under control with the fish before I jump straight into corals. Nanos (we ran a 20g, 30g cube, 45g cube, 57g tank) can be very unforgiving with nutrient swings so just something to keep in mind. We have used the Instant cycle stuff in the past and it does work, however you have to use it and add fish pretty quickly thereafter (like in a day). The instant cycle stuff is just bacteria and without food (fish poop and rotting food) it is going to die off hence negating the reason for having it.

Test kits: You wan to have nitrite, nitrate and ammonia for the cycle. For corals you want at a minimum alkalinity, calcium and phosphates.

What sort of cleanup crew are you looking at? What type of rock? What type of sand? As far as lights and skimmer, what is your stocking plan? That will really affect what equipment you will need. Trust me the build and planning can be more work than the actual tank.

 

[mchenetz]

mnat,

Thanks, more to consider. The only reason i thought Corals and Anemones first was so that my Angelfish have a place to settle...

 

[mnat]

An angelfish will be fine with nor corals or nems for a while.

 

[mchenetz]

Sorry. I meant clownfish.

 

[Trio91]

The Clown will be fine with or without an anemome or corals. You may want the tank to settle in a bit longer before you add a nem

 

[DangerDave]

There are 100 ways to handle each facet of your build. You’re on the right path...ask ask ask questions. You’ll get opinions on each question that you can use to formulate your plan. Best of luck with the build, you’re going to have a blast (and probably a few head and heart aches)!

 

[mchenetz]

Thanks guys

 

[mchenetz]

Update:
Tank coming on Wednesday or Thursday of next week:

Ordered:
Icecap Smart RODI
Milwaukee Hydrometer
Caribsea 20lb base rock
Caribsea 20lb shapes
Caribsea Pink Fuji sand 40g
2 Brute trashcans (Water)
Red Sea Saltwater test kit
Koralia evolution powerhead (850GPH) - mixing salt
Reef Crystal Salt 160g
Dr Tims Live Nitrifying bacteria 4oz
1 Aquastick coral epoxy
various tubes and Ts


Needed:
AI twentysix - not sure if i need one or two for my 60g cube
Skimmer - Thinking Reef Octopus
Apex Modules:

• ATO
• COR-15
• PAR
• Salinity probe
• WAV

 

[Mrx7899x]

I would go with 1 AI 52 over two 26s

 

[mchenetz]

The question is do I need 2 for a 60g cube? If I do then I would probably go with the 52.

 

[Mrx7899x]

You could get away with one but if it was my tank I would want two. They are only rated for 18x18 area. One 56 would be perfect

 

[mchenetz]

Just set up my new RODI unit. Making water.

 

[mchenetz]

Tank comes tomorrow. Bought the following additional items:

• Auto aqua awc - auto water changes and top off
• Apex wav - powerhead
• Apex salinity probe
• Bubble magus curve 5 - skimmer
• Apex magnetic probe holder
• Current USA 6009 - dc pump for pumping water from RODI tank
• 30’ 1in tubing

The only major thing I have left is lighting. Thinking Hydra 52.

 

[mchenetz]

Tank assembled!