24gallon JBJ nano cube reef

[mrmoncal02]

Hello, I am new to the site, but wanted to start a thread so I can keep track of my new 24 gallon JBJ nano cube. I have been lurking for about two months and set the tank up one month ago. I should have joined and started this thread then, but better late than never

The tank has finally finished the cycle from what I can tell. All my parameters have leveled off and with WCs I have gotten nitrates to barely detectable levels. Now that I am starting to think about hat to put in there I would love some input. Currently there are only 5 hermits in Ty tank. I realize that a cuc. Is not necessary, but I wanted something to watch. Only live rock was getting boring.

Today I picked up my first piece or coral for the tank, a maze brain coral frag that I got for $20 from my lfs. This is my first real experience with keeping coral, besides a few polyps and mushrooms. Again, any input or pointers are appreciated.

 

[mrmoncal02]

More tank shots

Here is the view from the left side, which is next to my bed. It's the first thing I see in the morning. The shell is a reminder of my gf. You can kinda see the rock arch, which is my favorite part of the aquascaping for me. On my phone I seem to only b able to upload one picture at a time so I will have to make multiple posts.

 

[mrmoncal02]

Rock arch

Better pic of the rock arch.

 

[mrmoncal02]

Sloppy epoxy, then decided to change the rock work so now I have that pink eyesore in front. Oh well. Hoping something grows over
It quickly.

 

[mrmoncal02]

The other side of the tank. The two purple pieces were the live rock that I started the cycle with. The rest of he rock is leftover dry rock from an old 75 gallon which is no longer running.

 

[mrmoncal02]

Brain coral

Last shot for tonight. Here is the brain coral I picked up. I sure hope it finds a happy home in the tank.

 

[mrmoncal02]

New FTS 2/2/14. Removed two pieces of rock to open up flow and added new corals
Left side of the tank, rock arch with green mushroom on one side, and Zoas on the other
Right side of the tank. Can see torch coral, green star polyps and brain coral
Green mushroom coral, fastest grower so far. Is it about to split into another?
A couple of hitch hiking tube worms on a piece of live rock. The red/brown one is my favorite, looks like a hand grabbing for food

 

[mrmoncal02]

Also in the side if the arch I have a red mushroom, which started off the same size as the green, but has not grown much
Close up of the polyps
Zoas close up

 

[mrmoncal02]

Whole left side shot. Little bit of hard to reach algae. Also, you can see how bare the back of the tank is. Any ideas for something cool to fill that space would be great.
The view through the arch
Last one for tonight... Shot of both mushrooms on either side of the arch

Still have algae even though my nitrates and phosphates are very low. Could I benefit from growing some macro algae? Perhaps even in the DT? Any other stocking or equipment advice? Thanks for looking!

 

[nelix10]

I was struggling with algae so I made a simple scrubber for phosgard! Made a big difference!