Jenn's 8" Cube

[MCHRKiller]

Thought I would make a journal for my new project now that the 10G is going nicely. I had an 8" acrylic cube made by a seller on AquaBid called Usmc1. It is honestly the nicest tank Ive ever owned construction wise.

The purpose of this aquarium is because I miss owning a betta. I finally decided on a Red HMPK Dragon...paid for him this morning he may have to spend a day or two in a large bowl until the tank is 100% but Im sure thats larger than what he is housed in currently. Here is a photo from the seller:
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/breeding151.jpg

Anyway, the tank is going to be very simple. I have a catalina 13watt PC fixture, an azoo palm filter. The substrate is going to be peat and laterite left over from the 10G capped wth about 5lbs dark brown sand. Hardscape will be some corkscrew willow twigs and some small dark grey/black river stones. Plants wll be a few anubias petite, a large C.lucens and a few stems of moneywort.

Pics of the tank to come in the next few days. :22:

[Rhaethe]

Nice! I really enjoy cube tanks. Am looking forward to pictures :sbiggrin:

[Lab_Rat]

Congrats on the plakat. I'd name him Pinky.

[MCHRKiller]

Thanks :11:

I am curious what he really looks like, he looks pink in all the photos but dragons usually just appear silver bodied in real life. I am glad I sucked it up and clicked buy on this one instead of waiting till the tank was 100% I would have regretted loosing him thats for sure.

[domjd05]

Sounds like a cool project

[Northernguy]

I am sure the betta will look a lot better in your tank.lol
Its a great looking fish.The tank sounds real interesting too.
I am also looking forward to seeing it.thumbs2:

[Rue]

Very nice! :hmm3grin2orange: I miss my plakat. But not enough to set up the betta tank again...lol...

[Ashley]

that's a really nice betta, I like the tail colours. Can't wait to see it!

[Taurus]

Another tank? :ssuprised:

Ok, who's ahead now with tank count, you or Labby? :shappy:

I've lost track...lol..I ran out of fingers and toes.

[AmyLynn]

He is stunning! Can't wait to see the tank totally done. Not sure how you guys that do nano tanks get them looking so great. I fuss and fight just with my 5 gallon. LOL

[MCHRKiller]

I am phasing out my 5G tank...so that helps some. lol. I will have the 150G SA cichlid tank, 100G planted, 55G reef, 10G office tank, and the 2.2G betta tank. Chances are I will add a 2nd 8" cube as the tank is going in one of the side cabinets of my entertainment center...cant have it off balance with only one on one side. :hmm3grin2orange:

Strangely my most successful tank ever has been the 5G, its low light...crammed full of plants, and self sustaining. I do one WC per month on it and dose when I remember. Nitrates are never measurable...and this is still with the 18 Chili rasboras Ive slacked on moving to the 10G.

[AmyLynn]

How many gallons to your 8" cube??

[MCHRKiller]

2.2 gallons

[AmyLynn]

So tiny! :ssuprised:

[MCHRKiller]

lol, yeah it is small. But it does look larger than it is if that makes sense. It definatly has a better layout of gallons than a standard 2.5G.

[AmyLynn]

Can't wait for pics. thumbs2: Maybe I'll get some new 'scaping ideas.

[MCHRKiller]

Some photos of the equipment and tank for size comparison.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0265.jpg
tank, sand, willow twigs, lid, and fixture with lense cap for size comparison
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0267.jpg
just the tank with my phone on the front glass, lol

Obviously the tank isnt blue...thats just protective film so it doesnt get scratched before i get it going.

[megastealer]

Wow, what do the prices on stuff like that run? Mainly the tank, filter, and lighting

[MCHRKiller]

Not that bad really. The light from catalina was $15+shipping, the tank/lid was $20+shipping, and the Azoo filters usually run around $10. I have a couple of the filters from past setups so it isnt shown.

[Northernguy]

That will be interesting when its done!thumbs2:
I am glad your hands fit that space!lol I would need to use surgical clamps to place anything in there!lol

[MCHRKiller]

It shouldnt be to bad...I have some long scaping tweezers if necessary tho :14:

[MCHRKiller]

Betta arrived today! He came with a young freebie male plakat as well. The young male plakat appears to be a blue dragon or what is typically sold on aquabid as a blue dragon. I took a long lunch break and took the fish home to acclimate them, I wasnt expecting a 2nd male...not quite sure what to do with him actually. He is in the 10G at work until I figure out a more denitive plan for him. The red dragon is doing well he is rooming in a 1.5G bowl to recover from the trip and until I get his tank fully setup and going...which will probably be first of next week. He is much larger than I expected with a body length of right at 2.5".

[Lab_Rat]

Pinky sounds huge at 2.5"! That's the size of those "king" bettas. Looks like you'll have to get that second cube afterall for the little guy...thumbs2:

[AmyLynn]

Oh darn, another tank. heehee

[tori.lock]

Pictures picture pictures! Can't wait to see this little (or not so little) beast you've got. And I'm really curious how your tank is going to look once you get it all scaped the way you want.

[MCHRKiller]

lol, he is huge. Sadly despite the photos he isnt pink at all...silvery white body and red fins...typical red dragon. The little guy will probably inherit the 5G ...poor thing is confused and thinks its a danio...going psycho swimming all over the tank. The freebie is very pretty as well. Pics to come next week should have both fish in their permanant homes. :22:

[MCHRKiller]

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0265-1.jpg
The 8" cube, I made a mistake going with the 13watt 8" fixture...should have went for the 2x13watt the tank is dark...I had to spotlight it with a large flashlight. If the tank were narrower it would work better...would be sufficient for a standard 2.5G Id suspect...oh well.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0267-1.jpg
The dragon happy with his new lair

[MCHRKiller]

I have decided to definatly upgrade lighting. Sucks since I just bought this fixture, atleast it was cheap. We live and learn I suppose. I am going to set the 5G up beside the cube and put the freebie male in there, maybe go for some CPOs or some kind of micro bottom dweller. Ill toss on either a 24" PC or HOT5 and spread the light out between both tanks. Of course I am also contemplating ordering 2 more cubes. The 3 cubes would look better of course...but I dont really need 3 bettas :hmm3grin2orange:

[AmyLynn]

Are you sure you don't need another betta??? LOL

Tank is looking great. :-)

[Kazenouta]

really cool looking setup! I'm looking forward to seeing the others thumbs2:

[Lab_Rat]

Ohh, that's some sweet nana petite! Where'd you score that? Pinky's new home looks fabulous.

[Australian natives]

excellent work, looks awesome.

[MCHRKiller]

Thanks all :22:

The C.lutea and the petite came from the 5G...the petite in there had carpeted half the tank so i pulled out a few clumps and took out half of the crypt. More and better pics to come when I get proper lighting :14:

[Sarkazmo]

Jen that tank's really coming together. Nice work as usual. :)

What's the thickness on the acrylic and does that maker have a website?

Also, an aluminum clamp light ($7) and GE 6500k CFL two pack, 10-26W ($7-9) at Walmart and you'll have more light.

Sark

[MCHRKiller]

Thanks Sark, its 6mm thick acrylic. He doesnt have a website but you can just contact him on aquabid...usually has some small specimine containers and such listed in the 1-5G tank section. Usmc1 is the guy...great individual to deal with. I cant help but brag on his work, it surpasses even TruVu and Oceanic tanks...totally flawless. A clamp light wouldnt work as I had a built in lid made for the tank which sits flush with the sides, only gap is a cutout for the filter. :22:

[MCHRKiller]

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0363.jpg
Yay for a 2*9watt mini Aqualight
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0441.jpg
Pinky

[Lab_Rat]

Both tank and Pinky are looking awesome!

I was thinking, one of those cubes could make a sweet pico sw reef...

[MCHRKiller]

lol, I thought the same thing in my quest for better lighting. Came cross a 3*13watt 8" HOT5 fixture. Would be enough for some low light corals Id say.

[MCHRKiller]

The bettas home now has a true scape and I finally found a piece of wood that fits the tank alright.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0251.jpg
I think he enjoys his new tank layout
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0266.jpg

[MCHRKiller]

I did another remodel on the tank...finally I think I am content with it.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0308-2.jpg
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0314.jpg
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0310.jpg
Pics of my old guy...I dont feel he will be around much longer as he has slowed down alot and has lost some weight. But then the fish is probably over 2 years old...

[gabbyguppy]

Beautiful little tank! May Pinky have many more days in his wondrous home.

Karen

[MCHRKiller]

Thanks Karen :22:

[hockeyhead019]

You have a knack for scaping Jenn lol tank looks great!

[MCHRKiller]

Pinky has went to the great big planted pico cube in the sky...poor guy died this evening. I am glad the fish got to enjoy the last few months in an actual aquarium and got to live like a real fish instead of shoved in a mason jar.

[Sarkazmo]

I'm sorry, Jen. :( I love keeping Betta but their personality, the thing that makes them such wonderful fish, is also what makes it so painful to lose. *hugs*

Sark

[Lab_Rat]

Sorry to hear that Jenn. I'm glad he got to live out his old age with you.

[MCHRKiller]

Thanks, both of you:11:

I am on the search for another betta...It will be either a wild type or another HMPK. I own one OHM and it just sucks seeing him drag those huge fins around.

[Sarkazmo]

Macrostoma? :) Dunno if that tank's big enough though.

Sark

[MCHRKiller]

I wouldnt try them under a 10G...If I were to go wild it would probably be a B.imbellis.

[kurly]

Very nice tank and I'm sorry about your Betta :ssad:

[MCHRKiller]

Thank you :11:

I think I have officially gone crazy...ok so that happened years ago. But the seller whom I received this betta and my freebie blue HMPK from is moving and getting rid of most of his 2month old growouts. I am thinking of purchasing one for the 8" cube...he always sends freebies. I have been itching to put a betta on my home desk for quite some time. Unfortunatly I have a small desk which has alot of essentials on it. I do have a shelf on it which is very narrow as I assume you are supposed to sit small photos on it or something.

Anyway, I have contacted the seller who made my 8" cube to see if he would build me a 2nd small tank with very strange dimmensions. 13" long, 10" tall and 4.5" wide...essentially a strangely shaped 2.5G. If I had an extra inch on that shelf Id just shove a 2.5G in there but alas I dont. Hopefully he will agree to the build as it could be a very neat looking tank and the betta obsession can continue :14:

[MCHRKiller]

No word on the tank builder guy yet...but I won the marble HMPK I intended. The guy is having to move so he is doing a buy 1 betta receive 3 free deal. I requested an extra male and 2 females....figured the females could go into the 100G.

Anyway, pics of the boy from the seller....

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/Picture062.jpg
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/Picture061.jpg
The SO has dubbed him 2Face....:14:

[sheamurai]

Wow great timing to get that sale!

You never included a pic of the freebie blue fellow you got? I know this was the cube thread, but I was still hoping to see of pic of him at some point in it, lol.

Good luck on getting that custom cube built!

[MCHRKiller]

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0368.jpg
Sorry, its the one that lives in the 5G :11:

[thedeanorama]

Great shot :) I love bettas, but sadly they don't suit my tetra tank so well :)

[Lab_Rat]

Hahaha, you're turning into the crazy betta lady!

[MCHRKiller]

lol, I wonder if that if a worse fate than a crazy old cat lady :14:

[Sarkazmo]

Nah, this way you don't smell like cat pee. :P

Sark

[sheamurai]

What a pretty fellow Jenn! I love the dark blue bettas...

@Sark - LOL!

[MCHRKiller]

Ended up putting the silver copper dragon HM in this tank as I opted to do a HMPK tank elsewhere. I also broke down and rescaped the tank again. I ditched that nano HOB it didnt create enough flow to warrent its use. Im now running a Tom Dive Clean on the tank.

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0121-1.jpg

[CrazedMichael]

Can JUST see the betta there in the top left corner, wondering what that filter is probably!

I agree that bettas are awesome. I bought one 4 weeks ago for my 2.5g wall aquarium and i love it! I just 'scaped it with a broken fake Urn and some fake plants and he's feeling alot betta! (Pun intended!)

Although the wife wouldn;'t allow me to have any more tanks, no matter how 'small' they may be!

Love your cube! Looks awesome

[MCHRKiller]

Yeah, that has become his resting spot. I do feel somewhat sorry for HMs having to drag all those fins around. Got some pics of the betta later last nite, will post those soon. :11:

You could probably get away with more tanks if you said they were a gift for her. :14:

[CrazedMichael]

Cool, looking forward to it. I'm buying my wife a camera for xmas, so i should be able to get some pics of my own betta to show you.

[MCHRKiller]

Been a very long time since I updated this, I dubbed this tank not large enough for fish and it sat dry for several months. I have recently put it back into running for some cherry shrimp which are a good size for the tank. I also may add a small species of Nerite to keep the glass clean.
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0219.jpg
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0227.jpg
http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0248.jpg

[Sandz]

Awesome shots of the little guys!

[MCHRKiller]

http://i933.photobucket.com/albums/ad180/MCHRKiller/DSC_0589.jpg

The moss has taken over, the shrimp love it...Im just leaving it alone until there is more moss than water :hmm3grin2orange:

[ldoerr]

How many shrimp do you have in there? How many did you start with? Looks great. You could put a single Betta in a tank that size.

[MCHRKiller]

I started with ~15-20, there are now ~30. I keep them thinned by feeding some to my bettas.

Actually the tank IME isnt large enough for a betta, I kept a betta in here for around a year...with substrate and decore it holds a bit less than 2gallons. Much better to keep them in a divided 10G than a tiny space like this.