Another 29g BC Build

FindingEmily · Jan 27, 2016

So.. I may or may not have jumped on the bandwagon and bought myself a 29g BioCube. I have been reading nonstop and have been inspired by the build threads around here. It's been up and cycling for almost a month now. While that's been going on, I've been buying equipment and trying to keep my impatience to a minimum. I've been testing on and off and my cycle has come to an end. However, I'm going to give it another month because I will be quarantining my fish, which I'm picking up today (Blue Fin Watchman Goby). With that said, here's the breakdown:

- 29g BioCube with stand
- 25ish lbs of sand
- 25ish lbs of dry rock
- 6 stage BRS Ro/Di
- Kessil a360w (pulled the top off, planning on getting a screen top before fish goes in DT)
- Ecotech Mp10
- Apex controller with WXM module
- 100w Cobalt Neo-Therm Heater
- Tunze Nano Osmolator ATO
- Sicce 1.5 return pump
- inTank Media Basket
- Tunze 9001 Skimmer (I know, I know. Once I see how bad it really is, I'll switch it for the AquaticLife)
- Test kits are RedSea. Probably going to get the Hanna Checker for phosphate. Yes? No? Maybe?
- Have the Neptune Dos dosing pumps, Kalkwasser and BRS mini reactor coming in the mail because I'm really good at spending money (my boyfriend has no idea these are coming. Surprise!)

bklraqurium · Jan 28, 2016

Nice set up! I've my BioCube since June 2015. I have an I tank media basket, and their refugium with the JBJ nano light. I kept the hood, but did a DIY LED upgrade. The big purchase for me was the Apex, but it was a must. My live stock is pretty limited, but is about to get outrageous. Right now I have 2 Clowns and a Sand-sifting Goby. My coral includes a frogspawn, Candy Cane, Green Button Polyps, Zoanthids, Pulsating Xenia, red carpet mushrooms, and a Green Stripe Mushroom.

FindingEmily · Jan 28, 2016

Nice tank! Love the aquascape. I'm planning on a pair of clowns as well, but first I need to figure out how to get this goby to eat. It's only been 24 hours, and I know they can go without food for a bit. But it would make me feel so much better if he just decided to cooperate.

FindingEmily · Jan 29, 2016

Here's my little guy. Named him Scooter. He's still not eating, which makes me want to check on him every 30 minutes or so. When I have kids, I think I'm going to be a helicopter parent.

DustyXB9Reefer · Jan 29, 2016

Totally understand that. I just picked up a two spot goby yesterday and he hasn't eaten yet either. I was watching him like a hawk haha.

surfnsalt · Jan 29, 2016

FindingEmily said:
Here's my little guy. Named him Scooter. He's still not eating, which makes me want to check on him every 30 minutes or so. When I have kids, I think I'm going to be a helicopter parent.

Is there somewhere in the qt for it to hide?

FindingEmily · Jan 29, 2016

DustyXB9Reefer said:
Totally understand that. I just picked up a two spot goby yesterday and he hasn't eaten yet either. I was watching him like a hawk haha.

Haha I know how you feel. Fortunately I saw him eat this morning. I jumped for joy!

FindingEmily · Jan 29, 2016

surfnsalt said:
Is there somewhere in the qt for it to hide?

Yeah there are 2 PVC pipes in there for him. Although I don't think he cares about them. He stays around the edges of the tank.

surfnsalt · Jan 29, 2016

I'm sure it will be fine, I'm buy no means an expert but I've gotten fish that didn't eat first few days. Great set up btw. I'll be following to see how it goes.

FindingEmily · Feb 2, 2016

Minor update:

Been in quarantine for a week tomorrow. He's been eating twice a day, morning and night. He loves frozen mysis shrimp. I've tried NLS pellets, but he spits it back out. I think he only eats them if he's really hungry. Anything else I should try? He hangs out in the back left corner the entire day and night. I don't think it's cause for concern, but I'm keeping an eye out. It's so tempting to put him in the DT, but I'm trying really hard to wait out at least 2 weeks, if not a full 4 weeks.

FindingEmily · Feb 6, 2016

Well the diatoms are in full force. I have to admit, I was excited at first to see stuff grow, but now it's just ugly. I picked up 6 Trochus snails who are going at it, but they decided the inside of the rocks needed to be cleaned as well, so I never see them.

Also got 2 small cleaner shrimp. Sometimes they're a bit territorial, sometimes they are friends. It's a love-hate relationship with them, but they haven't molted yet so I'm taking that as a fairly good sign.

And lastly, my boyfriend decided he wanted a Tiger Tail sea cucumber (since he wants a golden dwarf eel and I keep telling him no. The cucumber kinda resembles an eel, right?). While I don't want to get animals just because they will do a job for me, it would be nice if he'd move from the cave he found to the sand and start cleaning that for me. But oh well.

Here's some ugly pictures (you can tell where the snails have been):

Also, have a few things that I ordered:

- A camera to hook up to the Apex (I'm definitely going to be a helicopter parent)
- AquaticLife 115 skimmer
- inTank fuge basket
- jBj nano- glo LED light for fuge
- and that new IM custom cradle nano probe holder

DustyXB9Reefer · Feb 7, 2016

Looking so far! You mentioned your shrimp haven't molted yet, should they not?

FindingEmily · Feb 7, 2016

DustyXB9Reefer said:
Looking so far! You mentioned your shrimp haven't molted yet, should they not?

I THINK they USUALLY molt in times of stress. Don't quote me on that though. Guess I should do more reading!

Edit: Very quick google search shows molting can be a good or bad thing. Seems they molt when they are growing or are stressed. I don't expect them to grow in the few days I've had them. And if they were stressed, I feel like they would have molted, or wouldn't be as eating.

DustyXB9Reefer · Feb 7, 2016

Hahah I did the same thing after I commented. Mine has molted a few times now and my tank has only but up and running since December. I was a little worried when I didn't see it this morning but it was just hiding.
Do you ever feed yours?

FindingEmily · Feb 7, 2016

DustyXB9Reefer said:
Hahah I did the same thing after I commented. Mine has molted a few times now and my tank has only but up and running since December. I was a little worried when I didn't see it this morning but it was just hiding.
Do you ever feed yours?

Yup. They actually eat the same things as my goby. Flakes, NLS pellets and mysis shrimp. As soon as food hits the water, they come out of hiding and will even take the food straight from the tweezers I've been using.

What do you do with the molts? I know some people leave them in and some take them out.

DustyXB9Reefer · Feb 7, 2016

I'll leave em for a day or so and then take them out.

Salty1962 · Feb 8, 2016

Nice, Like the aquascaping.

FindingEmily · Feb 8, 2016

Thanks!!

FindingEmily · Feb 9, 2016

One of my shrimp molted last night. It was stuck to the mp10 (thankfully it didn't disrupt anything). It's creepy looking so I just pulled it out and threw it away. My shrimp looks brighter and bigger. I think the other one is planning on molting soon as well.

I'm chalking this up to them being happy and growing.

FindingEmily · Feb 11, 2016

Picked up my first coral yesterday! Yes it's a zoa. And yes I know they grow fast, hence why it isn't on a rock yet. I'm just trying to get my feet wet.