BioCube 16 Build (one BIG catch)

[Raven1770]

I want to start a BioCube 16 build with dry rock and let it sit with no fish for a good while. My question is, how much maintenance would that be with no fish? The reason is, I’m due to deploy this summer and won’t be home till Christmas. I want to keep my wife from as little work as possible, but also want the tank to be more then ready for when I get home. OR SHOULD I just put the build off until I return home? Advice is greatly appreciated
Thank you

 

[Copingwithpods]

Although having a 6 month cycled tank when you get back would give you a massive head start it won't come without work.

Bare minimum

ATO resevior top offs
Ghost feeding (keep bacterial alive)
Water changes (reduce NO3 PO4)

Up to you guys if this is a possibility.

 

[Raven1770]

Although having a 6 month cycled tank when you get back would give you a massive head start it won't come without work.

Bare minimum

ATO resevior top offs
Ghost feeding (keep bacterial alive)
Water changes (reduce NO3 PO4)

Up to you guys if this is a possibility.

what about water changes? Are they necessary with just dry rock? And would it be for then 1-2 gallons?

thank you for your reply I really appreciated it

 

[homer1475]

6 months, I would just wait it out.

But as said, at a bare minimum:
ATO top off, or just plain topping off if no ATO
Ghost feeding
WC, although with just rock and water, probably not needed.

Again if it's just going to sit for 6 months, I would just wait.

 

[JBulk09]

Yeah I have a 32g biocube. I'd say with no fish and very light ghost feeding you're looking at 2-3 gallons every 6 weeks with no bio load. They are pretty light, you could just put it somewhere nobody will see and do close to a 100% water change and move it when you get back in case she doesnt like it in the ugly stage

 

[Raven1770]

Yeah I have a 32g biocube. I'd say with no fish and very light ghost feeding you're looking at 2-3 gallons every 6 weeks with no bio load. They are pretty light, you could just put it somewhere nobody will see and do close to a 100% water change and move it when you get back in case she doesnt like it in the ugly stage

she likes to look at it and watch it, but that about it lol. She’s not a fan of water changes

 

[Raven1770]

6 months, I would just wait it out.

But as said, at a bare minimum:
ATO top off, or just plain topping off if no ATO
Ghost feeding
WC, although with just rock and water, probably not needed.

Again if it's just going to sit for 6 months, I would just wait.

I figured I was going to get a bunch of wait advice, lol thank you

 

[JBulk09]

she likes to look at it and watch it, but that about it lol. She’s not a fan of water changes

Yeah my wife was the same way. She loves watching the fish but will not do anything but empty the skimmer cup. If you start the cycle and add dr Tim's and maybe 2 clowns she will be more inclined to actually help because she wont want them to die

 

[Dr. Phil]

If you have the extra cash to spend you could setup an auto water change system and run the waste to a drain. All she has to do then is mix new water. Just a thought. Lol

 

[Raven1770]

Yeah my wife was the same way. She loves watching the fish but will not do anything but empty the skimmer cup. If you start the cycle and add dr Tim's and maybe 2 clowns she will be more inclined to actually help because she wont want them to die

Hahah that’s a good point!!!!

 

[Raven1770]

If you have the extra cash to spend you could setup an auto water change system and run the waste to a drain. All she has to do then is mix new water. Just a thought. Lol

I was wondering about, wasn’t sure it’s worth it on a 16g tank

 

[Dr. Phil]

In my opinion once you have the setup for awc you can use it for your current tank and any upgraded tank that you move to in the future. At least that is what I keep telling myself on my current tank. lol I'm still in the process of setting up my awc system but everyone I have read about or watched talk about it in videos say they would put it on any tank they setup.