Biocube 16 Build Thread Startup

TKDScuba · Dec 28, 2018

This is the startup of my first tank. I’m a Divemaster and love the reefs!! Scuba diving for 14 years! Two small children later can’t get to reef as often.... so I’ll bring it home!! I clean and do minor maintenance on the aquarium tanks at the Pittsburgh Zoo. I’m looking forward to having my own aquarium to take care of.

I have been doing research and ordering equipment for over 5 weeks. I’m moving very slow, but I understand that’s a good thing. Just added water now awaiting my live rock shipment from Tampa Bay Saltwater. Mixed my own water. Salinity is at 1.026, running cobalt Neo 50w set at 79 degrees, trying out the inkbird temp controller. Hopefully all goes well. I bought test equipment for water, refrac meter, TDS meter, back up heater and pump, water change equipment, etc.... I believe I’m pretty prepared thanks to all the articles I’ve read on R2R. Looking forward to being a part of this awesome hobby!!

SPR1968 · Dec 28, 2018

Great pictures and thanks for sharing them with us and welcome to R2R!

You might find the following link useful if your new to saltwater and anything else just ask

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

reacclimating 2 the hobby · Dec 28, 2018

Welcome and great start!

TKDScuba · Jan 1, 2019

Question. My shipment of live rock from Tampa is coming Thursday. I checked water salinity and it’s good. I have a Inkbird temp controller with a 50 watt Neo Therm heater (16) gallon tank. I have the Inkbird set at 79 and the Neo at 80. My Inkbird keeps reading 76.8. I have a second backup thermometer and it reads the same?? Why doesn’t the Inkbird read a constant 79 or is it normal for a heating and cooling cycle?

TKDScuba · Jan 1, 2019

Question. I have a Inkbird temp controller and a 50w Neo therm heater (16 gallon). Inkbird set at 79 Neo at 80. Inkbird keeps reading 76.8. Have a secondary thermometer and it also read 76.8. Is it normal for the temp to fluctuate a heating and cooling cycle? Been away for few days maybe it did heat to 79 and I just observed it when cooled to 76??

Captain Quint · Jan 1, 2019

Welcome to R2R! I love your 16g.

Plenty of us scuba folks here as well. There's a thread on snorkeling/diving you might enjoy as well.

TKDScuba · Jan 1, 2019

Yes definitely will have to check that out. Thanks.

TKDScuba · Jan 7, 2019

Question? I just added live rock from TBS to tank 3 days ago. I have been doing 25%water changes last 2 days. Ammonia went from 1ppm to 4-5 ppm. I understand this is normal due to die off. I did notice one of the rocks had changed color to black and smelled really bad. I kept rock submerged in different container and brushed the ugly area. Do I need to do anything else or just let the rock, tank, and filters do it’s thing??

TKDScuba · Jan 11, 2019

Live rock from TBS installed 1/3/19

TKDScuba · Jan 11, 2019

4 hours after install into tank

TKDScuba · Jan 11, 2019

1 week after install

TKDScuba · Jan 11, 2019

Cycle going well. Ammonia level coming down and nitrites on the rise!!

Captain Quint · Jan 11, 2019

TKDScuba said:
Cycle going well. Ammonia level coming down and nitrites on the rise!!

Looking good.

TKDScuba · Feb 21, 2019

Tank going well. Finally added two fish. A clown and yellow watchman goby. Also two corals one mushroom and a zoa.

BedrockIOMC · Feb 21, 2019

SO how long before you wish you would had gotten the 32? LOL

Welcome to the gang.

WHen I got my BioCube I kelp thinking that " if I go with the smaller one I'll regret it and still get the 32 anyways so get it now." lol I saved my self some money that way. But thats the kind of person I am. Its never big enough till you just have enough room to walk in and out and nothing more. LOL

TKDScuba · Feb 21, 2019

I can see how this becomes addicting and more room is needed. This tank is Christmas gift to my kids. I’ll probably start a bigger tank in the future. Good thing was I researched things for months before I even added water. All the basic principles will be the same just bigger tank, more water, more equip. Must say I’m extremely pleased with the live rock from Tampa Bay Saltwater. I believe this plus my ocd is why the tank is doing well. Cycling was a breeze and I test the water frequently. The life you get on the rock is amazing.