Biocube 32 build

Dustinba · Nov 30, 2018

So today I got an amazing deal on a used biocube 32. The biocube came with upgraded stevesled kit with the bluefish wifi controller. About 40 lbs of now dry live rock. The Biocube also came with a few other odds and ends.

As you can see, or may not be able to see, the rock I was given looks to have been sitting around for a little while. Some of the rock has dried leaves on it, and also dust bunnies. Would you guys recommend just giving a good rinse and then throwing it in the tank when i start cycling? I figured the rock may have some good, or not so good bacteria on it still.

So far this is my parts list I have into the tank:
Intank media rack and refugium rack
2 koralia nano 425 pumps
JBJ nano glow refugium light
Eheim aquatics heater
StevesLeds - bluefish wifi controller
Upgraded cobalt MJ 1200 return pump
40lbs unknown (dried) live rock
ATC portable refractometer - thinking about getting something else
Smart ATO

I still need to order some chaeto for the refugium, but still have time to do that. I also plan on running no protien skimmer with chemipure elite, purigen and filter floss up top.

All i have to do is get some sand, salt mix and figure out what I want to do with that rock

SPR1968 · Nov 30, 2018

Well that looks great so far and thanks for all the pictures!

Dustinba · Nov 30, 2018

For the lighting, I currently have the blues at 37% and whites at 33%. Morning start at 7:30 with 90 minute ramp. Night start at 21:30 with 90 minute ramp.

Dustinba · Dec 1, 2018

Decided to take the careful route with the used rock and let it sit in some bleach water. I’ll let it sit in there for about 36-48 hours and see if I need to dump it in more bleach water or if it’s ready for the fresh water.

webmanny · Dec 1, 2018

after you are done with the bleach, repeat the process but this time with white vinegar for a day or so. They with just clean water for a few hours. I cannot say this enough, when you think it looks clean, rise 2 more more times.

You will be grateful you did it this way. I do not have a single string of green hair algae on my tank. I attribute it to the fact that I started this way. Bleach, vinegar and rinse very well. I have not had any issues whatsoever in my biocube. Good luck!

Mikedawg · Dec 1, 2018

Good start for sure. The Intank basket will significantly improve your filtration and you can always add a protein skimmer later if you need it. Some of your rock may be CaribSea Shapes; good idea to clean your tank and rocks thoroughly. Might want to look at a random flow generator for your outlet pump to randomize water patterns, especially in a small tank.

Dustinba · Dec 1, 2018

webmanny said:
after you are done with the bleach, repeat the process but this time with white vinegar for a day or so. They with just clean water for a few hours. I cannot say this enough, when you think it looks clean, rise 2 more more times.

You will be grateful you did it this way. I do not have a single string of green hair algae on my tank. I attribute it to the fact that I started this way. Bleach, vinegar and rinse very well. I have not had any issues whatsoever in my biocube. Good luck!

What’s the ratio for vinegar to water?

webmanny · Dec 3, 2018

Dustinba said:
What’s the ratio for vinegar to water?

I went with the same ratio as bleach. 1 gallon bleach/vinegar to 4 gallons of water.

Good luck. Feel free to ask anything else. You are up to a great start.

Dustinba · Dec 4, 2018

ATO came in today. I also bought 20lbs of dry aragonite from petco. I wanted 30 but they only had 20 in stock so I’ll have to get a different store tomorrow.

Rocks still had a faint smell of bleach to it. I emptied the bucket and added clean water to it and more chlorine remover. Going to test the rocks again tomorrow afternoon.

webmanny · Dec 4, 2018

Nice ATO. As far as the rocks, I would do 2 or 3 daily soakings in fresh water with prime. This will give you peace of mind. I would also flush the sand to eliminate any dust particles it may have. The more you do now, the less you will have to do later.

As far as cycle, I highly recommend using Ammonia. I was very skeptical about it and now I am a believer. No unknown variables. Just follow the directions and test ammonia/nitrite. This is my build thread where I explain all the steps I followed.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/32-gallon-biocube.345535/#post-4366520

Dustinba · Dec 4, 2018

webmanny said:
Nice ATO. As far as the rocks, I would do 2 or 3 daily soakings in fresh water with prime. This will give you peace of mind. I would also flush the sand to eliminate any dust particles it may have. The more you do now, the less you will have to do later.

As far as cycle, I highly recommend using Ammonia. I was very skeptical about it and now I am a believer. No unknown variables. Just follow the directions and test ammonia/nitrite. This is my build thread where I explain all the steps I followed.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/32-gallon-biocube.345535/#post-4366520

Thank you for the advice. I’ll have to check the thread out at work. For my cycle, I was thinking about the old shrimp method, but I have been starting to read about the chemical side of it now. Still debating and weighing the options

Dustinba · Dec 4, 2018

webmanny said:
Nice ATO. As far as the rocks, I would do 2 or 3 daily soakings in fresh water with prime. This will give you peace of mind. I would also flush the sand to eliminate any dust particles it may have. The more you do now, the less you will have to do later.

As far as cycle, I highly recommend using Ammonia. I was very skeptical about it and now I am a believer. No unknown variables. Just follow the directions and test ammonia/nitrite. This is my build thread where I explain all the steps I followed.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/32-gallon-biocube.345535/#post-4366520

Thank you for the advice. I’ll have to check the thread out at work. For my cycle, I was thinking about the old shrimp method, but I have been starting to read about the chemical side of it now. Still debating and weighing the options .

As far as the rock goes, it’s 20 degrees and snowy here, so I don’t want to spend to much time outside Washing off rock and everything.

Dustinba · Dec 9, 2018

Well shrimp has been in for 2 days. 24 more hours and I’ll take it out and continue waiting

Dustinba · Dec 10, 2018

Day 3 of the cycle. Pulled the jump shrimp out. Just waiting for everything else to start. I gave up searching for local RODI water, so I pulled the trigger on the BRS 4 stage 75 gal unit today. For the cycle water I used tap water. I live in Colorado Springs so the water by no means is “bad” quality. So the tank should cycle fine.

dbjonesjr · Dec 10, 2018

Just saw this and looks awesome so far. You should love the BRS unit. I sure do love mine after I finally pulled the trigger on it. I got the water saver version that does 150 GPD and with 80 PSI in my house I get about a 1:1 ratio of good water to waste water (great ratio as far as I am concerned) so if that is a concern I would highly recommend it. Is your rock in the tank? And what salt did you end up going with? Did you figure out an aquascape you like for the rock? I assume you did as you are cycling now and would love to see it.

Dustinba · Dec 10, 2018

dbjonesjr said:
Just saw this and looks awesome so far. You should love the BRS unit. I sure do love mine after I finally pulled the trigger on it. I got the water saver version that does 150 GPD and with 80 PSI in my house I get about a 1:1 ratio of good water to waste water (great ratio as far as I am concerned) so if that is a concern I would highly recommend it. Is your rock in the tank? And what salt did you end up going with? Did you figure out an aquascape you like for the rock? I assume you did as you are cycling now and would love to see it.

Thank you! For the salt i went with Instant Ocean from petco. As for the rock, it took about 45-60 minutes to find an aquascape i liked. I have such unique pieces that it made it hard to come up with a design that would have good flow around it. My water is still a little cloudy, but i will take some photos of the final scape i made tomorrow.

dbjonesjr · Dec 10, 2018

Ok cool will be following! A lot of people swear by IO salt! I haven’t tried it yet as I’ve been fortunate enough to get other types for free or great deals (RS Coral Pro bucket with setup I bought, Brightwell bucket in a raffle, liveaquaria for 33.50, will likely go to IO if I ever have to actually buy it not on sale ).

Dustinba · Dec 11, 2018

This morning i went out and bought a bottle of bio-spira. I didnt have live sand and the rock was bleach/vinegar cured. This way i can add some live bacteria. I also turned my pumps on today to circulate everything in and hopefully start to reduce the smell of that dead shrimp water. Whole house smells like butt. About 2-3 hours of pumps going, i tested ammonia and nitrite again. ammonia dropped almost 2ppm, but i think thats do to the fact I started the pumps up and everything is moving around, or the bio-spira could have played a part in that, not to sure. Looks like nitrites however are about .25. I will be getting more precise test kits once the cycle has completed.

Dustinba · Dec 13, 2018

Couple updates from today. Ammonia dropping nitrite maxed out, nitrate rising. RODI came today from BRS, also ordered the water saver and upgrade to 150 gpd.