Biocube 32--Newbie

[jmcal]

Hi all. I am 10 days in. Originally added the substrate and live rock. A couple days ago, I added two oscellaris and a crab. Just wondering about the media to add and when. My LFS said that I don't need anything in the rack yet, but I want to be prepared. Also, any recommendations on coral?

 

[Dark_Knightt]

Congrats, welcome to the hobby/Reef2Reef! Im not too familiar with AIO tanks and their filtration (media). But corals I do know lol. For beginners, I would recommend soft corals to start, such as xenia (it can grow like a weed but it looks really nice), green star polyps, mushrooms and zoanthids. Soft corals are usually best for beginners, relatively easy to keep, and if you get the hang of that you can try some LPS, such as duncans, hammers, trumpets and maybe even a torch.

 

[jmcal]

Congrats, welcome to the hobby/Reef2Reef! Im not too familiar with AIO tanks and their filtration (media). But corals I do know lol. For beginners, I would recommend soft corals to start, such as xenia (it can grow like a weed but it looks really nice), green star polyps, mushrooms and zoanthids. Soft corals are usually best for beginners, relatively easy to keep, and if you get the hang of that you can try some LPS, such as duncans, hammers, trumpets and maybe even a torch.

Thank you very much for the helpful information!

 

[mwil79]

Welcome aboard! Which biocube did you end up with? I'm running a 32 for a while now so I can help with any questions. I would suggest looking into intank media basket if you do plan to run some form of media but honestly with what you currently have I don't think you will really need much of anything at all. I went that route and over did the nutrient scrubbing and bad things happen. I also agree with DK start with some gsp, maybe a mushroom or a toadstool. Toadstool corals tend to flop over when they don't like something so I use mine as a sense that something in my water might be off.

 

[WirelessMike]

Welcome to the reef! The brain trust around here will definitely help you ramp up quickly. Good luck my friend.

 

[jmcal]

Welcome aboard! Which biocube did you end up with? I'm running a 32 for a while now so I can help with any questions. I would suggest looking into intank media basket if you do plan to run some form of media but honestly with what you currently have I don't think you will really need much of anything at all. I went that route and over did the nutrient scrubbing and bad things happen. I also agree with DK start with some gsp, maybe a mushroom or a toadstool. Toadstool corals tend to flop over when they don't like something so I use mine as a sense that something in my water might be off.

many thanks.

 

[jmcal]

many thanks.

I noticed that I am starting to see a lot of diatoms. I reduced the lighting, but am wondering if I should add a clean-up crew. I have a sally light foot crab. Do you think it's too early to add some hermit crabs and snails--what do you recommend? Thanks! Joe

 

[mwil79]

I noticed that I am starting to see a lot of diatoms. I reduced the lighting, but am wondering if I should add a clean-up crew. I have a sally light foot crab. Do you think it's too early to add some hermit crabs and snails--what do you recommend? Thanks! Joe

Diatoms are very normal. Might want to be careful on the Sally Light Foots as they can get pretty big and have been know to snag a fish or two. I would start with some snails and some hermit crabs to clean up the left over foot. I tend to go with the blue leg hermits as they have never bothered any of my coral.

 

[mwil79]

Also have your checked your water parameters? Ammonia spiked and gone away?

 

[jmcal]

Also have your checked your water parameters? Ammonia spiked and gone away?

Thanks. I bought a test kit, but it does not test for ammonia, so I'm not sure about the level. Nitrites and Nitrates seem normal. I have to pick up that test this weekend. Thanks for the tip on the cleanup crew.