Ok I’ve decided on a Biocube 32 (lid on )and want to have clowns and corals I would like Acans, Zoas, and maybe a hardy beginner Sps. I will eventually upgrade lighting but not in the beginning. Do you recommend a Fuge in the back? Curious as to what heaters everyone uses. Is it better to buy the Salifert ammonia nitrate nitrate separate test kits or buy the Red Sea master reef test kit? Any items or knowledge to help in the startup? If you have pictures please post, I’m a visual person. I had a 65 gallon about 12 years ago and it was ok had softies but I want color haha. I’m sure I’m forgetting something. TIA
Mikedawg
2500 Club Member
Nice tank and stock lighting should work well for your coral selection - trachys, symphillia and cabbage leather will also thrive. I opted for the Aquaticlife skimmer rather than a fuge and mine fit in second chamber without modification. Did a pretty good job. Eheim 50 watt did it for me and, personally, I like the Nyos kits for colormeter testing - you use a sample and a control to match colors and then read level which is easier IMHO than reading a level from one vial alone. That said, I've used both RS and Salifert and didn't see much difference except in price. You'll find a lot of discussion on R2R as to which is best.
I would recommend that you consider upgrading the stock pump to an adjustable Sicce 1.0 and also using a random flow generator - makes a big and important difference. The Intank media basket should also be considered I think.
Sorry, no pics, but I do remember what a nice set up the Cube is!
Stock lighting works well for Softies LPS and some hardy SPS such as digitata if they're high enough on the rock work, it doesn't work well for acros. Speaking of Acropora the ones that like 350+ par prefer my AI prime over stock lighting but thats something to consider down the road. For heater I use Eihiem 100 watt and it works fine, as for testing I use Nyos but Salifert also works well. I keep chaeto in the 3rd compartment and I keep it cover so it doesn't shred up this works effectively enough.
You could also use what MikeDawg said and get a Intank media basket so it can hold in the chaeto or just get a skimmer either one will probably work. I'll show a picture of my tank when the lights go on. Good luck!
You could also use what MikeDawg said and get a Intank media basket so it can hold in the chaeto or just get a skimmer either one will probably work. I'll show a picture of my tank when the lights go on. Good luck!
OrangeCountyReefer
Well-Known Member
Don’t really think the chaeto is needed. I had the intake media basket for awhile but I ended up removing it and just have a protein skimmer, filter sock, and a small media reactor that I run carbon and GFO in. Also a 5 gallon weekly water change. Tank is perfect just with that. Removing the lid will open up a lot of options for you, but evaporation will go up 10x and also risk fish jumping out. It has never happened to me but there is always a chance with no lid.
Don’t really think the chaeto is needed. I had the intake media basket for awhile but I ended up removing it and just have a protein skimmer, filter sock, and a small media reactor that I run carbon and GFO in. Also a 5 gallon weekly water change. Tank is perfect just with that. Removing the lid will open up a lot of options for you, but evaporation will go up 10x and also risk fish jumping out. It has never happened to me but there is always a chance with no lid.
My nitrates go up a bit if I don't control it thats just my tank though, OP you can get whatever works best for you. Btw nice tank OrangeCountyReefer
OrangeCountyReefer
Well-Known Member
Yea I'm with you, my nitrates run around 10ppm and I have a lot of LPS in my tank and they all seem to like the extra nutrients in the water. I ran ultra low nutrients for awhile but my corals never seemed to like it too much. But every tank and setup is different. And thank you I appreciate it, I am cycling a new tank right now. Looking forward to getting that one going here soon.
