Biocube 32G

[soldier.1102]

My Biocube has been running for about 3 weeks now....I just ordered APEX controller, I’m confused if I’m done cycling because I had nitrate 2PPM and 0 for ammonia and nitrite. So I’m thinking I may dose again. But I also have a cleanup crew in there consisting of snails and crabs (hermit and emerald), and they are doing just fine. I’ve had them about a week. What would you all stock it with? Or would you add more Dr Tims bacteria?

 

[Lazydayz]

Welcome to R2R, tank looks great! To answer the cycle question if you add the dr Tim's and after 24 hours you have 0 ammonia then you are cycled. When stocking go slow and plan out your long term goals (pest control, algea control, mixed reef, Fowlr, SPS,LPS, etc).

 

[soldier.1102]

Welcome to R2R, tank looks great! To answer the cycle question if you add the dr Tim's and after 24 hours you have 0 ammonia then you are cycled. When stocking go slow and plan out your long term goals (pest control, algea control, mixed reef, Fowlr, SPS,LPS, etc).

That made my day! So, I’m showing inconsistent nitrate levels (one day it’s 2 ppm the next its 0) but ammonia and nitrite have stayed at 0. Would a couple of clowns be ok?

 

[Lazydayz]

That made my day! So, I’m showing inconsistent nitrate levels (one day it’s 2 ppm the next its 0) but ammonia and nitrite have stayed at 0. Would a couple of clowns be ok?

What test kits are you using? Some are better than others in regards to nitrate. Clowns are very hardy fish so yes they would be fine to add in.

 

[soldier.1102]

What test kits are you using? Some are better than others in regards to nitrate. Clowns are very hardy fish so yes they would be fine to add in.

API I already ordered a Red Sea one

 

[wcroft987]

How many times have you re-tested nitrates? It’s very possible you added one drop more or less or didn’t wait the same time. I would test again. Also like Lazydays said if the tank consumes the ammonia in a day you should be safe to add fish slowly, starting with a pair of small clowns.

 

[Mikedawg]

My Biocube has been running for about 3 weeks now....I just ordered APEX controller, I’m confused if I’m done cycling because I had nitrate 2PPM and 0 for ammonia and nitrite. So I’m thinking I may dose again. But I also have a cleanup crew in there consisting of snails and crabs (hermit and emerald), and they are doing just fine. I’ve had them about a week. What would you all stock it with? Or would you add more Dr Tims bacteria?

Good start. I would make sure your cuc has enough to eat and assume you haven't started "ugly" stages yet. In terms of stocking I think above advice for developing a plan is what you want to do. When I had a Biocube I found the light to be sufficient for softies and lps and so I set it up as a mixed reef which is what most of us end up doing. I would start with some of the easier to keep softies and peaceful lps corals (mushrooms, acans, blastomussa, duncans, candy canes, etc.) and choose a few fish that are colorful, swim in different parts of water column, have interesting/unusual behavior, perform a function perhaps (algae control) and won't outgrow your tank. Some safe bets for first fish are clowns, orchid dottybacks, royal grammas, neon and clown gobies, and blennies. This is a great blog to ask about compatibility of fish and corals.
Patience is key and what you do now will set the course of your tank's health in months and years to come.

 

[soldier.1102]

How many times have you re-tested nitrates? It’s very possible you added one drop more or less or didn’t wait the same time. I would test again. Also like Lazydays said if the tank consumes the ammonia in a day you should be safe to add fish slowly, starting with a pair of small clowns.

I’m testing twice a day, and some days I get a 2 ppm or 0 or both every day....I read one forum and it said if you really are worried you didn’t cycle, put in another bottle of bacteria with the fish. The rock was already live when I got it, I have some brownish reddish algae in the back and on the sides of the tank too.

 

[soldier.1102]

Good start. I would make sure your cuc has enough to eat and assume you haven't started "ugly" stages yet. In terms of stocking I think above advice for developing a plan is what you want to do. When I had a Biocube I found the light to be sufficient for softies and lps and so I set it up as a mixed reef which is what most of us end up doing. I would start with some of the easier to keep softies and peaceful lps corals (mushrooms, acans, blastomussa, duncans, candy canes, etc.) and choose a few fish that are colorful, swim in different parts of water column, have interesting/unusual behavior, perform a function perhaps (algae control) and won't outgrow your tank. Some safe bets for first fish are clowns, orchid dottybacks, royal grammas, neon and clown gobies, and blennies. This is a great blog to ask about compatibility of fish and corals.
Patience is key and what you do now will set the course of your tank's health in months and years to come.

That’s what I needed! Awesome thank you so much!!!! I’ve had a tank in the past but I didn’t know a fraction of what I know now plus it was 10 years ago. So I’m trying to get everything perfect. I’m thinking I’ll find a couple of good clowns, and toss them in there and give them a week or two and if they do good I’ll get more. I like the stocking list that really helps. I was on the fence about a flame angel or any other angel since I would like to eventually get coral.

 

[Mikedawg]

That’s what I needed! Awesome thank you so much!!!! I’ve had a tank in the past but I didn’t know a fraction of what I know now plus it was 10 years ago. So I’m trying to get everything perfect. I’m thinking I’ll find a couple of good clowns, and toss them in there and give them a week or two and if they do good I’ll get more. I like the stocking list that really helps. I was on the fence about a flame angel or any other angel since I would like to eventually get coral.

Good, you're doing your research and remembering that "perfection is the enemy of good enough" lol. We all learn more from our mistakes, at least I do.

 

[Mikedawg]

I’m testing twice a day, and some days I get a 2 ppm or 0 or both every day....I read one forum and it said if you really are worried you didn’t cycle, put in another bottle of bacteria with the fish. The rock was already live when I got it, I have some brownish reddish algae in the back and on the sides of the tank too.

API kits are probably not too accurate; then again with such low levels of nitrate I wouldn't be concerned - just want to make sure they are going in right direction and maintaining as you add fish, etc. 2 ppm is a good starting point.

 

[Lazydayz]

API I already ordered a Red Sea one

Could just be the API kit I've never used one but have heard people say that they aren't the most accurate for nitrates, they seem to work great for ammonia and nitrite though. I agree with @Mikedawg make sure to keep feeding your cuc because the crabs will eat the snails if they dont get enough food

 

[soldier.1102]

Could just be the API kit I've never used one but have heard people say that they aren't the most accurate for nitrates, they seem to work great for ammonia and nitrite though. I agree with @Mikedawg make sure to keep feeding your cuc because the crabs will eat the snails if they dont get enough food

What’s a good food source for them?

 

[MERKEY]

What’s a good food source for them?

You could start with pellets or frozen food you will feed the fish. Just way smaller amounts. The crabs will find it. Right now you are just building the base bkocks doe your eco system. You gotta have food and waste for the circle to grow!!

You are doing a good job slow and steady kills no fish or coral! Not really but you get it

 

[BeejReef]

Just don't dose any more ammonia with critters already in the tank.
If it was live rock you started with and you just ghost feed a little flake, the CUC should be ok. Make sure your lights are on.
Hikari Seaweed Extreme might work. If not, any of your future omnivore or herbivore fish will go for it with gusto.

 

[Lazydayz]

What’s a good food source for them?

Agree with @MERKEY, I would add make sure you turn your pump off for just a little bit so the food will settle down to the bottom where they can get to it. I have a biocube 29g and it pulls all the food in so fast with the pump on

 

[soldier.1102]

I shut the pump off dropped a couple flakes in, they all moved so fast to the food now I feel bad but lesson learned. I got my red seas test kit in today and 0 ammonia and nitrite and 20 nitrate. So maybe a good water change and I’ll toss in a clown or two