Biocube stocking and chamber question

[Katepete722]

Hi everyone!

I am getting back into reefing after a long hiatus. Back when I was in high school/ college, I had a 29 gallon FOWLR that housed a vicious pair of spawning perculas and a revolving door of impressive algae blooms.

Now that I've got a bit more money and information at my fingertips I am trying again! I picked up a biocube 29 secondhand with several mods already done, including upgraded lighting. The tank was shut down for a while, so started fresh with live sand and dry rock with a bit of live rock to seed. I put a waterfall algae turf scrubber in chamber 2 from greyfish aquatics on ebay. Right now I have just the pump in chamber 3 and some floss, carbon, a sponge and the heater in chamber 1. From the previous owner I have a skimmer that I'm pretty sure he ran in chamber 1, but for the life of me I can't get it in there. Anyway, I'm wondering if there is any other media I should be running in there.

As far as stocking goes, I'm currently housing a clown goby, a cleaner shrimp and a silver molly. I know it's weird to keep a common freshwater fish, but I think she will look pretty striking once the rock colors up and corals are added. Plus she uses the whole tank and may pick at algae down the line. So anywhoo, I'm thinking about keeping her in, but if not I'll move her over to my freshwater livebearer tank. I would like to add a few more fish in the future and was thinking of a firefish and a single ocellaris clown. From what I'm reading it seems like that would be full stocking, is that correct? If not any suggestions for a fun fish that could be added to the mix? I wanted to try a mandarin but am learning that it would just slowly starve, so that's out. Bummer.

All comments and suggestions appreciated!

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

First off, welcome to Reef2Reef!

I think it's safe to assume that you would reach your fish limit if you add those other two, you may be able to get away with more little fish like neon gobies or something. I would figure out if you want them now and add them before the clownfish. Clownfish can be fairly aggressive once established in an aquarium, but if it is the last addition, the risk of it attacking tankmates goes down.

I know a lot of folks that have kept mollies long-term in a reef tank, they can be good for algae but they also look nice and add a lot of movement to the aquarium

 

[Tahoe61]

Hi and Welcome to R2R.

I think your fine to keep 4 smallish fish in a 29 gallon. Fire fish, Royal Gramma, Yellow Watchman Goby, Clowns, Yellow Tail Damsels, are all good choices.

What is the brand of skimmer. In what way does it not fit, to tall, lid prevents the skimmer from fitting?

 

[Katepete722]

Thanks for your replies!

It is an aquatic life skimmer. You tube tells me I can do some tinkering to get it in, so I'm going to give it a shot tomorrow! Then I'll just relocate my carbon bag and heater to one of the other chambers.

 

[User1]

Remove false bottom(s) in the chambers if you haven't already. First chamber separation wall was not even on my. The wall is but the overflow is directed so one side is taller then the other to help direct flow. I took an exacto knife to mine and made them even. Secondary chamber - or middle - can be used to house a media reactor - carbon in a bag and purgen. There is room for another or you can add a light on the back of the chamber (assuming yours has the glass clear) and grow algae or cheato. Upgrade return pump. You already have lighting. Skimmer on these tanks isn't necessary and usually a pain. So managing via media, flow, and return pump is usually enough. I had 2 cubes set up this way. One with upgraded lights from Rapid LED and the other from Steve's LED - one of his kits.

Biggest issue is getting flow to be balanced. There is a random flow generator nozzle that would be interesting to and maybe a smaller power head like a RW 4 or 8 would be nice. The cubes have a good foot print but can be tough to leave enough space depending on how much rock and coral you introduce. In ours one tank had clowns, yellow watchmen goby, and pajama cardinals. Other had fire fish, blenny, pajama cardinals, yellow coris wrasse. Snails, hermits, and cleaner shrimp. Other than that only small fish - nothing big.

Because we had a rose bubble tip in one, and it split, both tanks ended up with those. Then they split again so we merged both into a 40 breeder. That was fine for a couple years then they split and split again which forced us to upgrade to a 210 gallon...go figure. Bio-cubes are nice and easy to manage with simple water changes. Tough part is balancing rock and coral selection so it doesn't turn into a pile of rubble Still have both in the garage until I figure out what to do with them - lol. But that is what I did for our upgrades and/or mods.