First Tank Ever - BioCube 32 Newbie Build

[Unskilled Reefer]

I have been interested for a while and decided to finally make the commitment to start my first ever reef tank. After some research I took the plunge and purchased the BioCube 32. This seemed to be a good starting point for this hobby. I didn’t buy the BioCube stand and decided the DIY route. I will post some pics of the start of this journey soon. So excited to get things going!

 

[Oscaror]

I have been interested for a while and decided to finally make the commitment to start my first ever reef tank. After some research I took the plunge and purchased the BioCube 32. This seemed to be a good starting point for this hobby. I didn’t buy the BioCube stand and decided the DIY route. I will post some pics of the start of this journey soon. So excited to get things going!

Welcome to R2R!

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

i have one too and i love it!

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

i have one too and i love it!

Love the back of your tank!

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

This was my weekend DIY stand project. Still working on the door.

 

[wesman42]

This was my weekend DIY stand project. Still working on the door.

Be glad you didn't buy one, mine became an expensive printer stand lol.

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Welcome, good build so far!

 

[Barry_Cuda]

I'm excited for you! I just started a BioCube 32 myself about 3 weeks ago... I'm currently waiting for the cycle to finish. So far I'm really pleased with the tank. If I might make a suggestion, take a look at the InTank media basket for this tank. It goes in chamber #2 in the back and provides better routing for water flow through whatever filtration media you might be using. I'm also planning to get their fuge basket soon here and set up a chaeto fuge using the rest of the chamber.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

I'm excited for you! I just started a BioCube 32 myself about 3 weeks ago... I'm currently waiting for the cycle to finish. So far I'm really pleased with the tank. If I might make a suggestion, take a look at the InTank media basket for this tank. It goes in chamber #2 in the back and provides better routing for water flow through whatever filtration media you might be using. I'm also planning to get their fuge basket soon here and set up a chaeto fuge using the rest of the chamber.

Thanks for the tip Barry! I checked into and it looks like that is a common upgrade. Appreciate you pointing me in that direction. Going to order one. What media and in what shelf are you using for your intake?

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

Got the stand inside, leveled and the tank on it.

Now for some fun with rocks! Picked up 40lbs to aquascape with. Can I use all 40lbs of is that too much?

Rock looks pretty good. Nice variety of sizes.

 

[Barry_Cuda]

Thanks for the tip Barry! I checked into and it looks like that is a common upgrade. Appreciate you pointing me in that direction. Going to order one. What media and in what shelf are you using for your intake?

Right now I'm just running filter floss on the top shelf, as the tank is still cycling. Later on I will probably use it for carbon or whatever the tank seems to indicate it needs.

 

[Teri NewbieReefer]

Hi and Welcome to R2R! Looks like you are off to a great start! If you ever run into problems, these great and gals will help you out.

 

[Juniorh2r]

Hi and good luck. . New to the hobby myself never knew this could be so addictive but I love it.. good luck lot of helpful and knowledgeable people here.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

After playing around for a few hours this is what I ended up going with. Feedback is appreciated. Used about 36lbs of the dry rock.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

Just picked up 35 gallons of DI water from my lfs. Time to start mixing and filling the tank. I’m excited to start testing the water.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

Do I need to have a heater going right away when I fill tank or just before I add live sand and have ph and salinity correct?

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

Ph is 8.3 and salinity is 1.023. Next up adding the sand. I went with 20lbs of the Arag-alive figi pink. Will the sand be enough to start the initial cycle or do you think I will need to add an ammonia source?

Was thinking about the 150w EHEIM Jager for a heater. What’s people’s opinion on this?

And yes I am still working on the cabinet door, lol.

 

[Katrina71]

That looks really good. Yes, drop a heater in.

 

[Todvod]

Welcome!

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Looks great so far! Ours has been going for about a year now, nice tanks.