How does this look? First BioCube aquarium

[cdubie32]

I attached my order that I will be ordering. I just want to make sure I am not missing anything. I will be getting live sand, live rock, salt, aquarium epoxy, and possibly MicroBacter7 and Seachem Phosgaurd at my local store. However, I am not sure if I will need the sachem and microbacter7 because of the live rock. The following link is an item that I am not sure if I need or not. Please let me know if you would add anything or what your recommendations are.

https://www.marineandreef.com/Inland_Seas_6_oz_Activated_Carbon_p/ris50001.htm

 

[cdubie32]

I attached my order that I will be ordering. I just want to make sure I am not missing anything. I will be getting live sand, live rock, salt, aquarium epoxy, and possibly MicroBacter7 and Seachem Phosgaurd at my local store. However, I am not sure if I will need the sachem and microbacter7 because of the live rock. The following link is an item that I am not sure if I need or not. Please let me know if you would add anything or what your recommendations are.

https://www.marineandreef.com/Inland_Seas_6_oz_Activated_Carbon_p/ris50001.htm

Also, the Lifeguard Aquatics Model 400 is going to be for mixing my water.

 

[Lloyd Williams]

Looks good

 

[Krzydmnd]

Any idea what you want to do with the tank? Like sps corals? Softies? Fish only?

I would really reconsider spending the money on that skimmer. If you really feel the need to use a skimmer the tunze 9001 fits that tank and is a much better choice.

I have one that I actually don't use anymore because I don't feel like I need one for my sps dominant tank and weekly 5 gallon water changes.

It's also suggested to remove both sponge filters and just run filter floss. I'd be happy to share details on my setup if you'd like a few more pre-purchase options based on my experience with the biocube 32.

 

[cdubie32]

@Krzydmnd i would be interested in learning about your setup. I am a little confused on the filtration setup in the departments but I’ve heard floss filters are popular. Please go in depth with that and provide pictures/links when helpful. I plan on having simple fish, clown fish, wrasse, clean up crew, and maybe one other type of fish but I am undecided. Corals I plan to have but haven’t gone into much thought with that because I’m looking into costs for now and regular maintenance I will be needing to do. The Tunzee I will be looking into right now as well!

 

[Krzydmnd]

@Krzydmnd i would be interested in learning about your setup. I am a little confused on the filtration setup in the departments but I’ve heard floss filters are popular. Please go in depth with that and provide pictures/links when helpful. I plan on having simple fish, clown fish, wrasse, clean up crew, and maybe one other type of fish but I am undecided. Corals I plan to have but haven’t gone into much thought with that because I’m looking into costs for now and regular maintenance I will be needing to do. The Tunzee I will be looking into right now as well!

Sure! I'll put a list of my set up with more info for you. I've done quite a bit of research on the biocube and tried various approaches until I settled on the best setup for my needs.

 

[Flexin]

That skimmer is horrible. Mechanical skimmers for small tanks don’t work well, and that skimmer is not adjustable. You can go the chemical skimmer route a few weeks after you populate the tank with fish.

Also the stand is flimsy. If you have a local cabinet maker they can make a stand for the same price that will be solid and the height you want.

Here is my thread if you need information or ideas.

https://www.nano-reef.com/forums/to...-journey/?page=4&tab=comments#comment-5625348

 

[cdubie32]

@Krzydmnd I actually saw the tunzee and the in media filter setup I can do with my BioCube 32. However, what would I add in the inTank media basket? Floss? Activated Carbon? What would I need for that.

 

[Krzydmnd]

@Krzydmnd I actually saw the tunzee and the in media filter setup I can do with my BioCube 32. However, what would I add in the inTank media basket? Floss? Activated Carbon? What would I need for that.

I run filter floss in the top chamber that I change every few days. I have a bag of ceramic disks in the second chamber as an extra filter and surface area but that isn't entirely necessary if you have good live rock. And a bag of activated carbon in the bottom that I change monthly. That's it. No skimmer, and I took out both stock sponges.

 

[Oldsalt01]

The API "Master" Test Kit is OK for now, but once your tank has cycled you'll want to be looking at better (read here "more expensive") kits that will give you consistent chemistry values. Something I learned the hard way about API was their "Master" kit's phosphate test was high-range, but it never said that anywhere in the literature. When I finally invested in a quality low-range phosphate test kit (Salifert), I found my phosphates to be much higher than what I was led to believe by the API. Once I got them under control my tank started doing much better. It looks as though you are doing you diligent research, and planning ahead. Good for you. Take your time.

 

[cdubie32]

@Oldsalt01 thank you for the valuable information! Do you mind sharing what type of test kit(s) you purchase? I see quite a few of individual tests and then I see on some websites that there are some master kits with many in it.

 

[cdubie32]

@Oldsalt01 the following link is actually what I think I might need to get!

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/s...nhG2Qcu3QKGD5rlDdc8YRGL1s9M74X4RoCJ5kQAvD_BwE

 

[don_chuwish]

@Oldsalt01 the following link is actually what I think I might need to get!

https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/s...nhG2Qcu3QKGD5rlDdc8YRGL1s9M74X4RoCJ5kQAvD_BwE

That looks like a pretty good value, really. I hate to advise anyone just starting out to 'go for broke' (maybe literally?) but over the years I've settled into a mixed bag of favorite tests:
Alk = Hanna (get the dKH version, not ppm)
PO4 = Hanna Phosphorus ULR
Ca = Red Sea Pro
NO3 = Red Sea Pro
Mg = Salifert

For Ammonia, Nitrite and pH the API has been fine. But once a tank is established you don't test for those much.

 

[Oldsalt01]

I use Salifert for Alk, CA, Nitrates, and invested in a Hanna ULR Phosphorus Checker, all of which I'm very happy with. I am considering going to Hanna checkers for everything because I hate trying to color match those stupid test spots. But that will be down the road as my kits become exhausted. Chemistry consistency is vital in this obsession but the most important thing is not to try to fix something too quickly. Slow and steady always wins the game.