My BioCube 32 Build

[Airwolf]

Got my first coral courtesy of @WaterShedAquatics! A cherry something zoanthid. Seems to be happy



Also ran a full battery of tests tonight:

Salanity:33ppt
Ph:8.2
Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate: 10
Alkalinity: 8.3
Calcium:380
Magnesium: 1260

Last 4 test were salifert. Ammonia and nitrite were api.

Regular instant ocean salt.

 

[VanDalsenReef]

Got my first coral courtesy of @WaterShedAquatics! A cherry something zoanthid. Seems to be happy



Also ran a full battery of tests tonight:

Salanity:33ppt
Ph:8.2
Ammonia:0
Nitrite:0
Nitrate: 10
Alkalinity: 8.3
Calcium:380
Magnesium: 1260

Last 4 test were salifert. Ammonia and nitrite were api.

Regular instant ocean salt.

Looking great. I would try to raise your salinity to 35ppt. 33 is a bit low. Just do it slow over a couple weeks. First corals are exciting. Let the addiction begin

 

[cgripp256]

For what it is worth, I refer to this chart from BRS for parameters. 33ppt is within range.

 

[Airwolf]

For what it is worth, I refer to this chart from BRS for parameters. 33ppt is within range.

Thanks, I found the same thing when I was searching. I think bumping up salinity a bit will help get get the calcium and magnesium up off the minimum levels.

 

[VanDalsenReef]

Thanks, I found the same thing when I was searching. I think bumping up salinity a bit will help get get the calcium and magnesium up off the minimum levels.

Yes it will.

 

[Blindzy]

Boiler up!

Good luck on the build. I love my BC32!

 

[ScubaFish802]

The final version of the rock work is definitely my favorite! Looking great, loving the thread so far

 

[kevgib67]

Great start, your rockscape looks great. I set my Biocube 32 up last October, love it!

 

[trsmith18]

following along. Im 3 months into the process myself...

Nano Build - Smith's 29g LED Biocube

Starting a new build on a used 29g LED Biocube that I picked up off marketplace. First off boy a lot has changed in the 8 years since I last had a reef tank! Regarding this tank I made some modifications: 1. sealed up the bottom intake to force more surface skimming 2. added an in-tank brand...

www.reef2reef.com

 

[Airwolf]

Ugly stages have begun, nothing this morning this this afternoon there are some brown spots showing up all around. Moving right along!

 

[rmorris_14]

Ugly stages have begun, nothing this morning this this afternoon there are some brown spots showing up all around. Moving right along!

If you don’t have coral, you can cut back on the lights and it won’t get as bad.

 

[Airwolf]

If you don’t have coral, you can cut back on the lights and it won’t get as bad.

I do have a frag of zoanthid in it.

 

[Airwolf]

Not sure I will get the quantity of responses here versus posting this to a different thread but here it goes:

In referencing my 'ugly stage' photo above. (Post #30), the what I assume are diatoms are a bit more pronounced today. My question is, it is time to start a small clean up crew? I currently do not have one, as there was nothing for them to eat. If so, what is the recommendation for a snail or two? I am assuming that I should expect some algae growth after the diatom phase. I am thinking a single trochus, but not sure if they work on the substrate as well. Also looking for snails that can 'self right'.

 

[rmorris_14]

Not sure I will get the quantity of responses here versus posting this to a different thread but here it goes:

In referencing my 'ugly stage' photo above. (Post #30), the what I assume are diatoms are a bit more pronounced today. My question is, it is time to start a small clean up crew? I currently do not have one, as there was nothing for them to eat. If so, what is the recommendation for a snail or two? I am assuming that I should expect some algae growth after the diatom phase. I am thinking a single trochus, but not sure if they work on the substrate as well. Also looking for snails that can 'self right'.

I used this sticky to help guide me through CUC choices
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/

You could definitely add some nassarius snails, as they are good sand sifters. If you are worried about them not eating, I just toss in a little frozen food every few days.

Trochus snails are a great choice as well as cerith and dwarf cerith.

Have you added a wavemaker yet? This will help with diatoms. The return pump on the biocube isn't really enough for good flow. I actually have mine pointed at the surface for good agitation and then a powerhead for extra flow. When i started seeing diatoms pop up in my other tank (the evo) I added a wavemaker to increase flow and they kind of disappeared. I also had turbos, hermits, and nassarius in there

 

[Airwolf]

I used this sticky to help guide me through CUC choices
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/choosing-cleanup-crew-critters.258695/

You could definitely add some nassarius snails, as they are good sand sifters. If you are worried about them not eating, I just toss in a little frozen food every few days.

Trochus snails are a great choice as well as cerith and dwarf cerith.

Have you added a wavemaker yet? This will help with diatoms. The return pump on the biocube isn't really enough for good flow. I actually have mine pointed at the surface for good agitation and then a powerhead for extra flow. When i started seeing diatoms pop up in my other tank (the evo) I added a wavemaker to increase flow and they kind of disappeared. I also had turbos, hermits, and nassarius in there

Thanks for the response, and link to the article, I was thinking of starting with trochus then adding some nassarius once I up the feed/bioload.

No wavemaker yet, however buying the biocube used, it has a different pump in it, I think it is a 'no name' brand but from what I can tell I think it is rated at 400gph, which seems to be an upgrade from the stock 265. The pump that is in mine has a model number of sml-025, but when searching on google, all the pictures show a solid black pump, mine is blue and black.

 

[rmorris_14]

Thanks for the response, and link to the article, I was thinking of starting with trochus then adding some nassarius once I up the feed/bioload.

No wavemaker yet, however buying the biocube used, it has a different pump in it, I think it is a 'no name' brand but from what I can tell I think it is rated at 400gph, which seems to be an upgrade from the stock 265. The pump that is in mine has a model number of sml-025, but when searching on google, all the pictures show a solid black pump, mine is blue and black.

If it is 400 gph, that is definitely an upgrade. I still think something else is needed. One for surface agitation to help with ph ( especially if you are leaving the lid on) and one to help circulate the water through any possible dead spots.

 

[trsmith18]

Go with 3-5 nassirius, 3-5 trochus, and 3-5 cerith.

this will hit the majority or sand, rock and glass cleaning

 

[cgripp256]

I waited until I had a fair amount of “brown stuff” on my sand. Maybe 25% lightly covered. Also I supplemented my snails with some tiny algae pellets for herbivore fish just in case.
I went with 1 turbo, 2 nasarius, 3 Astrea and 1 margarita.

 

[lubeck]

Welcome to the 32 cube club. It’s a long road ahead but it’s fun. a diverse clean up crew will be important. I thing I have over 45 now mainly various snails that are listed above.

are you planning on making any modifications To the tank.

I was doing so good the first 3+ months and then I got Cyno in month 4.

 

[cgripp256]

Welcome to the 32 cube club. It’s a long road ahead but it’s fun. a diverse clean up crew will be important. I thing I have over 45 now mainly various snails that are listed above.

are you planning on making any modifications To the tank.

I was doing so good the first 3+ months and then I got Cyno in month 4.

Man. Your BTA picked a great spot. Mine is behind my rocks. I actually removed a few just to be able to see it. My maroon clown paired with it right away though so that was cool.