New 32 gal Oceanic Biocube Build

[Ranjib]

You want 0 ammonia. Calcium is really low (should be around 380-450), given you dont have any sps, Im curious whats consuming it. Take a Ca reading on fresh saltwater mix. You also dont need two part right now because theres nothing consuming Ca/alkalinity

 

[Judi M]

March 25, 2019
Ammonia 0
Calcium 430 ppm
Alkalinity 9.6
Magnesium 1470
Nitrate 3 ppm
Phosphate .02
Salinity. 1.023

 

[Judi M]

So I rcvd my 2 part dosing today, but don't think I'm going to use it:

Saturday, my calcium was 250 and today it's at 430? I even re tested and same 430! What would cause it to rise?

What a change it 2 days between testing!
Sat afternoon, I added a capful of Biospira and a few drops of phytoplankton. Would that have caused such a change in my test results in 2 days?

Am I correct in thinking that my numbers are all spot on except for magnesium and nitrates?

Do I need to do anything to lower nitrates or is that all part of the process? Or is the chaeto helping?

Feels like i need a chemistry degree with all of this!

 

[Judi M]

And my tank is covered in brown ugh! Just wiped green off walls. Should I add chemipure and purigen now?

 

[Ranjib]

And my tank is covered in brown ugh! Just wiped green off walls. Should I add chemipure and purigen now?

Nah . Have patience.. my first year was full of these type of issues. Till the tank establishes.. and develops its own bacterial/micor fauna population you'll have some of these issue.. just keep chugging along and keep doing weekly water changes and only react if something really bad happens.. like something dies or you develop some persistent algae issue etc.
Unless you are very lucky, you are likey to hit diatom/dino/cyano one by one... but none of them should be unmanagable if you act promptly and act persistently by sustainable means (no heavy chemical use ..no sudden chemistry changes). my 2 cents

 

[NY_Caveman]

I think your numbers look fine. I would only use chemicals as a last resort for major issues. Your tank is new and maturing. Algae and other nuisances are part of that process of course. As far as your Calcium I would chalk that low reading up to test error and move on. We all get the occasional outlier.

 

[Judi M]

So i have chemipure and purigen on hand.. you recommend not adding them at this time?
When should i add these? When parameters stabilize?

 

[Ranjib]

Yeah.. hold on to purigen unless you see algae growth (i.e. phosphates accumulation).. and hold on to carbon till the water turns little yellow..depending upon your bioload the time may varies from couple of weeks to two or three months... whenever you introduce them , skip water change for that week.

 

[Ranjib]

For carbon nitrate and for purigen phophate levels are good reference points

 

[Katrina71]

And my tank is covered in brown ugh! Just wiped green off walls. Should I add chemipure and purigen now?

I only use chemipure blue. You don't have to use both. Yes, you can add it now.

 

[Gonebad395]

Great looking tank! Biocube owner here also, once your water parameters stabilize and you get through the ugly tank stages. That aquas cape is going to look great with rock flowers all over it.

 

[Katrina71]

The uglies are totally normal. Your scape looks great!

 

[Judi M]

Thank you for all the great feedback! I can't wait for the rock anemones/ricordeas I am so excited to be back in this hobby again! I swear at the end of work day, I cant wait to get home and check on my tank

 

[NY_Caveman]

I swear at the end of work day, I cant wait to get home and check on my tank

One of us!

 

[hdsoftail1065]

It sounds your in the right track!

 

[Judi M]

Does anyone have good links for researching info on adding soft corals to tank? IE: Acclimatizing, coral dips, best parameters for corals (same as fish or..?) etc? TYIA

 

[hdsoftail1065]

See if this helps.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/beginners-guide-to-acclimation-and-quarantine.304980/

 

[Judi M]

See if this helps.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/beginners-guide-to-acclimation-and-quarantine.304980/

This article is focused on fish-so same process with floating bag, testing salinity? Do you usually QT corals? Do you dip? (Still waiting to hear back from CoralRX to see if its safe to use on ricordea and rock flower anemones.)

I swear, I don't have enough hours in my day right now for all the researching/reading LOL (simultaneously researching coral acclimation and macroalgies-natural vrs chemical reef care)

 

[hdsoftail1065]

This article is focused on fish-so same process with floating bag, testing salinity? Do you usually QT corals? Do you dip? (Still waiting to hear back from CoralRX to see if its safe to use on ricordea and rock flower anemones.)

I swear, I don't have enough hours in my day right now for all the researching/reading LOL (simultaneously researching coral acclimation and macroalgies-natural vrs chemical reef care)

Slow and steady is the key. If you do it right lay down a stocking plan. In between adding new additions you will have time to research and learn.
I have not moved into RFA's yet, I have always had BTA's. I never dip anenmomes. I can ping a couple of folks that have experience with them. @Ron Reefman @mta_morrow @Katrina71

 

[mta_morrow]

Slow and steady is the key. If you do it right lay down a stocking plan. In between adding new additions you will have time to research and learn.
I have not moved into RFA's yet, I have always had BTA's. I never dip anenmomes. I can ping a couple of folks that have experience with them. @Ron Reefman @mta_morrow @Katrina71

Hello!

For me, I always dip my corals.

However, I have never dipped a ricordia.

Also, I have never dipped an anemone (BTA, Rick flower, long tentacle, or Magnifica)