New 32g Biocube

[clarke.matthew1]

Picked up a used 32 from a fellow reefer, LEDs, UV Steriliver, Sea Swril, Jebao Powerhead. 30lbs Pukani live rock and 1 bag live sand. Going to eventually make chamber 2 a full fuge. Just basic carbon filter now for water clarity.

 

[OffTopic]

Looking good, have any ideas on what you will be stocking in the tank?

 

[Chrisfish]

Nice looking cube, looking forward to seeing more

 

[clarke.matthew1]

Wanting to do mostly zoa, LPS. Light fish load: clowns, gobies, either chromis or cardinals.

I would love to have a RBTA but have questions on the light. Some places say it's enough and others dont. I have looked at SteveLEDs but dont want to spend the money if not necessary.

This is also not my first tank, had a in-wall 90gal for 3 years, that I had to part ways with before moving into an apartment. So I'm not new to reefing just new to smaller

 

[NY_Caveman]

Looks like a perfect pick up for an apartment! Welcome to the forum!

 

[clarke.matthew1]

Officially a week in today and already seeing color from cycle on the pukani, doing water tests tonight to see where the cycle is

 

[Katrina71]

Nice rock!

 

[clarke.matthew1]

pH 8.0
Ammonia 0ppm
Nitrite 0ppm
Nitrate less then 5ppm

Looks like my cycle is done

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Wanting to do mostly zoa, LPS. Light fish load: clowns, gobies, either chromis or cardinals.

I would love to have a RBTA but have questions on the light. Some places say it's enough and others dont. I have looked at SteveLEDs but dont want to spend the money if not necessary.

This is also not my first tank, had a in-wall 90gal for 3 years, that I had to part ways with before moving into an apartment. So I'm not new to reefing just new to smaller

I think you will be fine with nems. Our nems done fine in the 32 with stock lights.

 

[Evan28395950]

Did you use bacteria in a bottle for cycle?

 

[clarke.matthew1]

Did you use bacteria in a bottle for cycle?

I used the Instant Ocean Bio-Spira, first time trying it. Also had live sand and some very mature live rock from my old 90gal

 

[clarke.matthew1]

Getting a good algae bloom even with the tank cycled, suggestion for proper cleanup crew? Got the 30gal package from reefcleaners.com. But nothing seems to go for the longer fern like pieces

 

[Katrina71]

@saltyfilmfolks

 

[starypotter]

Getting a good algae bloom even with the tank cycled, suggestion for proper cleanup crew? Got the 30gal package from reefcleaners.com. But nothing seems to go for the longer fern like pieces

There's a couple fronds that look like they might be bryopsis, would you be able to get a better picture of the fern you're talking about?

 

[astrick117]

There's a couple fronds that look like they might be bryopsis, would you be able to get a better picture of the fern you're talking about?

That was my concern too seeing a few spots that look like "Fern" leaves. I have seen some green hair algae look like that too, but it is hard to tell from the picture. If it is Bryopsis, I had some great success with using the Magnesium dosing method to get rid of it.

 

[saltyfilmfolks]

@saltyfilmfolks

Hello!

Nice tank!
Yea , ferns can be bad.
Pretty easy to zap nowadays with fluconazole. Either dr type or reef flux hd. The HD zoa stronger sonit will also zap a fuge.

 

[clarke.matthew1]

Looks like you guys were correct, going to grab some Reef Flux HD and see if I can get rid of all this before corals and more fish

 

[October Sky]

I haven't seen a single fish picture, so I'm wondering why your nutrients are so high? As you have no corals, kill the lights, or severely shorten their cycle. If you have no fish, stop feeding as much and kill the lights. Should kill off the GHA in a matter of days/week.

EDIT: What is your source water? That may be the cause as well.
SECOND EDIT: I have an AI Prime HD over mine, way better than stock (mine is the original Biocube, so not LED). If you desire to dump the lid, go that route. Also check for people upgrading their LEDs, I imagine someone has by now. If you're at all DIY, may be the cheapest route.

 

[clarke.matthew1]

Reef Flux did a great job with the algae, 20gal water change and a little scrub on the rocks and I'll be good to go

 

[clarke.matthew1]

Had to move recently, so tore the tank down and restarted.
Upgrades:
Lights- Steves LEDs with Bluefish Mini controller
Media- InTank Media Basket with filter floss, carbon, and chaeto in third section with an Innovative Marine ChaetoMax light
Skimmer- Tunze 9001

Added another 4lbs of live rock
2in deep sand bed
Going to get a ATO once I see how crazy the water loss will be with new lights and skimmer