New Coralife Biocube 29 Cycle

[aythatguy26]

Coralife Biocube 29

Stock lighting

Protein skimmer

75watt heater

Stock pump

25lbs live rock

20lbs live sand

20 gallons filtered, sanitized, low nitrate Pacific Ocean water

19 days into cycle and ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates are still a constant 0.

Started off with a tad bit of ammonia and nitrites but after day 4 they went to 0.

Nitrates have stayed at 0 entire 19 days

Day 8 I added a velvet damsel
Day 14 I added 5 blue legged hermits

Do I just not have enough in the tank to have any readings?

I feed mysis shrimp once a day.

Damsel is still extremely active and healthy

Hermits are constantly eating and moving about the tank

Wanting to add some coral frags.
Is it ok to add a pulsing Xenia frag?

I've had a diatom bloom
(Crabs took care of that)

Hydroid jellies and copepods all over glass.

Any info is appreciated

(Will be trading the damsel for two clownfish when tank is ready)

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Welcome! sounds like you've been cycled for a while now.

 

[aythatguy26]

Is it possible for it to "cycle" so fast?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Absolutely, especially when you start with live rock/sand.

Is it possible for it to "cycle" so fast?

 

[aythatguy26]

Awesome! So I can add coral now? I'm only adding soft corals. I love the pulsing Xenia due to the movement.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

Go for it! add livestock slowly, if you're going to add more.

 

[aythatguy26]

Also when should I start doing water chanhes

 

[Lovemycj7]

If you add Xenia make sure it's isolated unless you are ok with it spreading on your main rock scape.

 

[aythatguy26]

How fast do they grow?

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

When you see an increase in nutrients or when your elements get low. those are things you'll just need to balance out as you get used to your tank.

 

[skybears]

Hi and welcometo Reef2reef will find this is an amazing community with outstanding people who take the time and patience to help us all with questions regarding her saltwater tanks I hope you enjoy reading the Articles and the things that you can learn. Ask tons of questions and we will always find some way to answer them. Pictures are great I like your aquarium it is very nice again welcome to reef2reef

 

[helen ann]

Welcome!
I have a BC29 also and love it!

 

[Chefbill]

For what it's worth: stock lighting will grow mist LPS and some SPS. Do yourself a favor and skip the xenia. It looks amazing as it pulses, but soon it is all over your tank.
Yes, it is possible to manage but why give yourself another chore?
If you do decide you must have it, join a local club and ask around. You should then be able to get a drag for free or $5. Many reefers toss it in the trash as it grows fast enough to be its own nutrient export.

 

[aythatguy26]

I have a certain place for it on a rock that's by itself. I just want the movement. If there is something else I can have with stock lighting and lots of movement let me know

 

[Chefbill]

Duncans hammer frogspawn torch for LPS . no moving SPS. Softies toadstools devil hand gorgonians.
Maybe a nice macro like dragon's breath

 

[aythatguy26]

How would I find a local club?

 

[Chefbill]

Where are you?

 

[Chefbill]

Some clubs are here. Check the forum list. Reefcentral has many local clubs too

 

[aythatguy26]

Apparently there's not much reef keeping in Georgia

 

[helen ann]

@cameronh ... @aythatguy26 is looking for clubs in GA.