Nuclear Biocube 32 Build

[Nuclear]

I’m starting a Biocube 32 Build. First Aquarium. First Reef Tank. I used 25-30lbs base Rock and 25lbs Arag-Alive Reef Grade sand. Tank Started 6/7/2018. I plan to Cycle with a raw shrimp.

 

[Nuclear]

I pulled out the shrimp last night. Ammonia was at 2ppm. Started adding Seachem Stability. Plan on ghost feeding couple times this week while adding Seachem Stability. Probably won’t recheck water parameters again till next Sunday. I’m planning on this cycle taking a month. It’s so hard waiting! lol My plan is 2 clowns, GSP on that island rock, lots of other coral, cuc... but clowns and coral are my main focus.

 

[Nuclear]

Current water test:

pH 7.8-8.0
Ammonia 2.0ppm
Nitrite 1.0ppm
Nitrate 10ppm

Tank is doing it’s thing. It’s literally just sand rock and water but I can’t help but just stare at it! lol

Noticed today, I’m starting to get these little brown dots on all the rocks... Maybe the beginnings of diatoms? Right now I’m running moon lights 6am to 10pm. Full lights 10am to 8 pm. Gonna have to scale that back soon if these are diatoms and go no lights for a few days? Any thoughts?

 

[Dilan Patel]

Looking good bro! My reccomendation is just to leave lights off completely. AS u stated earlier its just sand, rock and water so why light it and grow algae and create more rock. GO SLOW!!!!

 

[Pongo]

Yeah, I would turn out the lights.

I'd also add a bottle of bacteria to speed things up.
And test daily to see changes in ammonia.
I'd start doing water changes when the ammonia can drop 1 ppm in 24 hours.
You should be good to start SLOWLY adding life to the tank then.

 

[Nuclear]

Mail Call!

 

[Nuclear]

Once the lights go out tonight, I’ll turn them off.

I’m on day 3 of 7 of adding Seachem Stability. Still planning on letting it cycle for a month.

 

[Dilan Patel]

good choice of letting it cyclce for a month.

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Mail Call!

Keep me posted on how you like that media basket. I'm still running with the stock basket, but I'm always looking to improve.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Agree with no lights during the cycle. Even after adding the CUC I would keep them off and go only ambient light in the room. You really do not need any light even after cycling until the tank matures. If you introduce coralline algae, it should grow slowly in ambient light.

 

[Nuclear]

Keep me posted on how you like that media basket. I'm still running with the stock basket, but I'm always looking to improve.

One thing I immediately noticed is it directs the water into it. (Though some water does flows around it) and since it’s 4 sided the water that goes in has to flow through whatever media you choose. I plan on using Purigen and Chemi pure Elite. Right now I’m only using filter floss at the top. I removed the black sponge by the return pump. Lookibg in from the back, you can see the water churning through the media basket, no doubt it’ll work. Water is pretty much free to go anywhere in the stock rack. Especially with slats on the side. So... I see the points for why it’s good, though I can’t prove any of it cause this is my first tank and I’m still cycling so I won’t have a basis to compare. I’ll post a pic of how the water goes in. Might help.

Side note, it does go in and out very easily!

 

[Nuclear]

Agree with no lights during the cycle. Even after adding the CUC I would keep them off and go only ambient light in the room. You really do not need any light even after cycling until the tank matures. If you introduce coralline algae, it should grow slowly in ambient light.

Something I came across in my research was to not chase Coraline. It’ll come. That said, it obviously won’t start till it’s in the tank. Should I put something small with it on it in there now? Like a hermit shell? Or just wait till Coral starts going in and it’ll seed with that?

 

[Nuclear]

A very small amount of water comes around at the right side of this photo below. You should be able to see it, but most is directed into the basket!

Keep me posted on how you like that media basket.

 

[NY_Caveman]

Something I came across in my research was to not chase Coraline. It’ll come. That said, it obviously won’t start till it’s in the tank. Should I put something small with it on it in there now? Like a hermit shell? Or just wait till Coral starts going in and it’ll seed with that?

No rush. It will happen. Just mentioning if you were curious.

 

[Bob Weigant]

Im thinking about adding a bio cube as well. Just for zoa's and some other lps

 

[Nuclear]

Im thinking about adding a bio cube as well. Just for zoa's and some other lps

Adding? What else do you have?

 

[Bob Weigant]

Adding? What else do you have?

225 Reef ( sps ) , 180 FO , 100 FO

 

[Nuclear]

225 Reef ( sps ) , 180 FO , 100 FO

That’s awesome! I hope to be there one day!

 

[.-=Jord=-.]

Mail Call!

the in tank media basket is one of the best things you can do for the biocube. Next best thing I added was an ato for stability.

 

[tiggs]

the in tank media basket is one of the best things you can do for the biocube. Next best thing I added was an ato for stability.

+1 on this point. I've been running Biocubes for a long time and the inTank media basket and ATO are two crucial pieces of equipment. Looks good so far!