Starting out with a Biocube 29

BryanReilly · Jan 23, 2012

So, this is my first SW tank. I used to own a freshwater tank, nothing serious, just a 20g with a few fish in it. But lately I have been getting the ocean itch and have wanted a piece of it in my home. I bought a 29 Biocube and about 17lbs of live rock and live sand. I have been cycling for about a week and I know I have at LEAST another week to go before I start adding anything living. I bought The Marine Aquarium Handbook by Martin A. Moe, Jr. and have read it almost in it's entirety. I plan to add another 5-10lbs of live rock (for aquascaping purposes) and would like to know if there is any rule as to when I should do that. Also, I plan to do fish and coral, and was wondering if anyone could give me suggestions for what I should and can put in my tank. I have always wanted an eel but I am sure my tank is too small to accommodate one. Any information for starting out would be great!

Also, any other book ideas? Is the "For Dummies" book any good?

ToXIc · Jan 26, 2012

i would add the rock now while the tank is still cycling.. if you add it either with the system being soo new it may cause an mini-cycle..

i use liveaquaria Aquarium Fish: Tropical Freshwater Fish and Saltwater Fish for Home Aquariums as a guide whenever considering any new additions for example
Saltwater Aquarium Fish for Marine Aquariums: Snowflake Eel

[TABLE="width: 340"]
[TR="bgcolor: #cfdfe4"]
[TD]QUICK STATS [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]

Minimum Tank Size: 50 gallons

Care Level: Easy

Temperament: Semi-aggressive

Reef Compatible: With Caution

Water Conditions: 72-78Â° F, dKH 8-12, pH 8.1-8.4, sg 1.020-1.025

Max. Size: 2'

Color Form: Black, Tan, White

Diet: Carnivore

Compatibility: View Chart

Origin: Indo-Pacific, Vanuatu

Family: Muraenidae

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

indyjaco · Jan 26, 2012

I would get everything setup and stop putting in new live rock. It will cause a mini cycle. Then wait at LEAST two weeks before adding anything.

fsu1dolfan · Jan 26, 2012

Welcome to the 29 Biocube club....take it slow and use Reef2Reef search as your dummies guide. Lots of good info on here and people with great knowledge!! My link has some info on what i did with my Biocube incase you are interested.

BryanReilly · Jan 27, 2012

So. I guess I go with no new live rock. I am unable to go anytime before next Saturday and that is when I go get my water tested and start adding fish, I really don't want to wait ANOTHER two weeks after that. Thanks for the info about it though. Any ideas on what types of fish to put in? I am not too knowledgeable about the fish yet, and would like to know of some good starting points, and maybe some more exotic looking fish that aren't so hard to keep, if there are any.

How does that look?

Raggamuffin · Jan 27, 2012

if your cycle from start up to adding a clean up crew is a month thats pretty normal, 2 weeks is really fast and 2 weeks then add fish is going to be a killer... on the fish and your wallet.

ryeguyy84 · Jan 31, 2012

Raggamuffin said:
if your cycle from start up to adding a clean up crew is a month thats pretty normal, 2 weeks is really fast and 2 weeks then add fish is going to be a killer... on the fish and your wallet.

Agreed, I made the mistake of moving to fast and ended up having to wait even longer because my first 2 fish died. Do yourself a favor and wait. Add some hermit crabs, they are fun to watch and will keep you entertained until you get fish.