Iamgarrett
New member
Because this seems like a great way to both get vital feedback and log this aquatic adventure.
Day 0: Planning & Prep
Feedback Greatly Appreciated!
The Tank
I have an LED Biocube 32 received as an early Christmas gift, along with a matching stand and a couple other goodies.
I don't want to make any significant modifications to the tank (no cutting, no drilling, no swapping lights/fan, etc.)
It is located in a corner in our dining room, which has low traffic and only minimal/indirect sunlight.
The Lighting
The LED lights on the Biocube are pretty, but from what's described on the box and I can find online, they will limit my coral options. One solution is to upgrade the lights...but I think I'll just stick to stocking corals that are good with low-medium light. Here are the PAR descriptions on the box:
It has a built in timer system with settings for full daytime, a "color enhancing" sunrise/sunset (with 30 min gradual on/off), and a blue light "moonlight" (with 60 min gradual on/off).
I currently plan on timing them on the following schedule:
6am - Moonlights on (fully on at 7am)
8am - Sunrise/set on (fully on at 8:30am)
9am - Daylight on
6pm - Daylight off
7pm - Sunrise/set off (fully off at 7:30pm)
9:30pm - Moonlights off (fully off at 10:30pm)
Note: This is based on my understanding of how the on/off timers work. We'll see if I'm right.
This comes to 9 hours of ALL light, 16.5 hours of *some* light.
The Filtration
The Biocube comes with an integrated wet/dry filter system. My goal is to have the most filtration reasonable without making any physical modifications.
In the intake section, I plan on putting the BioCube Protein Skimmer (also gifted) as well as the heater if I can find a suitable one that fits.
In the basket section, I will continue to use the BioCube Filter Cartridge, and then use the shelves in the following order: filter floss, ChemiPure Blue, Chaeto, and then bits of live rock at the bottom. Here's a picture:
I figure I'll start on Day 1 with the live rock in, then once ammonia shows up add the cartridge, filter floss, and ChemiPure Blue, then once nitrates arrive add the Chaeto and start running the mini light opposite the tank lights.
Keeping the Chaeto on the shelf should make it easier to cut back when (if?) it grows.
The Stocking Plan
Aquascape
I'm going to be using all live sand and live rock.
Thinking 2" thick live sand. I really don't want to mess around with drills, pvc, glue, epoxy, etc. for the rocks. So planning on some good ol' organic tetris stacking. Put the base rocks down on the bare bottom, add sand, and build up remaining rocks from there. I have some thoughts about general layout but mostly it will really be dictated by the size and shape live rock I end up with and how it will be most stable.
And I plan on building it with my magnetic algae scrapper on hand to ensure there's room for it.
Janitorial Staff
I'm uncertain about quantities. Also very open to reef-safe suggestions.
Almost Definite:
Randall Pistol Shrimp (x1?)
Peppermint Shrimp (x2-3?)
Banded Trochus Snails (x3-4?)
Also Thinking:
Blue-legged Hermit Crabs (x3-4?)
Cerith Snails (x8-12?)
Coral
Two big limits here: what can thrive (or at least survive) with the stock lights, and what my LFS has in stock.
I figure due to the lights I'm going to be sticking with mostly softies. But I'm open to any and all ideas. Bonus points if they're native to Indo-Pacific region.
Current shortlist:
*Zoas
*Hammer Coral
*Mushrooms
*I would love a plate coral/fungia just worried about light
Fish
You gotta have fish.
Shortlist (after cycling):
*Randall's Shrimp Goby - Amblyeleotris randalli
*White-belly Wrasse/Yellow Coris Wrasse - Halichoeres leucoxanthus
Other thoughts (if bioload good after 6+ months):
*Bicolor or Midas/Persian Blenny
*Common Clownfish (x2)
Maintenance Schedule
Here's my current maintenance plan:
DAILY:
* Check water level/top off with RO/DI as needed
* Check temperature
* Check skimmer
* Basic visual inspection of all livestock and systems
WEEKLY:
* 3-5 gal water change (10-15%)
* Wipe all surfaces with clean and damp terry cloth
* Inspect filter system, replacing media and trimming chaeto as needed
MONTHLY:
* Replace airstone in protein skimmer
* Rinse and clean sponge
* Disassemble, rinse/clean and wipe all parts of pump and impreller.
Shopping List
What am I forgetting?
In no particular order:
* Water heater
* Test kits for all the things
* Hydrometer (do I really need this if I only ever buy premixed?)
* Mini Light for my micro-refugium
* Magnetic Scrubber
* Thermometer
* Filtration Media (filter floss & Chemi Pure Blue)
* Terry Cloth
* Powerhead (500-700gph)
* Handled algae scrubber
* 1-2x 5 gallon food/aquarium safe buckets
* Pitcher
* Small and Medium fish net
* Tongs
* Turkey Baster
* Hanging Rack
* Lazy Susan (for storage)
* Water additives (?)
* Gloves
Final Thoughts
I really would love any feedback possible. Also going to be spending a lot of time going through other similar established builds on the forums and reading as much as I can.
When making livestock suggestions, bonus points for anything native to Indo-Pacific region. Aside from thematic considerations, I figure it should be easier to please everything if they like the same/similar conditions.
I know this is probably boring for most people but thanks for taking the time to read through this and hopefully let me know your thoughts. I do plan on continuing to update this thread as things progress.
Day 0: Planning & Prep
Feedback Greatly Appreciated!
The Tank
I have an LED Biocube 32 received as an early Christmas gift, along with a matching stand and a couple other goodies.
I don't want to make any significant modifications to the tank (no cutting, no drilling, no swapping lights/fan, etc.)
It is located in a corner in our dining room, which has low traffic and only minimal/indirect sunlight.
The Lighting
The LED lights on the Biocube are pretty, but from what's described on the box and I can find online, they will limit my coral options. One solution is to upgrade the lights...but I think I'll just stick to stocking corals that are good with low-medium light. Here are the PAR descriptions on the box:
It has a built in timer system with settings for full daytime, a "color enhancing" sunrise/sunset (with 30 min gradual on/off), and a blue light "moonlight" (with 60 min gradual on/off).
I currently plan on timing them on the following schedule:
6am - Moonlights on (fully on at 7am)
8am - Sunrise/set on (fully on at 8:30am)
9am - Daylight on
6pm - Daylight off
7pm - Sunrise/set off (fully off at 7:30pm)
9:30pm - Moonlights off (fully off at 10:30pm)
Note: This is based on my understanding of how the on/off timers work. We'll see if I'm right.
This comes to 9 hours of ALL light, 16.5 hours of *some* light.
The Filtration
The Biocube comes with an integrated wet/dry filter system. My goal is to have the most filtration reasonable without making any physical modifications.
In the intake section, I plan on putting the BioCube Protein Skimmer (also gifted) as well as the heater if I can find a suitable one that fits.
In the basket section, I will continue to use the BioCube Filter Cartridge, and then use the shelves in the following order: filter floss, ChemiPure Blue, Chaeto, and then bits of live rock at the bottom. Here's a picture:
I figure I'll start on Day 1 with the live rock in, then once ammonia shows up add the cartridge, filter floss, and ChemiPure Blue, then once nitrates arrive add the Chaeto and start running the mini light opposite the tank lights.
Keeping the Chaeto on the shelf should make it easier to cut back when (if?) it grows.
The Stocking Plan
Aquascape
I'm going to be using all live sand and live rock.
Thinking 2" thick live sand. I really don't want to mess around with drills, pvc, glue, epoxy, etc. for the rocks. So planning on some good ol' organic tetris stacking. Put the base rocks down on the bare bottom, add sand, and build up remaining rocks from there. I have some thoughts about general layout but mostly it will really be dictated by the size and shape live rock I end up with and how it will be most stable.
And I plan on building it with my magnetic algae scrapper on hand to ensure there's room for it.
Janitorial Staff
I'm uncertain about quantities. Also very open to reef-safe suggestions.
Almost Definite:
Randall Pistol Shrimp (x1?)
Peppermint Shrimp (x2-3?)
Banded Trochus Snails (x3-4?)
Also Thinking:
Blue-legged Hermit Crabs (x3-4?)
Cerith Snails (x8-12?)
Coral
Two big limits here: what can thrive (or at least survive) with the stock lights, and what my LFS has in stock.
I figure due to the lights I'm going to be sticking with mostly softies. But I'm open to any and all ideas. Bonus points if they're native to Indo-Pacific region.
Current shortlist:
*Zoas
*Hammer Coral
*Mushrooms
*I would love a plate coral/fungia just worried about light
Fish
You gotta have fish.
Shortlist (after cycling):
*Randall's Shrimp Goby - Amblyeleotris randalli
*White-belly Wrasse/Yellow Coris Wrasse - Halichoeres leucoxanthus
Other thoughts (if bioload good after 6+ months):
*Bicolor or Midas/Persian Blenny
*Common Clownfish (x2)
Maintenance Schedule
Here's my current maintenance plan:
DAILY:
* Check water level/top off with RO/DI as needed
* Check temperature
* Check skimmer
* Basic visual inspection of all livestock and systems
WEEKLY:
* 3-5 gal water change (10-15%)
* Wipe all surfaces with clean and damp terry cloth
* Inspect filter system, replacing media and trimming chaeto as needed
MONTHLY:
* Replace airstone in protein skimmer
* Rinse and clean sponge
* Disassemble, rinse/clean and wipe all parts of pump and impreller.
Shopping List
What am I forgetting?
In no particular order:
* Water heater
* Test kits for all the things
* Hydrometer (do I really need this if I only ever buy premixed?)
* Mini Light for my micro-refugium
* Magnetic Scrubber
* Thermometer
* Filtration Media (filter floss & Chemi Pure Blue)
* Terry Cloth
* Powerhead (500-700gph)
* Handled algae scrubber
* 1-2x 5 gallon food/aquarium safe buckets
* Pitcher
* Small and Medium fish net
* Tongs
* Turkey Baster
* Hanging Rack
* Lazy Susan (for storage)
* Water additives (?)
* Gloves
Final Thoughts
I really would love any feedback possible. Also going to be spending a lot of time going through other similar established builds on the forums and reading as much as I can.
When making livestock suggestions, bonus points for anything native to Indo-Pacific region. Aside from thematic considerations, I figure it should be easier to please everything if they like the same/similar conditions.
I know this is probably boring for most people but thanks for taking the time to read through this and hopefully let me know your thoughts. I do plan on continuing to update this thread as things progress.
