Another Biocube 29 HQI Build!!

[TruespeedEM1]

Hey everyone! I have been into aquariums for about a year and a half now and currently have a 120 gallon tank (4x2x2) that is up and running as a mixed reef. I recently bought a 265 gallon that I plan on using as a FOWLR because being so young I will not have the resources to build a full out reef.

SO, I made the mistake of buying a couple reef questionable fish and they have started shredding my LPS. My original plan was to have the 265 as a FOWLR, sell the 120 and just get a 75 gallon, but seeing as I am only 23 and just starting a career I know trying to balance two tanks of those sizes and possibly moving will be too much of a headache.

SO, I decided to go with a Biocube 29 HQI, and once I get going on purchasing a house and such I will set up the 265 at that point. This way I can move my corals from the 120 (I didn't really have a lot)to the 29, and sell the 120 system completely.

I bought a Oceanic Biocube HQI with stand from Marine Depot on Sunday. I got shipment notifications today that are placing the tank here on Friday. I can't wait to set it up!

I have currently purchased:
Oceanic Biocube HQI 29 Gallon
Oceanic Biocube 29 Gallon Matching Stand
Phoenix 14k 150w Metal Halide Bulb.

I will be updating this thread on Friday with pictures!!!

 

[TruespeedEM1]

So far, my current stocking list will be as follows:

2 - Helfrichi Firefish, not unless someone suggests only getting one.
1- Yellow Clown Goby

Those are the only ones I'm certain on. I would like to put in possibly:

Macneill's Assessor Basslet
Some sort of Blenny (tail spot?) or goby.

How does this sound to you guys?

Also, if anybody has any suggestions on live sand and rock I am all ears.

 

[bokaholic]

I love biocubes! Or any cube, really. I'm excited to see some pictures.

I personally got 'aragonite sand' after hearing and reading a lot of good things about it and I love it. It's not super-fine and I didn't think I'd like it. but I'm a big fan. Maybe next time I'll mix in just a little super-fine sand. Make it look more 'natural'. As for rock.. I cannot suggest anything for. :/ I just bounced from LFS to LFS to got a rock I liked from each place. (Bringing in different bacteria on different rocks from different places) And it worked great for me. We have a lot of specialist aquatic stores in Omaha, so I had a lot to choose from.

Good luck. :spin3:

 

[TruespeedEM1]

I will check into that...thanks!

 

[TruespeedEM1]

I think I'm going to try out this "Reel Reef" rock from Live Aquaria. It seems like it is nice and since its mad made its eco friendly and pest free. I really want to try Tampa Bay Saltwater but dont want to deal with the possibility of hitchhikers.

 

[TruespeedEM1]

Well here are some pictures of the tank set up. Everything looks great except for the huge scratch of the glass top they sent me. Trying to get in touch with them to get a new one sent out too me.

I have the saltwater made here waiting to be put in, and I just ordered 32lbs of nano live rock from Premium Aquatics. The reviews from there were too good to ignore.

Does anyone have any suggestions on sand? I may be using the natures ocean live sand.

 

[ange062]

When I started my tank I used Caribsea AragAlive Special Grade (1x20lb bag) and bought another 40lb bag of the same sand dry version in 40lbs. After over a year of having it in my tank, I really have 0 complaints. Don't use it all though, you just need 1-2" on the bottom. I use the dry sand to replace stuff that I accidentally suck out at WC's.

 

[TruespeedEM1]

i will check into that! I was just picking natures ocean because the local store has it

Is this stuff powdery or is it coarse? I like the smaller grain almost white looking stuff!

 

[AFRobert568]

I think that’s the same stuff I have and it is slightly coarse. I liked coarse because of it is less likely to get blown around and burrowing creatures can dig in it.

 

[TruespeedEM1]

I do want a blue spot jawfish, I will not be using a DSB but will be doing a DIY burrow so it doesnt get stressed, so this may be for me then.

 

[AFRobert568]

I did the goby/shrimp combo myself so that’s why I looked into this. As with all information I give out I like to give a reference, so you could verify for yourself. I got this information from the carib-sea site, but I went back to look I don’t see it. With that being said I encourage you to look for yourself, because there is more to sand. Do you want sand sifting fish, sand diving fish or some sand is better for DSBs then others. I know you’re not interested in DSB but I was just making my point. Good luck.

 

[TruespeedEM1]

I decided to go on and get the Natures Ocean sand, its a great grain size, nice color, and was on sale, haha. The main reason was because the reviews online were good for it as well. Im sure there was something better, but there always is.

SOOO Here are some pictures of me putting the sand in and filling the tank!

Maybe now that there is some progress and some pictures this thread will get more traffic!!

 

[ange062]

Sand, water, pictures, this is a legit thread now!

 

[TruespeedEM1]

haha im pretty excited to see how the rocks look when they arrive today. Premium Aquatics has great live rock reviews, hopefully they turn me into a believer.

 

[TruespeedEM1]

I got the rock in today from Premium Aquatics. Everything looked great and was still pretty wet even taking two days with shipping. Here is how I have the rockwork setup as of right now!

 

[TruespeedEM1]

no comments on this so far?! not getting any love from RC!

 

[meklo]

Looking good so far! I have a couple questions. I'm planning out a build for the biocube hqi so I would love to get some feedback. How do you have your chambers in the back setup? What is the themp of the tank with the lights on? Are you pleased with the stand? Sturdy? What powerheads and pumps are you using? Anyway, I've been sub'd to your thread to see how it turns out. Good luck.

Like your avatar too, though I'm a season behind on Dexter.

 

[TruespeedEM1]

Im not new to saltwater but new to biocubes. So far the three chambers I have nothing in chamber one, but will be my skimmer. Chamber two has the rest of the live rock that I could not fit in the tank back there to help with biofiltration, and chamber three has the regular biocube return pump and a ViaAqua Titanium heater.

I plan to replace the return pump with a Maxijet 900. I have seen a lot of people using 1200's but have seen some people complain about tank temperatures with the HQI and the 900 does not run as hot, which will definitely help.

I have not been running the tank with the lights on because if there is a cycle I do not want to encourage algae growth, so I do not have the temperature which it runs at yet.

The stand was very nice and it is very sturdy. I do not have any doubts about it. Really simple to set up as well.

For powerheads I have nothing as of right now. Once I add in my corals from the 120 I will see how things look and go from there.

Dexter is my favorite show. The 6th season was great in my opinion!!

 

[meklo]

I think the skimmer in the first chamber is a good idea. Will you just keep rubble rock in the second? I was thinking of using mine as a fuge and maybe building a platform (eggcrate probably) to have a small layer of rubble rock below the macro to shade a benthic zone below. I am thinking maybe the passive flow and shaded light would let some tunicates, squirts, etc breed and help polish the water. I think that chamber is approx 14" deep, but I doubt I will know what to do for sure until I actually get the tank in my hands. I don't have any local stores that I could go and see one.

Anyway, everything looks great. Keep us updated.

 

[wisnia99]

Tank looks nice man, i guess we're starting at the same time
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2140985

Hopefully it all goes well! for both of us