Bio Cube 29 update, questions, and photos

[o2zen]

Quick update on my BC29

Added 40 pounds of Fuji Pink live sand today. Added 30-40 pounds of LR to the main tank and 5 pounds of rubbles to the middle chamber for now. I changed out the stock pump for the MJ1200 (should I run a filter in that at all?).

The LR I put in the main tank was half cured (nothing at all on it) and the other half was full of life and I wonder if I should have gone with all cured LR and not worried about die off? I found some small crabs of some type in my LR which are in the tank now and some of the other LR has very strange life on it. I know I picked up some worms of some type including some little 5 legged guys that look like a worm version of a star fish and turn into a ball and roll across the sand then lay flat again.

I also have some odd looking things that kinda remind me of a leach (round with pointy ends and what look like a mouth or opening on one end like a pod.)

I have some pink stuff that reminds me of melted plastic or gum on one of the LR I picked up and I am not sure what any of this stuff is or if I even want it in the tank.

I have some plant life in there as well but I am not sure what any of this stuff is. You can see some photos and if you could help me out I can get you better close up shots.

I tested my salt levels and they are in the norm for now and my temp is just under 80.

Before the photo's I also wanted to ask about the power head and which way people tended to turn in for flow. I notice that the front of my tank is getting a ditch from the strong flow. I will be adding a Hydor Flow in the next day or so once places open up. The one I picked up was broken.

1) Some of the LR I put in the new tank today.

2) Some of the LR I put in the new tank today.

3) Some of the LR I put in the new tank today.

4) What is this guy? I now I have two out in the open but I also found two sticking out of some LR and when I tocuhed one it went back inside the rock.

5) So far this is how I have my front view looking. Sorry it is cloudy still. more images tomiorrow or the next day when it clears up some more.

6) Ok so this is a side view of the tank so far but what is that pink growth on the rocks towards the back. I am trying to set the rock up so I have a few channels for fish to swim through as well as some protected areas.

 

[Spartan9576]

Beautiful rock, your going to hav some die off so be patient. It will look sweet in the end.



Spartan

 

[o2zen]

Thanks.

What is the slug like thing. I think I have about 6 of them total with this one vanishing last night and I have no idea where it is at. The other ones are all living inside or on the rock in the bottom picture. I also saw another little crab in there last night.

 

[o2zen]

Some more tank picture of my LR. It appears that my 5 clams are all living so how are they on the tank enviroment?

More Photos - IF YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR LOOKING AT LET ME KNOW THE PHOTO NUMBER AND LOCATION - Thanks

1) Live Rock

2) Live Rock

3) Live Rock

4) Live Rock

5) Live Rock

6) Live Rock

7) Live Rock

8) Tank View 1

9) Tank View 2

10) Tank View 3

More photos as I find new and interesting things in my tank or have questions regarding what I do find.

 

[o2zen]

I am worried that in image 7 the pink sponge (at least I think it is a sponge) is dying since the edges appear to be getting white. I need to feed my tank some liquid food I think and will find out more at lunch when I head over to the LFS.

I am picking up my test kit to see the levels and also for learning. Anyone have any other suggestions?

 

[o2zen]

I picked up a ton of hitchhikers with this LR including 2 active cucumbers and 3 that might or might not be dead and hiding stuck in the rock. A tiny all white crab with black claws. 5 clams of some sort that all appear (opening and closing and showing in the opening) to be alive. I know I have seen about 5 worm like things sticking out of the rock and I have something coming out of the pink sponge that kinda sorta looks like a feather duster then retracts back into its home.

Since this is a new setup and I would prefer to keep as much as possible alive that is in the tank, would anyone have any suggestions on what to do to help it survive.

 

[momentumfoto]

looks good

 

[Ex-Reefer]

If you are going to add liquid food to the tank try some DT's Phytoplankton, that stuff is the best in my opinion. I have always had good results with it in the past. Little on the expensive side, but well worth it.

 

[o2zen]

I picked up some Phytoplankton and when I put it in my tank things came out I have not even seen yet. I know I will lose most of it in the cycling but its nice to see it so alive with such tiny life at this point.