BioCube 29g HQI (First Reef)
- Thread starter siliconinja
- Start date
siliconinja
New member
Hey RC,
It's been a good week since my last update, work picked up and I'm back to 12hr days :/
I have added 28.5 lbs of beautiful Bali live rock, and aquascaped it into this awesome c-shaped multi-layer cave, with an "island" out front. There is at least 25 "tunnels" and the pix do not do justice. There is a hole right between the cave layers and there are 5+ paths in/out of each "hiding" area. I'll be bringing home a cannon t3i later this week to take detail photos.
For now:
I transferred my clown and purple dotty back from the JFA tank after a couple of days, they are loving their new home. I also moved most of my live rock over to chamber 2, about 5 more lbs.
The coral growth came with the live rock, and is growing rapidly. Identification would be helpful. Sponges look awesome.
My ammonia and nitrite are zero, and I am looking forward to adding an intank media basket setup ASAP. Not sure what to do with the skimmer situation, the 9002 doesn't fit in the second chamber. Also from my research a fuge is essentially pointless in such a small space? Temp has been fine, so I haven't purchased a heater yet. My local LFS owner is a badass, gave me a slightly used mj1200 for free! Looking at removing the 90 this week for more flow.
Need to add a cuc too. Looking at adding super Tongan snails, spiny star Astraeas, sexy shrimp. Not sure if I should get a few crabs or a pistol shrimp and goby pair. I really really want a mandarin for my next fish addition.
It's been a good week since my last update, work picked up and I'm back to 12hr days :/
I have added 28.5 lbs of beautiful Bali live rock, and aquascaped it into this awesome c-shaped multi-layer cave, with an "island" out front. There is at least 25 "tunnels" and the pix do not do justice. There is a hole right between the cave layers and there are 5+ paths in/out of each "hiding" area. I'll be bringing home a cannon t3i later this week to take detail photos.
For now:
I transferred my clown and purple dotty back from the JFA tank after a couple of days, they are loving their new home. I also moved most of my live rock over to chamber 2, about 5 more lbs.
The coral growth came with the live rock, and is growing rapidly. Identification would be helpful. Sponges look awesome.
My ammonia and nitrite are zero, and I am looking forward to adding an intank media basket setup ASAP. Not sure what to do with the skimmer situation, the 9002 doesn't fit in the second chamber. Also from my research a fuge is essentially pointless in such a small space? Temp has been fine, so I haven't purchased a heater yet. My local LFS owner is a badass, gave me a slightly used mj1200 for free! Looking at removing the 90 this week for more flow.
Need to add a cuc too. Looking at adding super Tongan snails, spiny star Astraeas, sexy shrimp. Not sure if I should get a few crabs or a pistol shrimp and goby pair. I really really want a mandarin for my next fish addition.
terrypercula
New member
Coming along nicely!
pkane11384
New member
Up on top looks like a Devils Hand Leather and what looks like an Aiptasia. Keep the leather and ditch the Aiptasia before it begins to spread.
siliconinja
New member
Good call pkane! After a few hrs of research I decided to kill the aiptasia using vinegar. Killed the pumps and waited to see the feeding slit open a bit . Hit it hard and it retracted, but not before it turned a crystallized white and broke apart into powder.
I did a water change and added some marine buffer slowly to raise the ph. Here are my current stats:
Temp: 78
Ammonia: 0
Nitrite: 0
Nitrate: ~5
pH: 8.2 (should stabilize between 8.3-8.4 once the buffer circulates for a while).
So that was today...
A day before yesterday I added a few small livestock to the tank:
A Sally Lightfoot Crab
6 Super Tongan Sand Snails
6 Astrea Snails
2 small frags of Green Star Polyps
1 very small frag of Hammer Coral
They all seem to be doing well, one of the GSP frags is temperamental and am having to move him frequently to get a spot he likes and opens up to.
Next up: InTank Media Filter. No fuge for now, no skimmer for now. After that, likely a controller of some sort
Open to suggestions and comments! Will be bringing home that t3i from work tomorrow for better snaps
siliconinja
New member
This past Monday I placed an order from InTank, received it today and just finished installing everything. Not that this hasn't been mentioned multiple times on RC and other forums, but their customer service and professionalism alone create value enough to justify the cost. The product quality is exceptional: over-engineered and detailed in craftsmanship. With all their experience with AIO design I would be interested if they came out with their own tank.
Anyways I installed a hydor water deflector, the media basket with purigen and chemipure, and the fuge basket with light. I didn't get off work in time to pickup some cheato, but it's nice to leave a little something for tomorrow.
Water was a bit cloudy for about an hour, but I did do a 10% water change and removed the sponge from chamber 3.. I did syphon the rear chambers to remove settled sand from the original setup.
Things are looking nice and clear, the hammer frag is really opening up with the wave-like movements the deflector provides. Looking forward to adding some zoas, maybe more in the coming weeks!
Anyways I installed a hydor water deflector, the media basket with purigen and chemipure, and the fuge basket with light. I didn't get off work in time to pickup some cheato, but it's nice to leave a little something for tomorrow.
Water was a bit cloudy for about an hour, but I did do a 10% water change and removed the sponge from chamber 3.. I did syphon the rear chambers to remove settled sand from the original setup.
Things are looking nice and clear, the hammer frag is really opening up with the wave-like movements the deflector provides. Looking forward to adding some zoas, maybe more in the coming weeks!
siliconinja
New member
Its not two media baskets, just one and a fuge basket. I wish I was a big spender
for now i'm stuck with a 29 until I am able to move to a house. So i'm just trying to make it the best 29 I can do, learn what I need to, and hopefully save up enough to do a built-in reef tank in a future home.It did take some time to justify the wife on the costs involved, the InTank products are definitely pricey. After my purchase, I can honestly tell you its worth it. Last week I did try to build my own basket out of eggcrate and zip ties, just to see if I really needed to buy one from InTank. I can say I wasn't able to make it as effective, for two reasons: There is no control or direction of the waterflow with the eggcrate, whereas the InTank basket is closed on four sides and forces water down through all levels. And the "Water Director / Stay Hold" is a big deal, it puts 95%+ of the water down the media basket and spreads the fall evenly across the entire basket (I"ll take a photo in a few moments to show you how it looks with the water falling). I wasn't able to effectively replicate this. For those two reasons, the EggCrate basket just didn't cut it. I didn't make one that required specialized tools or additional materials that I didn't have around the house, but I figured once I started down that path I may as well just throw down for the InTank.
Back to the two baskets, I wanted to do just the Media Basket and the Tunze 9002 skimmer but unfortunately that combination does not work for a BioCube HQI. It is possible to add the 9002 to the third chamber, but requires major modifications that I am not comfortable with for this tank. Down the road when my tank is stocked better, I plan to add a AquaticLife 115 to the first chamber. For now, I think the media/fuge basket combo will add enough filtration so I can take my budget.
I just came home early to work from home, and stopped by the LFS on my way, picked up a half-bag of cheato. Tonight I plan to add the cheato and some liverock back into the fuge tank. Right now its empty, and I had to move the 4-5lbs of LR back into the JFA tank temporarily until i had the cheato.
I have a friend coming over later this week with some frags, hoping to add some Zoas and other fun and easy corals to brighen up the tank!
Raptor72
Active member
I hear what you are saying, I usually tell my wife that stuff costs half of what it really did. I think she knows better now. When it comes time to pay at the lfs, she heads to the car so that she won't hear what the actual price really is.
I have the AC 115 skimmer and I'm actually shopping around for something else. I've had it for a year on a 9 gal nano and just recently switched it over to a 30 gal. I don't think it pulls enough skim and I know I have the bio load for it to do so. I've been looking at the reviews for the 9002 and have actually been leaning in that direction. I've also seen very good reviews for the Aquamaxx HOB skimmer which is about $220.
Reloadeddevil
New member
Hey nice build. If you have any questions let me know. I had the same tank for 3 years.
I am posting few pics then i will delete them so it would seem like hijacking your thread.
I am posting few pics then i will delete them so it would seem like hijacking your thread.
Biocubehqi
New member
That hammer looks severely bleached! Take time to aclimate to your light... P.s. welcome the the BioCube club!
Like what you did wit your rock work man!
Also our glass top is a uv shield. The light fixture itself does not contain one, its just a splash guard, when I changed my bulbs from coralife to ushio I fried everything in my tank till somebody here told me what was what. But the stock coralife bulb is like the only de halide bulb that has a uv shield built onto it....
Like what you did wit your rock work man!
Also our glass top is a uv shield. The light fixture itself does not contain one, its just a splash guard, when I changed my bulbs from coralife to ushio I fried everything in my tank till somebody here told me what was what. But the stock coralife bulb is like the only de halide bulb that has a uv shield built onto it....
Biocubehqi
New member
I also would suggest adding a powerhead in your tank, I have about 1000 gallons of flow all together and my corals are supper happy for it.
siliconinja
New member
Yeah my wife gets excited every time I bring something new for the tank home, but I"ve gotten good at changing the subject when she asks the inevitable "so how much did that cost?".
I appreciate the feedback, I'm holding off on investing in a skimmer for a while, next up is a controller! When I do revisit the skimmer, I'll likely do a HOB for this tank
Thanks Reloaded Devil! What did you mean by posting a few pics? I didn't see any...
Thanks BioCubeHQi! In regards to the UV Shield, do you mean that if I change the bulb that I would need to keep the glass top on at all times? I have been keeping it off recently to keep the temp stable and under control. Also, the pic previously posted was an iPhone pic
I just picked up a used MP10wES for a heck of a deal today and hooked it up! Thats what reminded me I was long overdue for an update :fun2:
Since my last update I have added some coral frags, here is a list:
Whammin watermelons
Tricolor granulosa
teal tipped acro
ponape bn
pink n green stylo
green slimmer
a small orange mushroom
a few frags of pulsing xenia (spelled right?)
And some fishies:
5 Green Chromis (will likely move all or some of these to my jfa tank)
1 Mandarin goby
I added a bottle of tigger pods to the tank when I added the mandarin..
I also ordered a 10" strip of LED moonlights from digikits, with a dimmable power supply. I should receive them tomorrow :fun2:
Next up: Apex Lite controller. I'll need to save up for this, unless a deal lands in my lap like that MP10!
I am also planning on picking up test kits for Alk and Calcium from my LFS after this weekend.
Here are some pix:
Biocubehqi
New member
siliconinja
New member
That looks pretty sweet! I think I will go with fans as well. I saw another forum post somewhere where a guy put computer fans on the inside of the removable plastic back covers. He did just one, and used a 12v transformer.
I discovered the fan size is 80mm, and found some awesome speed-controllable ball bearing fans that are silent for ~$11 shipped. In addition, they are USB Powered, and I have an extra double-usb power transformer laying around.
So the fans is definitely an upcoming mod, along with installing the moonlight strip I already ordered (only ~$18 shipped from DigiKits). Then i'll be saving up for an Apex Lite controller. I looked into the Jr, but with only 8 possible aquabus connections I dont think its worth it long term. I do have another tank I'm looking forward to setting up in the next year (Rimless 29g Biocube with DIY LED, Backwall Removed, Sump added w/ Closed Loop) and that will definitely need a controller.
So i guess what i'm trying to say is: I've got a case of the reefer madness haha. I'm slowing down on the livestock for sure, just going to stick to hardware additions and mods.
Also, i'm pretty confident at this point I'll be moving the chromis. They just dont seem to be as interesting as I thought they would be. I wanted them to school and swim around together, but they really don't do that. 29g is just too small I guess..
siliconinja
New member
After a few weeks of monitoring water levels and salinity, I think I'm realizing I need an ato first and foremost, before I need an apex. Thinking of going with the tunze, any other suggestions that may be more cost effective? Will the tunze become unnecessary with the Apex?
Also, grabbing test kits from my LFS this weekend for ca and alk...
Also, grabbing test kits from my LFS this weekend for ca and alk...
terrypercula
New member
Beautiful tank. I have a mandarin in a 16 gallon. If you keep a seperate refugium and train it to eat frozen yih can keep that thing fat and haply no problem.
siliconinja
New member
Thanks TerryPercula! I've been slowly trying to spot-feed him thawed brine shrimp and rod's food. He takes a few bites at a time then moves on... I'll probably pick up another bottle of tiggerpods next week to keep him happy.
Allright, here's my equipment question for the gurus:
I've done a moderate (~4-5hrs) of research on ATO's, the Neptune Apex, etc..
Here is my dilemma, I'm starting to tap out my budget, and the wife is closely watching my expenditures. So they need to be good, calculated investments. I am holding off on any and all livestock additions until I get the tank the way I want it.
Somewhere down the line, I will definitely want an apex controller. I'm a tech guy, love to tinker with all things digital and I think automating my tank would be the ultimate quench to my thirst for reef geek. However, After researching I have come to the conclusion that the Apex JR is not the way to go, even though I found a $150 BNIB shipped without display. This is mainly due to the number of possible aquabus ports (8 vs 240), and the number of sockets (lite comes with the EB8, which I will definitely need to purchase if I get the JR).
So, Apex Lite it is, and its $380. But that will not solve my ATO issue, which is pressing and immediate, I will still require a breakout box ($40) and float switches (~$30), a pump and tubing ($40-60). So additional expenses are ~$120, which is just as much as a nice ATO unit (either the Tunze Nano or Avast Marine are my current choices).
If I dont get the Apex I'll definitely be bummed, but more than that I'll need to purchase some timers (of which I am currently manually doing everything, causing a varied photoperiod). The timers will inevitably goto waste when I get an apex. Also, I have found that a majority of people only use the Apex as a backup and still keep a primary standalone ATO unit.
Also, once I have timers and a standalone ATO unit, how much do I really need the Apex? Doesn't it become an unnecessary expense?
terrypercula
New member
A controller is super cool and it's on my list of things to buy. But not really necessary even though ,at least for me, I want it more than an ATO an ATO is probably better to have and more of a necessity. I know the Tunze is bullet proof but on the pricey side. It's first on my list though.
siliconinja
New member
Thanks for the quick reply TerryPercula! I picked up some timers today (one for the main MH, one for the fuge light) and will reorganize the stand today to make room for an ato reservoir while I hook them up.
Now the question comes to the ato. The tunze is nice but only if I get the 3155 with the optical sensor. The 3152 nano is just one float switch, which doesn't really seem worth it. The avast marine has a pressure switch and a backup float for the same price as the tunze nano. I sent them an email to see if I could get the standard now and upgrade to the digital control version in the future if/when I get an apex.
So it comes down to autotopoff.com's dual float system, tunze nano 3152, jbj ato, or avast marine in the ~$100 price range. Or if I go upto $200 there's the tunze 3155 with optical, or another one I've seen around that I can't remember the name of, it's around ~$200 and is supposedly superior to the tunze 3155 because it comes with a peristaltic pump.
Thoughts? I plan on ordering it late this week or early next
Now the question comes to the ato. The tunze is nice but only if I get the 3155 with the optical sensor. The 3152 nano is just one float switch, which doesn't really seem worth it. The avast marine has a pressure switch and a backup float for the same price as the tunze nano. I sent them an email to see if I could get the standard now and upgrade to the digital control version in the future if/when I get an apex.
So it comes down to autotopoff.com's dual float system, tunze nano 3152, jbj ato, or avast marine in the ~$100 price range. Or if I go upto $200 there's the tunze 3155 with optical, or another one I've seen around that I can't remember the name of, it's around ~$200 and is supposedly superior to the tunze 3155 because it comes with a peristaltic pump.
Thoughts? I plan on ordering it late this week or early next
