BlueChip's BioCube 29

[BlueChip]

Well i took the plug. I found a used BioCube and a good price and lots of extra.

Set it up lastnight after a few repairs that needed to be done from the previus owner.

Sand water and live rock, heater are in. pumps will be set up tonight.

How long does it have to cycle before a cleaning crew can be put in?

Chris

 

[NanoReefNoob]

It all depends. Mine cycled in 4 days but I have heard people taking a full month. You need to get a test kit and do consistant tests to see when you have your Ammonia peak and drop off and such. When you ammonia and Nitrites read 0 and Nitrates are low you are good to add a CUC.

 

[BlueChip]

Test kit on order. All water, live rock, and sand came from an existign set up tank.

Thanks!!

Pics to follow tonight.

Also built a media basket last night out of egg crate -- cheap and easy = my style
Chris

 

[Rawby]

Just saying since your live rock came from an existing tank you may have a weaker cycle. Good luck

 

[BlueChip]

So what should my numbers be at with the weaker cycle?

 

[NanoReefNoob]

They just wont peak as hi if at all. If you can not get ammonia to show up in you test add a table shrimp to give the tank some bioload and see how it does. If there is still no ammonia then your LR and LS are doing there job and you should be good. If ammonia does show up well then you just started you cycle and now just wait till you get the numbers i told you befor.

NOTE - Put the shrimp and some panty hose or somthing that can contain it when you go to get it out because they will disintagrate if you dont and make it a pain.

 

[BlueChip]

Couldnt wait for deleiver so i bought a test kit.

Ammonia = 0 - 0.25
pH = 7.8 - 8.0
Nitite= 0.25
Nitrate= 40-80 on the border of the two colors
SG=1.025

I will remeasure tonight and see what it ends up at.

thanks for the tips.

Chris

 

[BlueChip]

Yesterday:
Ammonia = 0
pH = 7.8
Nitrite= 0
Nitrate= 80
SG=1.021

Today
Ammonia = 0.25
pH = 8.0
Nitrite= 0
Nitrate= 40
SG=1.021

Any tips?

Chris

 

[NanoReefNoob]

just keep it going you are still fluctuating. It will come out no worries.

Something I had to do was only test every three to four days. Point being is your not thinking about it all the time.
just something that I did to try to get myself not to rush things.

 

[CCarlson]

So, how bout it?

 

[BlueChip]

Today
Ammonia = 0
pH = 8.0
Nitrite= 0
Nitrate= 20-40 (in between 2 colors - it was a tough call)
SG=1.021

Pictures to follow.. i moved some rock around and the water is very cloudy... give me a few hours and i will get some pics up

 

[BlueChip]

as promsed...

 

[BlueChip]

nothing special yet but its a start.

 

[BlueChip]

well after loosing power for 3 days and havign to play lumberjack for a week.... got the tank rolling again...
Ammonia = 0
pH = 8.0
Nitrite= 0
Nitrate= 0
SG=1.022
Ordered a cleaning crew from reefcleaners.org and is should be here friday.

Thinking about starting with Zoa's and maybe a few shrimp and a pair of clowns... what do you think?

 

[BlueChip]

I got a few little tiny shrimp looking things swimming around in the tank. they look like when you pick up a piece a sea weed at the beach the little guys that start flipping around...what are they??

 

[IndexKey]

any new update pictures? would love to see how things are looking now.


John

 

[RedStangGA]

I got a few little tiny shrimp looking things swimming around in the tank. they look like when you pick up a piece a sea weed at the beach the little guys that start flipping around...what are they??

Most likely amphipods or possibly.......shrimp! Pics would help. Also, how much sand do you have in that? It looks VERY thick in some places. Is your rock resting on the bottom? If not, think twice before buying a burrowing fish like a goby or jawfish. If you want that much sand buy and cut some pvc to provide a foundation for the rock. You can just push it down into the sand.

WElcome to the club and good luck! Be patient and take your time. Trust me, once you get rolling these little things fill up as quick as your wallet empties.

 

[BlueChip]

Sorry about the crappy pics but they are from the BlackBerry.

I have a bunch of mini feather duster things ..what are they?

 

[BlueChip]

The main rock sits on the bottom jsut the power heads are throwing sand all over the place and the sand wont stay put... trying to figure out a good position so that it stops snowing!!

The shrimpy things are tiny and quick.. no way i can get a pic!! haha

 

[BlueChip]

i also put some egg crate down before i put the sand in...

should i remove some sand?