kerrylynne
New member
I am a newbie to saltwater reef tanks. I have a 14 gallon biocube that was established before I bought it and everything is stock. It had live rock, live sand, and two clown fish, along with some red slime and little green algae.
The livestock I have added to the clowns is one 6 line wrasse, one peppermint shrimp, 1 sally lightfoot (did survive a day), some cleaner crabs and snails, and 2 very small 'frags' of Zoa and Xenia.
I did have a slime/algae problem which was quickly resolved with slime remover and everyone is doing great. I also tried the biocube skimmer but went back to the BS standard filter because skimmer wasn't doing anything (this is in #1) chamber. Also removed 1/2 the bioballs and replaced with LR rubble and a carbon bag in the #2 chamber. Left the sponge on top of the top plate in #2 and still have the big square sponge in the #3 chamber. I did have a heater in the display but took it out because temp never goes below 81 even with lights off (averages 81-82 and I leave the feeder door open when lights are on). I think slime/algae from old lights so bought new wht/blue ecoxotic pan pro module coming friday to install.
My first questions are: is this enough filtration and should I somehow get the skimmer back in? I am also considering the Stevie something media basket but need to save up (if I am able to get this, any recommendations on how to install and what to put in the chambers? I am not very technical and can't keep a plant alive so the whole green living stuff that you have to trim probably won't be good for me).
My main question is I would like to have an anemone and some corals (replacing the stock to LED for this) but I am unsure about flow requirements. As mentioned, I just have the stock BC pump. Should I upgrade that? If so, do I still need to add an extra (like Koralia) or should I leave the stock and purchase only the extra in the display. Also, looking at pumps to buy, I can't quite tell how they are plugged in - are they standard outlet plugs or do I need to purchase yet another piece. PLEASE Note: I do not have much money to spend (not that I don't want to, but just don't have it right now because of personal circumstances outside of my control - in fact, this tank is my solitude
).
Thanks ahead for any guidance!
The livestock I have added to the clowns is one 6 line wrasse, one peppermint shrimp, 1 sally lightfoot (did survive a day), some cleaner crabs and snails, and 2 very small 'frags' of Zoa and Xenia.
I did have a slime/algae problem which was quickly resolved with slime remover and everyone is doing great. I also tried the biocube skimmer but went back to the BS standard filter because skimmer wasn't doing anything (this is in #1) chamber. Also removed 1/2 the bioballs and replaced with LR rubble and a carbon bag in the #2 chamber. Left the sponge on top of the top plate in #2 and still have the big square sponge in the #3 chamber. I did have a heater in the display but took it out because temp never goes below 81 even with lights off (averages 81-82 and I leave the feeder door open when lights are on). I think slime/algae from old lights so bought new wht/blue ecoxotic pan pro module coming friday to install.
My first questions are: is this enough filtration and should I somehow get the skimmer back in? I am also considering the Stevie something media basket but need to save up (if I am able to get this, any recommendations on how to install and what to put in the chambers? I am not very technical and can't keep a plant alive so the whole green living stuff that you have to trim probably won't be good for me).
My main question is I would like to have an anemone and some corals (replacing the stock to LED for this) but I am unsure about flow requirements. As mentioned, I just have the stock BC pump. Should I upgrade that? If so, do I still need to add an extra (like Koralia) or should I leave the stock and purchase only the extra in the display. Also, looking at pumps to buy, I can't quite tell how they are plugged in - are they standard outlet plugs or do I need to purchase yet another piece. PLEASE Note: I do not have much money to spend (not that I don't want to, but just don't have it right now because of personal circumstances outside of my control - in fact, this tank is my solitude
).Thanks ahead for any guidance!
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