homer1475's Biocube 29 Build Thread
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homer1475
New member
Wow all the way back to the bottom of page 3! 
Anyways, went to one of my favorite LFS's today as they had a frag swap. Lots of cool stuff, but unfortunately my tank is full. I did of course come home with 2 things(I certainly wasn't driving 3 hours and coming home empty handed), a yellow rocordia mushroom, and a small 2 head rainbow acan. Been wanting some acans after seeing all the colors they give in soulpatch's tank, but haven't seen any that I thought were monetarily worth it(not that I've been to an LFS in the last month or so either, stupid work!!).
I'll post up some pics tomorrow since its maintenance day, and they will probably open up tomorrow.
EDIT:
My Cocoa worm is growing his crowns back! If I look into his tube, I can see the little "feathers" starting to emerge from the tube. I did read they can shed their crowns if their not fed enough, and they will often grow back smaller. So I'm curious to see how big they become. Least I know he's not dying, and that's a good thing.
Anyways, went to one of my favorite LFS's today as they had a frag swap. Lots of cool stuff, but unfortunately my tank is full. I did of course come home with 2 things(I certainly wasn't driving 3 hours and coming home empty handed), a yellow rocordia mushroom, and a small 2 head rainbow acan. Been wanting some acans after seeing all the colors they give in soulpatch's tank, but haven't seen any that I thought were monetarily worth it(not that I've been to an LFS in the last month or so either, stupid work!!).
I'll post up some pics tomorrow since its maintenance day, and they will probably open up tomorrow.
EDIT:
My Cocoa worm is growing his crowns back! If I look into his tube, I can see the little "feathers" starting to emerge from the tube. I did read they can shed their crowns if their not fed enough, and they will often grow back smaller. So I'm curious to see how big they become. Least I know he's not dying, and that's a good thing.
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soulpatch
New member
acans and certain zoas have super high prices and for the most part I do not get it. I understand some of the ultra and master acans driving high prices but normal guys should not be.
I really think the next tank will have grow outs of certain acans to be able to sell off and potentially make me some money. Cant say I am terribly into most SPS (a few are stunning) and as such more acans and LPS in the next tank I believe
homer1475
New member
I'm with you on SPS's. Everything at the swap today was 90% SPS, nothing even looked as stunning as my plain jane frogspawn IMO. While I do find a couple of SPS's stunning, they just don't do anything for me.
timfederwitz
New member
I would agree with both of you on the SPS versus just about any other coral"¦ but have you seen YDKM's SPS tank?? It is truly stunning! I'm sure it has cost him/her thousands, but it has amazing colors.
SPS seems really difficult though.
homer1475
New member
Ohh there are definitely some absolutely amazing looking SPS tanks(just look at reefwreaks build thread)and the color they bring is stunning, I just tend to like the movement in the tank versus the color.
I think the difficulty or "cutting edge" of SPS's is what naturally draws people to them. Everyone naturally likes some friendly competition, and to boast about there tank(just read some build threads lol), saying you have a thriving SPS's tank is definitely something to be proud of, and something you can boast about to fellow reefers, just because of the difficulty of keeping them.
I think the difficulty or "cutting edge" of SPS's is what naturally draws people to them. Everyone naturally likes some friendly competition, and to boast about there tank(just read some build threads lol), saying you have a thriving SPS's tank is definitely something to be proud of, and something you can boast about to fellow reefers, just because of the difficulty of keeping them.
timfederwitz
New member
Couldn't agree more on the movement aspect. That's why I was drawn to a Xenia in a low flow tank"¦ the thing was playing like CRAZY and it was mesmerizing. I have pretty much decided against a Xenia now, especially now understanding that they don't pulse like I saw in higher flow tanks, not to mention they spread like a weed, but the movement of soft corals draws me like a moth to a flame.
homer1475
New member
Love my Xenia and how it pulses. Just have to keep it in check. Every couple months I cut some back, then it regrows. I've actually found I can grab a stalk and pull it off the rock with forceps without it ripping or falling apart. I just see it as part of tank maintenance. My tank is full of "nuisance" corals, their only a nuisance is you don't keep up with them.
soulpatch
New member
I have GSP in my tank and have to keep it in check. Should it hit one of the rocks next to it I might have an issue but at the same time I like the green mat I have in the rear. Push comes to shove and I will cut a frag of it off and boil the rock to get rid of the remainder...
My acans do not move like many LPS but the colors they provide and seeing them eat is fun. I like the movement of some LPS but the colors and attitude of acans cracks me up.
My acans do not move like many LPS but the colors they provide and seeing them eat is fun. I like the movement of some LPS but the colors and attitude of acans cracks me up.
soulpatch
New member
HA. Good luck with that one. You will have to test it out.
I find most of mine enjoy mid light and flow. I have 2 that like high light and mid flow, one that is low light and low flow, and 2 more that are high light high flow.
They are even like teens where they will get cranky for a few days and shrivel up till the pouting is done and they reinflate. I typically start on the sand and slowly move up over the course of 2 weeks in both flow and light.
Have to watch after you leave them msome place too to ensure they are really happy. Watch the edges of the head and if you see ANY signs of decay drop them back down. They recover fast but they also dwindle quickly and getting regrowth over that skeleton is difficult.
homer1475
New member
I've been doing some measuring and configuring and finance's today for my new build. For the space I want to put it in, think I'm going to nix the larger cube and go with a 60 gallon RR marineland tank, and 40 breeder sump(roughly 80 to 90G total water volume). The 40 will give me plenty of room for equipment, refugium, and make water changes super simple. I'll build my own cabinet/stand and close off the extra space on the end for all the electronics. I'm not to shabby with wood working(did all the trim in my house), and if I run into problems a neighbor is a custom cabinet maker and has a complete wood working shop just down the road. Figure I can build it how I want it instead of settling on the stock stand options which I just don't like.
Also thinking of going with Kessils hanging from the ceiling, or I'm still mulling over the idea of another Aurora puck. If I go that route it will render the biocube useless as it will have no lights(threw out the stock fixtures). I'm going to slowly start looking for equipment. I'm going to a marinland dealer tomorrow to maybe order the tank since no one carries their RR tanks in stock, at the very least I'll get an idea of price. I'll get the 40 breeder when petco has their dollar a gallon sale next. If I get the tank up and running by spring(it's way to cold to be working on anything in the winter around here), it will fit into my timeline quite nicely.
Also thinking of going with Kessils hanging from the ceiling, or I'm still mulling over the idea of another Aurora puck. If I go that route it will render the biocube useless as it will have no lights(threw out the stock fixtures). I'm going to slowly start looking for equipment. I'm going to a marinland dealer tomorrow to maybe order the tank since no one carries their RR tanks in stock, at the very least I'll get an idea of price. I'll get the 40 breeder when petco has their dollar a gallon sale next. If I get the tank up and running by spring(it's way to cold to be working on anything in the winter around here), it will fit into my timeline quite nicely.
homer1475
New member
Still on the lookout for a nice yellow one. Found one online but with S&H it was around 80$. Not bad I know, but if I just wait, my LFS will eventually get me one, and it will only be about half the price.
Here's my black just after lights out, I've been feeding him after lights out, it's just easier. My cleaner shrimp doesnt attack it for the food if I feed after lights out.
New ricordia:
New rainbow acan:
And some top down shots:
Front of the tank:
Middle:
Right side:
Left side:
Here's my black just after lights out, I've been feeding him after lights out, it's just easier. My cleaner shrimp doesnt attack it for the food if I feed after lights out.
New ricordia:
New rainbow acan:
And some top down shots:
Front of the tank:
Middle:
Right side:
Left side:
homer1475
New member
OOh yeah forgot to mention, flame angel and electric indigo dottback came out of QT today. The angel took right to the tank, the dottyback is just hiding. I read that they(dottybacks in general) can kill cleaner shrimps, but it seems as though my cleaner wants to kill the dottyback(I read on ORA's website that since the electric indigo is a tank raised hybrid, they won't eat crustaceans and ornamental shrimp)? The cleaner is hanging right by the hole hes hiding in, and when the dottyback did come out, the cleaner went right after him.
homer1475
New member
Hey reefwreak if your around, I have a question about that sps stick I got for free.
I placed it high in my tank and it completely bleached one side of it, although I'm not sure if it breaking caused it to bleach or if it was from the light? I originally had it on the frag rack and it started to bleach out(same side that broke off in shipping), thinking it needed more light I moved it to the top middle of the tank and that's where it went downhill fast. The opposite side is still healthy and I see its polyps extend every day, just curious if it will recover, or is it a goner? In the bottom pic I just posted you can see the tip thats broke off, and that entire side bleached out. Only asking you since I know you have plenty of experience with this sort of coral.
I placed it high in my tank and it completely bleached one side of it, although I'm not sure if it breaking caused it to bleach or if it was from the light? I originally had it on the frag rack and it started to bleach out(same side that broke off in shipping), thinking it needed more light I moved it to the top middle of the tank and that's where it went downhill fast. The opposite side is still healthy and I see its polyps extend every day, just curious if it will recover, or is it a goner? In the bottom pic I just posted you can see the tip thats broke off, and that entire side bleached out. Only asking you since I know you have plenty of experience with this sort of coral.
I'm always around (you can always PM/text me too if you have quick Qs, just ask for my number)
I would always start it lower in the tank, let it brown out, but it'll recover. If you put it too high, you risk bleaching/killing it instantly.
They can always recover. I've grown out some SPS from a single polyp or two back into a thriving frag, then into a colony. single polyp
You'll be alright, it was definitely the light though. Breaking just makes more SPS, rarely will it stress it enough for it to start dying out, and it's not like there's any connection between sections, they'll all work independently and almost in any orientation.
Nice looking coral too, just noticed the picture. They may have tossed it in because it wasn't doing well for them so why not It looks like it's already missing a big patch of flesh in the middle side. it'll grow back with reasonable calcium and alkalinity, moderate flow, and good lighting once acclimated.
I would always start it lower in the tank, let it brown out, but it'll recover. If you put it too high, you risk bleaching/killing it instantly.
They can always recover. I've grown out some SPS from a single polyp or two back into a thriving frag, then into a colony. single polyp
You'll be alright, it was definitely the light though. Breaking just makes more SPS, rarely will it stress it enough for it to start dying out, and it's not like there's any connection between sections, they'll all work independently and almost in any orientation.
Nice looking coral too, just noticed the picture. They may have tossed it in because it wasn't doing well for them so why not
It looks like it's already missing a big patch of flesh in the middle side. it'll grow back with reasonable calcium and alkalinity, moderate flow, and good lighting once acclimated.
