homer1475's Biocube 29 Build Thread

[soulpatch]

Ya...I don't have a problem spending 20 bucks more...I try to save where I can by buying tax free, or using coupons...I really dont see a problem spending more as long as the quality is there. I think its easier to get the better salt than to have dosing containers, measuring out more things, testing things more often. Time will tell if its keeping my tank stable. I've read for nanos that it really doesn't matter what you use...any reef salt should work. Bigger tanks probably see the benefit of the better salt, but every system is different, all livestock is different.

I think in general this is safe until you get into SPS then that goes out the window. You would almost need to do every other day or daily changes to keep up. Reef for instance can not keep up with water changes and he has to suppliment via dosing. kalk or 2 part is cheaper as a whole then the amount of salt you would go through to keep up though.

I just got a speeding ticket today going to get my dumb water. So whatever savings I got from buying an RODI on sale is now just a joke...my large clown died this morning. My green mandarin died a few days ago. My small clown died last week. I spent 50 dollars on copopods which ended up dying in tank and not reproducing. I spent 60 on a crap quarantine tank which i regret. All my own stupidity and all a true waste, thats the money that hurts me thats what I remember the most..the mistakes and the regrets....needless lost from my own stupidity. 20 bucks on salt...buying radeons, vectras, I'm buying quality from what i've been told....so I'm ok with it. And i never buy used....my other philosophy. Except for vehicles or a home....something like that is a possibility.

If you buy quality gear used you are well in the lead. IE I got a lifereef skimmer for 200 when new is 500. Same thing cept that it doesnt have the new car shine.

We all buy crap we shouldn't have and losses hurt no matter what. The plus side is you are learning and keeping at it and that will make your next round that much better.

I have lost hundreds in corals/clams from my mistakes or equipment issues. But they all drove me to get better items or start to look into other numbers.

Soulpatch....10k on motorcycles issues....you are a true highroller!!!

I try to avoid those issues as they usually come from the bike going down and me landing in a hospital. My last wreck cost roughly 5K in damage to my bike and another 40K or so to me (of which I paid around 5K hence the 10K number)

I only tend to get out about one weekend a month these days and even then my season is roughly may to october so I budget roughly 7K or the season and try to eek out savings where I can. No matter what though best i can do is 5-600 a weekend after I add up track fees, gas, and some wear on parts (oil changes, tires, grips, helmet shields, ect) and food...

You have no need to sweat the small stuff

I dont live a wild life honestly and I do sweat the small stuff. I make good money as does the wife but with a toddler and daycare money tends to go right back out the door. I have a smaller townhome and dont go out. Wife and I spend our money on the toddler, fish, trackdays, and her photography. We are lucky that my parents are very well off and have a beach house we use all summer which negates needing vacation money.

I think I'm close to 6k on our 50 gallon.

My nano was close to 3-4 K all said and done. My 150 is well....I dont want to think about it. Tank and stand alone were nearly 2K in and of itself.

LFS tested magnesium I'm at around 200 , ridiculously low. I've been using reef salt which is what he makes his salt with. He didn't have a magnesium test. My alkanity was 20 extremely through roof. I've screwed up by using seachem marine buffer for PH which doesn't stay put in the 8's. Using that product often caused my alk to rise to extreme, and he believes thats whats causing my coral issues.

Sounds like a good thing you have test kits coming and now you will be MUCH better off to address issues. You are doing the right things. Hang in there.

 

[homer1475]

Got the call today that my tank is at the deliverers. It's coming on Monday afternoon.

So it looks like I'll be leaving this thread in a couple months. I have certainly learned quite a bit with the nano setup, and hoping that the bigger tank will be easier to maintain.

Since I "cut my teeth" on a nano, I'll most certainly stick around this section of the forums and offer advice whenever it's needed.

 

[champion6sigma]

Looking forward to the new build. Sounds though like it will be a while since you are going to be very disciplined and taking your time. Doing it the right way.

I suppose no more additions to your biocube, right? You will simply be just prepping the new tank for the eventual transfer?

 

[homer1475]

Exactly what I'm doing. The biocube is pretty full right now so there will be no new additions until I get the new tank setup.

 

[soulpatch]

Awwe look Reef.... Our baby boy is growing up.

 

[ReefWreak]

lol. He's actually learned a ton and been helping out people a lot on here. It's great to see another hobbyist pick up the reigns and help others with the information they've learned.

Can't wait till everyone's big builds come together. I'll just be here, taking pictures of my eventual rats nest of acropora growing into each other, until the day that I can set them all free in a 220g....

 

[soulpatch]

There is a semi local to you 150 that is coming online slowly and could use some frags.... Just saying....



Hey Homer - When does your busy season start? Any interest in a drive South for a get together?

 

[homer1475]

There is a semi local to you 150 that is coming online slowly and could use some frags.... Just saying....



Hey Homer - When does your busy season start? Any interest in a drive South for a get together?

I Think we might be going to Lancaster for a mini vacation either the end of March or beginning of April. You anywhere near there? I know you said your not to far from That fish place which is in Lancaster.

 

[homer1475]

lol. He's actually learned a ton and been helping out people a lot on here. It's great to see another hobbyist pick up the reigns and help others with the information they've learned.

Can't wait till everyone's big builds come together. I'll just be here, taking pictures of my eventual rats nest of acropora growing into each other, until the day that I can set them all free in a 220g....

Thanks Reef! Coming from you that means a lot. Don't worry Soul and I will take some of those acros off your hands.

 

[soulpatch]

lancaster for a vacation? Where are you going?

Yes I am close to Lancaster. Probably around 20-40 minutes out depending on traffic and where you are going.

 

[homer1475]

We usually go to bird in hand, Intercourse area(Amish country). Then venture ro Herr's potato chip factory, and Longwood gardens(kennet square). For me vacation is relaxing, and thats just what we do when were there.

 

[ReefWreak]

lancaster for a vacation? Where are you going?

Yes I am close to Lancaster. Probably around 20-40 minutes out depending on traffic and where you are going.

There's nothing quite like fresh dairy...

lol. Just don't go to any "BBQ" restaurants and expect good ol' fashioned American Barbecue. Because you'll get rotisserie chicken. I was very disappointed. It was great chicken, but when I have to drive off the highway and down and around the place for a highly rated BBQ joint that only serves rotisserie chicken...

Though I had not considered a potato chip factory.... All of a sudden I have the urge to go to Lancaster....

 

[homer1475]

You would lover Herr's. Free factory tour, and fresh hot chips right off the manufacturing line. Once you've had fresh hot chips, you'll never want to eat a cold bag of chips again.

 

[soulpatch]

My cousin worked at Herr's and my mom's side of the family produces most of the potatoes that they use so I have been in there numerous times and had dinners and such with the Herr family.

If you are coming down this way I would tell you to plan on a stop at my LFS on your way home. Short hop from his shop to get onto the turnpike or 95 whichever you chose...

 

[homer1475]

I was always under the assumption that as a hobbyist, that any information learned should be shared since there is so much conflicting information in this hobby. Basically I always try to pay it forward.

 

[homer1475]

If anyone is intrested, I started a build thread for the new tank.

Homer1475's 80 gallon build

 

[homer1475]

Nothing new to report on the cube, all is going great in there, and everything is growing very well.

I find it amazing how much my corals have grown since I purchased them. You don't realize how much your corals have grown when you look at them daily, but looking back on my thread when I first bought certain corals, it amazes me on how big they have gotten.

On the new build front, have had the flu for the last couple weeks so not much was done. I do have the next couple days off so I olan on doing quite a bit. I'm currently painting the stand, and building my sump. Heres a couple pics of the stand and sump build.

The stand with 2 coats of epoxy appliance paint.



First baffle in my sump. This is the skimmer/inlet section. I plan on doing a hang on filter sock in this section also.


Second baffle in place. This will be my over - under - over section before the return section.


Only used the painters tape as I had it out for the stand, and it holds extremely well!

 

[soulpatch]

Looking good Homer on the new tank build.

As for the corals I completly agree. I was looking back through my thread the other day and it really is amazing to see the changes a tank goes through. Both the coloring of rock and growth of livestock.

 

[ReefWreak]

Hope you're feeling better. Sump looks good. Sorry I didn't respond to the question about the baffles, I just wasn't sure!

If you have old pics of the corals, you should use paint and do some side-by-sides to show the growth over time.

 

[homer1475]

My only question on the baffles was the space between the baffles. I've read 1", 1/2", 2", etc, etc.......

I went with 1/2" to maximize the fuge space. Also did an over - under - over instead of under - over - under, with the glass I had this worked out better. I know the idea behind the last baffle being an under to avoid running the return dry, but I fail to see the logic in that. Once the baffle section is dry, the return will still be dry also.

You mean like MS paint? Yeah good luck with that. My experience in paint is applying it to walls, not on the PC.