Just got started

[Nelz]

Ok, finally got a picture that Im not totally ashamed of sharing.


Its just a entry level, bone stock Oceanic BioCube......The only "mod" was changing the worn out blue light. Which brings me to a question. I asked the LPS for an actinic light, he gave me one that just said blue. Being a newb, I figured he knew what he was talking about. Im thinking there is a difference in the two, OR the would both be called "blue".....LOL

Anywho, the tank is in cycle stage, LR, live sand and some dead shrimp. This will prolly be a slow build, cuz I really want to do it right. Im always open to suggestions and or critique from you more experienced peeps.

Should I have gotten rid of that green algea, or will the coraline replace it?

I plan on the tank being pretty much coral dominated, with no more than 3 small fish(2 clowns and a lawn mower blenny). Which comes first the fish or the corals?

I didnt do anything to my "base" rock, which is every piece except for that small different colored one at the front left of the tank. Did I need to do something to the base rock before installing?

One of my favorite parts of the rock is on the very back right side.....its like a small cave on the rock, looks a lot like a sharks mouth from head on.

What could go in that void(light/water requirements) that would look cool.




WOW, that picture looks horrible on the net, not that bad on the camera

 

[Joe.the.Newb]

Very cool, its a lot of work but tons of fun.
I'll let the more experienced address your questions about the blue light, from my experience in my old cube the bulbs said blue also but they were Actinic if i remember correctly, if it is a power compact good chance its the right one, but don't hold me to that im still somewhat new also.
From what I know about coraline it can take several months to grow in a new tank, and needs good water parameters which you do not have yet, so scrap that old green stuff off the wall is what i say and start anew.
I would definitely add my fish one at a time before the coral. The above named fish are pretty hardy and as long as you know the basics should be fine after a complete cycle and a couple months after your nitrites are gone because you still have to get to know your equipment and usually diatoms as brown/ green algae. The fish will provide the needed waste to form a higher yield bio filter from LR and LS so integrating them one at a time at least a week apart (from my experience) is usually safe. Getting to know all the problems associated with high water quality and all the things that WILL go wrong is a very important step before you try to put in coral which are much harder to keep. For some coral a small change in any parameters like salinity, PH, temp, O2, lighting and algae cover can kill off your pride an joy and really discourage you.
This hobby is about taking it slow, there is a huge learning curve, 1 way to do it right, 1000 way to skrew it up.

 

[Nelz]

Tank has been cycling for a few weeks, just got the water tested. Looks like its doing what its supposed to so far.

Just started seeing some algae growing.........cant wait to get some "interest" in the tank

 

[TjwBlake]

The only other mod I'd suggest is to cut the tab between chamber 1 and 2 so you get more waterflow. It's as easy as getting a utility knife and cutting it across to the back of the tank and could be done anytime. Makes a bit of a difference in how well your water circulates.

You could get a toothbrush and scrub off some of the green algae before doing waterchanges. That would help you to get it out of the tank, the coraline will eventually grow there as well.

Was the light in a package when he gave it to you? It should say on it. The light is literally blue in color so it could be correct.

You could look at sun coral (yellow tube coral) for that little cave. they are a non photosyntetic polyp with bright bing yellow heads. They require spot feeding each polyp but it could look very cool in there.

 

[patrickbush]

Good start, the biocube makes a very nice reef with a little modding. I'd suggest checking our inTank's media basket, but other than that just let the cycle run it's course. That cave would be good for shrooms if you plan on having a lot of flow in the tank too. Joe's fish schedule looks pretty spot on too me as well. The algea on the back looks like dead coraline with a little green on it, just leave it and it'll get covered in new coraline.

 

[Nelz]

Any opinions on the bioballs? I keep reading mixed reviews, would love someones 2 cents that has a biocube.

If I take them out, how much material has to be replaced? What would go in there instead?


Thanks in advance

 

[TjwBlake]

I took mine out and replaced with Chemipure Elite and Filter floss.
The suggestion to get a Media Basket is worth it. it gives you 3 tiers to separate your media.

there seems to be 2 setups:

1- Chemipure, Purigen, Filter Floss
2- Chemipure, Cheato (will need a couple more minor mods), and filterfloss

 

[ange062]

I took mine out and replaced with Chemipure Elite and Filter floss.
The suggestion to get a Media Basket is worth it. it gives you 3 tiers to separate your media.

there seems to be 2 setups:

1- Chemipure, Purigen, Filter Floss
2- Chemipure, Cheato (will need a couple more minor mods), and filterfloss

+1 on this, InTank baskets plus the #1 media choice mentioned, just make sure it's Chemipure Elite and not just regular chemipure (adds phosphate/silicate reducing GFO). Ditch the bioballs, you have liverock so you don't need any additional biologicals.

Fish come before corals IMO, they are easier to keep

 

[Nelz]

Thanks guys, guess Ive been talked into the Media basket..........yay, more research! LOL

 

[kwong1998]

Do you have a skimmer? If not, You should get a skimmer first before you put more filter filter media at the back or the tank.

 

[kwong1998]

I mean the back chamber of the tank

 

[Nelz]

It came with the bio cube version protein skimmer, the reviews on it Ive seen were pretty bad, I didnt even bother to hook it up.


Also saw a lot of info that the nano tanks dont really need one.

 

[TjwBlake]

as long as you keep up with waterchanges and keep an eye on nutrients you can do fine without a skimmer.
Though, if you have it and can get it working there is no harm in running one i spose

 

[ange062]

Although you don't need a skimmer on a nano and some don't run them, best case is still to use one and it will help out with the tank and livestock long term. Just my 2c.

 

[Nelz]

Alllllllllrighty,

Ive talked myself into the InTank Media basket, thank you to all that recommended it........Ive seen some of your tanks, and well........lets just say you know more about this stuff than I do.

When I first bought the tank, I found a dead fish in the second section, up on top of the black plastic that covers the bioballs....so, I m pretty sure Im getting the "fish saver" as well.


Anyone ever lose a fish like that?

 

[Nelz]

Ammonia level is still way too high.........should I just keep being patient....or do a water change.

I keep reading different reviews on that topic

 

[ange062]

Seems like WAY too long to still have ammonia in the tank!! Wow! You haven't noticed any drop in levels?

I have always done weekly water changes whether the tank was cycling or not.

 

[Nelz]

Allllllrighty, parameters finally got under control. At the moment we have 2 clowns, 2 Blue Green Chromis and a dragonet.

I am getting the Chromis and the Dragonet to eat frozen foods(thank Gawd the Dragonette took to frozen, the tank is way too new for him)


The clowns are only about 3 days old, I cant seem to get them to eat anything. They pick at the frozen foods and the flakes.

Ive been reading about Cyclop-eeze, anyone else ever use it?

 

[BlueFyre]

I use cyclopeeze and my clowns go nuts for it. Everything in my tank seems to eat it, even the corals.

 

[Jadams]

"Rods Food" - Hands down the best reef food EVER!!!!!! Fish will eat it, corals will eat it, and inverts will eat it.

<img src="http://www.saltycritter.com/images/pics/rods-food.jpg">