My 29G Biocube Build Thread

[SaguaroSteve]

I've finally decided to dive into the saltwater addiction! I recently found a great deal on Craigslist for a 29 gallon Oceanic Biocube and matching stand for $150. The tank is missing a few parts, so I was hoping I could list the items and all the knowledgeable people on this site could point me in the right direction.

1. Missing the "flow direction nozzle?" on the main output into the tank.
2. Compartment one and two do not have the original skimmer or media tray, rather it's empty.

With that in mind my thoughts are as follows:

1. For the flow nozzle, consult my LFS for a misc. nozzle laying around, since I must lack the right term to find it anywhere online.:rollface:
2. For the compartments I was considering putting a heater in 1, purchasing a media tray with a combination of things (suggestions welcomed) including Purigen for 2, and 3 would obviously just be the stock pump.

I plan on stocking: 1 to 2 clowns, YWG, Flame Angel, and possible a Toby puffer.

All I really have left to purchase is live rock (cured), a bit of live sand, and then obviously my fish and corals over time. I haven't started to begin my tank yet because I'll be on Christmas break in a few weeks for school and I didn't want that big hiatus between things, so I'm taking my time and trying prepare/gain as much knowledge as possible.

I'll be posting pictures in the next days of everything and advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

 

[SaintMark]

1st off I hope you have done a leak test. If that goes well I would say get live sand (I Like the fine grade http://www.marinedepot.com/Caribsea...Reef_Aquariums-CaribSea-CS1905-FISSLS-vi.html )

Then add your Live Rock. When shopping for live rock let your nose be your guide. If it smells like 5 day old gym socks don't buy it. It should have little to no smell.

If you do this before the holidays your should be ready for livestock after St. Nick leaves and it is also a great way to get gift certificates!

Keep us posted

+1 Subscribed

 

[ange062]

Flow nozzle should be easy to find anywhere like you said. Check out InTank for media baskets of high quality (I run them in both my JBJ's and they are A+++++). Your media choices are right on par, I used Purigen and Chemipure Elite with great success. Skimmer choices are abundant, just search and you will find tons of info. Welcome to the nano club!

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Well heres a quick update! I've got everything equipment wise set up and ready to go with the exception of media rack in the back which I've ordered. I have the lights set up on timers and since I have no electrical background I'm pretty proud of how it turned out

I'm also considering replacing the stock cooling fans, they're awfully loud. Anyone have suggestions to that?

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Ordered my inTank media rack and have my Visi-Therm 100W heater on the way! Also picked up some JB Water Weld and Loc-Tite superglue gel for my aquascaping and attaching frags (eventually). For the media rack I intend on using some filter floss on the top shelf, Seachem Purigen on the second, and possibly Seachem's Seagel on the bottom rack. Once I get the tank up and running, and when I have some more funds, I'll upgrade the return pump! Super excited to get the liverock/sand and water in the tank by the end of the week. I plan on going with the Cured Rock ~15-20lbs then ~10lbs of cured LR. I'm constrained by a college budget and I'm in no hurry so I my hope is for the LR to eventually seed the other rocks. Once my water parameters are in check and everything's going smoothly (my LFS provides water tests for free) I'll add my CUC.

Suggestions are welcomed!
I'll be posting HQ updated pictures by the end of the week!
Thanks for stopping by!

 

[jcmelski]

I could never get my tunze 9002 to run correctly. Personally I wouldn't do a skimmer. I would just do pwc's.

 

[SaguaroSteve]

I could never get my tunze 9002 to run correctly. Personally I wouldn't do a skimmer. I would just do pwc's.

I will not be purchasing a skimmer unless/until I get a higher bioload...

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Well with our recent entry into the B1G Championship game I've decided to hold off on anymore reef purchases till after Christmas break and our bowl game, I'll be away too much to properly set up the tank. My next update will include all my Christmas list/purchases and up to date tank info:

• Apex Controller systems with probes for Temp., pH, and salinity. As well as lighting, ATO, pumps, and auto-feeder programming.
• I'll have my inTank media rack installed with filter floss, purigen, and seagel.
• 30lbs of LR, and a cup of LS to seed my new sand bed.
• AquaHub float switches wired to the Apex breakout box using the Aqua lifter pump.
• And some auto feeder which I'm still undecided on....

Sorry if I'm being repetitive I just wanted this to be planned and go smoothly!

Happy reefing!

 

[Hextall]

• Apex Controller systems with probes for Temp., pH, and salinity. As well as lighting, ATO, pumps, and auto-feeder programming.

The Neptune forum here has some very helpful and knowledgeable users to help set it up. Also, get the Unofficial user guide... it's leaps and bounds better than the official manual that comes with the apex.

 

[slowwrx137]

I just ordered the Apex controller and breakout box for my biocube last week. Hopefully I'll get it soon and it'll be easier to setup than it seems.

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Got the inTank media basket ready to go...

1. Filter Floss (100% polyster aka fake snow )
2. 100 ml bag of Purigen
3. Standard bag of SeaGel

The build quality on the inTank media basket is superior, also comes with a clip type part to hold it snug and water flow directors that you can glue in place if your flow is going everywhere....

LR is next! Hopefully I can get it within the next week or so from my seller!

 

[RedStangGA]

Looks like you're off to a good start! Tagging along.

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Finalized fish list (one of each), begin adding Jan 2012...
I'd also like to add my LFS QT's it's fish for 2 weeks, and then moves them to a tank with copper for another two weeks, saving me the wait of QTing.

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Got Live Rock In!!!!!! Let me know what you think! Can't say enough about reefwonders hospitality and knowledge. Awesome guy and has a great selection of LR left!

In pieces (missing two smaller pieces that I didn't see in the bottom of the bucket)

FTS

FTS filled up!

Now if only I could get the temp of the tank to start climbing the 68 degrees isn't gunna cut it!

Debating on whether or not I want to epoxy the rocks together, I might just do it to the few small ones ontop, this is a Manado type rock so it links together very well....

There's also some brown polyps (?) on the bottom right, no idea how they'll look, hopefully it warms up sooner than later!

 

[SaintMark]

Now if only I could get the temp of the tank to start climbing the 68 degrees isn't gunna cut it!

Debating on whether or not I want to epoxy the rocks together, I might just do it to the few small ones ontop, this is a Manado type rock so it links together very well....

There's also some brown polyps (?) on the bottom right, no idea how they'll look, hopefully it warms up sooner than later!

The polyps might not make it as the temp is way low. I hope they do! Your tank is looking good so far I cant wait until you get the rest of your gear.

 

[aaron7405]

About your fsih slection I think you should pick your fish very carrefull in a nano. IMO I would not add is such a small tank the hawkfish witrh small fishes as the gobys, Fire hakfish will try to eat them, also the sixline tend to be territoal in a small tnak, its just an advise.

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Should be adding some corals tomorrow! Pictures soon!

 

[auto151]

super start on the tank

 

[Bens_Reef]

did you get a heater yet? hope your temp is up enough for them. very nice rock and aqua-scape. was this tank running when you got it? with the pieces you were missing, i am just wondering how you got all that purple coralline on the back wall already.

NEED more PICS!

 

[SaguaroSteve]

did you get a heater yet? hope your temp is up enough for them. very nice rock and aqua-scape. was this tank running when you got it? with the pieces you were missing, i am just wondering how you got all that purple coralline on the back wall already.

NEED more PICS!

Thanks for the compliments everyone! About the coralline, I bought the tank used with the stand for $150 (it was sitting in his basement for a few months then he had the thought to sell it, to me of course:wave. He had a reef set up in there before, and just never cleaned it off the back. I had a heater the whole time, the water eventually warmed up nicely by the next morning, now it's too warm! :eek1: Around 80 to be specific but I'd rather it be closer to 78. However, due to the heat of the PC lighting and the wattage of the stock pump it's generating a lot more heat than I thought so I'm upgrading to a Hydor Pico Evo pump (300gph runs at 8W) and after the new year I'm installing the RapidLED dimmable upgrade.

Only one of the polyps in the colony didn't make it and it was a very small one, I think one of the hermit crabs had for dinner. They're opening up about half way.

As far as the critters in the tank so far I've got an emerald crab, peppermint shrimp (that won't eat aiptasia:angryfire, blue hermit, red hermit, 3 astraea snails, 3 nassarius, and 3 cerith (I think).


I'm heading to the LFS (Pruess's) shortly and I'm going to test my water parameters as soon as I'm done with this post. Barring anything unusual I'd like to maybe get some kind of leather toadstool or a hammer coral (or all of them :wildone. I'll have to get some Aiptasia X too :worried:, I've got 4 tiny ones. But as everyone knows the trips to the LFS usually include you walking out with 5x times the items you said you were getting lol.

I'll be sure to have a picture heavy post tonight!