My 29g Biocube Build

[iced98lx]

Well, while we work at the 180 and the reconstruction that goes with an in wall tank we decided we'd better try a smaller tank out to make sure she thought it was worth sinking the amount of time and money the 180 will require into a project.

I picked up a 29g biocube with stock return pump and fairly fresh bulbs from our local non-profit aquarium for a good price. Second purchase I've made from those guys and always glad to fund future development there.

Got it home this afternoon and did a rinse down with vinegar and fresh water:

Then got it on my desk where it will live:

and tested the lights:

Sounds like 1 of the 2 fans is going out, so I'll have to order a replacement for that, but I"m going to get the RO/DI hooked up tonight/tomorrow and get it filling. Have salt, just placed this order with BRS:

I also ordered the mediabasket/fugebasket combo, and some things to go in there.

This build is "budget friendly":


so far total investment: $350

$125 for the cube
$100 for test kits/Refractometer
$125 for media basket/fuge basket, Chemipure, and purigen

Add in heater ($30) and sand ($20) and we're at $400.

I'm aiming for $500 total investment to be "fish ready" so I have $100 for the rest of what I need..

Tag along while I go through setup

 

[iced98lx]

Not sure if you can tell in these pictures, but I got the razor blade out and got the glass cleaned up. Working on my RO/DI setup to get ready to make some salt water!

 

[iced98lx]

Not sure if you can tell in these pictures, but I got the razor blade out and got the glass cleaned up. Working on my RO/DI setup to get ready to make some salt water!

 

[iced98lx]

And UPS delivers the goods just in time!

Thanks InTank

They pack very well:

The goods:

Went with the "combo pack" and added some purigen and chimipure.

 

[ange062]

Looks like you are off to a good start! Gotta love that InTank stuff!!

 

[iced98lx]

Time to quiet it down:

Out with the Old:

Fan connector on Biocube on the left, new fan connector on the right:

I'll post a picture of the screws I'm using to retrofit, the modifications needed to the reflector and the finished product when I get back from getting the proper screws.

 

[iced98lx]

Looks like you are off to a good start! Gotta love that InTank stuff!!

it's pricey for what it is, but very good quality and fits well, so you pay for the good stuff.

 

[iced98lx]

Hood completed. I bought longer screws that sadly were also fatter, so I just drilled out the holes for the screw mounts, snipped the reflector and everything is back together. I will want to convert back to regular fan plugs and put them on a controller though: they're still a bit loud for me. Rio 6hf plumbed in with some black 5/8ths by 1/2 inch tubing strait from the outlet to the bulkhead. I'm sure it'll rattle like crazy until I get it re-situated. Just waiting on the few other items I bought on here (heater/ mixing tank) to get it wet.

room before : 36db
room with tank lights/fans: 39db.

 

[iced98lx]

Guess I never took a picture of where it's going to sit when it's done:

 

[secrest]

Looks like you're off to a great start so far.

 

[iced98lx]

FINALLY.

Time to get this baby wet.

 

[iced98lx]

Got the water level adjusted to where I want it after some tweaking. Added some filter floss on the top level of the media rack. Water level is right below the top rack of the media basket, is this how others are running/have run? Temp is holding steady at 80 degrees so far, all is well.

 

[iced98lx]

 

[iced98lx]

From the right side:

From the left:

Best picture I can get inbetween:

Hard to see but there is a concave area of the purple rock, which matches nicely the overhang on the other rock to create a nice hiding area.

 

[iced98lx]

Looking for some feedback on my stocking plan for our 29g biocube

in order of adding:

Linckia Sea Star, Blue (Linckia laevigata) with the clean up crew
Yellow Watchman Goby & Pistol Shrimp
Two Black & White Ocellaris (Amphiprion ocellaris)
Purple Dottyback (Pseudochromis porphyreus)

Thoughts?

 

[keithrett]

Looking for some feedback on my stocking plan for our 29g biocube

in order of adding:

Linckia Sea Star, Blue (Linckia laevigata) with the clean up crew
Yellow Watchman Goby & Pistol Shrimp
Two Black & White Ocellaris (Amphiprion ocellaris)
Purple Dottyback (Pseudochromis porphyreus)

Thoughts?

I'd hold off on the starfish for now, but other than that the list looks fine.

 

[visuvius]

Yeah you should be good with those. Any CUC?

 

[iced98lx]

I'd hold off on the starfish for now, but other than that the list looks fine.

That's what I'm hearing. More Reading will be required for this guy the way it looks he's very sensitive to water params.

Yeah you should be good with those. Any CUC?

I'm trying to decide. I don't think I want any crabs after reading, but I think i'll go with one of those pre-assembled "kits" for a 20 gallon. I know they'll quickly multiply into more than I need but I can scoop them up and toss them in the 180, sound reasonable?

Tested parms today, I believe I could probably make out something on the ammonia test, so a little more waiting for the CUC. Ordered some food to drop in and see if that spikes it. If not, I'll order a CUC next week.

 

[blutang007]

Looking Good...

 

[iced98lx]

Zeros!

I have zero Nitrite, zero Ammonia. Need to figure out what test kits I need besides the 3 I have (Ammonia / nitrite / nitrate) going forward and get those ordered up. After the testing and cleaning some diatom and the start of GHA off the glass, I went ahead and changed the filter floss, and while I was there I figured I'd add the chemipure elite and purigen I'd bought with the in-tank basket. Claims on chemi-pure are pretty funny (no more water changes!! EVER!!) but I have read others having great success with both, so I will give it a shot. Only downside is that I forgot to rinse them before I added them. I now have yellow/green hazy water. hopefully it'll clear up shortly.

Anyway, off to order a cleanup crew.