Office 14g Biocube

[toddc76]

I have taken the plunge and decided to get back into the hobby. This time with a smaller tank in my office at work. I am generally there more often than my office at home so it should get lots of attention.

Here is where I am:

I boiled some rock I had left over from an old tank and will get some seed rock online or from a LFS here in town.

Here is what is left to order:
1. Heater
2. InTank Media Basket
3. Was thinking of getting a Hydor Pico Evo-Mag 4W (180 gph)
4. Hydor Nano 240gph
5. Timers or a RKL ( have not decided yet)
6. New test kit
7. Hydor Flo

To do:
1. Find a stand of some sort.
2. Decide rock layout
3. Go get RO water from LFS
4. Order seed rock.

I am planning for a month long cycle but we will see how long it takes. The plan for the tank is a coral tank with a fish or 2, but the corals will be the main attraction. I will be upgrading the lighting to LED next month once I get another round of "Hobby funding" from the department of homeland-accounting (the better half).

-T

 

[NanoReefNoob]

I also have a 14 G that I have just started. Personaly I have used distilled water Because it is 75% cheaper and so far I have not had any problems. ether then that I have every thing that you are planning on getting. And I am planning on getting the NANo 240GPH.

I wish you luck just figured I would put in my two cents on water situation.

 

[toddc76]

I thought about that to be honest, but RO water is $1/g here and for 14 gallons is a pretty insignificant price compared to everything else.

Thanks for the input and thanks for stopping by.

 

[Zalman]

There are matching stands for that tank. They are like 100$ or less. all black and fairly decent looking.

 

[Hextall]

5. Timers or a RKL ( have not decided yet)

I bought a controller for my 29g biocube (an Apex Lite) because there's so much more it can do besides just manage lighting schedules. The biggest for me (for now...) is being able to add top off water when needed.

I was initially going to buy the RKL, but then realized that everything I'd eventually wanted it to do would mean more money than the Apex Lite. While researching both controllers... a lot of people like the RKL at that price.

Plus, even though you are buying a more complicated device, it'll actually simplify the whole automation of your tank.

 

[toddc76]

I had a Apex lite for my 70g in-wall. It was nice.

I was thinking of the $200 marine depot only version of the RKL that included the SL-1 and the PH probe. For ATO I was going to get the JBJ.

 

[toddc76]

Would the 300gph hydor pico pump be too much for a 14g? It is only a dollar more.

 

[toddc76]

There are matching stands for that tank. They are like 100$ or less. all black and fairly decent looking.

I think I found a way to rearrange my desk so I can put it on my desk. Its a pretty big desk.

 

[toddc76]

ok, I placed a few orders today..

Replacement pump, Powerhead, Heater, Hydor Flo and an InTank Media basket.

Everything but the basket should arrive tomorrow.

 

[toddc76]

First order arrived.

Hydor PH, Hydor Flo, Fluval e-heater 100w.

I then ran to HD to get some buckets and to the LFS for some supplies and 14g of RO water. While I was there I picked up a 5lb liverock to help with the cycle and get some coraline in there.I also threw in another few pieces of rock I had left over from my last project.

Surprisingly enough, the tank took right around 10g with the rock and 20lbs of the Bimini pink sand. All I have in there for media at the moment is some floss in the top of chamber 2. It will stay like this until the InTank basket arrives and then I will add some carbon.

Anyone have any cookies to go with all this milk?


Tomorrow I should be getting the new return pump.

Thanks for tagging along.

 

[toddc76]

Got my Hydor Pico pump in today and installed it. It does move more water, but not quite as much as I expected. Guess I am just used to my Pan World 50PX from my old 70G. I keep eyeballing the MP10, but I want LED's first.

I am a little disappointed with the Hydor powerhead.. it feels a little weak and might need upgrading. I messed around with the rocks this morning and its back to being mostly cloudy. I will put in a tiny bit of flake to help the cycle and and see what the water flow seems like in the tank.

 

[toddc76]

Also, one more thing real quick. I am using a Fluval E-series 100w Heater. So far, the setting on it is right on. I have it set for 78.5 and my external digital thermometer says 78.4.

I highly recommend.