First Tank Ever - BioCube 32 Newbie Build

[Unskilled Reefer]

So here is Cosmo in her new temporary home. I think she is happy for now

I had a long talk with her about sharing the tank and not biting the corals when I get some. I think she understood, lol.

 

[cromag27]

So here is Cosmo in her new temporary home. I think she is happy for now

I had a long talk with her about sharing the tank and not biting the corals when I get some. I think she understood, lol.

let us know how that goes. lol.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

Lots to report today. It’s been busy.

So this is what I came home to today. Algae process is finally starting. Well I think so at least. If someone can confirm I would appreciate it.
@cromag27 @jabberwock @Katrina71

Goodbye pretty white rocks

 

[Katrina71]

Awesome! It's ALIVE!!!

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

Welcome to the Cube Family! I've had mine for a little over a year now, with a house move at the ~6 month mark, and the tank is really settling in nice now. As you can see there are tons of options. Most will suggest taking the top off and adding a better light. If you do that, I would highly suggest a custom cover. I purchased one from @cromag27 , and couldn't be happier! Definitely get the feed door if you buy from him. Depending on the model you have, he might also have a template for your tank...should speed up the process a bit.

I had an intank basket prior to adding a skimmer to my tank when I used purigen and chemi-pure blue, but I've seen taken that out, and run an AquaMaxx 1.5 HOB skimmer. I"ve also upgraded my return pump to a Sicce 3.0, and LOVE IT! You have to put a splitter on your return though, and even that being said you need to dial back the flow (I use 2 RFG nozzles from @Vivid Creative Aquatics .

My other suggestion with the small tank, don't put any hermits in there other than the ones that stay small!

It's a great tank, good luck!

Thanks for the welcome to the family and all the advice! Those upgrades are now on my wish list.

 

[jabberwock]

That’s a great idea for the stock filter transition! I did realize because I cycled with lights off I had very little or no algae for the cuc to eat. I picked up some pleco wafers to keep them happy until algae starts to grow.

I think I have made my first newbie mistake. I now know I need to wait longer for more responses before I make decisions. Part of it is me just being impatient, part is I do really like the coral beauty and am willing to roll dice that I won’t get a biter, lol. If not, I do have a few options to rehome it.

Other fish I want are two clowns and maybe watchman goby/pistol shrimp or lawnmower blenny and wrasse or blood red fire shrimp. My lfs said it’s early for shrimp and had no blenny in stock.

Lawnmower Blennies can be jerks. I don't pay $30 for shrimp unless there is a plate of a dozen of them...

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

I keep forgetting to post my lighting schedule for feedback so here it goes.

The lighting setup on the BioCube is a bit confusing. From my research I believe that you will want the blue and white channels to overlap because it boosts the PAR output of the lights. Again any feedback on this plan is appreciated.

Lighting Schedule:

LC1 (Daylights): 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
LC2 (BeautyMax aka Sunrise/Sunset): 10:30 am to 7:00 pm
LC3 (Moonlights aka Blue Lights): 8:30 am to 12:30 am

I am only running 8 hours of main lights which I hope will help with the algae control of a new tank. I plan to up this to 12 once I get corals. The sunrise will start 30 min before the main lights come on (10:30-11 am) and sunset will run for 30 min after the main lights go off (7-7:30 pm). Blue lights will run all day but will display by themselves early in the morning and late at night for blue viewing. Channel 3 also controls moonrise and moonset. Moonrise starts at 8:30-9 am and moonset is from 12:30-1 am. Total darkness is from from 1:30 am until 8:30 am.

 

[jabberwock]

lighting schedule looks pretty good, similar to mine, I just have adjusted the photo period to happen later in the day when I am home. Stock biocube lights are fairly weak.

Wait until the algae takes off. You will be like, "Holy Cow!". At one point I had half a dozen distinctive algae blooms. Don't panic, some algae is too be expected. Do some manual removal and tooth brushing, but don't feel like you have to pull out all your rocks and scrub everything. Algae is part of the process and system. It is normal and natural. That being said, you don't want to let it get out of control.

 

[jabberwock]

The new fish is exciting. She is nice and small, and your QT set up looks great!

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

lighting schedule looks pretty good, similar to mine, I just have adjusted the photo period to happen later in the day when I am home. Stock biocube lights are fairly weak.

Wait until the algae takes off. You will be like, "Holy Cow!". At one point I had half a dozen distinctive algae blooms. Don't panic, some algae is too be expected. Do some manual removal and tooth brushing, but don't feel like you have to pull out all your rocks and scrub everything. Algae is part of the process and system. It is normal and natural. That being said, you don't want to let it get out of control.

Ok good. I eventually plan to upgrade to Steve’s but for now I am going to start with the stock.

Thanks for the heads up on what to expect for algae.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

I still have been testing daily but have not been posting results because everything has been the same and normal.

I am also testing and keeping a close eye on the QT tank with Cosmo in it. She hasn’t eaten yet but she is starting to swim around a little more and leave her safety corner in that pvc pipe.

 

[Katrina71]

My son didn't upgrade for a while.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

Just and update on Cosmo. She is eating today and swimming around the entire tank.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

So I know patience is important but I really struggle with this part of the hobby, lol.

My lfs had a big sale start today. I ended up picking up two clowns and two coral frags. I figured move cosmo and if he gets sick he is the only fish in my DT so he wouldn’t infect any other fish. The use my QT for the clowns. I am probably gambling a little here but I am going to roll the dice. Wish me luck!

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

For coral I went with cheap and easy for now. A gsp and a ultra green bubble hammer.

 

[Katrina71]

They are cute!

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

The diatoms are really starting to take off now

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

They are cute!

The smaller guy is Bert and the other is Ernie.

 

[Katrina71]

That's funny.

 

[Unskilled Reefer]

Should I be increasing the size of my cuc a little now? I currently have 2 scarlet hermits, 1 random hermit and 2 Mexican turbo snails.
@Katrina71