29 Gallon Biocube Reef Noob Journal By SlyReefer

[SlyReefer]

Hey Guys,

 

Sly Reefer from Bowie, Maryland here.

 

Decided to keep a journal of some kind on a website so I can learn and keep track of my progress on this great adventure of reef aquariums.  I know this hobby can be very rewarding if done properly so I made sure I had 100+ hours of research on the subject before diving in.  After coming across may setups, some complicated and some rather simple, I decided bio cube 29 gallon in my bedroom would be a good choice for me.  My father kept guppies when I was younger and I have always loved fish and the reefs.  Being able to mimic this in my living room got me very excited and off I went to amazon.

 

Main Compartment

Coralife BioCube Aquarium Stand, Size 29

CaribSea Arag-Alive 20-Pound Special Grade Reef Sand, Bimini Pink

 

Temperature Control

EHEIM Jager Aquarium Thermostat Heater 100W

Liquid Crystal Horizontal Aquarium Thermometer

HDE LCD Digital Fish Tank Aquarium Thermometer

 

Extra Lighting

2 of Coralife Energy Savers ACL15608 Biocube Led Light Bar, Blue

 

Cleaning Products

Biocube Algae Cleaning Magnet

KollerCraft Aquarius Aquarium Fish Net with Stainless Steel Handle, Medium

25 Foot - Python No Spill Clean and Fill Aquarium Maintenance System

 

Water Maintenance and Circulation

Hydor Koralia Evolution 750/850 Aquarium Circulation Pump, 750-850 GPH

Coralife BioCube Protein Skimmer for Aquarium Filter

 

Biological Filter

Pura (Magnavore) APU00414 3-Pack 300-Micron Media Bags for Aquarium Filter, 6 by 12-Inch

Seachem Matrix Carbon 100ml

Seachem Matrix Bio Media 1 Liter

2 of Eshopps AEO19070 Square Foam Aquarium Filter, Large

Seachem Purigen 100ml

Poly Filter Pad 4 X 8"

 

Test Kits

API Saltwater Master Test Kit

Coralife Energy Savers ACLAF877 Deep Six Hydrometer

 

If you notice I went with a higher water flow and with a better filtration system then originally comes with this system in anticipation of adding future corals.  When filling the tank I used nutri sea water and water from my lps (Tropicals in Glen Burnie)  After finally setting up the tank with everything in it on 2/22/16 I was able to run the tank successfully but with temperatures as high as 83.3  I then realized my water level was double the max line and lowered it to where it needed to be.  This then dropped the temperature to 81.03 which is better but not optimal.  I was able to achieve a constant salinity of 1.025 and a ph of 8.2.  I am not worried about ammonia, nitrite and nitrate at this time.  My primary concern was dropping the temperature, so after researching about 2 hours I came across a solution that a fellow reefer had tried with the same tank to achieve a constant temperature of 78.

 

Tank Cooling Addition

Sanatop Aquarium Cooling System Fan Chiller + AC Adapter (6-Fan)

Zoo Med AquaSun Aquarium Controller Timer & Power Strip

 

I was almost dreading the fact of having to buy a chiller for this unit as I felt it was a little overkill.  With this attached and the back door removed, the unit looks very classy and stays cooler.  The unit is also on a hinge to move up and down with the tank door.  So I am currently waiting for this unit.

 

On 2/22/16 I also added 20 pounds of dry rock.

 

On today, 2/26/16, took a sample of water to my lps and test came out ok.  No nitrites or nitrates and a little bit of ammonia.  Decided to buy 6 lb of live rock and add it to the tank.  Guy at the lps recommended some blue legged hermit crabs.  Bought 12 for 8$.  SCORED BIG TIME.  Paid 100 dollars for rock.  Came with following inhabitants: Torch coral, pistol shrimp,  and some unidentifiable.

 

The lps did not realize the critters were inside but did mention that anything attached to the rock was included.  I feel really excited about the surprise torch and shrimp.  The shrimp is shy and lives in a small cave at the top of the rock.  The coral the size of a dime is small but seems to like the water flow.  It also seems to be moving closer to the light.

 

Now I have pictures and also need help identifying some things in the tank.

 

What I believe is the pistol shrimp

 

Unidentifiable white star

 

Another Shot of white star and another brown star in top right

[SlyReefer]

Filter Set Up

 

Live Rock Shot

 

 

Tank Shot

 

Pistol Shrimp

 

???

Edited February 26, 2016 by SlyReefer

[missjdub]

Not to deter you from tracking your progress here, I've found aquaticlog.com useful too. It tracks your measurements, equipment, inhabitants, set up date, costs (I stopped tracking costs, it was too scary) and also gamify it in a way. I've fallen off on entering measurements and inhabitants but if you keep on top of it, it is helpful. I can figure out when I need to change filtration media, how long my tank has been up and running etc.

 

http://www.aquaticlog.com/aquariums/missjdub/2

[SlyReefer]

Thanks missjdub,

 

I will definitely look into that and downloaded the app on my phone.  This should definitely help me keep track!  Thanks for helping a noob lol.  But, I'm also excited and want to share with you guys!!

 

Yours,

 

Sly Reefer

[donnievaz]

The eye stalks on that shrimp lead me to believe that it's not a Pistol but a Mantis. The white star is most likely some type of tube worm. The brown thing looks like it might be a Majano anemone. The worm is harmless, the other two, not so much. If that is a Mantis it will kill and eat any fish you put in there. 

Edited March 7, 2016 by donnievaz

[missjdub]

I had heating issues with my cube too. If you're keeping the lid on it, run the unit without a heater and see how it fares. Before going headless, my temperature stayed between 77-79 without running a heater. Also, get to know your enemies. The pics posted were not the clearest. Research mojano, aiptasia and mantis/pistol shrimps. Take care of that earlier than later.

[Prunfarm]

Definitely a mantis shrimp.  You may here clicking coming from the tank, and will start losing hermits and snails.  Many of us have had mantis only species tanks.  I agree the 'star' is a tube worm, and the ??? does look like a majano anemone which will take over and wreak havoc.  I would do some research on the mantis, if you don't want it, somebody will.  Also research the majano, I would try to kill it in place, that rock is darn nice to nuke.

[YHSublime]

I would try a glass cup in the sand on a slight incline with some food in the bottom. The mantis will most likely go for the opportunistic meal, and then not be able to climb out. You might decide you want to keep the mantis, depending on what type. I've always been fond of peacock mantis shrimp.

[LoCoReefer]

I would recommend getting rid of the coralife "skimmer" if one can even call it that. I just got rid of mine for a Aquamaxx HOB skimmer and my first collection cup was dark brown and my water became crystal clear. The coralife skimmer was doing absolutely nothing for me.