My first 29 Gallon Biocube

BigBen14 · 03/08/2010, 11:47 AM

Ok Im getting my stand for the biocube in tomorrow and got everything I need.(I think)

First Question: Do I need a heater I have been told that my lights would be enough to heat the small tank.

Second What I have so far: I have 20 pounds of live sand(Do I need more?) I have no live rock yet will get some soon. I have a protein skimmer(Biocube brand)

Now how should I set-up the tank

JJPicardo · 03/08/2010, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBen14

Ok Im getting my stand for the biocube in tomorrow and got everything I need.(I think)

First Question: Do I need a heater I have been told that my lights would be enough to heat the small tank.

Second What I have so far: I have 20 pounds of live sand(Do I need more?) I have no live rock yet will get some soon. I have a protein skimmer(Biocube brand)

Now how should I set-up the tank

Undoubtedly, you need a heater. Remember that those lights will be off at night. Without the heater, you're looking at temperature swings in excess of probably 5 degrees. Not good at all for your livestock. I'd look at a 100W Stealth.

BigBen14 · 03/08/2010, 12:13 PM

Ahhh didn't think about that... I will for sure get one, but just wondering. The 3 led nights lights do they produce any heat?

Also what temperature should it be

jonewald · 03/08/2010, 12:15 PM

I have had a 29gal Biocube for going on 3 years now. You will definitely want a heater to keep the temperature stable at night. 20lbs of sand should be plenty if you only want a shallow sand bed.

The LED moonlights won't really give off any amount of heat that will effect the tank temp. I generally keep my tank's temperature at between 78-80F.

As far as what else to do depends on how much you want to modify the tank. Do you want corals? If so, what kind? I've been able to keep softies, low light LPS and a BTA after upgrading the lighting. What's your plan for stocking the tank and I try to help out with any other suggestions.

JJPicardo · 03/08/2010, 12:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBen14

Ahhh didn't think about that... I will for sure get one, but just wondering. The 3 led nights lights do they produce any heat?

Also what temperature should it be

3 led lights will produce minimal heat. I'd suggest temperature setting around 77-79 degrees.

BigBen14 · 03/08/2010, 12:26 PM

Well so far I haven't looked to much into coral. I have a rough draft of what livestock I want :

Clown Fish -Gold Stripe Maroon or Black or White False Percula(( Thinking Pair in far future))

Blennies- Lawnmower Orange Spotted and Scooter Blenny

Goby- 2 Firefish Goby

Inverts- Electric Blue Hermit Crab Electric Orange Hermit Crab Emerald Crab

Maybe a anemone in the far far far far future

cleaner snails, cleaner shrimp

That look alright?

jonewald · 03/08/2010, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigBen14

Well so far I haven't looked to much into coral. I have a rough draft of what livestock I want :

Clown Fish -Gold Stripe Maroon or Black or White False Percula(( Thinking Pair in far future))

Blennies- Lawnmower Orange Spotted and Scooter Blenny

Goby- 2 Firefish Goby

Inverts- Electric Blue Hermit Crab Electric Orange Hermit Crab Emerald Crab

Maybe a anemone in the far far far far future

cleaner snails, cleaner shrimp

That look alright?

The maroon clowns would grow too large for a 29gal BC. Any of the other fish listed would be fine.

A bubble tip anemone would work if you upgraded the lighting in the BC otherwise, I would not put an anemone in the tank.

BigBen14 · 03/08/2010, 12:48 PM

Ok I will probably buy my clown fish at the local pet store. Also on the anemone I was gonna wait a very long time before doing anything and plenty of research.

One Problem I am having. The local fish shop has her live rock with coral already attached and doesnt sell any without it. Is that alright if my tank hasnt cycled yet?

On my coral set-up I was thinking about getting this:http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...33&pcatid=2033

Im having a hard time understand the live rock concept to. Can I leave live rock out dry for a few days or when i buy it does it need to be put in water soon.

Also the cycle is kind of hard for me to grasp as well, any comments would much appreciated.

stevek480 · 03/08/2010, 03:15 PM

I think you'd want to stay away from buying live rock for a new setup with coral attached. That is just asking for it to die. If you are buying live rock, you would want to put it in your tank as soon as possible. Leaving it out for a few days would just lead to dead rock, so you wouldn't want to do that. I would suggest buying live rock online, or you could buy dry base rock online and then seed it with a piece or 2 of live rock.

Have you checked out the "First time" sticky in this forum? I found it to be quite useful when starting out with covering many of the basics like the nitrogen cycle, etc. Here's the link:

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074

BigBen14 · 03/08/2010, 04:19 PM

Ahh ok, Where would be the best place to buy live rock online

BigBen14 · 03/08/2010, 07:18 PM

So should I order cured LR or uncured LR ?

star27624 · 03/08/2010, 07:41 PM

I would get the cured liverock. The uncured liverock can be quite the smelly experience.

BigBen14 · 03/08/2010, 07:50 PM

Ok so here is what I think Im supposed to do..

1: Put in Live Sand
2: Pour in Water
3: Put In Live Rock when it gets here and wait for cycle...

Is that right?

Also the water should I already have it premixed? or pour in tapwater and then add the salt?

BigBen14 · 03/08/2010, 08:46 PM

Hate to be a pain but If I need to go ahead and make the saltwater Need to do it very soon

star27624 · 03/08/2010, 08:55 PM

Put in your rock first. That way it is stable on the glass, then add the sand. That way any burrowing critters can't tople your rock work. You could put egg crate under the rock to keep it off of the glass and then cover it with sand if you wanted.

You will want to make your saltwater up 24-48 hours before you are needing it. Mix it with a powerhead and have a heater in it.

03/08/2010, 11:47 AM	#1
BigBen14 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	My first 29 Gallon Biocube Ok Im getting my stand for the biocube in tomorrow and got everything I need.(I think) First Question: Do I need a heater I have been told that my lights would be enough to heat the small tank. Second What I have so far: I have 20 pounds of live sand(Do I need more?) I have no live rock yet will get some soon. I have a protein skimmer(Biocube brand) Now how should I set-up the tank

03/08/2010, 12:13 PM	#3
BigBen14 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	Ahhh didn't think about that... I will for sure get one, but just wondering. The 3 led nights lights do they produce any heat? Also what temperature should it be

03/08/2010, 12:15 PM	#4
jonewald Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 102	I have had a 29gal Biocube for going on 3 years now. You will definitely want a heater to keep the temperature stable at night. 20lbs of sand should be plenty if you only want a shallow sand bed. The LED moonlights won't really give off any amount of heat that will effect the tank temp. I generally keep my tank's temperature at between 78-80F. As far as what else to do depends on how much you want to modify the tank. Do you want corals? If so, what kind? I've been able to keep softies, low light LPS and a BTA after upgrading the lighting. What's your plan for stocking the tank and I try to help out with any other suggestions.

03/08/2010, 12:26 PM	#6
BigBen14 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	Well so far I haven't looked to much into coral. I have a rough draft of what livestock I want : Clown Fish -Gold Stripe Maroon or Black or White False Percula(( Thinking Pair in far future)) Blennies- Lawnmower Orange Spotted and Scooter Blenny Goby- 2 Firefish Goby Inverts- Electric Blue Hermit Crab Electric Orange Hermit Crab Emerald Crab Maybe a anemone in the far far far far future cleaner snails, cleaner shrimp That look alright?

03/08/2010, 12:48 PM	#8
BigBen14 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	Ok I will probably buy my clown fish at the local pet store. Also on the anemone I was gonna wait a very long time before doing anything and plenty of research. One Problem I am having. The local fish shop has her live rock with coral already attached and doesnt sell any without it. Is that alright if my tank hasnt cycled yet? On my coral set-up I was thinking about getting this:http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...33&pcatid=2033 Im having a hard time understand the live rock concept to. Can I leave live rock out dry for a few days or when i buy it does it need to be put in water soon. Also the cycle is kind of hard for me to grasp as well, any comments would much appreciated.

03/08/2010, 03:15 PM	#9
stevek480 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Flemington, NJ Posts: 605	I think you'd want to stay away from buying live rock for a new setup with coral attached. That is just asking for it to die. If you are buying live rock, you would want to put it in your tank as soon as possible. Leaving it out for a few days would just lead to dead rock, so you wouldn't want to do that. I would suggest buying live rock online, or you could buy dry base rock online and then seed it with a piece or 2 of live rock. Have you checked out the "First time" sticky in this forum? I found it to be quite useful when starting out with covering many of the basics like the nitrogen cycle, etc. Here's the link: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=1031074

03/08/2010, 04:19 PM	#10
BigBen14 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	Ahh ok, Where would be the best place to buy live rock online

03/08/2010, 07:18 PM	#11
BigBen14 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	So should I order cured LR or uncured LR ?

03/08/2010, 07:41 PM	#12
star27624 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 62	I would get the cured liverock. The uncured liverock can be quite the smelly experience.

03/08/2010, 07:50 PM	#13
BigBen14 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	Ok so here is what I think Im supposed to do.. 1: Put in Live Sand 2: Pour in Water 3: Put In Live Rock when it gets here and wait for cycle... Is that right? Also the water should I already have it premixed? or pour in tapwater and then add the salt?

03/08/2010, 08:46 PM	#14
BigBen14 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	Hate to be a pain but If I need to go ahead and make the saltwater Need to do it very soon

03/08/2010, 08:55 PM	#15
star27624 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Indiana Posts: 62	Put in your rock first. That way it is stable on the glass, then add the sand. That way any burrowing critters can't tople your rock work. You could put egg crate under the rock to keep it off of the glass and then cover it with sand if you wanted. You will want to make your saltwater up 24-48 hours before you are needing it. Mix it with a powerhead and have a heater in it.