My First Tank A BioCube 29gal. !!! (Pics)

ReefRunning · 09/10/2013, 04:31 PM

So Last week I got a BioCube 29 off craigslist for $120 not to bad I dont think and I also got a Solana stand off craigslist as well. Since the Hood bulbs where blown and I didn't really like the look of the hood, I looked up to see if De-rimming was possible, found out it was! so on Sunday I used a hacksaw to Cut the sides like I saw on another Forum, started prying and eventually got the whole front part of the rim off and I have to say It looks awesome!! So now the next thing to do is to get the tank running, plan on doing this weekend. I have some Sand I got from my Local Aquarium Store and also have some Rock so think Im pretty good to start the tank, But idk Im new to the SaltLife. Im also waiting on a AI nano sol that I just bought to show up in the mail.

ReefRunning · 10/02/2013, 01:49 PM

Ok so now I got my AI Nano and the tank all setup and running now!!! I got it running few days ago (9/31/13) I even have a little hermit crab in there that I thought would help start the cycle since the rock was dry when I put it in. Now I'm curious to when I should put in some clowns and other fish. I've read that you should let your tank cycle for a few weeks before adding anything so I guess I'll wait a few weeks unless there's any shortcuts maybe or any ideas of what else I should do

Heres some more Pics

oscarinw · 10/02/2013, 02:02 PM

Next thing to do is to get your hands on a testing kit, maintain your salinity steady and test until your ammonia and nitrite spike and disappear. That might take a while with only one hermit crab in the tank.
Once that happens, then you can start thinking of your clownfish.
Good luck with things!

ReefRunning · 10/02/2013, 02:30 PM

I have a salinity tester, but do you recommend a certain testing kit? any what could I add to speed up the cycle?

wilsonline · 10/02/2013, 05:31 PM

yes, you may use this
http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s.../PRO-BD12.html
but I would still wait for a month, before adding any fish!
How are you controling yor temperature and replacing the water from evaporation?
Beautiful rocks and sand

I would clean the back ground.
AI nano

first do this and make sure everything is ok. Than have another crabe, or an zooanthus.
good luck!

wilsonline · 10/02/2013, 05:33 PM

do you have bio media filtration on your sump? this is good

ReefRunning · 10/02/2013, 08:17 PM

Thanks for the input, ill look into that and I have a thermostat that came with the tank when I bought it and it hasn't evaporated much yet so far to top it off Ill just throw in some water from my R.O. system that I have in my house. And currently I have the bio balls in the back and the rest of the stock filtration in bio cubes, im considering changing the pump in the back as-well it seems a little weak

09/10/2013, 04:31 PM	#1
ReefRunning Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pompano Posts: 18	My First Tank A BioCube 29gal. !!! (Pics) So Last week I got a BioCube 29 off craigslist for $120 not to bad I dont think and I also got a Solana stand off craigslist as well. Since the Hood bulbs where blown and I didn't really like the look of the hood, I looked up to see if De-rimming was possible, found out it was! so on Sunday I used a hacksaw to Cut the sides like I saw on another Forum, started prying and eventually got the whole front part of the rim off and I have to say It looks awesome!! So now the next thing to do is to get the tank running, plan on doing this weekend. I have some Sand I got from my Local Aquarium Store and also have some Rock so think Im pretty good to start the tank, But idk Im new to the SaltLife. Im also waiting on a AI nano sol that I just bought to show up in the mail.

10/02/2013, 01:49 PM	#2
ReefRunning Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pompano Posts: 18	Ok so now I got my AI Nano and the tank all setup and running now!!! I got it running few days ago (9/31/13) I even have a little hermit crab in there that I thought would help start the cycle since the rock was dry when I put it in. Now I'm curious to when I should put in some clowns and other fish. I've read that you should let your tank cycle for a few weeks before adding anything so I guess I'll wait a few weeks unless there's any shortcuts maybe or any ideas of what else I should do Heres some more Pics

10/02/2013, 02:02 PM	#3
oscarinw Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Western Massachusetts Posts: 1,091	Next thing to do is to get your hands on a testing kit, maintain your salinity steady and test until your ammonia and nitrite spike and disappear. That might take a while with only one hermit crab in the tank. Once that happens, then you can start thinking of your clownfish. Good luck with things!

10/02/2013, 02:30 PM	#4
ReefRunning Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pompano Posts: 18	I have a salinity tester, but do you recommend a certain testing kit? any what could I add to speed up the cycle?

10/02/2013, 05:31 PM	#5
wilsonline Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 63	yes, you may use this http://premiumaquatics.com/aquatic-s.../PRO-BD12.html but I would still wait for a month, before adding any fish! How are you controling yor temperature and replacing the water from evaporation? Beautiful rocks and sand I would clean the back ground. AI nano first do this and make sure everything is ok. Than have another crabe, or an zooanthus. good luck!

10/02/2013, 05:33 PM	#6
wilsonline Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 63	do you have bio media filtration on your sump? this is good

10/02/2013, 08:17 PM	#7
ReefRunning Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Pompano Posts: 18	Thanks for the input, ill look into that and I have a thermostat that came with the tank when I bought it and it hasn't evaporated much yet so far to top it off Ill just throw in some water from my R.O. system that I have in my house. And currently I have the bio balls in the back and the rest of the stock filtration in bio cubes, im considering changing the pump in the back as-well it seems a little weak