My Biocube 29 is up & running

DukeOfPrunes · 01-13-2008, 09:02 AM

Finally got my Biocube 29 up and running....24 lb live rock (enough?), 20 lb live reef sand (the bag had some water in it and said "no cycling required"????!!!?? I guess I shouldn't believe it, right?). I have a Rio 6HF pump and a CPR SR3 protein skimmer ordered, did the extra flow mod on the tank. One interesting thing I found is the Biocube 29 doesn't hold anywhere near 29 gallons!!

The LR looks to be pretty well cured, the LFS has some great Fiji LR < $3/lb. It's fairly light & porous, so 24 lb took up lots of space. . .

What is the best way to properly cycle this tank?

I'll keep updating photos if anyone wants to see!

Cheers,

DoP

Royalscott · 01-13-2008, 10:55 AM

Looks good, but I would at some more LR.

lcstorc · 01-13-2008, 12:00 PM

I like the scape job.
A bit more LR would certainly not hurt. A lot depends on what kind of bio-load you are going to put in the tank.
As far as cycling. Get a piece of raw shrimp from the grocery store. Put it in a mesh bag or piece of stocking and put it in the tank. As the shrimp starts to rot it will produce amonia. Then the bacteria in the rock will convert the amonia to nitrites and the nitrite to nitrate. Test daily so you can follow the progress. Once amonia and nitrite are 0 do water changes to get rid of the nitrates. Then you are ready to go slowly starting with your CUC. It is very important to add slowly since each addition will stretch the filter capabilities of the bacteria in the LR. It will continue to grow and provide a better and better filter.

DukeOfPrunes · 01-13-2008, 01:54 PM

OK..put the shrimp in. . .did all the water tests I had:
Ammonia: 0
Nitrate: 0
Nitrite: 0
pH: 7.8
Calcium: 340
Carbonate Hardness: 179
Phosphate: 0

We'll see what happens

01-13-2008, 10:55 AM	#2 (permalink)
Royalscott Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 781 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My Biocube 29 is up & running Looks good, but I would at some more LR. __________________ Janetta & Scott 29 Gallon Bio Cube & 14 Gallon Bio Cube The Nano Club Wear Gloves

01-13-2008, 12:00 PM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 21,727 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: My Biocube 29 is up & running I like the scape job. A bit more LR would certainly not hurt. A lot depends on what kind of bio-load you are going to put in the tank. As far as cycling. Get a piece of raw shrimp from the grocery store. Put it in a mesh bag or piece of stocking and put it in the tank. As the shrimp starts to rot it will produce amonia. Then the bacteria in the rock will convert the amonia to nitrites and the nitrite to nitrate. Test daily so you can follow the progress. Once amonia and nitrite are 0 do water changes to get rid of the nitrates. Then you are ready to go slowly starting with your CUC. It is very important to add slowly since each addition will stretch the filter capabilities of the bacteria in the LR. It will continue to grow and provide a better and better filter. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

01-13-2008, 01:54 PM	#4 (permalink)
DukeOfPrunes Bryozoan Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 53 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: My Biocube 29 is up & running OK..put the shrimp in. . .did all the water tests I had: Ammonia: 0 Nitrate: 0 Nitrite: 0 pH: 7.8 Calcium: 340 Carbonate Hardness: 179 Phosphate: 0 We'll see what happens Last edited by DukeOfPrunes : 01-13-2008 at 11:29 PM.

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