George's Biocube Build

[Theg001]

Hey Everybody!

So I finally went ahead and bought a 14 gal. Biocube and stand. After a bit of difficulty with setup (missing stand hardware), I established the tank last weekend. Most of the live rock is from the 350's refugium, there was a small fraction of that system's water added, and I used live aragonite sand so cycling has been very quick. I meant to put up pics last week when I started, but life's been hectic around here lately with remodeling. At this point I have a mixture of LPS, Zoas, a mini-Gramma, several Astreas, and a Hi-Fin Perchlet living in the tank. I crushed a bunch of live rock and mixed it into the sand at the front of the rock work (right behind the little nub) to create a nice space for a Jawfish in the future (the sand bed is at least 2 inches deep).

As of today, my readings indicate:

80.9 Degrees Fahrenheit
8.2 pH
Alkalinity between 2.0 and 2.8
Less than 0.05 Nitrite
Less than 0.025 Ammonia
1.024 ppm Salinity

I also have a couple of questions:

1.) How do those of you with small systems like mine keep the temperature down in the summer? I have been reaching 83-84 degrees Fahrenheit sometimes during the day (with the AC on).

2.) Should I go ahead and dose my system with the two-part Nano Reef supplement produced by Kent Marine that I won at a meeting raffle?

3.) Should I bother with using any Purple-Up solution?

More updates and pics to come......... Thanks for looking!

[Theg001]

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/81409007.jpg

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/81409013.jpg

Sky Blue Chalice
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/81409008.jpg

[twincitiesreefer]

nice
:beerchug:

[MSmusicstudios]

Nice looking cube!!!! I really like it!!!

To help control the heat I would suggest a controller like the Reef Keeper lite.. $95 from Bulk Reef, and I think it is well worth the money!!!!!

I used the the Kent Nano Reef products, but cut the dosage in half, and did it every other day. I had good results, but not enough for me to keep using it. I know many others that have had GREAT results from the product, and swear by it, so I would try it. I would be interested in hearing how it works for you.

I don't know much about purple up... So.. Sorry...

[jjwhiteboy]

Looks really good George! Where did you get that insane chalice and awesome open brain:biggrin:

[RaysReef]

Nice Scoly ;)

[Theg001]

Thanks! I'll definitely investigate that controller for the heat issue. I'm hoping that the Nano Reef dosages will really help crank some growth out of the Zoa frags. I have to say that both of those LPS pieces turned out to be excellent finds Jason. It means repeat business of course :gay1:

Ray: The Scoly has looked great in each of the three systems it's resided in. :beerchug:

[jjwhiteboy]

what kind of light?

[Theg001]

One 24 watt 10,000K Daylight Compact Fluorescent, one 24 watt True Actinic 03 Blue, and two 0.75 watt Lunar Blue LEDs

[Fragtastic Reef]

Looks really good great start! :cool:

[Theg001]

So here's the two week update. First of all, I recently had to re-aquascape because I found that my first setup was becoming increasingly unstable. The good new is I managed to create a more stable rock work, and opened up a bunch more space for corals. I've decided to get a zoa garden going in the whole upper half of the tank. Right now I have frags of:

Martian PE's
RRPE's
Spidermans
Speckled Dreamweavers
Pink Elephants
Black Crystal Deaths
AOGs
Midas Golds
Bam Bams
Kedd's Redds
Pink Kisses
Rainbow Palys
Eagle Eyes
Mint Chocolate Palys
Makassar Reds
(and a few other unidentified varieties)

I'm always interested in new varieties as well :beerchug:

I was wondering, how often should I dose the two-part Nano Reef supplement?


http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/82309009.jpg

Black Crystal Death
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/82309011.jpg

Midas Gold, Speckled Dreamweavers, Makassar Reds, and Pink Kisses
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/82309013.jpg

AOG, Spidermans, and Kedd's Redds
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/82309012.jpg

[jjwhiteboy]

i like your new scape it just seems more pourus too. All the fish still doin good too?

[Theg001]

Yeah. The Perchlet is a bit hard to feed (outside the two Sexy Shrimp he devoured in the other tank), and the Gramma likes bothering the Pajama Cardinal, but otherwise they're doing well. I'm looking for a Signal Goby ;)

[jjwhiteboy]

i had 2 just this past week

[Theg001]

both sold already?

[Theg001]

Here's the latest update-

As of today, I am the proud owner of a beautiful Helfrichi Firefish (obtained at the Petco grand opening event; thanks Jason!). After taking half an hour to disassemble my rock work so I could remove the aggressive Gramma in my cube, I successfully introduced the new guy. He's feeding well and looks great! Now all I need is a Blue Spot Jawfish...........:gay1:

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/91909030.jpg

Interestingly enough, I noticed that the single polyp Acan I bought from Phil at Flip 'N Pets (R.I.P) has completely shifted coloration. Recently, it's had an intense watermelon coloration I simply attributed to the lighting system on the cube. Based on the pics though, it's completely morphed. Take a look (both pics were taken when the polyp wasn't fully expanded):

Original:
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/82309002.jpg

Current:
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/91909001.jpg

[Theg001]

I have also decided to try experimenting a bit with my tank circulation. Some time ago, I decided to run my Actinic 7 am to 10:30 pm and my Compact Fluorescent 11 am to 5 pm. This helps with temperature control and provides a bit of the natural light cycling. Since I've felt for some time that my Koralia Nano provided good, but excessive amounts of flow (fish behavior changes dramatically w/o it plugged in), I've decided to try running the Koralia pump on the same timer as the Compact Fluorescent bulb. The rest of the day, circulation will come from the built in Cube pump. Any comments on this idea?

[Screwtape]

Great looking fish and coral, I'm not sure if I like that acan before or after better though, they both look really cool.

As for flow I don't think a Koralia Nano is too much for a 14g tank. Have you experimented with changing the angle of it, directing it more toward the surface or trying to bounce it off another side of the tank or something?

My fish definitely change their behavior when I turn my powerheads off for whatever reason, I'm not sure it's a good change, at least for my fish. I have a purple firefish and he gets really skittish and darts around a lot when he doesn't have some good current to hang out in. I think the environments that these fish come from have a LOT more water movement than your nano powerhead can provide, I would just run it it all the time and maybe try changing the direction a little or something.

[Theg001]

So I find it's hard to believe that the system's been up and running for 7 weeks already! :biggrin: Everybody is healthy and happy, and I've had no trouble yet (besides the slime attacking my zoas :mad_3:). I can tell my LPS are growing and the coraline algae is definitely spreading. I'm pleased to say that my fighting conch is doing well, even though I was unsure he was getting enough food after the hair algae disappeared @ week 3.

Fish-wise I now have:
1- Pajama Cardinalfish
1- Helfrichi Firefish
1- Highfin Perchlet
1- Yasha Hase Goby (added yesterday)

Inverts:
1- Fighting Conch
3- Astrea Snails
5- Blue Leg Hermits
1- Cerith Snail (the hermits got the other one)
5- Nassarius Snails
1- Fire Shrimp

Corals:
Assorted Zoas (RRPE's, Midas Golds, Pink Kisses, Martian PE's, etc.)
1- Lobophyllia Head
1- Neon Trachyphyllia
1- Aussie Scolymia
1- St. Thomas Rhodactis Mushroom
Assorted other Mushroom Polyps
3- Acan Lord Frags
1- Platygyra Frag
1- Favites Frag
1- Acan echinata
4- Chalice Frags (JNS Watermelon, Aussie Snakeskin, Sky Blue, and ?)

As you can tell, I'm basically maxed out. Grow-out will be interesting, but I'm planning on keeping bonsai-style colonies (plenty of frags to come hopefully). Check out the new pics!

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/92709036.jpg

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/92709032.jpg

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/008.jpg

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/92709012.jpg

[MSmusicstudios]

Great looking tank!!!! I really like it..

[jjwhiteboy]

Lookin good George:greenguy:

[Theg001]

So here's the latest update and pics!

I've recently added a few more frags and a couple inverts. Since I'm very partial to shrimp, I tossed in a small skunk cleaner I picked up out in Buffalo. Happy, healthy, and picking under my fingernails whenever I clean the tank. I also picked up a Randalli Pistol Shrimp at SWE last week, and it immediately paired with my Yashi Goby. They've got extensive tunnels under the rockwork, and only emerge every night around 7 pm. I'm still having trouble with whatever organic compound (for lack of better identification) is melting my zoas. LPS is now the emphasis. I'm very interested in finding a purple Fungia to go with my other two (sea-foam and orange); dollar coin size is perfect. Let me know if you've got one!

Current Stock List:

1- Helfrichi Firefish
1- Highfin Perchlet
1- Yasha Hase Goby
1- Pajama Cardinalfish
1- Fire Shrimp
1- Randalli Pistol Shrimp
1- Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
@5- Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
2- Astrea Snails
@4- Nassarius Snails
4- Acan Lords
1- Acan echinata
1- Blastomussa sp.
1- Trachyphyllia sp.
1- Scolymia australis
2- Fungia sp.
4- Chalices
2- Favia sp.
2- Unknown Brains
1- Duncanopsammia sp.
5- Zoas
1- St. Thomas Ricordia
1- Sunset Montipora

Enjoy the new pics!

[Theg001]

FTS Front:
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/111909002.jpg

Side Shots:
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/111909054.jpg

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/111909034.jpg

Current Mini-Fungia Collection (Thanks for the legacy piece Fritz! :beerchug:):
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/111909039.jpg

[PaulTushaus]

wow lots of nice LPS in there great looking tank :biggthumpup:, BTW that acro on the right may want more light it looks kinda shaded to me

[Theg001]

I am now the happy owner of a pair of Yasha Hase gobies, in combination with a Candy Stripe Pistol Shrimp! :beerchug: I picked up the male (I figured out I already had a female based on an online source) at SWE last Saturday, and he settled into the existing burrow within 2 days. I was unsure if he would upset the balance, but it all worked out well! Here's a pic of him venturing out fully to feed for the first time.

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/121009081.jpg

[Theg001]

Paul- Thanks for the heads up, but it's actually a clump of non-responsive zoas.

[Dhummel]

WOW ,all that for a bio cube, that looks great for the lighting you have...:biggthumpup: i dont even have that much in my 37 gallon! NICE JOB

[Becky]

LOVE IT!!!

[DamselDebbie]

Great photos. Very sharp and colorful. I love all your corals and your selection of fish. Very nice.

[julioboy]

I am just wondering what that tube with the hose attached to it is. Great looking tank and zoas.

[wireefman]

im loving this tank.... cant wait till everything fills in

[Theg001]

Thanks everybody! The Yasha Gobies are looking great and the male is actually starting get a little more relaxed about leaving the burrow. I'm trying hard to get a good ensemble photo. Still need those Lettuce Nudibranchs though.....

julioboy- Where's the piece you're referring to? I have a temp probe and the return on the left side, and a Koralia Nano pump on the other.

[wireefman]

must be your temp probe, next to the return

[Theg001]

Yep, that's it. One of the standard issue digital probes you can get at any of the LFS. The suction cup doesn't hold well.

[reeftanktime]

looks great. I like the variety of corals.

[montiporalova]

That is very nice !

Good work

[Mike Bennett]

Crazy how you can keep so many corals and how bright they all still are under the stock lighting. You must be doing something right (or everything)! :beerchug::beerchug:

[Hellaenergy]

I really like your taste in corals. I especially like the Sky Blue Chalice ;)

[Theg001]

Thanks guys! I've been amazed by how well the Sunset Monti frag has kept its color. Can't say growth rate is noticeable, but with the coral volume I have, it's not necessarily a bad thing. The Sky Blue Chalice is potentially on of the best pieces in the tank. Props to Jason (jjwhiteboy) for getting that one in at Petco. It's recently developed a subtle purple growing edge :beerchug: I may frag it in the future, or sell out when I move on to college next fall.......

[Theg001]

Here's the latest update!

I'm reaching one year with the Cube. Also some tough college-related decisions for the fall.... But in the meantime, things are going well! The Helfrichi died a day before my return from Indonesia :mad_3:, but everything otherwise survived two weeks of pet-sitting. Parameters are still good and I'm getting growth out of some of the frags. Especially the Big Bang Chalice frag :biggthumpup:. Added a Yellow Assessor from Jason at Petco today; the price on them there is almost a sin right now. I will be fragging up the big chalice colony soon now that school's out and there's plenty of free time. Check it out!

1- Yellow Assessor
1- Banggai Cardinal
2- Yasha Hase Goby
1- Green-Banded Goby
1- Fire Shrimp
1- Randalli Pistol Shrimp
1- Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
@2- Blue Leg Hermit Crabs
1- Astrea Snail
@5- Nassarius Snails
4- Acan Lords
1- Acan ?
1- Acan echinata
1- Blastomussa sp.
1- Trachyphyllia sp.
1- Scolymia australis
3- Fungia sp.
6- Chalices (Big Bang, Sky Blue, Watermelon, Aussie Snakeskin, 2 Unnamed)
1- Favia sp.
1- Duncanopsammia sp.
5+- Zoas/Palys (Nuclear Greens, King Midas, Eagle Eyes, Black Crystal Death, Martian PPE's, etc.)
1- Pocillopora
1- Frogspawn
1- Turbinaria
1- Sunset Montipora
1- Red Montipora digitata
Countless- Mini Turbo Snails (Thanks Chad!)

[Theg001]

FTS
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/DSC_0465.jpg

Yashi (Female)
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/DSC_0520.jpg

Big Bang Chalice Frag (Note: Purple veining starting on the left edge :biggrin:)
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/DSC_0477.jpg

Green-Banded Goby
http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/DSC_0497.jpg

More to come!

[AiFohto]

gorgeous tank my friend!

[Theg001]

So here's the latest update:

After running under the care of my parents for ten weeks, my cube is looking better than I had hoped for! Between Sept. 9 and Nov. 22, this system has had only one water change (Oct. 2). Yet, the corals and fish have grown and everything seems healthy and happy. The only surprise is the large "grove" of red macroalgae growing in the top half of the tank. There are at least four varieties! I have been pruning it all regularly over my winter break (if anyone would like a small seed piece of one variety or another, I'm happy to provide it), but I like how some has grown out. Particularly the shelf developing to the right of the Frogspawn. Enjoy!

Livestock:
2 x Yasha Hase Gobies
1 x Green Banded Goby
1 x Catalina Goby
1 x Banggai Cardinal
1 x Yellow Assessor
1 x Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
1 x Fire Shrimp
Couple of Bue Leg Hermits

Corals:
3 x Acan Lords
1 x Caulastrea sp.
1 x Frogspawn
1 x Turbinaria
1 x Scolymia
2 x Trachyphyllia
3 x Fungia
1 x Duncanopsammia
1 x Pocillopora
1 x Montipora (Tyree Sunset)
5 x Palythoa (Nuclear Green, Captain America, Purple Death, Black Crystal Death, Unnameds)
2 x Blastomussa
6 x Chalices (Aussie Snakeskin, Big Bang, JNS Watermelon, Sky Blue, Unnameds)
1 x Acan maxima (?)
2 x Favia (Ray's RPE, Ray's Pink Eyed, Sky-Eyed Green)
1 x Dendrophyllia
2 x Zoanthus (Midas Gold, Unnamed)
1 x Discosoma sp.

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/DSC_0009.jpg

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/DSC_0029.jpg

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/DSC_0021.jpg

http://i452.photobucket.com/albums/qq243/youngreefer33/Biocube%20Reef/DSC_0027.jpg

[this1fish]

what's the red macro algae?

[RaysReef]

Glad to see you back, man...that's is some thick red macro, I would pull the entire aquascaping and start over.