New life for Coralife Biocube 14

Texas Reefer · Mar 10, 2015

A coworker gave me a Biocube 14 he didn't feel he would use anymore. He had modded it with DIY LED's. There is a hole in the canopy where he had a HOB skimmer. The pump no longer worked. The second chamber was empty.
I purchased an Aqueon Quietflow 600, a new water deflector for the return, an inTank media basket with filter floss, Purigen, and a carbon media bag. I also bought an Eheim Jager heater (which I ruined i think by placing horizontally in a tub of saltwater I had my new rock in for a few days) and replaced with an Aqueon. A digital thermometer, a light timer.
Today I set up the tank with a couple inches of Fiji Pink Arag-alive sand, about 14 lbs of live rock, and WATER (saltwater, of course)!
I put the heater in the first chamber, the media basket with only the filter floss in the second compartment, and the pump, of course, in the last compartment. Put on the new water deflector. I will probably add a Jebao WP-10 to increase flow.

Texas Reefer · Mar 10, 2015

My plans:
Once I start to see some algae growth I will add a cleanup crew: a small starfish, a handful of hermits and a couple snails. Maybe a conch. Once the cycle is complete I will add my Flame Angel. I know everyone will say the tank is not big enough, but he cannot stay in my Reef tank. Currently he is in the sump of my 90g reef because he chases my firefish and nips my acans and chalices. I'll add the Purigen and Carbon bag to the media basket and decide on a skimmer. I'm currently considering the Biocube skimmer. Then I would like to add a goby/pistol shrimp pair. One of these:

Texas Reefer · Mar 10, 2015

My questions are:
Is the Biocube skimmer with wood stone adequate?
Should I put a frozen shrimp in the tank to help the cycle, or will the Arag-alive sand and live rock be sufficient?
At some point Im thinking I would like to add an anemone and a clownfish. Too much bioload?
What corals can I put with the flame angel? Obviously no chalices or acans. I'd like mushrooms and leathers, zoas... What about lps like torches and frogspawn?

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 11, 2015

Think the clown anemone pair. Or. Pistol and Randalls goby pair are both good. Options, maybe try and trade the flame for. One of. Those two things.

GreatWhiteTang · Mar 11, 2015

Bio cube skimmers ime are a waste. Cup. Isn't big enough to. Get any real. Skimmate and the Airstone needs replaced. Often to. Create really fine bubbles!