3mm3 29g Biocube

[3mm3]

My first tank build of the year will be my old biocube. In the past I ran this with a cpr overflow and sump, however I decided for this time around I'll keep it fairly simple.

I began with the stand. It was in rough shape but nothing a palm sander and paint couldn't fix. I decided to also seal every bit of bare wood.

Here is the almost finished stand. Still working on the doors.

My initial idea on location followed by actual spot it's going to sit.

 

[3mm3]

For lighting I'm sticking to the coralife aqualight 150w Hqi. Used one around 12 years ago and loved it so snagged one for this build. Just deciding on bulbs to go with. I purchased some 10k, 14k and 20k to test out.

You can also see the tiny skimmer I decided to go with. Its the aquatic life 115 mini. Had to do some tank mods but it now fits inside the first chamber perfectly.

The sand I chose this time around is the caribsea select size.

For return pump I went with a mighty jet and installed 1/2 inch bulkhead. I did have to cut a bigger hole to go with the bulkhead size. Have some loc-line ordered for it also.

 

[3mm3]

For all the clean water needs I picked up a vertex RO system. I don't like the membrane housing location being right above the electronics so I may fabricate a drip plate or something.

Goals for this setup will be just a simple clean lps/ zoanthids tank.
More pics to follow as build progresses .

 

[3mm3]

Quick update. Have water in. Magnum filter is just polishing the water as I didn't rinse the sand as well as I wanted. (Due to outside weather). I have also decided I will add a little more sand.
The mighty jet pump so far is very impressive. Absolutely silent with great flow.
The vertex RO system has worked very well.
The skimmer is too noisy for me so I am working out a way to quiet the thing down.

 

[count krunk]

double posted somehow

 

[3mm3]

The skimmer has toned down the noise quite a bit. I'm guessing it just needed to break in. Still is the loudest piece of equipment though.

Going to see if I can find some algae for the center compartment at frag swap this weekend.

 

[3mm3]

Update. Been working slowly at this project.
Finally finished the doors but after installing them I'm not sure I want doors. May just go without them. Still have some work to do. Waiting for the float switches to arrive to put together my diy ato system. Also need to find a good reservoir to fit in the lower part of the stand. I need to install the grow light on the back glass to light up my macro algae compartment. Definitely need to clean up the wires.
Tested most of the parameters today and everything looks great except alk is a tad low for my liking. Phosphate is on the high side but acceptable.
Temp 76
Alk 7dkh
Calcium 400
Magnesium 1480
Nitrate 5ppm
Phosphate .04ppm

 

[3mm3]

My order from ARC Reef came in.
They recommend Temps between 78 to 82 for their coralline algae, so it looks like I'm heading to go purchase a heater.
I came across this product on another thread and decided to see what happens. Figured my tank was a great test bed for it as I have not introduced anything at all. All sand and rock was dry and equipment new.

 

[3mm3]

Well not a fan of heaters to begin with and choices were slim. Settled on this one. After the tank gets solid coralline I'll pull the heater.

 

[Gonebad395]

Very nice I own a 29 bio cube I love so does the MH light produce enough heat you don’t need a heater ?

 

[3mm3]

Okay just added the purple helix and pink fusion from ARCreef. I'll keep updates on what begins growing.

 

[3mm3]

Very nice I own a 29 bio cube I love so does the MH light produce enough heat you don’t need a heater ?

I keep the house around 70 so with the pumps and light tank hovers around 76. The halide may add a degree or two max. I used to run a 250w Hqi over same tank with no heat issues but I also kept the home around 68 then.

 

[Gonebad395]

Very nice man can’t wait to see it grow

 

[3mm3]

Still waiting on float switches to arrive.
Figured I'd post a pic of my temporary kalk dripping station to give someone a laugh. Yes that's duct tape.

 

[3mm3]

Well nothing in the way of coralline yet. Did get some tank nasties bloom within a couple days after use.
Float switches arrived so my diy auto top off project begins. Also decided to use the aqua gadget 5g hydrofill reservoir so ordered that.

Here is progress pic showing tank uglies. Hope to see coralline algae soon.

 

[Gonebad395]

What diy auto tip off are you working on if you don’t mind

 

[3mm3]

What diy auto tip off are you working on if you don’t mind

It's an old diy kit that autotopoff.com used to sell. Rock solid system.

 

[3mm3]

@Gonebad395
Here are some pictures of the setup while finishing wiring.
System is 12v power supply that controls relay with float switches that then controls the paristaltic pump. The next build I'm going to do will be basically the same system but I'll add time delay and also reservoir control.

 

[Gonebad395]

Right on man nice coming along great

 

[3mm3]

The 5g aqua gadget reservoir came in from marine depot. Looks great. Probably will place it beside the stand.
Still waiting for coralline algae to appear.