Beginner BioCube16!

[prattosphere]

I’m a brand new aquarist & for my first tank I’m starting with a 16 Gallon BioCube.

I’m from Indiana and have been
diving once a year in the Bahamas for 30 years. Finally, I can bring the ocean to me! I realize that salt is harder, but since I’m limited to just 1 tank, I decided to jump into salt.

My planned livestock includes, anemone, 2 clowns, goby, pistol shrimp, CUC including conch snail, cleaner shrimp, feather duster, hermit crabs, pulsating xenia, GSP, softies and maybe a few LPS.

Here’s my first pass at a scape. I plan to take a week or so to build it. It feels big to be and I’m a little concerned on being right up against the back of the tank. But, maybe that’s unavoidable in a small tank like this, if I want a dynamic scape?

YouTube Video in link below!

Please let me know your thoughts on my scape & livestock choices.

Thanks!

Jason
Scape Attempt #1

 

[blaxsun]

Myself I like to try and leave an inch or two just so I can in with a scraper when I need to.

 

[prattosphere]

Myself I like to try and leave an inch or two just so I can in with a scraper when I need to.

Thanks! The video is working now, I definitely don’t have 1-2in right now

 

[rmorris_14]

Following!!!!! From Indiana too!!!!!

 

[Flameback Pair]

@prattosphere scape looks good!!

 

[KaitCorals]

Hey!

 

[rmorris_14]

I like the scape. But I do agree in an ideal world you wouldn't want it up against the sides or the back part, for cleaning and flow purposes. The 16 GAL is pretty limited thought if you want to have a decent size scape. Excited to see what you come up with!

 

[prattosphere]

Nice!

Following!!!!! From Indiana too!!!!!

Reefers in IN! Let’s go!

 

[prattosphere]

I like the scape. But I do agree in an ideal world you wouldn't want it up against the sides or the back part, for cleaning and flow purposes. The 16 GAL is pretty limited thought if you want to have a decent size scape. Excited to see what you come up with!

Thanks! I’m convinced of this now. I’ll break my Marco rocks into smaller pieces and try to scape a nice arch!

 

[prattosphere]

@prattosphere scape looks good!!

Thanks! It’s a start, just need it on a smaller scale now!

 

[LordNeb]

I had the same struggles with my Biocube 16 that I just setup. Breaking up the rocks into smaller pieces and putting them back together is a great way to make it more dynamic while still giving you the space you need, that's what my son and I did and I think it came out better. Good luck with your tank.

 

[rmorris_14]

Thanks! It’s a start, just need it on a smaller scale now!

What did you end up going with? Pics or didn't happen

 

[Tankkeepers]

Hope you did not end up putting the rocks against the glass or a pile in the back

Rocks should be pulled away from the back for flow and not against glass chz you'll have algiw that can never be cleaned and looks like crap plus you won't be able to clean behind the rocks leading to eventual tank crash in 3 to 5 years

 

[Tankkeepers]

Somthing like this or an island in the middle is nice and allows good flow and ability to clean

 

[Tankkeepers]

Good luck can't wait to see what you come up with

 

[prattosphere]

Hey all! I broke up a few big pieces of my Marco rock over the weekend and started the scape. Over the last 2 evenings, I used epoxy and BSI gel glue to fix the scape together. I used small pieces of Marco rock to hide the grey epoxy. I picked up the entire scape tonight and couldn’t believe that it held together! Here’s the final product! I’ve got enough clearance on the sides and back to clean. I plan to pick up salt water, copepods, & some live rock tomorrow and GET THAT CYCLE STARTED! Let me know what you think!

In order to put my 100W heater in the water overflow chamber, I made 2 modifications to the tank. I removed the plastic divider in the water overflow chamber (press down hard on tray with pliers and it should dislodge), and I peaked off the black film so that I could see the light from the heater. You can also add a skimmer to this chamber after removing the plastic divider.

 

[prattosphere]

What did you end up going with? Pics or didn't happen

See pics below!!

 

[LordNeb]

That looks really nice.

 

[prattosphere]

04/19/22 Reef Tank Update

16 Gallon BioCube
10.8 Gallons of Water
10lbs Live Special Grade Sand
3lbs Live Rock (sump & display)
100W EHEIM Heater

Cycle Start:
4/13 5pm - added saltwater, 1.5lbs live rock copepods, turbo start & 10lbs of Bahamian Oolite Sand

Cycle Re-Start:
Mon 4/18 3:30pm - removed Bahamian Oolite Sand, added 10lbs of Special Grade Sand, & 1.5lbs of live rock with hitchhikers: striped blue legged hermit, 2 slugs, couple asterina stars

 

[prattosphere]

Anyone know what kind of hermit crab this is?