Biocube 16, First tank

[spsewell]

Hello, just wanted to post my first tank build. I was planning on a handful of cleaners after the tank cycles, slowly adding a few beginner corals. I think mushrooms and zoas? Not sure. 3 fish, a pair of clowns and maybe a goby. Just taking it slow, learning about the corals and fish before I actually select anythin g. Not really sure which direction i can go for easy care and hardy tank. Any helpful advice or tips are greatly appreciated. Thanks for looking.

I started the tank on Saturday, 12AUG, fish-less cycle using ammonium chloride solution. The ammonia levels have been steady at 2ppm, with a slight rise in Nitrite to .05ppm and Nitrate to 3ppm in just over 24hrs. I used red sea salt to mix to a SG of 1.025, and using the red sea test kits to test all parameters.


LED Biocube 16 w/ stock lighting.

Tunze Silence Pump 1073.008, Return pump.

Turbelle Nanostream 6040 w/controller.

inTank Media Basket, in 2nd chamber, w/ poly filter floss, (Purigen, Chemi-Pure Elite to be added after cycle)

Tunze Osmolator Nano 3152 ATO.

Approximately 14lbs of CaribSea Life Rock, and 15lbs of CaribSea live sand.

 

[Oceanwave45]

Looks good!!!! When adding live stock make sure you don't add too much too quick...

Also you want to add fish first and then a clean up crew because if you add a clean crew too soon there isn't anything for them to eat so they'll die.

As far as fish - make sure whatever fish you pick is hardy enough to life the additional cycling of the tank -here are a few that I know would be good -

Clowns
Chromesis
Cardinals

Also you still have the algae phase to go through which can last up to six months
- diatom bloom
- green/brown hair Alage

 

[spsewell]

I was planning on waiting on the algae phase before I added the clean up crew. Then add fish slowly. is that not a sound plan?

 

[Oceanwave45]

Well to be homest there are several different ways.. take a look at this - https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.138750/

 

[MermaidTail]

Great looking tank!

 

[Katrina71]

That looks good!

 

[Katrina71]

You might really enjoy a Tailspot Blenny.

 

[faisal shurafa]

The best thing you can buy for your reef is 200 gallons worth of salt and an rodi filter. you can get both things for 100 dollars through amazon. A water change is a universal cure to all issues that rise in reefing. The 100 dollars will pay for itself within a year

 

[cpvince]

Welcome to the club! Hopefully this little tank is just a gateway to something bigger and better :)

 

[Ranjib]

Welcome. You are off to a great start. Take as much time as you can. Patience will be key :-)

The rockscape has a large dark area in the middle. You sure you want to keep it like that? Remember light will come from up, and photosynthetic (likely most of your corals, if not all) will only grow below direct light. Shaded areas will be hard to keep corals (albeit some corals can stay in less light), you current rockscape has limited such area. but if you prefer it like this, then its fine. You can change your rockscape lot easily before adding corals.

3 fish should be fine, just choose the right type of fish. Introduce them properly. Watch for water params, and add any things needed (filtration etc). If this is your first reef tank, I would also suggest having a wrasse (like possum), it will help controlling the pests, just make sure its the last one to be introduced.

what about lighting ?

godspeed :-)

 

[spsewell]

Thank you everyone for the response.

Ranjib, that rock is actually has a hole in the rock, looks like a donut. I have tried playing with it and it is the best angle I can get it stable, and honestly I kinda like it. But I agree I may, will, be moving things around a lot. I will look into a wrasse. being only able to have 3 fish, I would like the 3 to have personality.

 

[Ranjib]

While choosing fish, consider also their habitats, preferences etc. Some gobies will shift sand, they are bottom dwellers. Wrasses will eat parasites, and move faster than most other fish, clowns will eat like pigs and poop as well (they are the gold fish of saltwater aquariums), firefish have nice personalities as well. Choose them in a way that they use the entire tank while each having their own sweet spots.

 

[MermaidTail]

Thank you everyone for the response.

Ranjib, that rock is actually has a hole in the rock, looks like a donut. I have tried playing with it and it is the best angle I can get it stable, and honestly I kinda like it. But I agree I may, will, be moving things around a lot. I will look into a wrasse. being only able to have 3 fish, I would like the 3 to have personality.

A sun coral would look great in the "donut hole", and they're non-photosynthetic!

 

[Ranjib]

any NPS would also involve heavy feeding, thus more nutrient control measures in a small tank. Not that something bad, just to note,
Mushrooms, some acans and chalices will be good well.

 

[spsewell]

The best thing you can buy for your reef is 200 gallons worth of salt and an rodi filter. you can get both things for 100 dollars through amazon. A water change is a universal cure to all issues that rise in reefing. The 100 dollars will pay for itself within a year

I will be sticking with red sea salt for now, but I do have a rodi unit setup as well as two brute cans for rodi and mixed water.

A sun coral would look great in the "donut hole", and they're non-photosynthetic!

Those look really nice, thank you for the suggestion. I think I will start doing more research. I all ready feel overwhelmed but I am taking my time.

Ranjib, the Wrasses look nice and I like the idea of serving a purpose in the tank. The gobies, shifting the sand, I'm reading more on, but I assume that is helping cleanup as well. I like the look of the firefish. Do you have any other suggestions on a third fish if I go with a wrasse and a gobie? With good water quality, maintenance etc. Do you think I can do 4?

 

[spsewell]

Day 5, Ammonia was 2, Nitrite 1, Nitrate 20

 

[GaretMac]

Looks great! Doing the same thing. Best of luck!