Reefer_Joe
New Member
- Joined
- Jun 16, 2019
- Messages
- 12
- Reaction score
- 45
Hello everyone!
Let me start out my saying that I have used this site notoriously over the last several months to aid me in starting my very first reef tank. Truly an encyclopedia of knowledge and support. Now that I have my system running and stocked, truly can not find any reason to stop or slow down, I figured it's a good time to dive into the community and share my journey as well.
If you haven't guessed it already, my name is Joe lol. I have a Biocube 32 that I set up back in April of this year. For the last 5 years I have wanted to start a reef tank but honestly could not get the "permission" some of us require... Over that time I read numerous books and articles to fancy my interest knowing that "one day" I would start a tank. A very good friend of mine has also helped keep me on track both prior to and during this whole setup. He is a true Guru of fish some would same.
Nevertheless, here are some pictures of my current setup! My apartment is small so the Biocube32 was really the perfect fit. The back compartments eliminated my need to dedicate space for a separate sump and keeps the girlfriend "in approval" due to the sleek design
. I opted to go with the recommended stand by Coralife as well and it has turned out to be a great piece of furniture.
April 2019 - 24 Hours after First Setup
June 2019
Some Coral Pics
Some Fish Pics
--------------------------------------------
Stock-
2 Caramel Clowns - First fish introduced into tank. Female is now SIGNIFICANTLY larger.
1 Yellow Prawn Goby
1 Coral Beauty - Introduced same time as Goby ~1 week later
1 Royal Gramma - Intorduced ~1.5 weeks after last intro
CUC-
~7-10 Nassarius snails
4 Nerite Snails
5 Red Leg Hermits
1 Blue Leg Hermit (The lone survivor....)
2 Mexican Turbo snails
2 Bumble Be snails (Kids love them)
1 Orange Lip Conch (Introduced yesterday- Testing waters)
Inverts-
1 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Green Tiger Striped Brittle Sea Star (THE MAN)
Setup-
Biocube 32 w/ Stand
35lbs Fiji Cultured Live Rock (Cultured for 3 Years in Fiji Island Water)
~10-15lbs Dry Rock (Wanted to test seeding. They look BEAUTIFUL now as they are becoming live)
150W Variable Heater
Coralife Protein Skimmer (Seems to be low performance... Possibly upgrading)
1 Hydor 240 Power Head
Filtration- (In Order)
Fishline
Polyfilter
Fluval Bio-Media
De-Nitrate Media
PhosGuard Media
ChemiPure Carbon Media
I try to maintain the tank extensively as I gain experience and the tank matures further. Nitrates seem to be under control as I use strips daily and API chemical 2x/week. Max nitrates seems to be ~20ppm after 1 full week of PhyoFeast feeding daily.After ~5days of no Phyto and 20% WC nitrates seem to be gradually falling.
Planned Upgrades....
Currently I am working on my own 3D Printed media basket/refugium to fit in the rear compartment. I believe I have a lot of chemical media compared to others knowing I have a semi-large bioload to consider. The refuge would be basic, to grow some chaeto and hopefully reduce the amount of chemical filtration needed. This would not be a scenario to begin growing live food.
--------------------------------
Well, there you have it! I hope you all enjoy this post as much as I have enjoyed building the display. Any comments, questions or even concerns would be greatly appreciated!! As mentioned, I am new to the hobby and to the community. Over the last couple of months I have been through an amazing and truly addictive experience. Already planning the next tank in year(s) to come.
Happy Reefing!
-Joe
Let me start out my saying that I have used this site notoriously over the last several months to aid me in starting my very first reef tank. Truly an encyclopedia of knowledge and support. Now that I have my system running and stocked, truly can not find any reason to stop or slow down, I figured it's a good time to dive into the community and share my journey as well.
If you haven't guessed it already, my name is Joe lol. I have a Biocube 32 that I set up back in April of this year. For the last 5 years I have wanted to start a reef tank but honestly could not get the "permission" some of us require... Over that time I read numerous books and articles to fancy my interest knowing that "one day" I would start a tank. A very good friend of mine has also helped keep me on track both prior to and during this whole setup. He is a true Guru of fish some would same.
Nevertheless, here are some pictures of my current setup! My apartment is small so the Biocube32 was really the perfect fit. The back compartments eliminated my need to dedicate space for a separate sump and keeps the girlfriend "in approval" due to the sleek design
. I opted to go with the recommended stand by Coralife as well and it has turned out to be a great piece of furniture.April 2019 - 24 Hours after First Setup
June 2019
Some Coral Pics
Some Fish Pics
--------------------------------------------
Stock-
2 Caramel Clowns - First fish introduced into tank. Female is now SIGNIFICANTLY larger.
1 Yellow Prawn Goby
1 Coral Beauty - Introduced same time as Goby ~1 week later
1 Royal Gramma - Intorduced ~1.5 weeks after last intro
CUC-
~7-10 Nassarius snails
4 Nerite Snails
5 Red Leg Hermits
1 Blue Leg Hermit (The lone survivor....)
2 Mexican Turbo snails
2 Bumble Be snails (Kids love them)
1 Orange Lip Conch (Introduced yesterday- Testing waters)
Inverts-
1 Peppermint Shrimp
1 Cleaner Shrimp
1 Green Tiger Striped Brittle Sea Star (THE MAN)
Setup-
Biocube 32 w/ Stand
35lbs Fiji Cultured Live Rock (Cultured for 3 Years in Fiji Island Water)
~10-15lbs Dry Rock (Wanted to test seeding. They look BEAUTIFUL now as they are becoming live)
150W Variable Heater
Coralife Protein Skimmer (Seems to be low performance... Possibly upgrading)
1 Hydor 240 Power Head
Filtration- (In Order)
Fishline
Polyfilter
Fluval Bio-Media
De-Nitrate Media
PhosGuard Media
ChemiPure Carbon Media
I try to maintain the tank extensively as I gain experience and the tank matures further. Nitrates seem to be under control as I use strips daily and API chemical 2x/week. Max nitrates seems to be ~20ppm after 1 full week of PhyoFeast feeding daily.After ~5days of no Phyto and 20% WC nitrates seem to be gradually falling.
Planned Upgrades....
Currently I am working on my own 3D Printed media basket/refugium to fit in the rear compartment. I believe I have a lot of chemical media compared to others knowing I have a semi-large bioload to consider. The refuge would be basic, to grow some chaeto and hopefully reduce the amount of chemical filtration needed. This would not be a scenario to begin growing live food.
--------------------------------
Well, there you have it! I hope you all enjoy this post as much as I have enjoyed building the display. Any comments, questions or even concerns would be greatly appreciated!! As mentioned, I am new to the hobby and to the community. Over the last couple of months I have been through an amazing and truly addictive experience. Already planning the next tank in year(s) to come.
Happy Reefing!
-Joe
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