HS Biology 32g Biocube build

[Miamialum620]

I may have mentioned this on my original thread but one of the challenges with my school and having the tank in class is being able to acclimate the fish with the kids. My 3 options for getting fish (and I’m open to suggestions) are:

1. Order the fish online and have it delivered to the school (pro: kids get to get involved / con: crazy shipping prices)

2. Buy the fish after school and make it back before the school is locked up (pro: probably gives me the most time to go the store and return to acclimate / con: picking my son late from daycare and my wife often works afternoons)

3. There’s a church that operates out of my school on Sundays from about 8am-12pm. Since the earliest a store opens by me is at 10, it gives me a couple of hours. (Pro: it’s Sunday / con: tight time constraint before school is locked up)

As I’m writing this #2 seems like a better option but we’ll see in the future.

 

[Miamialum620]

Everything in the tank tested all clear so I went to my LFS and got the first fish. Decided to go with some Blue-Green Chromis.

Sorry for the terrible pictures this recent phone update has my camera bugging out. I didn’t have a drip tube so the LFS recommended that I cup acclimate (small amount of tank water added to the bucket every 5 minutes). I could only hang around for a little bit before the school locked up for the day so I’ll see how they are tomorrow. They seemed to be hanging in the back of the tank near the sand almost as if the water flow was giving them a problem but maybe that’s just me being a little paranoid.

 

[Algaewarrior]

Do you have any circulation pumps? I don't use a heater on my biocube. Between the lights and the heat from the pumps it stays between 76-80°. Depending on the heater schedule the school has you may not need one. If you do I recommend cobalt. They are a little more pricey but most consistent.

 

[Miamialum620]

Do you have any circulation pumps? I don't use a heater on my biocube. Between the lights and the heat from the pumps it stays between 76-80°. Depending on the heater schedule the school has you may not need one. If you do I recommend cobalt. They are a little more pricey but most consistent.

I don’t have a circulation pump yet but will probably purchase a hydor Koralia once I start putting coral in.

I am guilty of making the first mistake of reefing and got a little impatient. I went yesterday after school and got a few new additions to the tank so I could surprise the kids today.

 

[Algaewarrior]

What kind of corals are you thinking about putting in?

 

[Miamialum620]

What kind of corals are you thinking about putting in?

I’ve read that the light in the bio cube isn’t ideal for certain corals but my LFS says differently and that I can pretty much put anything in there. I’ll mainly be going for softies and lps because I really like to see movement in the tank. Ideally a coral that is colorful, inexpensive, and not to invasive.

 

[Miamialum620]

Feels like it’s been a while since I’ve made an update about the tank. Everything has been going smoothly so far and there’s been a few new additions to the tank. Equipment wise the intank media basket is working out great with filter floss, chemi pure, and purigen inside. Also the variable flow adapter really gives the tank a nice shimmer effect. The only piece of equipment I think I’m missing is a UV sterilizer.

As far as livestock the clownfish seem to be really doing well. Of the 3 chromis I bought 1 died about 2 days after I got them so I’m not entirely sure it was me that did something. In the beginning of the week of the I noticed some green algae developing on the tank so I went to my LFS to get a cleaner crew yesterday consisting of 2 emerald crabs and 10 turbo snails. Overnight those snails went to work. I also don’t tell the kids when something new like crabs or clownfish are going to be put in the tank because it’s pretty enjoyable to see their reactions.

 

[Algaewarrior]

I’ve read that the light in the bio cube isn’t ideal for certain corals but my LFS says differently and that I can pretty much put anything in there. I’ll mainly be going for softies and lps because I really like to see movement in the tank. Ideally a coral that is colorful, inexpensive, and not to invasive.

So maybe some zoas, mushrooms, and acans? I have the same tank and I have been able to keep acropora alive successfully. It's looking great so far.

 

[Miamialum620]

I just got my first coral yesterday (green star polyp) and wanted to know how long it should take before I see the polyps emerge?

As you can see in the picture I attached the coral to it’s own rock because I’ve read and my LFS mentioned has invasive green stars can be. The coral was good and healthy when I got it and the LFS tested my water which is all good.

Should I be concerned or is it just part of the process when buying coral?

 

[Algaewarrior]

Sometimes it takes a while for the coral to get used to the tanks lighting. Nothing to be concerned about. Is that a new fish?

 

[Katrina71]

Is that a wrasse??

 

[Miamialum620]

The camera on my phone hasn’t been working great so I haven’t been able to take a lot of photos (or at least good ones) but here is an update on the tank.

As far as water parameters everything has been surprisingly smooth and I’ve had no issues. For livestock I haven’t lost anything since my first purchase a few months ago.

Current livestock:
2 clownfish
2 chromis
2 emerald crabs
1 cleaner shrimp
10 turbo snails
10 hermit crabs
2 rainsford gobies
1 green star polyp

The gobies and green star polyp I picked up yesterday. My LFS recommended the rainsford goby because of the size of the tank and that the common blue spotted or other larger goby species wouldn’t fare well in a small tank.

For hardware I’ve installed a hydor koralia (425 gph) and a tunze 9001 protein skimmer.

 

[Miamialum620]

Is that a wrasse??

A rainsford goby

 

[Katrina71]

I hope the kids are loving the tank!

 

[Miamialum620]

Sometimes it takes a while for the coral to get used to the tanks lighting. Nothing to be concerned about. Is that a new fish?

At what point should I be concerned about the coral opening? Now that I’m spending a lot more money I’m becoming a helicopter parent with this tank.

 

[Miamialum620]

A little correction... it’s a rainford’s goby

 

[Miamialum620]

A little correction... it’s a rainford’s goby

Aka Court Jester Goby

 

[saintsreturn]

Dont sweat the polyps yet. It took mine about a week to open after i moved them from my 75 to my 110. Thread is awesome and good luck on the journey with the kids

 

[Algaewarrior]

At what point should I be concerned about the coral opening? Now that I’m spending a lot more money I’m becoming a helicopter parent with this tank.

Like the other guy said, give it a week. As long as your gobies are kicking sand all over them they will be fine. You have to try pretty hard to kill gsp.

 

[Algaewarrior]

Interesting circulation pump placement. Make sure that isn't kicking up sand on your gsp as well.