My very first Saltwater build! Coralife Biocube 32 Gallon

R33FDr3amer

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I decided it's time to start my build thread since my welcome thread has grown to 3 pages....lol!
Here is a link to my welcome thread: Here

This will be my first saltwater build! I am a previous 29 gallon freshwater aggressive fish owner. It has been years since I had a tank. I have always wanted to own a saltwater aquarium but it seemed overwhelming back then. Now we have places like this (love it here!) and youtube etc that can help us out! It took me awhile to decide but I finally went with the Biocube 32 gallon. I found it previously owned and will be picking it up this Friday....yay! The previous owner has been very helpful as well. I would like to eventually have corals and I'm super stoked about having a cuc! I would love to have a yellow Goby and or a horned blenny. Also looking forward to having a cleaner shrimp....so excited!! I look forward to adding to this thread as my saltwater journey progresses! :D Here is a pic below of the tank I will be picking up this Friday. Previous owner suggested I take the water as well, get a cuc to clean up the algae and sometime within' a few days later to add some fish. Any suggestions?
Purchases made today:
  • Instant Ocean Sea Salt (50 gal)_MB
  • AQUATICLIFE Aquatic Life RO Buddie Plus DI Four Stage Reverse Osmosis Deionization Unit 50 GPD
  • RZ Aquariums Salinity Refractometer for Seawater Marine Fish-Keeping, Dual Scales Specific Gravity Salinity Meter Hydrometer 0-100ppt & 1.000-1.070, Saltwater Tester with ATC Function
  • AccuBrate Refractometer Salinity Calibration Fluid – 60 ml Solution to Accurately Calibrate Refractometer for Testing Natural Saltwater or Synthetic Sea Water - Made in the USA (60 ml)
Long term goal:
Purchase the Reefer DELUXE 350 w/Two ReefLED 90 BLACK- Red Sea ;Woot and use this Biocube as my QT tank ;Happy

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R33FDr3amer

R33FDr3amer

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Update:
I used citric acid to clean the tank. Left it run for 4 days with 16 cups of citric acid in 32 gallons of tap water. Tank came out looking new! Side note: don't use citric acid to clean your base rock, it dissolves it! :oops: I had decided to not use the rock as it smelled like sewage to me and I kinda want the experience of doing it from scratch ....call me crazy :p Tomorrow I will fill the tank with tap water to run it through a rinse cycle for a few days. Next I'll add my saltwater! In the meantime, I plan on working on my aquascape planning as some of my new base rock came today. Still waiting on the rest and the glue. It will probably arrive late as we are expected to get 19" of snow tomo and Thurs!! I also decided to get a 2nd bag of sand as I'm not too sure 1 will be enough for a goby to play in? Lfs said it'll probably only give me a 1/2" of sand on the bottom with 1 bag? Btw...I'm in love with goby's ;Joyful.....i can't wait to have my own <3

During tank cleaning/draining, I noticed the stand rocking back and forth. I looked up on youtube how to build this stand and realized its missing the brace panel for the back! So, tomorrow hubby and I will come up with a way to fix this. I can't believe it didn't fall over! :eek: I did contact biolife to see of I can order the original panel so waiting to hear back. If not, my temporary fix will be permant! Attaching a couple pics for ur viewing pleasure and just to document for myself to follow my journey. You only have your first build once! I'm super happy with this tank so far and having fun with it....even the cleaning part lol

On a side note, I'm definitely glad I have patience ;Smuggrin

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Update:
I used citric acid to clean the tank. Left it run for 4 days with 16 cups of citric acid in 32 gallons of tap water. Tank came out looking new! Side note: don't use citric acid to clean your base rock, it dissolves it! :oops: I had decided to not use the rock as it smelled like sewage to me and I kinda want the experience of doing it from scratch ....call me crazy :p Tomorrow I will fill the tank with tap water to run it through a rinse cycle for a few days. Next I'll add my saltwater! In the meantime, I plan on working on my aquascape planning as some of my new base rock came today. Still waiting on the rest and the glue. It will probably arrive late as we are expected to get 19" of snow tomo and Thurs!! I also decided to get a 2nd bag of sand as I'm not too sure 1 will be enough for a goby to play in? Lfs said it'll probably only give me a 1/2" of sand on the bottom with 1 bag? Btw...I'm in love with goby's ;Joyful.....i can't wait to have my own <3

During tank cleaning/draining, I noticed the stand rocking back and forth. I looked up on youtube how to build this stand and realized its missing the brace panel for the back! So, tomorrow hubby and I will come up with a way to fix this. I can't believe it didn't fall over! :eek: I did contact biolife to see of I can order the original panel so waiting to hear back. If not, my temporary fix will be permant! Attaching a couple pics for ur viewing pleasure and just to document for myself to follow my journey. You only have your first build once! I'm super happy with this tank so far and having fun with it....even the cleaning part lol

On a side note, I'm definitely glad I have patience ;Smuggrin

20220128_212036.jpg 20220129_021550.jpg 20220128_212030.jpg received_474863140948324.jpeg 20220201_222547.jpg 20220201_222558.jpg
Looks new! I did the same with my BioCube 32 and was so surprised and quite satisfying to watch all of the gunk literally melt lol. Welcome to the BioCube side!
 
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R33FDr3amer

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Update!
Aquascape is coming along! Got a little behind due to coming down with covid. My hope is to have the tank all setup and ready for cycling this weekend ;Joyful *fingers crossed*

We even have "the tunnel of love" if u look closely haha

the small piece on the bottom left isn't attached to the main piece. the plan is for it to be an island

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Looking good... if you have any local
Hobbiest maybe you can get some rubble or purchase some bio cubes to leave in their tank for a bit to help in establishing bacteria population for your new aquarium. You can also check into Dr. TIm's bacteria to help the process.
 
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R33FDr3amer

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Looking good... if you have any local
Hobbiest maybe you can get some rubble or purchase some bio cubes to leave in their tank for a bit to help in establishing bacteria population for your new aquarium. You can also check into Dr. TIm's bacteria to help the process.
I was going to get Dr Tims online but I did go to my lfs (not super local as its a 50m drive lol) and he sold me a bottle of MicroBacter QuikCycl nutrients. That should be all I need correct? I have ammonia test kit as well for daily testing. Will be using araga-alive reef sand. He told me to start testing ph after a couple weeks (I have hannah test kit for that) I am doing a fishless cycle as I don't want to use live fish to cycle my tank so thats why he sold me the QuikCycl. I am very firm about not putting anything in the tank until its safe and established for fish, inverts, corals etc. Even if its 6-12months lol

Thanks for the info!
 

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i dont think you need to start off testing ph. there are plenty of videos on cycling. i would suggest reading more or watching a few. it does not sound like you are getting good advice if a local store is encouraging you to check ph as early testing.

BRS have good videos...
on you tube
its possible to have a decent reef tank in 12 months,cycling does not take long.
 
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R33FDr3amer

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i dont think you need to start off testing ph. there are plenty of videos on cycling. i would suggest reading more or watching a few. it does not sound like you are getting good advice if a local store is encouraging you to check ph as early testing.

BRS have good videos...
on you tube
its possible to have a decent reef tank in 12 months,cycling does not take long.
I've watched them all. I'm only stating what he suggested and to get the views here. I've done a lot of research to the point I'm overloaded o_O the only sure thing I know is that I'll be following brs videos over lfs suggestions lol I haven't just jumped into this hobby lightly. I haven't even mixed my saltwater yet because I want to be 110% sure I'm ready to go first and that includes planning out next steps after cycle is complete....thanks for your info! I will definitely post wants I make the jump in! Lol
 
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Have some "webby stuff" in the display tank and a fair amount in the back of the tank. cleaned it off but not sure what it is? I have a thread started in another forum here Here but I wanted to add this to my build thread as well since it's part of my process. Apparently I've completed a cycle w00t! Now I think i will still give it some time before I add clowns.

Here are some updates:
  • No water changes
  • No filtration besides return pump
  • No ammonia added since day 1
  • temp steady 79.3F
  • salinity 34ppt
  • m7 dosed daily since day 1 per instructions. will continue for total of 14 days
  • tank has been in total blackout since day 1. May remove cover (towles) today 03/15/22 and let it see light (no tank lights)
  • using Salifert test kits and refractometer for salinity test
 

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R33FDr3amer

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Wow! Nice job restoring that old tank. Looks like new!
Thank you! I actually enjoyed it which is odd considering I can't stand horrible smells and it smelled terrible lol

*update*
I still have it running fishless & in complete blackout. Its been up for 3wks today <3... No sign of uglies ...yet!

Best Wishes Reaction GIF by GIPHY Studios Originals
 
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Update :grinning-face-with-big-eyes:

Had my pair of black ice clowns in QT for 30 days (observation only). DT stayed in complete blackout until I added my clowns. Added my clowns to my DT on 05/16/2022. Clowns weren't scared at all. They immediately took over the tank as if it were theirs all a long lol I keep lights off on the Biocube.
Water perameters at the time clowns were added:
Salinity 35ppt
Phosphate 0 (hanna checker)
Nitrate 9 (hanna hr checker)
PH 8.0 (salifert)
Alkalinity 7.2 (hanna checker)
Temp 78F

06/07/2022
Salinity 35ppm
Phosphate 0 (randomly check this it's always 0)
Nitrate 11.8
PH 8.0
Alkalinity 7.1
Temp 78F

No sign of any types of algae at all. Tank has remained clean since the cycling process began on 03/04/2022. I have added a few drops of M7 randomly. Guessing maybe every 3wks or so. Water is crystal clear. Looking to add maybe a 3rd fish soon (probably a royal gramma) and thought about a low end/easy soft coral but the 0 phosphates are holding me back on the coral. Shouldn't this at least register? Also, Alkalinity is a little on the lower side so I will most likely hold off on the coral.

Video is the DT taken on 05/17/2022. It still looks just like this lol (pumps/power heads were off to take video).



Quarantine Tank
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R33FDr3amer

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Quick update!
Added 5 corals on July 14, 2022!
Cabbage Coral
Rhodactis Mushroom
Fox Coral
Mint Moon Duncan
Gold Cristata Torch

After a couple days I noticed a vermetid snail on one ugh...turns out there were 2. Have removed the vermetid snail and will keep a close eye on all the coral. Still trying to dial in where I want to place them, the water flow etc.
Lighting schedule standard time:
LC1 (Daylight): 11a-7:30p
LC2 (Sunrise/Sunset): 10:30a-7:30p
LC3 (Moon Lights): 7a-11p

Coral appear "dingy" to me. Not very colorful. I will post another update tomorrow with up to date water parameters.

Previous parameters from July 11, 2022:
Nitrate 9 (hanna)
Phosphate .07 (hanna)
Alk 8.5 (salifert)
PH 8.0 (hanna)
Magnesium .05-1425 (salifert)
Calcium 1.03-435
Salinity 35 ppt
Temp 78 (ink bird)

Just received my new hanna calcium and magnesium checkers yesterday!

My black ice clowns are thriving and happy

Pics done in full white lights & in blues

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Added some cuc today!!
5 Trochus Snails (only wanted 2 but they came in a pack of 5)
1 Tiger Conch
1 Blood Red Fire Shrimp

I have wanted this shrimp since before I even put my tank up! <3
 

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A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

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