Newbie Biocube 29 Build

Adam113

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Hello everyone, I am pretty much brand new to the hobby. Here is my thread from when I first got my tank started up. https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/new-to-the-hobby.273155/

So, here's my story... My dad was diagnosed with cancer about 2 years ago. We got this 29 gallon Biocube for him for Christmas two years ago. He's always loved saltwater aquariums, and we figured we would give him the opportunity to have one. He did the research and got his tank up and running. He had a few corals, fish, and a clean up crew. The tank was doing great. Well, his cancer progressed, and the tank got put on the backburner of course. Every time I'd go to my parent's house, I'd try to clean it up a bit and feed the fish.

Unfortunately my dad lost his battle with cancer about 5 months ago. My mom just couldn't take care of the tank, and it took a turn for the worst. I decided to take the tank, clean it up, and start it from scratch. This has kind of been a build in memory of my father, and I've enjoyed every second of it.

The start up went smooth, the nitrogen cycle was pretty quick and low key, and everything in the tank is doing fantastic so far. As of right now I have 25 pounds of live rock, a firefish, 2 percula clowns, 2 emerald crabs, 5 snails (2 astrea and 3 margarita), a galaxea coral frag, a green star polyp frag, and a yellow polyp frag. I think I'm just about done with livestock for now, as the tank seems happy, and all the levels are spot on. I don't want to overstock. I am running the stock return pump, protein skimmer, heater, and a bag of activated carbon in the 2nd bay.

Anyways, figured I'd start a build thread, as I'm sure I'll have questions as the tank progresses! Thank you to everyone who has helped me out already.
 
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Adam113

Adam113

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Diesel

ME=1, CANCER=0.
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Sorry about your Dad and my deepest condolences to you and your family from me.

If it was up to me I would dedicate this tank to your dad and leave his name on the build thread.
Of course just to make the tank a dream tank is all what's to it as he will be with you in every step of the way.
Let us see some pics and I'll be following you to make this a successful build.
 
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Adam113

Adam113

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Sorry about your Dad and my deepest condolences to you and your family from me.

If it was up to me I would dedicate this tank to your dad and leave his name on the build thread.
Of course just to make the tank a dream tank is all what's to it as he will be with you in every step of the way.
Let us see some pics and I'll be following you to make this a successful build.

I appreciate the kind words. All of my pictures were on my cell phone, and I typed up the first post from my laptop, so I just posted some pictures of my journey thus far in a separate post from my phone.

Thank you again!
 
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Adam113

Adam113

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I didn't really post any pictures of the tank how it sits currently, and the pictures in my previous posts were all out of order from how I uploaded them. Anyways, here it is!
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Adam113

Adam113

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So, I think I'm all good with fish for now. May add one more, and definitely a few more for members for the CUC. Really want a cleaner shrimp and a few hermits.

My main focus right now is coral. I'm absolutely infatuated with coral, even just the 3 frags that I have. I would love to add more.

Are there any basic tips for choosing coral and keeping it healthy and growing?

Does coral increase the bio load (is there a limit)?

Should I upgrade my stock biocubes lighting? If so, to what. I'd like to stick with LPS for now, but maybe once I am a little more experienced, try out some easier SPS coral?

Thanks!
 

Daniel@R2R

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Tank is looking great! Good work so far! Pics are on point too!
 
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Adam113

Adam113

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Hey everyone. Tank is in great shape. I believe my peppermint shrimp is going through his first molt, and my coral is growing much faster than I expected.

Quick question. What is this in my sand bed? Just bacteria/waste/etc...? Should I be stirring the sand bed up every now and then? Anything else I need to be doing for the sand?
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A worm with high fashion and practical utility: Have you ever kept feather dusters in your reef aquarium?

  • I currently have feather dusters in my tank.

    Votes: 80 38.5%
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    Votes: 69 33.2%
  • I have not had feather dusters, but I hope to in the future.

    Votes: 26 12.5%
  • I have no plans to have feather dusters in my tank.

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