Rare Earth Corals Biocube 29 Tank Build

RareEarthCorals · Jul 30, 2015

I thank you. The Martix I use is a Seachem product and not exclusive to Petco. They may sell it there but I purchased mine from Amazon. Its really nothing more than pumice stone. It just works, so far six weeks and no water change nitrates zero. The only water added is top off. I do keep everything else clean.

trio91 · Jul 30, 2015

do you have it (matrix) in a bag or just laid it out loosely in the tanks rear section? i am asking because i have always seen it and am in the process of starting a new 10g IM tank....looks like something i could place in my rear compartment

RareEarthCorals · Jul 30, 2015

Rear Compartment in a bag. Its a set it and forget it. I only take it out to clean in off. It takes about 8-10 weeks for a solid bacterial colony to form. I see and read of people doing frequent water changes with high nitrates and using multiple things to reduce them. This is about as easy as it gets.

trio91 · Jul 30, 2015

awesome...ill give it a shot...ive never used it before so we'll c what happens...cant hurt i guess

RareEarthCorals · Jul 30, 2015

Secret is put it in your sump, keep it submerged, and just take it out to rinse it off with tank water once a month, thats it!

RareEarthCorals · Aug 1, 2015

My Goni from WWC finally is extending outwards

RareEarthCorals · Aug 3, 2015

Jack O on the scene, cant imagine how this cost so much for so little. It is however beautiful and mysterious.

RareEarthCorals · Aug 3, 2015

This one was a steal. Blasto's like this colony are rather expensive but I stole this one.

NoStRaThOmAs · Aug 3, 2015

RareEarthCorals said:
Here is a most recent pic prior to introduction of the newest members

I believe I see a transformer hiding in your rock work?

RareEarthCorals · Aug 3, 2015

Wont be suprised had Fozy and Gonzo photobomb me!!!

RareEarthCorals · Aug 10, 2015

Update of my Lobophyilla it is almost two months old and has added 1/2 inch in diameter. Under Actinics this thing glows.

BaritoneJP · Aug 10, 2015

Wow, great tank! My Set up is about the same but I'm having a horrible time with nitrates. I'm using matrix... ???

https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/201067/

RareEarthCorals · Aug 10, 2015

Hello BaritoneJP, thanks. Looking At your testing log May thru August it looks like you are controlling your nitrates just fine. The nitrate cycle is cyclical in nature and it isnt increasing in your tank overtime. Nitrates compound in a tank and water changes help but do not remove all of it. That is where compounding comes in. If that was all you did (water changes) you would see your nitrates going up.
I found feeding less (every other day) helps alot and a great clean up crew helps. I have a liter of matrix which is more than is called for. I keep it fully submerged and only take it out to clean off the detrious off the bag. I clean some part of the tank every three days.

steve&mari · Aug 10, 2015

Very nice cube corals look nice and happy. Going to check out the matrix you're using.

RareEarthCorals · Aug 10, 2015

Thank you Steve&Mari, I have a lot of time on my hands and looking at past hobbies that I use to love. So far the tank has been so much fun and fulfilling. So I spend most of my time tinkering on my good days.