\Clownfish/ 29 Gallon BioCube Tank - Page 4

\Clownfish/ · 02/07/2015, 09:51 PM

How are they good? And will they survive my second ammonia spike?

Azedenkae · 02/07/2015, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by \Clownfish/

How are they good? And will they survive my second ammonia spike?

Copepods are a good source of food and stuff like that.

Whether they survive or not... who knows. :3 Maybe, maybe not.

JollyFish · 02/08/2015, 07:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by \Clownfish/

Hello everyone

Today I finally set up my tank and I am beyond excited to finally start. I currently have 27 pounds of cured live rock, now sure how much sand (2 bags), and 20 gallons of saltwater. I used instant ocean reef crystals for my salt mix and RO water as well. I am planning on taking my first test tomorrow to see what my parameters are, and will wait a about two weeks to make sure nothing spikes. Below I will attach a few pictures from this morning.

If i were you, i would put a little more live rock. Its so worth it, helps my parameter big time. Also, don't add too much fish if your planning to have corals. There are so many stuff out there that people talk about to waste your money on. I have 29 biocube but definitely plan to upgrade your lighting if your keeping corals. Biocube light sucks so bad for corals, I upgraded my lights to LED, corals love it and open up like there is no tomorrow.

\Clownfish/ · 02/08/2015, 01:42 PM

I was actually thinking about adding more rock yesterday

hopefully this coming week I can get a large piece, break it, and do more rock work.

\Clownfish/ · 02/08/2015, 01:54 PM

Day #7

Parameters Today

Salinity - 1.026 (Lowered to 1.025 with distilled water)
Ammonia - 0 ppm (

)
Nitrite - 3.0 ppm (Same as yesterday)
Nitrate - 40 ppm (Same as yesterday)
Phosphate - 1.0 ppm (Same as yesterday)

I'm glad ammonia is finally up to 0. I now have to wait for Nitrite to 0 out and will then spike ammonia again and wait for it to clear out. After the second ammonia spike I plan to do my water change. Any comments on my plan? Or do I need to change something about it?

Tank Today (Clear)

soulpatch · 02/08/2015, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JollyFish

If i were you, i would put a little more live rock. Its so worth it, helps my parameter big time. Also, don't add too much fish if your planning to have corals. There are so many stuff out there that people talk about to waste your money on. I have 29 biocube but definitely plan to upgrade your lighting if your keeping corals. Biocube light sucks so bad for corals, I upgraded my lights to LED, corals love it and open up like there is no tomorrow.

Depends on the coral and your rock sacpe. I had LPS in there without any issues though I do agree upgrading is beneficial. I now have Rapid LED set and the corals open up a bit more plus with the UV and blue lights i see the corals pop a lot more. Probably best 300 I spent on the tank thus far.

Clown looking good. Keep testing to see when you are ready for next steps

\Clownfish/ · 02/09/2015, 11:51 AM

Day #8

Parameters Today

Salinity - 1.025
Ammonia - 0 ppm (

)
Nitrite - 0.25 (

almost 0!!!!)
Nitrate - 40 ppm (Same as yesterday)
Phosphate - 1.0 ppm (Same as yesterday)

Does this mean if my Nitrites are 0 tomorrow, that I can preform a 5 Gal water change? Also when I spike ammonia again do I need to water change again or no?

Tank Today (Copepods Everywhere)

soulpatch · 02/09/2015, 12:28 PM

yes you can do a change and then again at the end. The one at the end should be like a 80% change as you will be dumping out the nitrates. Your bacteria will be fine and the parameters of the changed water will be in line for livestock.

\Clownfish/ · 02/11/2015, 12:21 AM

Day #9

Today is the start of my second spike, decided to do shrimp again

Parameters Today (Before shrimp) - 3:30pm

Salinity - 1.026
Ammonia - 0 ppm (Looks darker in picture, but it is not) :P
Nitrite - 0 ppm :P
Nitrate - 40 ppm
Phosphate - 1.0 ppm

Second Parameters Today (Shrimp In Tank) - 11:30 pm

Ammonia - 0.25 ppm (Going to wait till it reaches 2.0 ppm)
Nitrite - 0.15 ppm

Tank Today (Shrimp In It)

soulpatch · 02/11/2015, 08:17 AM

looking good Clown.

Have you thought about more rock work to give you more areas for corals and hiding places for the fish?

dinger28 · 02/11/2015, 09:01 AM

Very nice! Have had a BC29 for a while now and am loving it. In regards to the skimmer, just purchased (used) an Aquamaxx HOB-1 and it is simply incredible. Thought my tank was pretty good, but the crap that it pulled out blew my mind. Corals are open more than I have ever seen them after the skimmer was added. To each is own though!

Matt

\Clownfish/ · 02/11/2015, 09:30 AM

yep

hopefully today I get the chance to go buy some cured rock

\Clownfish/ · 02/11/2015, 10:44 AM

Day #10

Parameters So Far (9:40am) will be testing again at 3pm to see if there are any changes.

Ammonia - 0.50 ppm
Nitrite - 0.50 ppm

Zwickm · 02/11/2015, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dinger28

Very nice! Have had a BC29 for a while now and am loving it. In regards to the skimmer, just purchased (used) an Aquamaxx HOB-1 and it is simply incredible. Thought my tank was pretty good, but the crap that it pulled out blew my mind. Corals are open more than I have ever seen them after the skimmer was added. To each is own though!

Matt

I second this! I use a AquaMaxx HOB-1 and love it!

\Clownfish/ · 02/12/2015, 12:17 AM

Day # 10 pt.2

Parameters for today - 4pm

Ammonia - 0.75
Nitrite - 2.0 ppm

11 pm

Ammonia - 0.25
Nitrite - 2.0

Ammonia never went far down and I placed a whole shrimp in there. Last time I added the shrimp the ammonia spike in half a day. This time its been in there since 3pm yesterday till 11pm tonight. I decided to take the shrimp out and see if ammonia clears as well as nitrites.

(left side is 4pm - right 11pm)

Azedenkae · 02/12/2015, 12:56 AM

That is good news.

It basically means that your bacteria are at levels where they are breaking down ammonia faster than it can be produced to generate a spike.

soulpatch · 02/12/2015, 08:07 AM

if you zero out then time for a massive water change and some cuc with light feeding to them and constant checking of water for a bit before fish are introduced.

If you get the fish and QT them at same time you get the CUC then everything shoudl be ready at the same time. That is what I did. I had the fish in a tank for a month to check on them before adding to my DT.

\Clownfish/ · 02/12/2015, 11:25 PM

Day #11

Parameters Today

Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0.50 ppm

Ammonia was at zero around 3pm today YAY!!

and now Nitrite is lowering

. Getting all my water ready for tomorrow cause I know it will be zero by morning. I will test again and do a massive water change and start looking for a clean up crew. I will then wait for about a week and then think about adding my first fishy. Today I also added three new pieces of rock to the tank which now totals to 30 lbs of cured rock

.

soulpatch · 02/13/2015, 06:23 AM

You better qt those fish...

\Clownfish/ · 02/13/2015, 08:17 AM

Oh I will

soulpatch · 02/13/2015, 09:21 AM

I would go get your fish now then and throw them in a QT tank. They will need to be there a minimum of 2 weeks anyway to watch for possible disease. Within that time you can get your CUC for the DT and finish any scaping changes you wish to make.

\Clownfish/ · 02/13/2015, 12:13 PM

Day #12

Parameters Today

Salinity 1.025
Ammonia - 0 ppm
Nitrite - 0 ppm
Nitrate - 0 ppm
Phosphate - 0 ppm

I did a massive water change this morning and turned on the skimmer to break it in and added carbon in my filtration system. Today I am also getting my clean up crew from reef cleaners since I new it would be clear today. They will be here later this afternoon YAY! Will post a pic later today of my test and of the tank

soulpatch · 02/13/2015, 12:35 PM

excited to see pics.

I have to do some cleaning and update my thread as well. I am spending more time in everyone else's lol

\Clownfish/ · 02/13/2015, 11:42 PM

Here is the picture of today's test (looks darker in picture than in person

)

Tank Today
I added more rocks and made more platforms for future corals to sit. I wanted to keep the arch so water movement could go through the rocks and for fish to swim through.

The Cleaners

lots of snails and about 5 hermit crabs

reef compatible. They are already cleaning away the dead stuff. I wont feed till the 3rd day.

\Clownfish/ · 02/13/2015, 11:48 PM

Plans for next weekend are to buy my two clowns and place them in QT for about three weeks

I will be checking them heavily the first week for illnesses and if there is, I will let you all know so I know so I know how to treat

at the moment I have a small filter sponge which I will be using for the QT and will place in the HOB filter. I will use newly mixed saltwater at the temp of 78. Please let me know if my plan needs correction

02/07/2015, 09:51 PM	#76
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	How are they good? And will they survive my second ammonia spike? __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
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02/08/2015, 01:42 PM	#79
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	I was actually thinking about adding more rock yesterday hopefully this coming week I can get a large piece, break it, and do more rock work. __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/08/2015, 01:54 PM	#80
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Day #7 Parameters Today Salinity - 1.026 (Lowered to 1.025 with distilled water) Ammonia - 0 ppm () Nitrite - 3.0 ppm (Same as yesterday) Nitrate - 40 ppm (Same as yesterday) Phosphate - 1.0 ppm (Same as yesterday) I'm glad ammonia is finally up to 0. I now have to wait for Nitrite to 0 out and will then spike ammonia again and wait for it to clear out. After the second ammonia spike I plan to do my water change. Any comments on my plan? Or do I need to change something about it? Tank Today (Clear) __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/09/2015, 11:51 AM	#82
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Day #8 Parameters Today Salinity - 1.025 Ammonia - 0 ppm () Nitrite - 0.25 ( almost 0!!!!) Nitrate - 40 ppm (Same as yesterday) Phosphate - 1.0 ppm (Same as yesterday) Does this mean if my Nitrites are 0 tomorrow, that I can preform a 5 Gal water change? Also when I spike ammonia again do I need to water change again or no? Tank Today (Copepods Everywhere) __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/11/2015, 12:21 AM	#84
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Day #9 Today is the start of my second spike, decided to do shrimp again Parameters Today (Before shrimp) - 3:30pm Salinity - 1.026 Ammonia - 0 ppm (Looks darker in picture, but it is not) :P Nitrite - 0 ppm :P Nitrate - 40 ppm Phosphate - 1.0 ppm Second Parameters Today (Shrimp In Tank) - 11:30 pm Ammonia - 0.25 ppm (Going to wait till it reaches 2.0 ppm) Nitrite - 0.15 ppm Tank Today (Shrimp In It) __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/09/2015, 12:28 PM	#83
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	yes you can do a change and then again at the end. The one at the end should be like a 80% change as you will be dumping out the nitrates. Your bacteria will be fine and the parameters of the changed water will be in line for livestock.

02/11/2015, 08:17 AM	#85
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	looking good Clown. Have you thought about more rock work to give you more areas for corals and hiding places for the fish?

02/11/2015, 09:01 AM	#86
dinger28 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Indian Land, SC Posts: 385	Very nice! Have had a BC29 for a while now and am loving it. In regards to the skimmer, just purchased (used) an Aquamaxx HOB-1 and it is simply incredible. Thought my tank was pretty good, but the crap that it pulled out blew my mind. Corals are open more than I have ever seen them after the skimmer was added. To each is own though! Matt

02/11/2015, 09:30 AM	#87
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	yep hopefully today I get the chance to go buy some cured rock __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/11/2015, 10:44 AM	#88
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Day #10 Parameters So Far (9:40am) will be testing again at 3pm to see if there are any changes. Ammonia - 0.50 ppm Nitrite - 0.50 ppm __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/12/2015, 12:17 AM	#90
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Day # 10 pt.2 Parameters for today - 4pm Ammonia - 0.75 Nitrite - 2.0 ppm 11 pm Ammonia - 0.25 Nitrite - 2.0 Ammonia never went far down and I placed a whole shrimp in there. Last time I added the shrimp the ammonia spike in half a day. This time its been in there since 3pm yesterday till 11pm tonight. I decided to take the shrimp out and see if ammonia clears as well as nitrites. (left side is 4pm - right 11pm) __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/12/2015, 12:56 AM	#91
Azedenkae Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,196	That is good news. It basically means that your bacteria are at levels where they are breaking down ammonia faster than it can be produced to generate a spike.

02/12/2015, 08:07 AM	#92
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	if you zero out then time for a massive water change and some cuc with light feeding to them and constant checking of water for a bit before fish are introduced. If you get the fish and QT them at same time you get the CUC then everything shoudl be ready at the same time. That is what I did. I had the fish in a tank for a month to check on them before adding to my DT.

02/12/2015, 11:25 PM	#93
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Day #11 Parameters Today Ammonia - 0 ppm Nitrite - 0.50 ppm Ammonia was at zero around 3pm today YAY!! and now Nitrite is lowering . Getting all my water ready for tomorrow cause I know it will be zero by morning. I will test again and do a massive water change and start looking for a clean up crew. I will then wait for about a week and then think about adding my first fishy. Today I also added three new pieces of rock to the tank which now totals to 30 lbs of cured rock . __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer. Last edited by \Clownfish/; 02/12/2015 at 11:30 PM.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/13/2015, 06:23 AM	#94
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	You better qt those fish... __________________ 150 SC tank build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550948 Some have bar tabs. I have a coral tab at my LFS. Life goals.

02/13/2015, 08:17 AM	#95
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Oh I will __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
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02/13/2015, 09:21 AM	#96
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	I would go get your fish now then and throw them in a QT tank. They will need to be there a minimum of 2 weeks anyway to watch for possible disease. Within that time you can get your CUC for the DT and finish any scaping changes you wish to make.

02/13/2015, 12:13 PM	#97
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Day #12 Parameters Today Salinity 1.025 Ammonia - 0 ppm Nitrite - 0 ppm Nitrate - 0 ppm Phosphate - 0 ppm I did a massive water change this morning and turned on the skimmer to break it in and added carbon in my filtration system. Today I am also getting my clean up crew from reef cleaners since I new it would be clear today. They will be here later this afternoon YAY! Will post a pic later today of my test and of the tank __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/13/2015, 12:35 PM	#98
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	excited to see pics. I have to do some cleaning and update my thread as well. I am spending more time in everyone else's lol

02/13/2015, 11:42 PM	#99
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Here is the picture of today's test (looks darker in picture than in person ) Tank Today I added more rocks and made more platforms for future corals to sit. I wanted to keep the arch so water movement could go through the rocks and for fish to swim through. The Cleaners lots of snails and about 5 hermit crabs reef compatible. They are already cleaning away the dead stuff. I wont feed till the 3rd day. __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$

02/13/2015, 11:48 PM	#100
\Clownfish/ Saltwater Beginner $\Clownfish/'s Avatar$ Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Anemone Posts: 629	Plans for next weekend are to buy my two clowns and place them in QT for about three weeks I will be checking them heavily the first week for illnesses and if there is, I will let you all know so I know so I know how to treat at the moment I have a small filter sponge which I will be using for the QT and will place in the HOB filter. I will use newly mixed saltwater at the temp of 78. Please let me know if my plan needs correction __________________ Keep your friends close, and your anemones closer.
$\Clownfish/ is offline$