New Oceanic BioCube 14gallon!!!

[mr86mister]

Well I'm new to the saltwater community and I'm very eager to finally learn some new things. I have been running Freshwater tanks my entire life. My mom has taught me since I was a kid. I'm currently 21 in college and have finally decided to dive in to the ocean. So I bought myself an Oceanic BioCube 14gallon and start from there. In my previous thread this is what I planned.

First Nano, addition to my addiction

So now I will start the step by step process and will update each time I add. This will take a few weeks because I need to finish researching and I'm a poor college student as well. My investment so far is around the $300 mark and it will only grow! Hope you all like!

First Items I bought!


After unwrapping my gift I received in the mail!


Another package! Powersweep 212


1-10,000K 24watt and 1-Actinic 24watt 2- 3/4watt Lunar Lighting


Plenty of power cords


Immediately after setup


Two Days Later:

Soon to be Live Rock in center chamber and currently Renu 50watt in right


Received this with my Live Sand (it was inside the bag)



Thats all I have for now. Any questions or comments or ideas. Please go right ahead!!

[Sadielynn]

Very nice , you are off to a good start Invest in a refracometer that is one must have return the hydrometer as they are not very accurite and can cause issues with trying to figure out if something is off
this is the one I use and like it
Premium Blue Refractometer - RHS-10ATC: Premium Aquatics
Some times you can find them in the classifieds here or other sites , as well as ebay .

[mr86mister]

Well, I just went out and bought the Marine Saltwater Master Test Kit and a few Reef test kits. Also 14lbs of Live Rock, and around here the cheapest I could find of the good stuff was $10 a pound. So my pocket is a bit empty now. The guy who I have been working with at my LFS actually lives in the apartments across from campus where he has a salty of his own. I plan on taking a few pictures for you guys of the new live rock. I'll post them later this evening. The rock is fully cured as well so I plan on letting it sit for a few days to make sure all the measurements work out before I put the tank cleaners in there.

[mr86mister]

New Live Rock with Epoxy(random purple putty looking stuff)




Hope You Like

[GodOSoot]

Originally Posted by Sadielynn

Very nice , you are off to a good start Invest in a refracometer that is one must have return the hydrometer as they are not very accurite and can cause issues with trying to figure out if something is off
this is the one I use and like it
Premium Blue Refractometer - RHS-10ATC: Premium Aquatics
Some times you can find them in the classifieds here or other sites , as well as ebay .

I heard from a LFS that do not let salt dry on them, rinse with FW preferably RO/DI everytime your done with them.

He said the salt will dry then dissolve again causing the reading to be off.

That said a refractometer is a better choice but if your consistent in practices the hydrometer should be fine. Mine has been right on so far with the salnity the salt says I should have based on how much I am using.

The best thing you can do to not have any headaches is buy DI/RO water in the gallon jugs if you don't trust the fish stores or supermarkets filters.

[mr86mister]

NEW PICS OF UPDATED TANK!!!! 3/7/08



FIREFISH


CLOWNFISH, NOT SURE IF EITHER TRUE OR FALSE PERCULA


YELLOW WATCHMAN GOBY (he got into a fight with my firefish over a hiding spot)


THEY SEEM TO HAVE DECIDED TO SHARE



PEPPERMINT SHRIMP




I ALSO HAVE A SMALL BRITTLE STAR, 2 TURBO SNAILS, 4 HERMIT CRABS, 2 ASTRIUS SNAILS, ANEMONE CRAB AND A 2ND PEPPERMINT SHRIMP.

[mr86mister]

HERE ARE MY CORALS THAT I HAVE IN THE TANK SO FAR!!


RICORDIA MUSHROOMS


LEATHER MUSHROOM CORAL (not sure exactly which one)


YELLOW ZOAS


LAST BUT NOT LEAST MY FAVORITE. BUBBLE TIP ANENOME WITH ANEMONE CRAB


I've been doing non stop research on this. I do realize the BTA might get too large for my tank. But in case I have made a deal with my LFS that I can trade it back in if it gets to large for 2 smaller soft corals!

[Ziggy953]

The tank looks great!

That is a False Perc (O. Clown)
Toadstool leather

Since you have so much live stock in the tank and so quickly I would be doing 2 PWCs a week with the tank. Make sure you are testing your levels on a regular basis also. You have to let your tank catch up to the bioload.

It looks great though! Very nicely done!

[mr86mister]

Thanks Ziggy.

Yes, thats exactly what I have been doing. I use RO water I buy in 5 Gallon boxes from my LFS. I do daily parameter checks and water change every 4 days. Everything is going well so far. *cross your fingers* No more fish for that tank anyways...lol. Now I will take my time with corals.

I was looking at Pulsing Xenia and more Zoas to add eventually.

[Ziggy953]

Be very careful adding xenia to your tank. It can and will take over. IF you put it in your tank put it on a rock that is seperate from the rest of your rock. It will "walk" all over the tank leaving new stalks as it goes.

I'm glad to hear that you are checking your water and keeping up with the tank! I love Zoas so I say go nuts with them there are some amazing ones out there and if you are looking for particular ones I might have them.