How to set up a Biocube 14gal? New to saltwater

[chevy_guy2002]

Ok im fixing to set up my very first salt water tank. I currently have a 14gal biocube freshwater. I choose to get another 14gal biocube for a saltwater setup.

As of now i have the tank, heater, thermometer, skimmer, circulation pump, and floss from my freshwater tank to use.

I plan on taking out the bioballs and replacing them with LR and floss on top if thats correct.

Once i get the LR and substrate what exactly are the best steps for setting this tank up? do i add just LR then later add substrate or add both at the beginning?

How long will it take for the tank to cycle?

After cycling what are the best "beginner" type fish to get and how many?

Also i would like to get corals at some point after cycling and getting fish. What would be the best ones to get for a biocube 14gal?

Like i said im new to the salt water tank and i really dont want to mess this up so all advice is welcome.

 

[Greenturtle]

I would get a Koralia 550 for a powerhead

I added my live rock and sand at the same time and it is fine. Just add ammonia and record the water parameters.

It takes a tank to cycle from 2-6 weeks usually.

I would get an occelaris clownfish (nemo) as your first fish, and then adding one small fish like a fire goby later.

With stocklights you can get soft and LPS corals. I would recommend zoanthid, mushroom, and green star polyps as corals

 

[chevy_guy2002]

how much LR should be used to replace the bioballs?

 

[Greenturtle]

Wait, I'm sorry, I thought this was a 29 Biocube build. My only change is the powerhead. I would get a Koralia 240 or a bit higher. A 550 is way too much flow.

Enough live rock to fill the space

 

[chevy_guy2002]

Yeah i think the one i got is a 250

 

[Greenturtle]

Good sorry about that. What fish are you planning on?

 

[chevy_guy2002]

clownfish probably just to start with. Do you think two would do fine in a 14gal tank? I know they are some what aggressive. Also do you know how much live rock should be used to replace the bioballs?

 

[all4wheels2]

clownfish probably just to start with. Do you think two would do fine in a 14gal tank? I know they are some what aggressive. Also do you know how much live rock should be used to replace the bioballs?

Two clownfish will do fine in a biocube 14, but if you think you will want any other fish, you might want to add the clowns last just because of the possible aggression once they declare the entire tank their territory. Or just make sure you get ocellaris clowns (not percula clowns) as ocellaris clowns are pretty peaceful.

Can't help with the rubble rock - I used a media basket and aquaclear media filter to replace my bioballs.

Have fun with it!

 

[carey]

I started my 29g biocube with rock rubble in the back and then also switched to a media tray and I added a fuge as well with macro algae.

I agree on the clowns, 2 might be pushing it in a 14g tank though, so any other fish will have to be small.

 

[tlkng1]

I'll add my 2 cents worth

Depending on how much flow you want, another option is to upgrade the stock pump in chamber 3 to a mini-jet 900. That combined with the Koralia 240 powerhead gives really nice circulation.

I use just the media tray in the middle chamber with, in order, floss in the top, to catch any large stuff, then Purigen in the middle, then a combination of Chemi-pure Elite and Denitrator in the lower chamber. I am a little timid about setting up a refugium as I have had them before and didn't have any great luck with them..but that was probably operator error on my part.

My water changes are probably a bit much as I do a good 30-40% on a weekly basis, but, everyone is happy and healthy so it must be working. Water parameters are stable.