How to lose your hair in 29 gallons.My BC 29 build.

[Convict2161]

Ok here it is... One thread so we all can follow along! Thanks Ryan

Ok so I have a bio cube 29.

Heater Aqueon 50w, room is really hot, old building, bedroom is always in the 70's ugh!! Without heater temp is 74-76

Koralia 425 power head

Axed the skimmer and UV light for now from BC both are junk IMO and also fact: THEY DO NOT FLY!!

Just added 30lbs of live rock and 30 pounds of live sand. Not just waiting for it to settle.

Took out bio balls and placed some live rock in that chamber. My buddy who does this for a living (john) told me to set it up this way for now. On top of the live rock are the bio balls and then the tray. On top o the tray is floss. That's how I'm setting it up for now. He mentioned in the future maybe a submersible UV from deep blue.

He also said I may wanna add the skimmer if I wasn't REALLY gonna stay on top of the water changes.

Salinity level 1.025

John tested water said it's good. He said were gonna a fish or a shrimp to start the cycle process.

I think that's it for now. I want to thank all of you for being so patient with me having to sift through so many different threads.


Will be doing some upgrades once I get comfortable with the general setup and testing etc... Then I'll hook it up like I'd hook up a 67 camaro !!!!





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[Hholly]

Good luck! I know it will turn out great.

Must have pics!

[Convict2161]

Originally Posted by Hholly

Good luck! I know it will turn out great.

Must have pics!

I hope so!! Haha thanks Holly!!!

I'm staring at the tank waiting for it to clear... You know what they a watched pot never boils! lol....

[Convict2161]

Ok so.... Live rock and live sand... An hour later I turned tank back on. Do I turn on my power head or wait until tank settles?

[Convict2161]

How long for the sand to settle?

[Sincity]

You wanna keep pumps and powerheads off till it settles my 60 gallon took about 6 hours. And it's gonna be tough but you are supposed to keep you lights out during cycling it's supposed to cut down on algae growth (I couldn't resist lol I kept turning mine on and plotting)

[Convict2161]

Originally Posted by Sincity

You wanna keep pumps and powerheads off till it settles my 60 gallon took about 6 hours. And it's gonna be tough but you are supposed to keep you lights out during cycling it's supposed to cut down on algae growth (I couldn't resist lol I kept turning mine on and plotting)

Haha yeah me too! I can't keep all the lights off, well yeah I guess I could unplug the LED connector in the back. But yeah I keep turning the lights on to see if it's clearing up. It's starting to a bit. I can see the shadow of some of the rocks. I have 1 more piece to put in. It's sitting in a bucket of water from the tank it was in at the LFS. My buddy just filled it up after putting the rock in.

[Mumma.of.two]

Subscribed!

[Convict2161]

I'm still figuring out what to do with the second chamber. I've read sooooo many articles and been on sooooo many nano sites and forums (didn't join just browsed)

They say toss the filter, I already added LR to the second chamber. Now others say after the LR add some carbon packs or chemi pure elite then put the tray on and add filter floss. I have the heater in the first chamber and just the pump and that blue sponge which I have no clue what it's there for since it floats to the top!! UGH!!!

I had to go saltwater!! Well I asked for it.

I opted out like I said for the skimmer and UV from BC it was junk and I threw it out my window!! Not kidding. It made me feel better.

[Convict2161]

Would 2 power heads be over kill? Was thinking of another 425. They seem kinda weak.

Was thinking if I ran the 2 power heads I could use the stock out take for surface agitation.

[alexarean]

ha ha amazing!!

[Convict2161]

Starting to clear up. Still have another piece in a bucket of tank water and have to scape a little.



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[Sincity]

Looking good !! Digging the blue LEDs too
I know it seems a chore but food for thought if you don't have a QT tank set up I would fresh water dip any new fish when you start putting them in after cycle to ensure you never get ick in your system. I'm battling it now it's a royal pain. I am doing a hyposalinity treatment in my 60 fowlr before I add any inverts or corals to my display.

[Convict2161]

Here it is as of this morning. Again about 30 pounds of live rock and 30 pounds exact of live sand. I'm gonna add another power head 425 on the left side.



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How do you like it so far?

Now I'm getting excited!!!

[carey]

Looks good!

I only have one powerhead in mine adn I have it so I get perfect flow everywhere. I thought about adding another but I didnt wanna lose the space it would take up. lol

[Convict2161]

Originally Posted by carey

Looks good!

I only have one powerhead in mine adn I have it so I get perfect flow everywhere. I thought about adding another but I didnt wanna lose the space it would take up. lol

Carey maybe because I'm so new. I thought I was suppose have like STRONG current? I feel like the left side is dead. The right side of the rocks are getting hit nicely and the stock out take hits well... You know the back part. There's a nice swirling motion on the surface like a ripple effect but the left side of the rocks I feel aren't getting enough. I had to fan off the sand with my hand where the right side the power head took care of it.

You think I don't need it?

Also can I throw a cocktail shrimp in now or some flakes of food and then kill the lights. I haven't cycled yet. Or did I do thing wrong?

[severum mama]

FW dip will NOT ensure that ich doesn't come into your system. Best to QT new arrivals.

Tank is looking good so far!

[Convict2161]

Originally Posted by severum mama

FW dip will NOT ensure that ich doesn't come into your system. Best to QT new arrivals.

Tank is looking good so far!

Thank you!

[carey]

I would wait and see on the extra power head. I don't have any dead spots behind my rock even with just the one. You also will probably change your rock around a few times and that affects the flow so you'll be monkeying with it I bet for some time. But you can find the sweet spot.

[Convict2161]

Originally Posted by carey

I would wait and see on the extra power head. I don't have any dead spots behind my rock even with just the one. You also will probably change your rock around a few times and that affects the flow so you'll be monkeying with it I bet for some time. But you can find the sweet spot.

I played with the rock... And your gonna think I'm nuts!! Until 6am!! I found my sweet spot

I have my cave and a nice 2 nice pass throughs up top.

But I'll hold off on the extra power head for now. Do I need surface agitation like on a FW tank? Or just a nice ripple effect?

Sorry for so many questions but I'm actually really excited now. Also about cycling. Can I use a cocktail shrimp in a bio bag or food?