Biocube 14 problem !

[guppylover101]

I set up my me biocube 14 in 12/26/13 it's been 2 weeks from today and I have seen I have a lot of algea but I don't know why I'm new to this and indeed all the help I can get I have everything that I need to start saltwater master test kit,Hydrometer and cleaning supplies I also bought the water already mixed and I tested it with my hydrometer to make Shure the salinity is accurate I also needed to buy ph 8.2 from API because my ph was at 7.8 I don't know why I am having this problem I read that it's probably diatom algea and this happens when your tank is in its last day of cycling I also added ammonia thank you I will try to post some pictures I also have some dead coral in the whole of my live rock for decoration they gave them to me at global aquatics where I purchase everything including the tank my ph is 8.2 , ammonia 2.0 ppm , nitrate 80 ppm , nitrite is 2.0 ppm

 

[bmattingly117]

Looks like diatoms to me nothing to be worried about. All part of the cycling..also what have you been topping off your tank with?..rodi water or tap water?

 

[bmattingly117]

Still have a whole lot to learn myself but glad if I can help!

 

[guppylover101]

Thanks saltdog117 I have been topping off with rodi water and will it go away or what's going to happen and when am I going to be able to add fish

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

Get cuc in there or just wait it will eventually due off when it uses up all the nutrients or there are other things out competing them

 

[bmattingly117]

What big red said^^..that's how I rounded out my cycle..with the cuc 5 red leg hermits and 2 turbo snails..I have the 14g bio myself. The diatoms will disappear once parameters level out. The cuc will speed up that process..after the diatoms go away I would test your water again and go from there..should be ready for fish by then!!

 

[guppylover101]

Thanks bigredsreefs10 and salt dog 117 I know it's overstcocking a tank but in a wa bigger tank how would this stock do :
1 Condy anemone
1 Royal Gramma
1 Firefish
2 Percula clownfish
1 Green chromis
1 Arow crab
1 Emerald crab
3 Red leg hermit crabs
2 Coral banded shrimp
1 Pencil urchin
1 Flame scallop

 

[guppylover101]

And if so can I do that for my 14 gallon biocube and if so in what order can I add them and will they be ok together

 

[guppylover101]

Also as of the test results of my tank and of the picture were is my tank in the nitrogen cycle I herd when you get diatom algea it's close to being done and when it goes away it's done its that true and if not can u guys give me more info

 

[Bectan01]

That's way too may fish for your tank - that's how many are in my 55g! It's too small for the clowns but you could do a clown goby and maybe one other fish and that's it. Throw a few cool inverts in there and you'd be stocked. After you have seen the rise and fall in ammonia and nitrites you should have a high level of nitrates present - do a big water change and then you will be ready for fish. Ammonia and nitrites are poisonous to fish even very small amounts, so wait til they have hit 0.

 

[Bectan01]

I also wouldn't do an anemone in that size tank, they do grow quite large. Provided you have the right lighting an flow you would need to wait a good 6months to a year before adding one anyway, they are sensitive inverts

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

I agree with bectan that's a lot for a 14 and the gramma clowns and chromis can all be rather nasty and are very territorial. You could do one of these along with a goby, but I would add the goby first so it can establish itself in the tank before adding the more aggressive fish. Have you looked into the shrimp/goby pairs? I love my hifin red banded goby and Randall's pistol shrimp, the relationship is pretty cool to watch, IMO

 

[guppylover101]

Well I rather just do 2 Firefish and inverts and corals but thanks tho

 

[guppylover101]

Where is my cycle

Also by the results of my water testing is my cycle near to be don I have herd that when you get diatom algea it's the last step before your tank finishing its cycle

 

[Bectan01]

Your cycle is done when you have 0 ammonia, 0 nitrites. Keep testing and waiting

 

[guppylover101]

I have herd that I had to take out the bioballs and just put in sponge when I first setup my tank is that true

 

[guppylover101]

Saltdog117 how did you do with your biocube and do u have a skimmer and a uv sterilizer in yours thanks can u help me from start to finish plz

 

[MJSerik]

If you can, set up a refugium in there. Bio balls become a nitrate factory, and it gets pretty gross. Good luck! I'm running a Biocube 29

 

[guppylover101]

So I should take them out or leave then I need a lot of help

 

[bmattingly117]

I took my bio balls out first thing..and like they said keep testing until ammonia and nitrites are at 0. At this point is when I did about a 35/40% wc. Then I added my cuc and waited another week and began adding fish..there's a good list of nano compatible fish on a thread in here that is really helpful. I just recently added led strips in my biocube so I could house a nem and he's a happy camper . But if you have and other question I'd be glad to answer and help with what I can! Lots of knowledgable ppl on here tho! Your in good hands!