New 29g Biocube! SW noob

[luisht]

Hi i bought a 29g Biocube, Im a SW noob lol. Im thinking of putting live sand and about 20lb of LR in the tank, I've been researching about SW tanks for months, and people recommend that i get rid of the stock filter cartridge and the bio balls too?? What do u guys think? And also, is using raw shrimp a good choice to start the cycle?

[myjohnson]

Seems like you got good advice re: changing out the filter system.

In my experience you don't even need raw shrimp to cycle the tank if you are getting live rock.

Keep us updated on the progress! :)

[luisht]

Ok cool. so what should i put in the bio ball chamber, LR? and also, when i mix the water and the salt can i do it directly in the tank?

Ill try to get the LS and the LR today.

[eklikewhoa]

Ditch all the filter media cause all that will just be problematic with water quality. You can add some LR rubble in those chambers but make sure its not jammed pack where it restricts flow and traps detritus which would be counter productive. Another option is to get fancy and put cheato with a light on a reverse photo to be a nitrate filter.

Its best to mix salt in a seperate container that you can aerate to ensure a full mix and settle before adding to the tank. You need to mix, have parameters stabilize and temp controlled for water changes. For initial start up I would suggest the same since filling with fresh water would probably kill off any beneficial bacteria that would make it "live rock" and if there's any other living organism the fluctuation in parameters would kill it off.

I don't think you'll need the rotting shrimp to aid the cycle if you're getting LR and LS but stock slowly so you dont overload the beneficial bacteria.

[dhutch]

Simple solution for the filtration.....inTank media rack. I bought their combo pack and run Filter Floss, Purigen, Chemi-Pure in the media rack and next to it I have a refugium with chaeto algae. Heater in chamber 1 and UV filter/pump in chamber in chamber 3. Setup works great for me. Recommendations are to change the filter floss weekly or every 2 weeks depending on how dirty it gets. Purigen and chemi-pure you can change every 4-6 months.

I put 30lbs of Carribsea live sand in the tank and about 25lbs of LR. I think I actually have space for another 5-10lbs of rock.

I just got a Hydor koralia nano powerhead. Smallest profile I've found thus far, and moves water well. Love the fact it's magnetic and not suction. Once I start adding corals n' what not I'll add another nano powerhead and pickup Hydor's wavemaker.

[eklikewhoa]

I vote for the mp10 in that size tank or mp20

[luisht]

Thank you guys for your advice and quick response! when I bought the tank it also came a brand new protein skimmer and a uv sterelizer will I be needing those for the cycle? And what kind of heater would u guys recommend for this setup ?

[dhutch]

Leave the protein skimmer and UV filter off until the tank cycles; they aren't needed until you add livestock. I have an Aquaeon Pro 100W heater that fits in my first chamber. Not sure where your particular protein skimmer is designed to fit, but the heater should be able to fit in chamber 1 or 3.(Even with the UV filter in chamber 3)

[myjohnson]

I vote for the mp10 in that size tank or mp20

I seen both pumps on this tank exact tank....mp10 is better.

[luisht]

I have a 100w Visi Therm heater, but chamber 1 is not deep enough for the heater to be submerged and chamber 3 same thing the water only covers half of the heater, so i had to put it attached to the glass on the side, how did u make it fit there? I have the Oceanic brand skimmer.

[dhutch]

How tall is your heater?! The first chamber should be full of water all the way up to the overflow portion into chamber 2. That's easily 10 inches in height. I have the top of the heater just above the water level; so I can adjust temperature if I needed. Did you just buy that heater or did it come with your setup? If you can return it, I'd go get the heater I have as it fits perfect with space to spare.

[luisht]

The problem is that chamber 1 has a false bottom, im gonna try to remove it to make space for the heater.
How long did it take your tank to cycle?

[dhutch]

OH yeah I forgot about that false bottom! Take the handle of a hammer and push down on the plastic piece. It will pop right out.

[luisht]

OH yeah I forgot about that false bottom! Take the handle of a hammer and push down on the plastic piece. It will pop right out.

Ok, i'll try that

[luisht]

IMGP0991.jpg
Here is the tank Day 3