LBeezy Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Hi, everyone. First, I'd like to say thanks to everyone for their information. I've been cruising through this website, trying to absorb as much info as I can for the last few years. My boyfriend noticed that I wanted to try one, so he got me a 8g. Biocube for Christmas and said, "Get off your butt and do it!" Alas, here I am. I started my cube on 1/17. Here's what I have so far: 9lbs. live rock 9lbs. black live sand removed bioballs and cartridge filter, plus false bottom in Chamber 2 50W Hydor Theo heater in Chamber 1 stock filter and lights I'm waiting for my Koralia nano and API Saltwater Master Test Kit. I bought the Red Sea package with salt, a hydrometer with thermometer, a ph/Alkalinity test kit and a Nitrite test kit, but I read that the tests may not be as accurate. As far as the salt and the hydrometer, I came to the conclusion that I'd like to eventually switch to Instant Ocean and get a refractometer. Pretty much have the lights on for 9 hours and moonlights on the rest of the time. Aquascape okay? The LFS only had these gigantic rocks. Wish me luck! Link to comment
Lalani Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 That's an awesome Christmas present. Link to comment
LBeezy Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 I guess he got tired of me sitting on the computer and not talking to him. Haha. Link to comment
Lalani Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Lol! Has that changed at all? Link to comment
fuzzyfishy44 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 I guess he got tired of me sitting on the computer and not talking to him. Haha. aha, nice present. so what are you gonna add for livestock? Link to comment
LBeezy Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 Lalani - Oops. Maybe it hasn't changed. I'm still on the computer. Hahaha. fuzzy - I'm not quite sure yet. I was thinking about 2 Nassarius, 2 Asterinas, 1 hermit (not sure what kind - any suggestions?), 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 pom pom crab (eventually), keeping it simple with zoos, rics, mushrooms - whatever I can keep with stock lighting because I think my boyfriend would be insulted if I changed out the lighting immediately...I can hear him now..."You changed out the most expensive part of the tank!" - and a little goby. I'd love a yashia, but they're so pricey! I'm scared to overstock, but definitely want it to look nice. Oh, yeah. I forgot to mention that the one thing I definitely learned from this site was to take it slow. So maybe that's why I haven't really thought about the livestock right now. Link to comment
fuzzyfishy44 Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 Lalani - Oops. Maybe it hasn't changed. I'm still on the computer. Hahaha. fuzzy - I'm not quite sure yet. I was thinking about 2 Nassarius, 2 Asterinas, 1 hermit (not sure what kind - any suggestions?), 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 pom pom crab (eventually), keeping it simple with zoos, rics, mushrooms - whatever I can keep with stock lighting because I think my boyfriend would be insulted if I changed out the lighting immediately...I can hear him now..."You changed out the most expensive part of the tank!" - and a little goby. I'd love a yashia, but they're so pricey! I'm scared to overstock, but definitely want it to look nice. oooh, cant wait to see it, you should get a couple blueleg hermit crabs if anything and maybe a peppermint shrimp, there pretty cool. Link to comment
LBeezy Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 So far so good. Ooooh. Figured out the quote thing. Haha. Thanks, uwwmatt. I've read up on you Biocube Resource Guide and have definitely found it helpful. Link to comment
n0rk Posted January 23, 2009 Share Posted January 23, 2009 The stock you want to keep sound good, so far a good start to the hobby :] As for test kits, so far I've found API and Hagen to be the most accurate of the ones I've used. They cost a bit more up front, but they tend to last a lot longer too. Link to comment
LBeezy Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 San Leandro! Woot woot! Hahahahaha. Ew. Sorry for that. I know it was horrible. Link to comment
LBeezy Posted January 23, 2009 Author Share Posted January 23, 2009 I definitely joined and my name on there is also LBeezy. Link to comment
LBeezy Posted January 28, 2009 Author Share Posted January 28, 2009 I finally received my API test kit, powercenter and Koralia Nano. After I test everything tonight, I'll post my parameters. Woo hoo! Link to comment
LBeezy Posted January 29, 2009 Author Share Posted January 29, 2009 Ran my tests, and here are the results: Ph 8.2 Ammonia 0 Nitrites 0 Nitrates 0.5 Figured I'll let it run for a few more weeks before I put anything in....just to make sure. I have a very small diatom bloom (small spots on a few rocks), but nothing like I've seen on other people's tanks. And I don't think the rock I got was cured. So, like I said, I'm waiting a little while to see what else happens. Thanks, DannyBoy! Link to comment
LBeezy Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Tests have now stabilized at the following params as of 2/3: Ph: 8.2 Ammonia: 0 Nitrates: 0 Nitrites: 0 The diatom bloom is getting bigger and has covered the tops of the rocks. How much longer should I wait before getting my CUC? Link to comment
Lalani Posted February 4, 2009 Share Posted February 4, 2009 Hmmm, I would wait for a week or so to make sure the params stay at zero. Then go ahead and add some snails to clean up, crabs too if you want but they do tend to knock stuff over. Link to comment
LBeezy Posted February 4, 2009 Author Share Posted February 4, 2009 Gotcha. Thanks, Lalani. Link to comment
PSYS Posted February 5, 2009 Share Posted February 5, 2009 Pics!! Sounds like you're off to a good start! Link to comment
LBeezy Posted February 7, 2009 Author Share Posted February 7, 2009 It's pretty brown. Link to comment
LBeezy Posted February 15, 2009 Author Share Posted February 15, 2009 Huge diatom outbreak, and all the params are still constant. pH 8.2, nitrates 0, nitrites 0 and ammonia 0. I got a CUC that consists of 2 nassarius snails, 3 trochus snails, 1 blue leg hermit, and 1 turbo snail. I guess a little asterina star hitchhiked on one of the snails and it's doing well. How long should I wait for the CUC to clean up the diatoms before adding any corals? Link to comment
LBeezy Posted March 6, 2009 Author Share Posted March 6, 2009 Added a few things to my tank. Now I have a few rics, GSP, hammer, blue-ish anthelia (guess my PC's don't exactly show their blue), some zoos, and a few mushrooms. Link to comment
t_hac Posted March 6, 2009 Share Posted March 6, 2009 nice! love looking at the before and after pic's, what a Difference!! Link to comment
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