29g Bio Cube

[RayAllen]

Bio Cube 29 was picked up tonight (Thanks to member Stangchris). I got it home and cleaned it up and it looks great. I will be setting it up tommorow once I buy the salt I need.

Im broke at the moment with all my $$ going to my Auto Restoration so with that said it will just have sand and water in it for a couple of weeks.

Will post pics tommorow.

[Big_Pun]

dang i could have gave you some salt to set it up tonight, it was nice meeting you, good luck with the build

[RayAllen]

I set the tank up on Sept 7 Labor day.

Right now its pretty boring with just saltwater and salt and pepper sand. I was going to use some sand out of someone elses tank but it had sat to long and smelled way to bad.

As for plans from here Im going to add 20 or so lbs of LR and for filtration Im keeping it simple with running carbon and the center chamber will have approx 5lbs or so of rubble. I had a lot of success this way on my previous BC29. Still not sure on what my stocking list will be. My funds are going to other things at the moment but it will be filled soon.

Here are some pics although they are boring with no rock or livestock. You can beat my view from my loveseat.

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/BC29coolview.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/BC29sidesept7.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/BC29anglesept7.jpg

[NateDogg]

who needs a dvd player? you could move that and put another 29 on the other side of the tv!!

[txav8r]

Used to be an In-Wall tank there.

[RayAllen]

Used to be an In-Wall tank there.

Yep, thats where the 37g reef tank was. Now its the entertainment center. I like the way it tunred out.

[NateDogg]

did you like having your tank in the wall?

[RayAllen]

did you like having your tank in the wall?

Yes I did enjoy it very much and everyone else who saw it as well.

That was about 9 months ago when I basically just became bored with the hobby after 6 years in saltwater so I tore it down to take a break. (ive been into aquariums my entire life and get bored easily, im one of those who wont be happy unless I have a fishtank for every single type so its best for me to keep it simple)

Now im back with the BC 29 and plan on staying with it for a while.

[Big_Pun]

you want another one lol

[RayAllen]

you want another one lol

Is it free, haha. just joking. 1 is enough for now.

[Mr Cob]

Looks great Ray. That wall has a lot of character and history. Love how you made an in wall entertainment center. That's classic dude.

Anyways...looks great. If you ever want to swing by my side of town...let me know...I can seed your sand and hook you up with some macro.

You can tear some of the black off of the back wall of that cube and put a light on it to make a small fuge if I remember correctly.

[RayAllen]

Looks great Ray. That wall has a lot of character and history. Love how you made an in wall entertainment center. That's classic dude.

Anyways...looks great. If you ever want to swing by my side of town...let me know...I can seed your sand and hook you up with some macro.

You can tear some of the black off of the back wall of that cube and put a light on it to make a small fuge if I remember correctly.

That wall has seen 4 diffrent aquariums, lol. 29g BC, 210g, 39g inwall and now another 29 BC.

Yea, you can scrape off the tint and add a light for macro, but I personally like using LR rubble in the chamber/fuge. I had excellent results this way with my previous one.

[RayAllen]

Tank finally looks like a reef now. Bought approx~ 29lbs of fiji from Phenominal Aquatics today and maybe 1 lb of rubble. Will post pics once the water settles and clears up.

[RayAllen]

Today 9-13-09
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture008-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture012-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture009-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture010-1.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture016.jpg

[NateDogg]

I like that set up! Every time I see a new cube being set up.. I want to get another. Are you going to put more rubble in the back or stick with the 1lb?

[txav8r]

Looks awesome Ray! Keep us posted.

[Big_Pun]

looks really good im glad its coming along, that coraline grows fast lol

[RayAllen]

Sorry double post

[RayAllen]

I like that set up! Every time I see a new cube being set up.. I want to get another. Are you going to put more rubble in the back or stick with the 1lb?

Thanks Nate
I still need to add about 3 more lbs of rubble. I bought what was available at the time. Im looking to ad more sometime this week as soon as I can get my hands on more.

Thanks Jack and Chris I like the way its coming along. Ed/Phenominal Aquatics had some nice peices of fiji with neat features,

[ErikH]

PM Sent Come get some stuff for it!

[Andrew v.s wild]

how much live rock and sand do you got in there?

[RayAllen]

29lbs of Live rock and approx 25lbs of sand.

[jay-roc]

lookin good cant wait to see more pics

[RayAllen]

thanks, as soon as I add some livestock I will post more pics. Shouldnt be to much longer.

[Andrew v.s wild]

hey does your tanks temp get to hot
do you run a chiller?
mines at 82 degrees!! :confused:

[ballardjr2000]

I got a 70w viper on my 12g and the tank temp never gets over 80 and i managed to get my heater to maintain the temp at night during lights out at 80 so light on peak temp 80 lights out lowest temp 78. got lucky i guess.

[RayAllen]

hey does your tanks temp get to hot
do you run a chiller?
mines at 82 degrees!! :confused:

I think I mentioned this in your thread.

My tank temp stays at 78-80. Never gets warmer. I keep my house at 74-75 year round.

[Mr Cob]

Looks good Ray! I like the open rock work. The salt and pepper sand is a nice touch too.

[RayAllen]

Thanks Rob with nanos I try to leave plenty of swimming room, but still provide enough lbs of live rock. 29g BC and 28-29lbs of rock.

[jeffro]

Nice set-up! Any stocking plans yet?

[RayAllen]

Nice set-up! Any stocking plans yet?

Im staying with the stock lighting to keep the clean closed look of the bio cube. So with that said im going to stick with softies

Zoas and Shrooms will be the main focus in the tank.

For fish at the moment im thinking

-Flame Angel (ive always wanted one, hopefully it wont have a taste for the zoas)

-Possibly a pair of clowns not sure of species (not sure if i want clowns in this tank)

- Chalk basselet

- Some kind of goby or jawfish

Inverts will be various snails and small hermits. Maybe a single decorative shrimp.

[RayAllen]

Ok finally have some live stock

Zombie Eyes http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture022.jpg

Bam Bamshttp://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture018.jpg

this give you an idea of their placement in the tank
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture021.jpg

[4fun]

those are nice

[txav8r]

Looking great Ray!

[RayAllen]

Thanks guys

[recoiljpr]

Im staying with the stock lighting to keep the clean closed look of the bio cube. So with that said im going to stick with softies

Nanotuners has a whole slew of lighting upgrades that all fit inside the top without affecting the look.

http://www.nanotuners.com/index.php?cPath=62&osCsid=mq9ontpev000553bco1qf6iqj4

[RayAllen]

yeah nanotuners is a great site, but im not a big fan of SPS corals to begin with (especially SPS in Nanos where they really dont have enough room to branch out) so there really is not a need to upgrade the lighting.

[RayAllen]

picked up a Nice Flame angel from Ed @ Phenominal Aquatics tonight (Ive always wanted one). Also grabbed a couple of nassarius snails and some $5.00 frags. Got a Bright green Zoa frag with at least 25heads and small rock with a couple of green shrooms.

Cant beat that!

Will post some pics of the new king of the tank and the new coral when everything settles in.

[jeffro]

Looking good Ray! Keep us posted as to how the flame angel works out, because I've really been wanting one. Grats on the new corals.

[RayAllen]

Will do, there are many on the board that keep Flames in their reefs with no problems so Im hoping for the same luck. When I had my coral beauty angel it never touch any of my corals, hope this flame is a model citizen, finger crossed!

[RayAllen]

Well, I got back from Dallas today and my flame angel has bitten the dust. I went against my better judgement and bought the fish the day it arrived at the store which I have never done. Normally I buy a couple of days after shipments arrive that way I can ask if the fish is eating and make sure its not sick.

I bought it Thursday after 6pm got it home and it would not eat Thursday or Friday. LEft Saturday morning to Dallas - got back today Sunday at 3pm and its lieing on the bottom. Lessoned learned on this one.

All my parameters are spot on and the zoas are doing great.

On a good note

Thanks to R Allard (Robert) I picked up a beautiful female perc clown today and shes a healthy wopper at 2-2.5".

[jeffro]

Sorry to hear you lost him, that bites. After reading that you got one I decided to try one as well, so I went by AD and picked one up. Hopefully he works out for me.

[RayAllen]

Sorry to hear you lost him, that bites. After reading that you got one I decided to try one as well, so I went by AD and picked one up. Hopefully he works out for me.

Yeah it sux, the last fish I lost was a couple of years ago and that was because it jumped out of the tank not do to water conditions or sickness.

I will give another a go but I will make sure to make sure I got a acclimated quality specimen. Already put in a order for another.

Good Luck with yours, they are a flashy fish that add a lot to a tank.

[RayAllen]

My new clown is crazy aggressive. She attacked me at least 6 times tonight while I put my new corals in the tank.

Thanks to Txav8r I now have

Various shrooms
Some powder blue palys
Green palys
Some kind of leather
Some green star polyps

I had to rearrange the rock work a little to get the corals all in a decent spot. Will take some pics when everything settles

[RayAllen]

Updated pics

Full tank shot
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture023.jpg
Right side
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture034.jpg
Left side
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture032.jpg
Very Aggressive female clown
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture030.jpg

[RayAllen]

New Corals are still a little stressed but coming around. Going to add a few more zoas, rics and shrooms and I will be set to let it all fill in.

[txav8r]

Hope they all do well.
Tank is looking good!

[RayAllen]

Thanks Jack im sure they will all do great. The only one that im new to is the leather so we will see what happen there. I kept a huge toad stool in my previous BC 29 so im sure this one will do fine.

[4fun]

this is such a beauttyfullll tank

[RayAllen]

Thanks! Its coming along. I have some diatom outbreak-not to bad though. Once all the corals start feeling in over the next few months it will look much better.

[4fun]

one of these days i'll get mine right. What kind of clown is that?

[RayAllen]

Its a True Percula

[RayAllen]

Ive decided to fill the middle chamber with macro instead of live rock rubble so I
Took a trip to lowes today and found a neat little 9watt flourescent under cabinet light to use as a fuge light.

Its on the same timer as my moon lights. So the opposite schedule of my day lights.

Works perfectly- now I just need some macro

http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture043.jpg
off
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture044.jpg
On
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture045.jpg

[NateDogg]

[QUOTE=RayAllen;702443]Ive decided to fill the middle chamber with macro instead of live rock rubble

so.. you are going to take out the 1lb that you had in there already?

[lakers10]

nice tank ray

[RayAllen]

[QUOTE=RayAllen;702443]Ive decided to fill the middle chamber with macro instead of live rock rubble

so.. you are going to take out the 1lb that you had in there already?

Im keeping the 1lb for frags as I get them.

Thanks Mark, it was nice to meet you and Amber.

[lakers10]

yea nice meeting u too

just need to set up the 75 now lol

[Mr Cob]

Love the light Ray. I still have macro...I'm just on the opposite side of town as you though. Send me a PM if you want to stop by and pick some up. I have various types.

[RayAllen]

Thanks Rob

I actually picked some Macro and frags up from Kristy and Mike the passed weekend some im set.

[mabel_photo6]

Hey, that is a good idea.
I guess I didn't look hard enough for a light!
I want to upgrade so bad 'cause I have this huge hang on refugium right smack in front of my tank.

[RayAllen]

yea its working out pretty good. I wrapped it pretty go with electrical tape to prevent any water or moisture from getting in.

i need to post a update pic of the tank.

[RayAllen]

New pics, a couple of new corals and angle shots

Looking up
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1748.jpg
Looking Down
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1756.jpg
Actinic lights only
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1778.jpg

[lakers10]

Nice :bigsmile:

how many watts do u have over this??
is the bed crushed coral??

[txav8r]

Looking good Ray!
Those Palys are gonna grow like crazy

[RayAllen]

Thanks guys.

Giant10 aka mark im getting approx 3watts per gallon with water displacement.

Jack I know, im debating putting them on a island by them selves....

[lakers10]

oh ok ray allen aka ray lol

love the corals :bigsmile:

[RayAllen]

oh ok ray allen aka ray lol

love the corals :bigsmile:

I have a habit of using people actual names. So i used both your user name and actual name not to through anyone off.

I just go by Ray Allen because its simple and everyone knows my name.

Txav8r- Jack
Darth Tator- David
R Allard- Robert
MrCob- Rob
Hobogato- Ace
Scorpiono- Erik

You get the point, lol:bigsmile:

[lakers10]

ha ha yeah i get u

:bigsmile:

[jeffro]

Looks good Ray!

[Darth-Tater]

Ray ..so my real name is David. I always thought it was Darth-Tater :whew: I know exactly what you mean. I love calling a member's # and asking for Hobogato, or great white.

Tater aka david

[carlinsa]

looks good ray. if you need a couple small frags let me know i have some.

[ErikH]

Ray, it looks great! Better isolate those palys! :D

[RayAllen]

Ray, it looks great! Better isolate those palys! :D


yeah, I know. they have already stuck in some places. Going to move them down to the sand with another peice of rock to spread.

[4fun]

will Ray you have a very nice tank. makes me think "hmmmm maybe i sould have started small". but not that I'm not happy with mine just takes so long to fill everything in in a big tank.

[lakers10]

wish i had a tank likke yours 4fun lol


can i borrow one ha ha

[RayAllen]

will Ray you have a very nice tank. makes me think "hmmmm maybe i sould have started small". but not that I'm not happy with mine just takes so long to fill everything in in a big tank.

Thanks

I didnt start small, just downsized. Ive had saltwater aquariums from 18g-210g and every size in between. At this time in my life its just best to have 1 small simple tank.

you would be surprised of how many on maast that have been here a while have downsized or sold their large tanks.

[lakers10]

i think soon u will wanna upgrade again lol

[RayAllen]

i think soon u will wanna upgrade again lol


Of corse I will one of these days. Already have a idea of my next tank, lol. Will definately by a min of 30" deep (front to back)

[lakers10]

thats nice man cant wait to see another one of your tanks up and runnin

[RayAllen]

thats nice man cant wait to see another one of your tanks up and runnin

I wish i would save my aquarium pictures and not delete them. that way id have somewhat of a aquarium journal over the years. I may start doing that now with this one:)

[4fun]

that is a very good idea for all of us in this hobby especially if you have been doing this for many years. I know i will do some kind of aquarium journal.

[tattoosmitty]

scrape the rumble in the middle chamber and order a fuge and meda rack from this guy.
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/main.sc

[RayAllen]

scrape the rumble in the middle chamber and order a fuge and meda rack from this guy.
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/main.sc

You didnt read through the entire thread. I scraped the rubble and have macro in now with a 9watt light.

[tattoosmitty]

You didnt read through the entire thread. I scraped the rubble and have macro in now with a 9watt light.

sorry about that...

[RayAllen]

no problemo. I do like running the small fuge.

[RayAllen]

Well the crazy clown found a new home in Mr Cobs 144g half circle tank. I have to say im not sad to see her go, lol. In the process of trying to catch her she forced me to have to move a few rock around so with doing that I found some of my loose frags and reaquascaped the cube and it looks great. Looks much fuller now. Enjoy the pics

Full tank shot as of Friday 10/23/09
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture047.jpg
Side shot
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture049.jpg
One of my happy snails
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture053.jpg
Green stars are doing great
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1850.jpg
Powder blues are doing awesome
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1846.jpg
My bam bams
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1844.jpg
Cool shot of my Zombie eyes and feather duster from below
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1849-1.jpg
Some Kenya trees
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_1848.jpg
Some palys from the side
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Picture056.jpg

Enjoy

[RayAllen]

AS you can see there are quite a few shrooms in there of diffrent assortments. Watermelons, red, purple, hairys. Thanks to those that have donated to the tank!

[mabel_photo6]

oOOoO Looks really nice! :) :)

[RayAllen]

I figured I needed to post a update. Jan 18, 2010

The tank is doing great. As of this weekend I removed the macro from the 2nd chamber and replaced it with a Sapphire Skimmer. I left a little Macro on Chamber one.


Pros: -Fish are doing great. Clarkii Clown and White belly Wrasse
-All the soft corals look good. Lots of various shrooms.
-Lots of Coraline algae growth since the last pic in October.
- Macro really grew well and also grew pods really well.
-As of this weekend New BC29 Sapphier Skimmer- Thanks Rob!

Cons- Had a outbreak of Cyno but it seems to be in check
- GSP arms arent as long and waivy but it still looks healthy
- New skimmer is breaking in and I have small air bubble is display.

All in all the tank has really matured and is looking good. I will post a pic tonight or tommorow.

Ray

[aquasport24]

can't wait for new pics. .:bigsmile:

[RayAllen]

Just had a hermit crab cause a minor rockslide. Needless to say totally screwed up my rockscape and I just spent the last 2hrs rescaping. Not thrilled with the way it looks. Once the dust settles and the coral are done freaking out I will take a pic. Totally bumbed about it.... :(

[Europhyllia]

Oh man. That sucks. Things like that really can ruin my day. Everything falling apart. Not enough epoxy to hold it or the epoxy simply not holding it... been there, done that.
I hope eventually you get it back to where you like it.

[RayAllen]

Well now that the tank has settled the new look is growing on me. Has this neat outcroping on the right side that my clarkii like to perch under. All my rocks were purple with coraline, but now that I moved them alot of the rock that was shaded or on the sand is now exposed so its not so purple anymore. Im sure in a few weeks the coraline will make its way to the bare spots.

Pics to come tonight, depending on if everything is over its shock of the big change yesterday.

Will get a pic later this evening.

[Mr Cob]

Can't wait to see some new pics Ray. Hope that skimmer is working well for you. If it's not then your tank is clean...haha!

[NateDogg]

How is the light over your fuge working out? Has the electrical tape worked at keeping moisture out?

[RayAllen]

How is the light over your fuge working out? Has the electrical tape worked at keeping moisture out?

Worked out perfect. Ive had no problems with it and its been going for months now.

Had some salt build up on it ocassional on the tape and I just wiped it off.

[RayAllen]

A couple of pics, the rest will be in the photography section

Sapphire Skimmer, luv it (Thanks Rob)http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/IMG_2050.jpg
In action
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/SApphireskimmer.jpg
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b108/frogguy1/Fullfrontview.jpg

[Mr Cob]

Looking hot Ray! Very natural looking. Ahhh man, that skimmer is so cool looking :) It was very hard to part with.

[Big_Pun]

i miss that tank, thats cool i had a yellow wrasse in there when i had it, looks great

[RayAllen]

Thanks guys.

[Europhyllia]

Cute little clown enjoying his GSP :)

[RayAllen]

Tank is 9 months old now.

Heres a quick pic I took today

[RayAllen]

8565

[Mr Cob]

Nice happy corals Ray. The fish really stand out too. Looks nice. Lots of movement in this one I can tell.

[RayAllen]

Thanks Rob

I need to make my way over to Jacks for some new frags! With this tank I took the put in their and let it do its thing approach and it has paid off.