14 BioCube

[lakers10]

Well I finally decided to make this thread of my build thread. I made this thread mostly to share my tank with yall and I can get expert help.. Also I ask alot of questions so instead of making a new thread everytime I'll post here. I know a thread is frown upon without pics so I'll try to post pics ASAP when I get home from school still tryin to figure out photo bucket and how to to post pics here. The more commebts the better just tryin to make a great Mini Reef.

Equipment:
Standard 14 BioCube
Modded Lights (16. 2 watt LEDS)

First Chamber:Nothin.(Can I put anything in there?)

Second Chamber:Media Basket.Runnin Carbon and LR rubble in the Media Basket (Good Idea?)

Third Chamber: Upgraded pump don't know which kind it came with tank.

Livestock:
Clownfish(Can I pair him up with a Naked Clown he med size)
Barbershop Goby W/ Tiger Pistol
Yellow Clown Goby
2 Sexy Shrimp
Cleaner Shrimp
Emerald Crab
6 Nass.. Snails
3 Astrea Snails
2 Hermits Red Legged
Turbo Snail
Sand Shiftin Star

Corals:
Frag Of Florida Ric.

Some more details about the tank I have about 12 pds of LR and tank has been running about 5 and a half months. And everythin is good only had one Death my YWG that jumped/pushed. And all my paramaters are great a bit of coraline on the rocks and back wall. Water chages once a week 2 gallons. Also I have a DSB about 3 and half almost four.And I feed twice a day.

Questions I had:
Can I add a skimmer?
Can I add anything to clean the sand a little better have med amout of cyano and some clumpy spots just a bit put I'm picky about my sand.
Should I target feed my Ric? If so how many times and what? I have frozen Mysis?
Should I add more LR?
There is a weird pelllt looking thing at the bottom of my tank there brown?
Thanx yall Enjoy...

[tebstan]

There is a skimmer that's marketed just for the bio cube. I've read about mods being done on the larger bio cubes, but I don't know about the 14. The DIY kinda guys should chime in on that one.

But feeding, I know about feeding. :) I like to target feed everything. You don't have to target your ric, it will be just fine if you never do. But, it's really cool to watch them close up on a piece of shrimp. The bigger the mouth the bigger the food you should offer it. I spray my GSP with rotifers, but my mushrooms and rics respond better to brine and mysis shrimp.

12lb of rock in a 14? It must be packed in there! Adding more would be a personal preference for aquascaping at this point. Ahem... need some pics. :)

That sand sifting star may not do well long term. He'll eventually deplete the sand bed of microfauna, but you've got a lot of sand so it's your call. I was told (by relatively reputable sources) that they can't survive long term in tanks smaller than 100 gallons. I've had mine in my 90 for over a year, but that doesn't equal long term by any means.

[sharkboy]

where did you get the lights? any pics?

[lakers10]

Sharkboy.. Idk what kind they are came with the tank I'll post pics tomorrow. Does any 1 know if I can pair my clown with a naked clown. Clown been in my tank for about a week.

[lakers10]

I know these are not the best pics but i have a horrible camera sorry. i wanted to reaquascape what yall think?

FTS
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff387/lakers224/DSCF1007.jpg

Barbershop Goby
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff387/lakers224/DSCF1004.jpg

Lights
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff387/lakers224/DSCF1015.jpg

Lights
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff387/lakers224/DSCF1014.jpg

Ric.
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff387/lakers224/DSCF1020.jpg

[jrsatx20]

pics dont work

[lakers10]

Fix them i think...

[lakers10]

More Pics

Sexy Shirmp
http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff387/lakers224/DSCF1019.jpg

YCGhttp://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff387/lakers224/DSCF1008.jpg

[Kristy]

Nice little tank you have going. I love your little goby and also the sexy shrimp!

Are you still planning to come by and get some kenya trees in the next couple of days? Remind me to talk to you about the skimmer.

[lakers10]

Thanx kristy. Yea I have been meanin to contact you about that. I'm available tomorrow and every day mostly in the afternoons.

[lakers10]

I was wonderin if yall think I need to add more live rock?

[sharkboy]

I like the rock work...not sure it needs more though...cool lights too!

[lakers10]

Thanx shark.. Yea idk if I should add some either but I might rework it a bit

[merlini]

nice tank, i have a bc 14,too.

[lakers10]

cool merlini. I would to see some pics of your aquascape. I am still considering changing mine.

[merlini]

Here if my FTS 10387

[lakers10]

Very Nice FTS. I am looking to do kinda the same concept for mine Thanx..

[sharkboy]

update?

[lakers10]

sorry for the lack of updates. Just been busy,everything is doin fine nothin has died on me my starfish is doin great goin on 5 months. Need to add corals and a skimmer still. I'll put some pics up tomorrow.

[lakers10]

Finally a update. Well everything been goin great it's goin on 7 months. There has been no deaths and I moved my rock around looks much better. I got great corals from ray there doin great. I am waiting to move the toadstool from my 14 to 29 should be around two weeks. Has a couple of questions can I move my power head in my 14 to another position? Also my yellow clown loves the toadstool likes perching on it is that alright? it's like his home lol

[justahobby]

Grats on 7 months of success. Keep up the good work! Any pictures? :D No worries about the goby perching. Coral will be fine. Worst case scenario is polyps don't fully expand or extend.

[lakers10]

is it safe to put a arrow crab in my tank?

[lakers10]

I have a 3 level media basket. I was wondering what yall recommend that I put in it I have carbon in the first and then the LR rubble in the bottom two. Is there anything better to put in there?

[lakers10]

I have tiny bubbles rising out of one of my LR Pieces what can it be?

[tebstan]

Have you let the water level run low lately, so that the pump is blowing in air bubbles? They can get trapped in little nooks and take a while (sometimes days) to slip out

[lakers10]

no it's always kinda above the mark on the pump but never below idk what it is but it's annoying.

[lakers10]

any thoughts on y so many little bubbles.

[justahobby]

Google Diatoms. Judging by the pics, diatoms is the "problem." It's part of your tank maturing. As long as you maintain good husbandry it will sort itself out in no time.

[CoryDude]

Looking good. Did the bird's nest do ok under those led's?

[lakers10]

yep cory the birds nest did great I'll try to post pics later... Diatoms can they be loose floating bubbles?

[pjku79]

Great thread. I just picked up a 14g today. I am excited to get back into it.

[adolph_09]

Hey man any updates on your tank?

[pjku79]

yea he sold it