Biocube 8 Office Build

[djrfeller]

I had a 20 gallon freshwater aquarium in my office but it got too dirty and everyone wanted to feed it. I decided to purchase a used biocube and set up my own little corner of the reef so when i got frustrated at work i can wonder to the reef. I set the tank up this mornign and this is what i have so far.

The three pictures i have uploaded were taken from my phone so they are not best quality. They include night mode with 2 blue leds on and day mode after i put in live rock with 9 cree leds that i purchased from rapidled.com and setup on a heatsink. I have an upgraded pump and the output in the one that swirls in a circle to dispurse water.

This is my first contribution to the site and please make any suggestions that you might have.

[350gt]

Take off the hydor circulating thing...

it really takes away from the output of the pump.. At least I would.


take your time..

and set up a small ato if you can to keep everything stable.. In a small tank it's key!

[Fracture]

Looks like if will be nice

[350gt]

Looks good btw..

what are you using in the filtration chambers?

[djrfeller]

i an using 2 biocube filter media pads and thats about all for right now. i scraped the paint off the back and was going to try and put some chaeto in there to see if that would help. i upgraded the pump and it works well with the circular output and i even had to turn it down because it was blowing the gravel around. i have had small tanks before but i am trying to make this as easy as possible, especially since its at work. thank you for all the suggestions.

one question i do have is do you guys think that having 9 cree leds for this tank is too much and will cause algae problems? i have 5 blue and 4 white. thanks

[350gt]

Can you dim them?


i loved what the chemi pure elite bags did for my aquapod when it was set up..

[djrfeller]

i can not dim them. i have a limited budget (mostly placed on me by my girlfriend, she loves shih tzus but not fish) and i didnt go for a dimmable set. i ahve them coming in at 8am and going off an 7pm. the nigh tlights are on after that and through out the night

[allan]

Definitely set up some kind of ATO.

The rock, was it cured, or do you expect a large cycle?

[djrfeller]

yes the rock was cured. i was going to let it run for the rest of the week and reevaluate the tank next monday to see what the parameters are.

[djrfeller]

any suggestions for stocking the aquarium? i work in an office that does have kids coming in and they love to see fish. i know i will be putting in a clown but other than that i need suggestions. as far as corals i want zoas (which are my favorite) and mushrooms but other than that i will take suggestions. i need color. thanks

[350gt]

Maybe a small frogspawn or Duncan for the clown... I don't know how a anemone would do in a small tank..

I wouldn't put any other fish... Just a nice pair of clowns.

[djrfeller]

i have been testing the parameters and they are not perfect but i figured i would give it a shot with a few extra corals that i had in my big tank. i have added some little trees, a red and purple mushroom , star polyp , single green zoa and i did purchase a rock with a fuzzy mushroom that i am going to use to try and grow out to host my clown. i also added 2 small hermits that are running around pretty well..

[BBQHILLBILLY]

i an using 2 biocube filter media pads and thats about all for right now. i scraped the paint off the back and was going to try and put some chaeto in there to see if that would help. i upgraded the pump and it works well with the circular output and i even had to turn it down because it was blowing the gravel around. i have had small tanks before but i am trying to make this as easy as possible, especially since its at work. thank you for all the suggestions.

one question i do have is do you guys think that having 9 cree leds for this tank is too much and will cause algae problems? i have 5 blue and 4 white. thanks

congrats on the LED purchase. You should get 50000 hrs with the LEDs and heatsink. You may only need to run LEDs 8 hrs a day when your at work.
If the LEDs are maxed your heatsink may get hot without a small fan to cool it. Specifically which of the LEDs did you go with ? Depending on your lense,
watch your coral for bleaching or coral growth. Mushrooms like to turn inward if they have to much LED. Congrats on the tank.
Limiting the amount of light usage and frequent ro/di sw changes should limit algae problems.

[djrfeller]

got a few zoas and a clown for my tank yesterday, after multiple attempts at the arrangement i think i settled on what i have. here are some update pictures
1956519566

[djrfeller]

yeah i think i am having that very issue at my home aquarium. i shortened the length of exposure so that they wouldnt bleach out. i have 4 - 3w cree leds and 5 3w royal blue leds from rapid led in this tank and i am afraid it will be too much. i have the lights coming on at 8:30 and shutting off at 7 pm but i might do on at 9am and then shut off at 6 pm that way they are only on when i am at work.

[djrfeller]

have been acquiring and adding zoas, up to 9 different types on my little zoa corner of my tank. i have a few more that i have a home i need to frag and then i will be set.

[envy]

how is ur tank going so far going on a couple of months without an update hope all is good