Fishboy13's 29 Gallon Biocube HQI

[fishboy13]

Hi everyone, I recently decided to get back into the hobby; after some thinking, I decided that a 29 gallon Biocube HQI would be perfect for me. I am now waiting for the tank to arrive (it was supposed to come today but it was broken in transit so now I have to wait for another week or so). Today I received my order of 22lbs of Pukani Dried Live Rock from BRS online, I was very impressed with how quickly my order arrived (2 days, using ground shipping). I am currently aquascaping my old 29 gallon Biocube since my new one is not yet here (pictures to come). I am looking forward to keeping a tank thread (I have only done one before). Please feel free to give me any input or advice, thanks!

[fishboy13]

I taped down a garbage bag to keep the rock from touching the floor.

I purchased Pukani Dried Rock for my aquarium. I was able to purchase 22lbs for $76.78. This rock should not get nuisance algaes or pests, this is due to the fact that it has been dried out. My order of rock quickly arrived in a total of two days (using ground shipping). I was very pleased with the customer service at Bulk Reef Supply http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/ also you can leave a comment on your reciept telling the people at BRS what sizes and shapes of rock you would like, as well as the size of tank which the rock will go into. I will have to wait and see what results I get from my rock, but up to this point I am very impressed with it.

[thepanfish]

Good stuff! Just wondering, why didn't you keep your current biocube and upgrade to some nice LEDs like the AI Nano?

[fishboy13]

Here is the front of the tank.

[fishboy13]

Right side of the tank.

[fishboy13]

Left side of the tank.

[fishboy13]

Louis, I wanted to start off with all relatively new equipment. The Biocube that I currently have is a little over four years old and I just thought that it might be time to replace it. I also liked how the HQI tank had the glass at the back for a refugium, I didn't want to have to do that in my current Biocube. I've also never used LED's before for growth, I'm sure that they work well but I have always used metal halides. The only thing that I do not like about the HQI is that it does not come with moonlights or a refugium light but I researched those and I think that I know what I'm going to buy.

Refugium Light: Amazon.com: Coralife Mini Aqualight T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 2X6W, 11 inch: Electronics@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41n8TG7kYvL.@@AMEPARAM@@41n8TG7kYvL (http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-Aqualight-Aquarium-Lighting-Fixture/dp/B004OQQRV2)


Moonlights: Amazon.com: TrueLumen 453nm Blue 3-LED Linking Module, One Female and One Male Connector: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31QqQVdBUfL.@@AMEPARAM@@31QqQVdBUfL (http://www.amazon.com/TrueLumen-Linking-Module-Female-Connector/dp/B003XXEBRO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1325262005&sr=8-3)

[larryandlaura]

Congrats on the upgrade!

[jimsflies]

Don't forget about the nano contest we are getting ready to start...might as well get in on it since your starting now anyways. :)

[fishboy13]

LOL Jim, I might. I just don't like having "restrictions" on what I can and can't do, I also don't want to rush my setup.

[MizTanks]

Try not to place your rock flush against the back wall. Leave a little room for flow to help avoid dead spots :) Your tank is going to look sweet! Def gonna love watch it grow :)

[fishboy13]

LOL thanks Jamie, that's not my final rock setup; just trying to see what I want to do (I'm going to have to break up some rock).

I purchased the refugium light today: Coralife Mini Aqualight T5 Aquarium Lighting Fixture, 2X6W, 11 inch
-I posted a picture yesterday.
I purchased this for: $43.91

After doing a little bit of research on the lights I decided on the: Extreme Moonlight LED Tube - 4 3/8 in
They were: $31.99

Here is a picture: http://www.thatpetplace.com/images/presentation/P50177.jpg

I bought these on thatpetplace.com; they can also be purchased from amazon.com for about the same price.

That should give me more than enough moonlight :D.

Best of all I was able to get all of this for ~$88 to begin with then I used a $20 gift card, and I got back $38 dollars in shipping charges from the Filter Guys . . . leaving me with a total of $30 (well really $68 but I'm being optimistic :P)

[fishboy13]

The other day I purchased the OCEAN REEF + 1 FIVE STAGE 75 GPD RO/DI, from The Filter Guys. I have used their products before and have had great results. Here is a link to their website: The Filter Guys (http://www.thefilterguys.biz/) .
I asked Jim to ship my RO/DI unit via FedEx so that way I could use business shipping, he went out of his way and saved me $38 in shipping charges. The RO/DI unit is pictured above.
I was able to purchase this unit for $199.00

[thepanfish]

Good stuff Kev.

[fishboy13]

LOL thanks Louis, I'm just hoping that everything gets here soon! I want to setup this tank so badly!

[thepanfish]

I think we all know that feeling lol.

[fishboy13]

I decided that I want to run a quarantine tank, I'm going to use a brand new 20 gallon tall which has just been sitting in my basement (Originally I wanted something that would have fit under my biocube but then I decided on a larger water volume). I'm going to be keeping this tank in my bedroom (this is where my Biocube HQI is located as well). Right now I'm contemplating whether or not I want to use a 30in light fixture on this tank because the tank is 24in long. (It's a Coralife light fixture that I purchased for frag swaps a few years ago)Amazon.com: Coralife 08601 Aqualight High Output T5 Dual Lamp Fixture, 30-Inch: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/11lho-WyxKL.@@AMEPARAM@@11lho-WyxKL (http://www.amazon.com/Coralife-08601-Aqualight-Fixture-30-Inch/dp/B002P9R2GO/ref=sr_1_2?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1325611628&sr=1-2)
I also saved some ammonia alerts and sponge filters from when I used to be in saltwater. Amazon.com: Seachem Ammonia Alert: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51%2BToHskolL.@@AMEPARAM@@51%2BToHskolL (http://www.amazon.com/Seachem-10-Ammonia-Alert/dp/B000255R5G/ref=sr_1_1?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1325611699&sr=1-1)


Now I'm trying to figure out what test kit I want to use I previously used the kits listed below. Please let me know what you think.
Amazon.com: API SALTWATER MASTER TEST KIT: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51JkLCA0LrL.@@AMEPARAM@@51JkLCA0LrL (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001EUE808/?tag=citofgamonlco-20)
Amazon.com: API REEF MASTER TEST KIT: Pet Supplies@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/61pAI8GpB2L.@@AMEPARAM@@61pAI8GpB2L (http://www.amazon.com/API-REEF-MASTER-TEST-KIT/dp/B001D6Z7QW/ref=pd_bxgy__img_c)

[fishboy13]

I found the expiration times online they are:
Ammonia Test Solution # 1 - 3 Years
Ammonia Test Solution # 2 - 3 Years
High Range pH Indicator Solution - 3 Years
Nitrate Test Solution # 1 - 3 Years
Nitrate Test Solution # 2 - 3 years
GH Test Solution - 3 Years
Calcium Test Solution #1 - 3 Years
Calcium Test Solution #2 - 3 Years
Phosphate Test Solution #1 - 3 Years
Phosphate Test Solution #2 - 3 Years
Copper Test Solution - 3 Years
KH Test Solution - 4 Years
Nitrite Test Solution - 4 Years

Considering that these kits have been in the cold basement they should still be good.
Here's a link: http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/aquariumforum/showthread.php?t=76252

All of mine are around 4-5 years old.

[thepanfish]

I would not get the API kit. Although good value, I really hate matching the color cards and I'm not entirely sure they're accurate.
I would go for a Salifert kit of the following:
Nitrate
Alk
Ammonia

[AJ :)]

Great looking start !

Really nice R/O setup with a great price!

[fishboy13]

I would not get the API kit. Although good value, I really hate matching the color cards and I'm not entirely sure they're accurate.
I would go for a Salifert kit of the following:
Nitrate
Alk
Ammonia

Louis, I never really minded the color matching; also the test results were pretty accurate (I used the API kit while breeding, they were pretty reliable). I'm looking for close perimeters, not exact. I looked into the Salifert kits and although they are more reliable they are also more expensive, I also looked up their shelf-lives and the Alkalinity test only has a shelf-life of six months, meanwhile the nitrate and ammonia are ~1-2 years. I just don't see the point in spending more money to throw out the tests in the same amount of time, just my opinion; lol.

---------- Post added at 04:40 PM ---------- Previous post was at 04:39 PM ----------


Great looking start !

Really nice R/O setup with a great price!

Thanks AJ! It's supposed to be here Thursday :D. My tank is supposed to be here tomorrow, but I'm guessing that it will be closer to Friday.

[fishboy13]

I came home today and my RO/DI unit was here :D.
Now I can make the water for my tank which still isn't here!

[fishboy13]

Well it has been a few days since I have updated this here are some pictures to show what I have done so far:

Quarantine Tank:

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/fishboy13/IMG_2497.jpg
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/fishboy13/IMG_2495.jpg

Display Tank:
http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/fishboy13/IMG_2562.jpg

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/fishboy13/IMG_2513.jpg

I even bought one of Fishtal's True Percula Clownfish

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/fishboy13/IMG_2586.jpg

http://i607.photobucket.com/albums/tt157/fishboy13/IMG_2522.jpg