Ben's Biocube 29g HQI -1st tank ever! + Blog

Hey, guys! I am a new member and I have been doing a lot of research and trolling 3reef for a couple weeks now. I wanted to start a reef tank and definitely learned a lot and finally got the guts to order stuff, hehe. Here is the list of things I have already ordered:

- Tank: Biocube 29g HQI w/ stand
- Sand: Caribsea Tahitian Moon Sand Black 20 lb
- LiveRock: ? not yet, gonna go to LFS to pick some out later
- Flow: Ecotech Vortech mp10 ES (so expensive lol)
- Return Flow: Rio6HF Pump (I'll use stock pump to mix saltwater)
- Heater: Aqueon Pro Heater
- Skimmer: Hydor SlimSkim Nano (i heard stock skimmer sucked)
- inTank Media Basket: w/ purigen + filter floss + chemi-pure elite (i heard stock filters sucked)
- Water: I plan to use RO water (that goes through 8 stages) from local store, same water I drink

Other Supplies:
- Refractometer
- Reef Crystals
- 2 API kits saltwater master + reef master
- Mag float
- Thermometer
- Cooling fan (in case stock fan sucks)
- Alk + Ca supplements

Plans for Stock:

- Yellow watchman goby
- Pistol shrimp
- Bengaii Cardinalfish
- Clownfish (so many types to choose from... Liking black ice so far)

- SPS- lots of 'em
- Zoanthids - colorful ones
- 1 Brain coral

There it is!

My Hydor skimmer just arrived today, I can't wait for the rest to arrive! I'm starting work soon, so I will be setting up slowly.

Are these things good enough? What do you guys think? I am very open to comments and suggestions

 

sounds like your going to have a nice little set up i have black sand in my biocude and i really like it because of the contrast. if i where you i would just pick up a rodi unit its not worth the risk. and i can wait to see pis congrats

 

+1 the RODI system will save you money and headaches in the long run. Other wise, sounds like an awesome set-up -------->

 

Sounds like your on the right track!! I just started a biocube myself and I love it!

 

Just got a aquapod with a sunpod and I love it. You should too. Does sound like u have what u need to start. Good luck and welcome.

 

or just get your water from LFS..works your biceps....i have a 24 and i dont see the need for an RODI unit when i can haul water from the store but if i ever got anything larger i would buy the unit.

 

sounds like a great start! I have my own 29g Biocube w/ 3 Panorama Pro's.
may i recommend adding another 20lb of sand? I originally had 20lb and it was not enough, especially if you want a shrimp/goby, which I do as well and they are so much fun to watch!
here's a link to my tank http://www.3reef.com/forums/show-off-your-fish-tanks/ashevillians-29g-biocube-led-w-fuge-128847.html

 

Update: Ok, built the stand and got the biocube in place, with dry sand in.

-Still need to wait on reef salt to mix saltwater. LFS sells sw for 0.99/lb

 

I like the black sand! I was going to do that when I started my tank but I couldn't find it locally.

 

Looks very very nice but I still would add another 20lb of sand