My 14g Build **Hydor Bioflow, NEW PICS!**

I have wanted a 14g biocube just to keep a fish or 2 and a bunch of frags. Well, today I found one for a really good price($100), it came with the tank, live rock, live sand, hood etc. Its been up and running for a year or so but the problem is the algae it came with. What do I need to do?? Its nice rock and I could probably just scrub it in some water and get it off but what do I do with the water? It looks really bad, should I just toss it along with the sand and start with some new water or should I put this water in and try to treat it?? Any help would be appreciated!!

 

If you got no corals..I'd just start from scratch..thus you are in control...If you have livestock in it...QT??..I'm not cool with the water(the way you discribe it) unless it has been tested for all the relative elements and its all good..then just do WC and start the ball rolling.....BUT if it were me..start fresh. jmo : )

 

Kind of what I was thinking, I just wanted reassurance first haha. I can get the water and sand for a 14g cheap so not worried about that ... just wanted something that was already cycled because im lazy ;D

 

+1 and if you're lazy, ya def wanna start fresh. Imagine battling all that algae and other issues for MONTHS. Not what a lazy man wants. IMO.

 

But other than the Nitrates being a little high and salinity about 1.040+(higher than my tester goes, haha) everything is good. Haha! Im gonna clean the rock and put new sand and water in. One more question...would I be better off letting the rock sit out in the sun and kill off the algae or keep it "live" in the old water?

 

you could put it in a cheap tub with a powerhead in the dark for a week or so to kill the algae. But at this point, i'd probably nuke it or dry it out and just start over. Who knows whats on that?

 

Youre right! Good thing its suppose to be in the 80's the next few days! Im gonna start loading it up with sand and water on Sunday. Has anyone ever used black sand before? Would like to get some input...I really like it but I dont know the pro's and con's about it. I want to put a pair of nice clowns(possibly breeders) and then just a bunch of frags.

 

personally, i WISH I had used the black sand. The only bad i've ever read is it shows poo, food, dirt, crap etc a lot easier so ya have to vacuum it more. Ya can also look at salt and pepper, black and white sand

 

Step one would be to SHOW US SOME PICS!

But i agree with above, i would start fresh.

 

ahh should mention, laziness plus black sand may not mesh well together