My Thread

I want to start this thread so I can monitor the changes/progress of my 14 gal Oceanic BioCube (today is 9/24, tank has been set-up for 2 days).

I bought this system and it was an established reef. I completely cleaned it out, kept the live rock, kept the bio balls, got a new carbon bag (and will replace monthly), new substrate. Kept the 2 leather corals.

Chemistry:

PH - 8.2-8.3, using buffer.
Ammonia - .2
Nitrite - 0
Nitrate - 18
Spec Grav - 1.022-1.023
Temp - 77-78
Calcium - 380-400
KH - 13-14
Phosphate - 6-8

Ok, so looking at this, I can see the ammonia is higher than I want it, but not a huge concern.

Calcium could be a little higher.

KH is high right? And Phosphates need to be zero, so the bottled water I used after running out of RO must have been garbage.

Do I want to go get 10 gallons of RO and do 30-40% water changes until this is fixed???

 

It looks like you might have a mini cycle occurring. I would monitor you ammonia and your Nitrite/Nitrate and do noting until both Ammonia and nitrite are zero.

J

 

Thanks Jason. Do you think some of the live rock organisms died off in the transfer, and so the ammonia is rising????

Also, I have been told to get rid of the bio balls, that they will create too much phosphate. Is that correct?

Or dont even touch the bio balls until ammonia and nitrite are zero?

 

BioBalls are typically not used by most. but if kept 100% submerged they can be almost as effective as Live Rock. Personally I think you could put other things in that chamber like Carbon and even a mini skimmer
Not having a BioCube (I want one) I'm not too familiar with exactly how the bioballs are situated

J

 

I think I am going to remove because in the future I want to put a skimmer in there. I initially kept them because I didn't want to lose the bacteria and have to cycle the tank again.

One other quick question J -

In my second day of having my tank set-up, I have found out that I have a Bristleworm infestation. Some are 3-5" long! I have read horror stories of coral and fish being eaten by bristles. But I have also read bristles are detritus eaters when they are small.

Would you toss this live rock (15#), toss the bio balls, and re-start this thing?

Assume $$$ is of no concern, since I want to start this right.

I also have plenty of substrate, salt, etc to start over.

 

Not too sure of the similarities, but I had a 24G Aquapod set up, and did not use the bioballs. I had an Aqua C skimmer instead. I used 30LB's of live rock as my filtration. You can add more rock and SLOWLY take out the bioballs (which I have done). Once ammonia and nitrites are gone and nitrates are low, add a 6 line wrasse, they will eat bristleowrms.

 

Ok, here's where I stand:

I rearranged the LR for better circulation. Added crushed LR into rear chamber, removed Bio-Balls. BOY did that help the nitrates! I left it alone all day and checked the parameters and here is where we are:

Temp - 80
SG - 1.023
Ph - 8.8
Ammonia - 0
Nitrites - 0
Nitrates - <5
Calcium - 380
Kh - 22!!!! yikes!
phosphates - 8!!!

Just so you know what chems I have put in the tank:
Part A and Part B (I was told to use this once a month)
PH Reef Buffer
Purple Up
Tropic Marin Salt

My initial water source was the previous owner's tank water. I used 50% of that, and 50% of RO water.
Like an idiot though, I used 2.5 gallons of bottled water to do water change #1. I think that may be why kh and phosphates are spiked.
What do you think? Do I want to go and get 5 gallons of RO in the morning, mix it, and water change at night???
help! I want to get some fish and coral but cant until this is fixed.
thanks again.