My First SW...Setting Up A 29 Biocube

[jmarsh3253]

I am setting up my first SW tank with a 29 Biocube. I plan to use chamber 2 as a refugium right from the start, with a couple pounds of cured live rock, chaeto, external lighting, and the mod to open the partition between chamber 1 and 2 to increase flow. I plan to use an 80-20 mix of cured to uncured live rock for a total of 20-25lbs, with 20lbs of live sand in the main tank. The other mods I will use are a heater in chamber 1, and a Koraila Nano powerhead in the main tank. Should I just use the die off from the live rock to begin the cycle, or should I still add an ammonia source...raw shrimp, pure ammonia, etc.? If I should add ammonia, to what ppm concentration should I shoot for? Does my plan sound good? Thanks for your help...I'm excited to finally move into SW!!!:headbang2:

 

[animalman]

I would just let the rock cycle the tank. But thats just my opinion. Setup sounds good to me tho not sure if the nano powerhead will be enough.

 

[salty420]

i used a raw shrimp in addition to LR to start my cycle. i have a 29g bio-cube as well but i run it as-it. sounds like you have a great plan. i've thought about adding a nano koralia as well (in addition to the standard pump animalman), let me know how it works for you jmarsh!

 

[Grins]

If you're using mostly cured rock I'd use an ammonia source. I used pure ammonia.

 

[jmarsh3253]

Grins - What PPM concentration of ammonia did you shoot for? Did you keep dosing at "X" amount until nitrItes showed up and then reduce by half until the nitrAtes registered? That's what I've done with my FW tanks, but this is a new ball game ;-)

 

[Grins]

I got mine to just under 5ppm, then stopped.

 

[jmarsh3253]

Do you like the idea of the refugium right from the start?

 

[Reefscape]

Do you like the idea of the refugium right from the start?

If you have the money and space to set one up right from the start, then yes, go for it..some people prefer to get the basic system up and running first and get their feet wet and then progress, where as other prefer to have a fully kitted out system from the get go...its personal choice and one, unfortunatly, you have to decide on..

Niko

 

[Grins]

I like it yes, but as Niko mentioned it is up to you. When I set up my tank I wasn't ready for the fuge.