29 gallon biocube first ever

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rennagarcia3

Guest
hi everyone! im brand new at this saltwater thang...im not familiar with the lingo that goes with it either...ive only had beta fish my whole life and i thought getting this would be fun to do...im not sure what fish i can get what type of anemones either what type of coral all that stuff...all i have is the 29 gallon biocube, aragonite sand, fiji rock and 2 damsels...i set it up last night and it looks pretty sweet! i know patience is the most important thing in a saltwater tank so im half way there...i need help all around...i know i want a tank that is easily maintained as much as it can be only bc i have a 1yr old...but im willing to do work so its not boring...any help would be much appreciated!!!!! thanks in advance!!!!

ps this is what it looks like now
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
I like your rock work.
The BioCubes are fairly easy to maintain tanks. I started with a 14G years ago and still use it today (of course, I've since modded the poor tank to death).
Few things:
Definitely read through these threads when you have a chance: https://www.saltwaterfish.com/Two-Little-Fishies-CorAffix-2-oz-Cyanoacrylate-Adhesive_p_3244.html and https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/forum/thread/264597/a-list-of-extremely-helpful-threads-for-all-hobbyists
There is a ton of really good info in those links.
I'm assuming that a local fish store (LFS) told you to place the damsels in there to start a cycle? This works, there are better methods, but it will work nonetheless. Just know now, that you'll have to get rid of the damsels, should they survive the beginning of the cycle. Damsels are VERY aggressive, especially as they grow, and in a smaller tank, they'll beat on any other fish you try to add to the system.
If you have the basic 29G BioCube model, which comes with PC lighting, you're not going to be able to keep anemones. Anemones require high lighting to grow properly, and PC lighting won't cut it. If you have the HQI version (contains a metal halide lighting fixture), then you'll be able to keep anemones. In your size tank, I wouldn't recommend anything other than a small bubble tip anemone (BTA) or a mini carpet anemone. Anemones back a powerful sting, and stretch far, which can cause issues in nano tanks, because they'll sting other corals you try to place near them.
As for corals, start with easier corals such as mushrooms, palythoas and other soft corals. Some easier soft corals are Kenya Tree, Xenia and Green Star Polyps (GSP). All three of these are fast growers and often considered "weeds" because they can smother other corals. Depending on where you live, you might be able to find someone in a local reef club giving away these corals for free, or close to free, definitely worth looking into. As they start to grow too much for your liking, you too can start to remove them and sell them to others.
As for fish, are there any that have caught your eye thus far? There are TONS of possibilities, but ultimately, it's your tank. If it were mine, I'd probably do a pair of Ocellaris Clownfish, a Tail Spot Blenny, a Green Banded Goby, a McCosker's Fairy Wrasse (or similar fairy or flasher wrasse), a Clown Goby and a Black Cap Basslet (maybe)
Also, what do you have to testing your salinity and water parameters (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, etc)?
 
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rennagarcia3

Guest
NanNo-everything stock so far...im not sure what route to go...i heard i should get another way to pump water in there but i don't know which one...im sooo clueless
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
The stock pump is fine, but you will need more water flow, which can be provided by a powerhead. I'd recommend a Korallia 425 or 550. If you have the extra cash, I'd definitely go with a EcoTech VorTech MP10, they're expensive, but very much worth the money.
 
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rennagarcia3

Guest
btldreef- thanks for the advice...i havent tested the water yet...i was going to get a test kit today...thanks on the rock work...i was going to split it and make it look different...this tank is really my husbands tank...but i wanna take it over i think...ill invest more time into it, lol...i just want the easiest anemones if that makes sense...i saw my sister loose it on them...she spent so much money on them and what not... and i honestly don't know what im doing...i try reading about it and i feel like all of this is in another language hahaha...so should i get new lights to get some or stick with the ones i have now...i don't have the hqi version...and should i get another type of filtration moving the water too??and yes, the guy at the fish store not like a ***** or anything said id have to get rid of the damsels...im ok with that...should i get hermits in there too ya think???and what about this protein skimmer thing i hear about????
 
btldreef

btldreef

Moderator
The stock lights won't support anemones. Anemones really can't go in your tank for 12 months anyways, as they need stable water conditions and mature tank. If at the 12 month mark, you still really want anemones, then it's time to look into upgrading lighting, which really isn't too expensive for these size tanks. For now, the lighting will work just fine to get you started.
The stock filtration system is fine, but as I mentioned above, you'll need a powerhead as well. Saltwater requires A LOT of movement and flow, especially in a reef tank. This helps with a lot of things such as pH, oxygen in the water and keeping nuisance algaes/bacterias at bay.
Definitely get a test kit before you do anything else. You need to know what your readings are, especially since you have live rock and fish in there already. I'd recommend the API Saltwater Master kit AND Reef Master kit. You'll eventually need both, so you're just better off getting them now. They're easy to use and give fairly accurate results. Personally, I don't like their nitrate test kit, but that's the only one I have complaints with. (I use SeaChem for nitrate). DO NOT buy Red Sea test kits or any test strips.
Personally, I'm not a fan of hermits. Snails are far more beneficial and hermits just kill them for sport. I've had hermits shred apart soft corals as well, so I've banished them from all my reefs. Now, they're only allowed in my Fish Only tanks and refugiums. I do not recommend adding anything else until you do tests and have stable parameters for a week or two.
 
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rennagarcia3

Guest
BTLDreef- thank you very much for the help
i'll keep you posted if you think of anything else...please dont hesitate!
 
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