More help with Christmas!

nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
I finally after WEEKS of debating decided to get my mom the Biocube 14 for Christmas. I looked into the 24, but decided that it was just too much money to spend. Now I am also going to get her the live rock and live sand to go with it. My question is, how much live rock and sand do I need for a tank this small?
Is there anything I should know about this tank from the beginning? Something that I should keep in mind when setting it up? I am going to put it together for her after Christmas, then I leave on January 1st to go back to Miami. Any insight is appreciated.
 
subielover

subielover

Active Member
To keep it as simple as possible. I would get about 16 pounds of live rock. 10 pounds of live sand or do bare bottom for easier upkeep. You will also need a heater and thermometer. I would also suggest getting another powerhead, a koralia nano or koralia 1 should be perfect. Other than that, stock out of the box will work just fine. My lfs has a stock 8 gallon setup and it looks great. I modified mine a lot and am happy with that as well, but like I said stock works well too.
HTH
 
spanko

spanko

Active Member
Is your mom capable and ready for the work that goes along with a saltwater tank? Especially a newly set up one? And then all of the water changes, testing, filter andd equipment cleaning, dtc.etc. Then stocking and what an how much can be added to a tank that size? Just some questions to make sure you are making the correct decision.
 
nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2880687
Is your mom capable and ready for the work that goes along with a saltwater tank? Especially a newly set up one? And then all of the water changes, testing, filter andd equipment cleaning, dtc.etc. Then stocking and what an how much can be added to a tank that size? Just some questions to make sure you are making the correct decision.
Yeah, she currently has a 75 gallon that isn't really hers. She has one lonely clownfish in that tank and has expressed interest in having a small tank just for the clownfish. The clownfish is sort of her little buddy. He is over 10 years old! My sister is planning on finally taking the 75 tank down and getting it out of her house after I move out the clownfish. As of now she is planning on only having the clownfish. No corals or other fish right now. I have a 90 gallon reef tank, so I am going to advise and help her from a distance. She is in Houston and I am in Miami. What I can't help her with, I will research, or ask for help here
 
nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Originally Posted by subielover
http:///forum/post/2880677
To keep it as simple as possible. I would get about 16 pounds of live rock. 10 pounds of live sand or do bare bottom for easier upkeep. You will also need a heater and thermometer. I would also suggest getting another powerhead, a koralia nano or koralia 1 should be perfect. Other than that, stock out of the box will work just fine. My lfs has a stock 8 gallon setup and it looks great. I modified mine a lot and am happy with that as well, but like I said stock works well too.
HTH
Is bare bottom an option? I thought the tank needed the live rock for filtration and water quality?
 
patrick8929

patrick8929

Active Member
Originally Posted by nina&noah
http:///forum/post/2881145
That is interesting. I've never heard of going without sand. What are the advantages/disadvantages of doing that?
sand can trap extra nutrients i believe. so without it less things to keep those bad nutrients. therefore less need for water changes and easier to keep perams at a good level.
 
subielover

subielover

Active Member
Yup, also you can keep a powerhead pointed down at the bottom so detritus cannot settle, instead it stays in the water column to get get skimmed out.
 
nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Wow, that is interesting. That sounds like a good option for my mom. Are there any disadvantages to not using sand?
 
nina&noah

nina&noah

Member
Ok, my mom's tank is all set up and running. The clownfish is swimming around and seems to be much happier in his new home. My mom loved her present! Now I have another question...
My mom called me yesterday and told me that her live rock is changing colors. I asked her to describe it for me and she said that some of the rocks are turning purple. I told her that was great, that is just coraline algae and it's a good sign. Then she told me that another rock is turning the color of dijon mustard. That one stumped me, so I told her I would come here. Any ideas of what it is?
 
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