Mundinator's 29G BioCube Diary

[mundinator]

Ok, so we have had a 29G Biocube for a year now and it has been completely stock except for a minor mod to the filter pad (we cut out the foam and stuff and added filter floss instead). Polyps are healthy and fish are doing good, but not great. I have done better.
I had a 55G in my last apartement that was the bees knees (T5s hanging from the ceiling, sick protien skimmer, tons of softies and some really happy fish) and I think I have gotten the bug to go to town and mod the 29G to make it operate better.
I used to frequent ***********.com, but lately I have seen a lot of great nanos here and wanted to join the community to see if I could get some advice.
So...need to get some Koralia 1s to create more current, that's for sure. What about a skimmer? I know CPR makes one that fits into the 2nd chamber. BioCube also makes one that looks kinda on the cheap side.
I want to do a lighting upgrade too. Spanko's upgrade to the Current USA SunPod 20" 150W seems great, but I have cats to I'm going to have to build a top of some sort. Any thoughts?
What other ideas are there for the middle chamber? You guys seem to have Chaetomorpha and a grow light in some of them. Where would you rate that compared to a skimmer?
Any other suggestions...
I'll try to get a picture up tomorrow when my lights are on so I can make a diary of the changes you guys help me make. Thanks in advance!!

 

[mundinator]

Here is a picture of the tank today. It's not a real pretty tank at the moment, but that's why I'm starting this. Bad picture I know, but I haven't taken tank pics in a while. Realizing today that I need to add some more LR as well.

 

[mr_x]

hi. is that a picture of your 29 bio cube with a hippo tang in it? my advice would be to stop stressing about the skimmer and just keep up with waterchanges. meanwhile, remove the hippo tang. it belongs in a much larger tank.
you could use light diffusing material that for some strange reason is called "eggcrate" in this hobby, to keep the cats out and use the halide.

 

[cal559]

That Hippo Tang will probably develope ich from too much stress in a small tank...JMO though...

 

[mundinator]

First, I do 5g water changes every week so no worries there.
Interesting advice on the tang...I have heard that before on someone else's tank as well. I had it in the 55g that I mentioned before. Since this tang started small so all signs seemed to point to it being ok in the 29g and that being in a smaller tank would keep it from outgrowing the tank. It seems healthy to me. No Ich as I dealt with that before in my 55g on a Yellow Tang (brought it back to health just fine), it eats well and gets along with everything in the tank...that said, it does seem like sound advice that I'm doing my homework on right now.
I sadly haven't found a LFS in the Seattle area that I would be comfy selling the tang back to. SF Bay Area rocked, but just not the same here in the PacNorthwest.
So, this weekend my plan is to check one LFS I kinda trust and also look into the pondmesh/eggcrate at the hardware store. Get that sorted and I'll grab me the light I want.
Thanks for the advice already. I feel dumb to have overlooked the tang concern.

 

[happitylogan]

oh no. get ready for the tang police. Its just a matter of time before they find this thread and tear you a new one...

 

[spanko]

(Siren Blares)
(Tires Screech)
OKAY EVERYONE TAKE A BREATH!

that said, it does seem like sound advice that I'm doing my homework on right now.

Thanks for the advice already. I feel dumb to have overlooked the tang concern.
Seems like Mud has taken the advice given to heart. Only 5 posts here so far, so we know he has not had th benefit of the knowledge of the folks here to help him along. Let's just hold on to our comments to see where he goes from here with the tang.
(SCREECH) (car taking off)

 

[d-dzel]

Originally Posted by spanko
http:///forum/post/2919704
(Siren Blares)
(Tires Screech)
OKAY EVERYONE TAKE A BREATH!

Seems like Mud has taken the advice given to heart. Only 5 posts here so far, so we know he has not had th benefit of the knowledge of the folks here to help him along. Let's just hold on to our comments to see where he goes from here with the tang.
(SCREECH) (car taking off)
+2138798762134

I love tangs, but I have to hold off untill I get a bigger tank

 

[mundinator]

Ok, the tang was a fake...I just photoshopped it in there cause, yeah...that's it.
Hehe...it's good to be back on an active forum.

 

[subielover]

Lol, well now you know. Everyone gets led astray in the beginning, unless of course you found these forums before you ever got a tank

Get the tang out and there will be many nice fish options for you.

 

[mundinator]

The craigslist ad for my tang is all posted, but if anyone in the Seattle area has a tank that could support a hippo tang...let me know and she is yers for free (or for trade if you wantz).

 

[mundinator]

Ok...the Hippo Tang is going in the morning. I found a 65gal that looked worthy. I also got my two powerheads and they are really moving the water around much better. The surface has been much cleaner as a result. The bubble coral was a little shocked by the extra current, but 30 min now and it looks like it is adjusting.
Next step is to build this custom mesh cover and then replace the lights. I'm tired of these weak ass PC lights and want my MH! Got the parts for the cover today...time to get to work.

 

[mundinator]

Alright...tang is gone. The guy was awesome. Built my custom mesh top last night and now its time to buy mah new light.