I have just set up a 32 biocube.. after a 25 year hiatus from the hobby. Things are much more convenient but basic rules the same..I started with the agri mix(not available back in the day )not the fine sand but one a little coarser , makes vacuuming easier later. Two nice pieces of coral rock not live. I let the water circulate for a few days before adding agri sand, don’t wash it.. it’ll be more cloudy but won’t lose the bacteria.
I found the instructions to be easy to follow.
The cord situation is simple , pump, lights and protein skimmer. Everything has a place. I don’t use a heater, I live in Florida and keep the house around 74-75 dogs. I’m not crazy about the biocube skimmer height but it’s still works better than nothing..
Cycling was completed quickly, about 3 weeks using one dead shrimp and two yellow tail damsels and a percula clown. I’ve since added a pink tip and and a piece of sea mat coral.
I’m five weeks in going thru the diatom phase, added a few trochis snails and they’re busy and three small red leg hermits to eat up waste.
The big advantage is the led lighting solves big issue. (Cumbersome light fixtures, heat, finding correct combination of bulbs etc.) the timer takes a while to figure out but is easily mastered. Lastly, I’ve recently added Purigen to one of the filter media shelves..I set it up with tap water but plan on just buying 5 gal r/o for water changes, as I haven’t researched my local water supply yet.
I realize I’ve pushed the time limits of cycling and set up because I’m not a patient person but without prior education get a good marine test kit..
