LiveRockDaddy's 14g Build

[LiveRockDaddy]

Tank: Coralife BioCube 14
Start date: 09/19/2022
Planned Stock: pair of clownfish, CUC, hardy corals
Location : Pennsylvania, USA
Aquascape: CaribSea Fiji Pink, South Seas Live Rock
Light: AI Prime 16HD Reef Aquarium LED
Lid: Factory (Modified)
Water movement: SICCE Syncra Silent (0.5)
Biological filtration: MarinePure Biofilter Balls, Live Rock, Filter Sponge
Temperature Control : Topfin H50
Water: Tap (conditioned prior to pouring), Instant Ocean Sea Salt
Test kit: Deep Six Hydrometer, API Saltwater Test Kit, Hanna Salinity Tester

Other Equipment:
Coralife Biocube Protein Skimmer

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Aquascaping completed 9/19/2022.
roughly 11lbs of live rock from LFS, transported and placed immediately. Water pour directly after placing rock.

Current salinity level 1.023, 77 degrees F.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

9/21/22

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Trying to find a way to upgrade my lighting without hacking apart my lid, unless I do the nifty AI Prime LED - I thought about upgrading to the new LED lid as well. If anyone has any suggestions, please feel free to share!

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

9/22/2022

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

9/23/22

Went to PetCo. Found a circulator pump/powerhead for a nano tank. Will install it tonight, not sure where I want to put it yet, so I'm going to do some digging around.

Also ordered some MarinePure bio filter balls to replace the plastic bio balls, a protein skimmer (eventually will do corals), a new Syncra silent pump to replace this loud Coralife S700, which I'll keep as a backup, and I splurged on the AI Prime 16HD .And I still don't have a fish...

anyways, here's todays readings after putting in Fritz turbo start 900.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

9/26/22

salinity jumped to 1.027. Added a Fluval Sea CP1 circulation pump. Things are moving nicely now and the old fish food is moving around and out of dead spots.

PH - 7.8
Ammonia- 0.25ppm
Nitrites - .50ppm
Nitrates - 20ppm

replaced the cartridge filter as the other was nasty.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

You probably didn't need to add the turbo start if you have live rock since it already has the bacteria...also you'll probably wanna invest in better test kits as well as a refractometer

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

You probably didn't need to add the turbo start if you have live rock since it already has the bacteria...also you'll probably wanna invest in better test kits as well as a refractometer

The live rock was fairly new to the tank at the LFS. I’m using the API test kit. Definitely getting a refractometer. The ol dip and dunk works for me now, but I’ll definitely need it. Topped my water off and got it back to 1.026.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Retested. Double checking parameters. I really want fish

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

9/27/22

had a major issue today. My salinity level was 1.030. I came to the conclusion that the factory fluorescent light on the bio cube is creating too much heat and evaporating my water I lost approximately 16 ounces between yesterday and today I double checked all around my tank and on the floor for any possible leaks, and there are none. I was even able to slip a piece of paper towel under the aquarium to see if it’s soaked anything up, my AI prime 16 HD comes in today, so I’m going to get that set up first thing tonight with a retrofit.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I'd first make sure your refractometer or hydrometer is accurate before making any dramatic changes to the salinity.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

I'd first make sure your refractometer or hydrometer is accurate before making any dramatic changes to the salinity.

I just went ahead and used a chalk pen to mark my water line and I’m going to observe it over the next 24 hours and see how it drops. I went ahead and turned off the light. I am actually going to run out tonight and get a refractometer earlier today it was reading 1.026 and now it’s 1.030 on my hydrometer I did make sure that I seasoned it for 24 hours when I first got it.

 

[livinlifeinBKK]

I just went ahead and used a chalk pen to mark my water line and I’m going to observe it over the next 24 hours and see how it drops. I went ahead and turned off the light. I am actually going to run out tonight and get a refractometer earlier today it was reading 1.026 and now it’s 1.030 on my hydrometer I did make sure that I seasoned it for 24 hours when I first got it.

Yeah, I'd definitely recommend a refractometer since those plastic dunk hydrometers aren't generally reliable from what I've heard (just the tiniest air bubble can cause an incorrect reading)

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Yeah, I'd definitely recommend a refractometer since those plastic dunk hydrometers aren't generally reliable from what I've heard (just the tiniest air bubble can cause an incorrect reading)

I used RODI water in it now to flush it. It’s read at 0.014

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

So of course, they didn't have any refractometers. *sigh*

Ordering the Hanna off Amazon so I get it sooner rather than later.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

9/29

finally some toys!
Replaced the bio balls with MarinePure Biofilter Media.

gutted the hood and drilled a hole for the AI Prime.

Cleaned up the plugs. Rerouted everything under the stand, mounted the surge protector, and labeled my cords.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Calibrated the Hanna Salinity tester. I’m at 29.4ppt. I want to get it at 34, so I’ll have to do some adjusting. Thankful that I didn’t trust my hydrometer.

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Initial Build post updated:

Tank: Coralife BioCube 14
Start date: 09/19/2022
Planned Stock: pair of clownfish, CUC, hardy corals
Location : Pennsylvania, USA
Aquascape: CaribSea Fiji Pink, South Seas Live Rock
Light: AI Prime 16HD Reef Aquarium LED
Lid: Factory (Modified)
Water movement: SICCE Syncra Silent (0.5)
Biological filtration: MarinePure Biofilter Balls, Live Rock, Filter Sponge
Temperature Control : Topfin H50
Water: Tap (conditioned prior to pouring), Instant Ocean Sea Salt
Test kit: Deep Six Hydrometer, API Saltwater Test Kit, Hanna Salinity Tester

Other Equipment:
Coralife Biocube Protein Skimmer

 

[LiveRockDaddy]

Added the first fish! Welcome home little guys!