RedStang's BC29 build thread

[redstang]

Figured I'm close enough to starting up my tank to warrant a build thread. Here's a couple pics of the potential rock scape.

Scape 1: http://gallery.me.com/theraders/100025/IMG_0112/web.jpg?ver=13061120760001" alt="" />

Scape 2: [IMG]http://gallery.me.com/theraders/100012/IMG_0118_2/web.jpg?ver=13061121020001" alt="" />

Equipment list:
Media basket for chamber 2(Need to order) running chemipure elite and purigen.
Heater for chamber 1.
Koralia Nano 425.
Stock pump.
Hydor pico 1200, may use to replace the stock pump or I may just use it to mix salt.
I'll get a digital thermo to tide me over to the fall/Christmas when I plan on getting a controller.
Mag-Float.
RODI(Need to order).
Refractometer.
A few pounds of LR to seed the dry rock.
I may get a skimmer but want to hold off for a while. Not sure I'll really need it.
Stock lights. Upgrade to LED's WILL happen.

Potential stock:
Some sort of CUC.
2 plain and cheap clowns. Might sub a B&W for one of them.
Yellow Watchman Goby and maybe a shrimp to go with him.
Spingerii Dottyback.
Six-line wrasse(for the wife).

Won't start the cycle until we're back from our July trip. Not sure I want the thing kicking off and then I'm away for a week and unable to monitor it. Definitely looking forward to getting rolling after 6 months of lurking and reading.

So, any input on anything listed above? The second scape is my favorite. There's even more passageways not visible from the front. The only downside is some of the pieces are so large there isn't much room left in front and I want access to the back wall for cleaning.

Thanks!
Jason

 

[seth the wine guy]

Definitely like the second scape. The fish will love it and you'll get better flow. There are some RODI's on ARC right now at a good price. Keep the pics coming!

 

[dr_ fish]

I vote for the second layout as well.

Everyone loves new pics.

 

[mr difficult]

I like the second scape as well ! Very nice so far with 2 different scape choices can't wait to see what you choose.

 

[redstang]

Yeah, I liked the first one. You can't see it in the first one but there were several tunnels present. The second was just far better IMO. More pics will be coming soon.

I just rearranged our home office room. Moved big a** desk and credenza to our bedroom, moved sideboard to where the big a** desk was, and bought a new desk and side table to put where the sideboard was.

Side table was the perfect size for the BC. It's too nice to set the BC directly on though so I'm considering cutting up my sons shower curtain and my, ummm I mean my wife's, yoga mat to protect the table for future use. Weight tested it too to make sure it could handle ~350-400lbs.

What's sad is I'm already trying to plan the upgrade and I don't even have water in the BC yet. I'm thinking a room in the basement would be perfect for something that is either 36x36x12 or even 48x48x12 :thumbs: Dedicated fish room at that point. Only downside is it's right next to the theater room. Not sure if the sound would be good for the fishies. That and I'd need to come up with a way to cover the thing and maintain a steady temp.

Anyway, once I get something to protect the stand I can start moving it all upstairs, getting it ready, and take some more pics!

How critical is it to monitor the cycle the first week or so? Would be nice to come back from vacation a week into the cycle. Also, should I add some live rock to seed the dead stuff at the beginning of the cycle or wait till it's over?

Ok, I'm done for now. Didn't mean for the post to be this long LOL!

 

[redstang]

More pics:

Stand
http://gallery.me.com/theraders/100012/IMG_0120/web.jpg?ver=13061912760001" alt="" />
Room
[IMG]http://gallery.me.com/theraders/100012/IMG_0122/web.jpg?ver=13061912440001" alt="" />

 

[hammcd]

i like the second scape too...make sure u leave room on the sides to clean or youll be kicking yourself..wouldnt worry about cleaning the back wall but its nice to have a little flow back there

id definately get a skimmer...i have a biocube 14 and a biocube 29 hqi...youd be surprised how much better your corals do with a skimmer...its like night and day...i have an oceanic crappy skimmer in the 14 which after 4 months i surprisingly got to dry skim this week..and i have an aquaticlife 115 in the first chamber of the 29

and yeah id def upgrade the lights....i like metal halides personally but LEDs run cooler and youll have to top off less...unless you get an ATO which i also rec....lemme know if u have any questions..ive done tons of research for the biocubes

Edit: also about the cycle...lots of people record tests every day to every other day...if youre in a hurry and wanna add stuff quickly..this is the only real way imo to know when to do that...if youre gonna let it cycle for a few months like i recommend then its not as necessary to monitor so closely at the very beginning

 

[redstang]

Hammcd;647724 wrote: i like the second scape too...make sure u leave room on the sides to clean or youll be kicking yourself..wouldnt worry about cleaning the back wall but its nice to have a little flow back there

id definately get a skimmer...i have a biocube 14 and a biocube 29 hqi...youd be surprised how much better your corals do with a skimmer...its like night and day...i have an oceanic crappy skimmer in the 14 which after 4 months i surprisingly got to dry skim this week..and i have an aquaticlife 115 in the first chamber of the 29

and yeah id def upgrade the lights....i like metal halides personally but LEDs run cooler and youll have to top off less...unless you get an ATO which i also rec....lemme know if u have any questions..ive done tons of research for the biocubes

Edit: also about the cycle...lots of people record tests every day to every other day...if youre in a hurry and wanna add stuff quickly..this is the only real way imo to know when to do that...if youre gonna let it cycle for a few months like i recommend then its not as necessary to monitor so closely at the very beginning

Thanks for the tips. I'm not in a huge rush but was looking at 6-8 weeks for livestock rather than 12. If I have everything in hand I may kick it off a couple weeks before the vacation so I can track more up front. We'll see. I really don't want to rush anything. The excitement will be difficult to contain but I know I'll be better off in the long run by taking it slow. If nothing else I'll want a CUC at the 6-8 week mark I figure.

ATO is on my wish list as well. Probably higher than everything but the RKL.

I've left plenty of space all around to clean. I plan on even keeping the back wall clear. I know most don't but I like the black background.

 

[redstang]

Another scape. Someone on another forum pointed out that I had minimal space for corals. Still plenty of holes though not as visible directly from the front.

http://gallery.me.com/theraders/100012/IMG_0126/web.jpg?ver=13062711850001" alt="" />

From the top:
[IMG]http://gallery.me.com/theraders/100012/IMG_0127/web.jpg?ver=13062712090001" alt="" />