BioCube 32G Cycling Questions
 

Hello all,

I just set up my 32G BioCube and have a few questions.
This is literally all the info I am confused about, so all help is greatly appreciated!

Everything in the tank is stock (for now) and this is what I have added:

- 30lbs live sand
- 30 lbs live rock
- saltwater I made from Instant Ocean (1/2 cup salt : 1 Gallon RO/DI water)
- Water Heater (chamber 1)
- Bag of Carbon (in chamber 2)
- Bag of Chemi-Pure Elite (in chamber 2)
- Live Rock Rubble (in chamber 2)

Here is what I need help with with the cycle process:
1. Do I need to run lightning during the cycling process? If so, which ones and how long?
2. Do I need filter media during the cycling process? Since I already have it in, is it okay to just leave it? Should I add/remove anything from the media?
3. Should I ghost feed the tank? If so, what is the best method?

More advanced questions for the future:
1. When could I put in my invertebrates?
2. When should I test the water for the first time?
3. When should I do my first water change, and how much?

Thank you in advance!!! :spin1:

Congrats on the biocube. That’s where I started a year ago and I just put in an order for a 180gal. Reefing is addictive.

1: please check you salinity after 4-6 hrs of mixing. That’s the first and most important thing.

2: I don’t run lights during the cycle. There will be lots of phosphate and nitrate and a time set up for unwanted algae.

3. When you start to see algae you’ll know you are getting through the cycle. First you’ll see diatoms (brown fine algae).

4: you can start ghost feeding once the water temperature is up to normal 76-78 and the salinity is correct. Personally I like Dr. Tim’s all in one bacteria and the accompanying ammonia chloride.

5: I do a large 30-50% water change after the cycle and before I introduce fish.


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Thanks for replying, its helpful stuff!
Congrats on the tank! Reefing is definitely addicting and so much fun.
Ive had two biocube’s in the past, but i didnt do things properly and failed.
This time around im being extra cautious lol


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Sorry. To answer the other points.

I test ammonia daily until it drops to zero.

You can add inverts when the ammonia is zero.

All the media sounds fine. I wouldn’t remove it.


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Oddly i did some tests today (i filled up the tank only today) and these were my readings:

KH : 196.9
Phosphate: 0.25 ppm
Nitrate: 0 ppm
Calcium: 440 ppm

I found it odd that my Nitrate and Calcium levels were already good.
I did not test for anything else yet though, that will be at the end of this week.


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Almost everyone follows dKH so I forget that conversion.

Nitrates should be zero on day 1 because no ammonia has concert to nitrite therefore it hasn’t converted to nitrate yet.

Also. Your salt is the biggest influence on calcium so I would expect it to be in a normal range.

Again most important now is making sure your freshly mixed salt is the right salinity and then follow you ammonia levels. Which should rise and then start falling as the bacteria reproduce.


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I have my hydrometer floating around in the tank because it said to season the needle for 24 hours lol. Im going to order the ammonia test kit today. My smart self ordered the wrong kit [emoji23]


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Order a Nitrite test kit as well if you don't have one. During your cycle, you will also see nitrites rise. When the ammonia and nitrites are down to 0 and the nitrates are noticeable, then you will know that your cycle is over.