View Full Version : My 8-gallon Biocube Desktop
mokujin22
12/06/2007, 11:52 AM
Hey all,
Bought an 8 gallon Biocube from a friend of a friend (along with its inhabitants) about two months ago. It was not taken care of and the only surviving items were three feather duster worms and a very sad-looking long tentacle anemone.
Since then, the anemone has since been transferred over to my 26 bow at home and has made a great recovery under my 250 MH. :)
Anyway, the tank was cleaned (a bit half-heartedly) and stored until I had a chance to set it up at the office.
I plan on setting it up with extra rock and sand from my current tank and a few low-maintenance corals (mushrooms and zoanthids from my bowfront at home.. possible a small euphelia or a candy cane) and a small gobie and a shrimp.
I figure with this setup, the tank can be left alone for long weekends and would be allright with the occasional temperature swing. I do not intend on modifying it, other than replacing the bio-balls with LR rubble and upgrading the powerhead to a MJ900. I will do weekly large water changes, so do not plan on installing a skimmer.
I have a few questions though:
1) I see quite a few threads on the two larger sizes of Biocubes. Is there any reason in particular that I don't see any threads on the little guy? Is it simply a matter of lighting and the inherent instability of a reef tank this small?
2) Cleaning - As stated above, the tank was cleaned a bit half-heartedly and it now smells like the shells that as a kid, you used to bring home from the beach that were not empty. Was planning on running it for a few days with diluted bleach, probably 1 gallon bleach, 7 gallons water... will this work? Is there a better way?
3) I mentioned above about replacing the bio-balls with rubble iin the middle compartment... I have seen some use cheto, but do not want to fiddle with adding a light to the back section. Is rubble the best alternative?
4) Any exciting stocking recommendations for the one fish and shrimp? Was thinking at first to put a mantis in there, but I like putting my hands in the tank too much for one and would have trouble keeping live food around for him.
Thanks a bunch in advance. I will post pictures in the next month or so once I get her going.
Tony
saltyVT
12/06/2007, 04:08 PM
Sweet dog man, I got a monster too. I had a Biocube 8 for a year check out my thread here::
bio 8 (http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=97920&st=0)
You could use vinegar instead of bleach. Rubble is better then bio balls, Don't keep mantis in glass tanks, you'll have a mess on your hands. I had one small clown and all was good!
Kanthus
12/06/2007, 04:47 PM
I have a BC 14 on my desk at work. For the back chambers, saltyVT is right about the rubble. I put my rubble in the first chamber though. Took the false bottom out of the second chamber that the bioballs sat on and put it up top and put filter floss on that to filter out solids. I have heard that a lot of stuff builds up in a rubble chamber that is why I put it in the first chamber instead of the second. Heater went in the second chamber.
http://my1.photodump.com/kanthus/DSCF0520-T.jpg (http://www.photodump.com/kanthus/DSCF0520.html)
Saltwaterstart
12/06/2007, 06:50 PM
To answer your questions in order...
1) I haven't seen as many threads about 8 gallon biocubes. I guess they aren't as popular as the 14, or the really popular 29 (I happen to have one).
2)I also agree with the other posts of cleaning it with vinegar. Bleach would probably take a while to get out. I haven't had much experience, but a small wash with vinegar should do the trick.
3) Rubble is the best alternative. There are some cases of chateo in the second chamber, but I found that to be too much work. An extra 3-5 lbs of LR should work just fine. Mine is covered in coraline back there for some reason (using it to seed other tanks right now). You could also put in some filter media, and mix it in with the rock.
4) It depends on what you want. If you want something simple, get a clown, or a pair of percs or ocellaris, and a cleaner shrimp. Or, you could try a pistol shrimp and goby, or any goby and a cleaner. Something more complex would involve more research, but it is all experience, and what you think would look best.
Get 'er up quick. We've gotta see pictures on an 8 gallon.
mokujin22
12/10/2007, 02:39 PM
Awesome! Thanks for the replies, fellas. Will definitely clean with vinegar... that makes more sense that worrying about having to get the bleach 100% out of the tank.
Still wavering over the idea of adding the chaeto. Read all of SaltyVT's thread (very nice btw) and am swayed a little bit in that direction.
On one hand, the chaeto is awesome in the sump of my little 26 bow, on the other hand, it does seem like extra work on a tank that won't "live with me."
If the chaeto does go into the 2nd chamber, what prevents it from migrating into the return section? If no chaeto, and LR instead, what would prevent LR crud from moving over? The sponge?
10-4 on the mantis.. duh. :)
Oh yeah.. have you guys also added a Hydor-Flo to the output?
Thanks again!
Tony
saltyVT
12/10/2007, 06:30 PM
Thanks! If you notice both the first chamber and the second chamber have grates at the bottom, this would act like a strainer to keep chaeto in the chamber. REally good mods to do are as followed, toss out the filter pad, use LR rubble in first chamber. The over flow from first two second chamber should be widened to add to better flow. Remove the bio balls and add chaeto. Scrape off the back of the second chamber on the back of the second chamber just large enough to place A small light of your choice(lots of options out there, DIY). Set it on a reverse timer, this will eat up you nitrates, and stabilize you ph at night. On top of the drip tray of the middle chamber put some filter floss, this will catch you particle and clean the water. Remove the sponge from the bottom of the tank, it will build of with crap and phosphates. Upgrade you stock pump to a maxi jet 900. Add a Stealth 50 w heater to third chamber and your set!!!!!! A lot I know, just thing I did over time. At the height of it everything worked really really well. Every now and a again during water change time, you can remove the cheato and trim it, then remove the LR rubble and clean the debris at the bottom. I left enough room in the first chamber for carbon, purigen, or anything else. Hope this helps, also if you have more questions you might have better luck on nano reef!:D
jdeanda69
12/10/2007, 08:43 PM
saltyVT
i have a 29 bc and was wondering how much should i widen the overflow from first to second chamber??? also how didi you take the paint off the back of chamber 2 for a fuge light???
mokujin22
12/11/2007, 02:18 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11356909#post11356909 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by saltyVT
Thanks! If you notice both the first chamber and the second chamber have grates at the bottom, this would act like a strainer to keep chaeto in the chamber. REally good mods to do are as followed, toss out the filter pad, use LR rubble in first chamber. The over flow from first two second chamber should be widened to add to better flow. Remove the bio balls and add chaeto. Scrape off the back of the second chamber on the back of the second chamber just large enough to place A small light of your choice(lots of options out there, DIY). Set it on a reverse timer, this will eat up you nitrates, and stabilize you ph at night. On top of the drip tray of the middle chamber put some filter floss, this will catch you particle and clean the water. Remove the sponge from the bottom of the tank, it will build of with crap and phosphates. Upgrade you stock pump to a maxi jet 900. Add a Stealth 50 w heater to third chamber and your set!!!!!! A lot I know, just thing I did over time. At the height of it everything worked really really well. Every now and a again during water change time, you can remove the cheato and trim it, then remove the LR rubble and clean the debris at the bottom. I left enough room in the first chamber for carbon, purigen, or anything else. Hope this helps, also if you have more questions you might have better luck on nano reef!:D
Awesome.. I'm excited now. :)
Couple of questions.... Was thinking of using the microjet 606 (?) as a replacement pump. Is the 900 too much GPH? Fitment issues?
Also, in the configuration that you mention, how high/anal do you have to be with topoffs. This dictates the ehight of water in the third chamber, right? I have an auto topoff on my tank at home using those nifty (and cheap) floatswitches, but am not sure I want to go that all-out with the BC.
I think I'm sold on the chaeto in the main section btw... only, was thinking of using a small LED strip instead of the incandescent bulb to lower heat. Think someone posted a pic on your thread of a similar light.
I'm sure I'll have more questions to come... thanks again!
Tony
mokujin22
12/11/2007, 02:19 PM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11358052#post11358052 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jdeanda69
saltyVT
i have a 29 bc and was wondering how much should i widen the overflow from first to second chamber??? also how didi you take the paint off the back of chamber 2 for a fuge light???
Think that most simply use a razor blade to scrape the paint off the outside of the glass.
mokujin22
12/12/2007, 07:45 AM
Latest update, I've decided to go with the chaeto in the center section. It works well in the sump of my 26 bowfront and doesn't seem to be all that much extra work. I am thinking of going with LEDs to try to keep the heat down.. found this little guy for a reasonable $25-30. VT, do you see any heat issues with your Home Depot under-the-cabinet light?
http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idProduct~TA6131.html
Also, will most likely bite the bullet and buy a couple of float switches and an aqualifter pump to get an auto-topoff running. Again, I have one setup on my 26 at home and it works quite well.
saltyVT
12/12/2007, 04:10 PM
I never had any heat issues, it worked great. Alot of people go with the led, cheaper, and very straight forward. If you want to see a really great fuge set up check this one out.http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=59497&st=80. Keep us updated on the status!!
mokujin22
12/13/2007, 08:13 AM
Wow.. checked out that thread. That guy went nice and high tech!
Will post updates as they come. Thanks again all!
mokujin22
12/13/2007, 08:33 AM
I just bought this 4-LED strip (in white, not blue) light on Ebay for $17 shipped. :)
Ebay LED Strip (http://cgi.ebay.com/4-LED-Bar-Beam-Moonlight-Aquarium-Lighting-Power_W0QQitemZ120197326169QQihZ002QQcategoryZ46314QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
I will build a box around it for the back of the tank.. probably wander around Home Depot for the right sized electrical box for a bit after it arrives in the mail.
Saltwaterstart
12/13/2007, 04:55 PM
I'd hate to say this, but, I think the biocube 8 gallon comes with moonlights built into the canopy.
mokujin22
12/14/2007, 09:52 AM
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11378810#post11378810 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Saltwaterstart
I'd hate to say this, but, I think the biocube 8 gallon comes with moonlights built into the canopy.
Sorry, didn't explain it better...the white LEDs are for the chaeto in the back and will be mounted against the back glass. ;)
Saltwaterstart
12/14/2007, 03:34 PM
That explains much more.
The kit looks good. For $17, it isn't a bad deal.
mokujin22
12/18/2007, 03:19 PM
Couple of updates:
Bought 2 gallons of white wine vinegar and set up the BC to run with it and 6 gallons of water. Within 15 minutes, most of the gunk was falling off.. including the old coraline. Man, that's great stuff. I've let it run overnight and will spitshine it either tonight or tomorrow. (Still have Christmas shopping to do. lol)
Nasty Biocube:
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/109487mini-PC170116.JPG
mokujin22
12/18/2007, 03:31 PM
Also got the LED strip light and floatswitches in the mail. I'll take pics when I get a chance. Light seems to be a sturdy little unit.. def worth the money.
Total spent to date:
Used BC8: $75
2 gal vinegar: $5
LED Strip light: $17
Floatswitch stuff: $25
MJ900: $17
Hydor-Flo $10
Jager 50W heater $20
Aqualifter (for topoff): $12
Purigen + bag $6
Airline tubing (topoff) $1 est
TOTAL TO DATE: $188
I figure I'll probably replace the bulbs.. other than that, will use items I already have to get it setup (sand and LR).
Not too bad.. a functioning reef setup for under $200. :)
Saltwaterstart
12/18/2007, 05:13 PM
$200 for a reef?
That's incredible.
My 29 costs so far about $700 (also including fish and coral)
mokujin22
12/19/2007, 10:12 AM
I'm sure the cost will climb with livestock additions and later modifications, but $200 ain't a bad starting point. Shoot.. must've spent at least $2K over the last 4 years on my 26 bowfront reef. Not a cheap hobby. :)
scottydo
12/19/2007, 01:05 PM
Nice start - interested to see how it looks with some livestock.
saltyVT
12/19/2007, 04:10 PM
Looks like you set yourself up nicely!!! and with all that money saved on the setup, You can stock it nicely after cycle!!!!!!!!!!!:D
mikellini
12/19/2007, 08:42 PM
Yeah I know what you mean about expensive! But hey, we're addicted and there's no hope... :(
On the brighter side, I got one of these up and running as well! I'll start a thread one of these days...
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