Bio Cube Owner's Thread

[jfro]

I see Reef Central has the RSM Owner's thread and a JBJ Nano Owner's thread so I thought I'd post to see if there is any interest for a Bio Cube Owner's thread. I have a 29G coming this week and would like to see as much info posted about this tank as the info found on the RSM thread.

Anyone else interested?

[yousmellsfishy]

Great Idea. I have a BC 8 that I am quite happy with. There are some easy modifications that I think are a good idea for the BC's like switching the bulbs so that the fans come on with the actinic's instead of with the daylight bulbs (If you have the lights on seperate timers and the actinics come on first, or stay on last, or both). There is a couple of threads on nano-reef that talk about this mod and others. Here's one (http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=101001) that I found very helpful. Here's a pic of my BC 8 taken along time ago. The back is totally covered in coralline now. http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/tmulcrone/PICT0027-1.jpg

[jkrentz2515]

I got a 29 gallon biocube, with a cpr sr3 skimmer, and a koralia powerhead. It is all set up waiting for water, but it won't get any until after spring break.

[RiffRaff]

Very nice. I also have a 29g BioCube. This is my very first salt water so i am on this site constantly looking for answers. And what a help this has been. This is a current picture of my tank. It was just after the lights came on so not everyone is awake yet. I actually have quite a bit of fish and coral. Probably a beginners mistake, but I guess its too late now huh. <a>
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/bodypiercer/aquarium/myreef007.jpg</a>
I have not changed or modded this tank at all yet. I do know that I am going to switch filter types due to the stock one being way too restrictive though. Any suggestions? This tank is almost 2 months old now, Doing good so far. I haven't killed anything. (Don't worry, I'm knocking on wood as we speak)

[jfro]

Good to see Bio Cube reefers coming forward. I'll be getting my tank next week. I went all out and got the modified 150W HQI hood with 2 x 36W Blue Actinic CF's.

I've also got the Fuge light for the back compartment and will run a reverse daylight chaeto fuge. I had to choose between Protein Skimming or the Fuge and I'm a big, big Fuge fan. If it's not enough I'll have to figure out how to link a PS to the system.

I have a chiller so temp should be fine. Finally, I'll pump up water circulation with a Koralia #2.

I'm still working on a livestock plan other than a Tomato Clown & host BTA I'll be moving into the tank from another tank I'm shutting down.

Keep the posts coming. We all can use ideas and we can all learn from each other's experiences.

[Reef Ruler]

I just set up my 1st saltwater, 14g tank. I'll take some pics for you guys when the water clears. I'm thinking of staying with the stock pump, is this a bad idea? Im going to have 2 clowns and a firefish, anenome, and some LPS corals. I wont add the firefish for a while though. I added 25 lbs of live rock, and I'm really pleased with the way it turned out, Especially for my first time.

Thanks,
Brian

[MyMonkey]

Here's my 14 gallon BC from a few weeks back. Stock other than no bioballs in the back. LR Ruble there instead.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v247/MyMonkey/019.jpg

[k9gunner]

Very nice!

[g-man83]

i just got a bio cube 29 for a trade on some labour i did I took the hood off and i plan to suspemd an HQi pendant and dyi a suspended light system above. i havent decided what im gonna put in it yet but I dont like the lighted hood fans etc. that come with it. so im gonna come up with a way to create a suspended fixture above any ideas on mods would be helpful I know the basic idea of what im trying to achive but i could use some adv on the best way to mod it compleatly

[g-man83]

oh yea ill have pis soon

[Reef Ruler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12038384#post12038384 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g-man83
oh yea ill have pis soon

You better get drinking then ;)

[kmjoen230]

I have a 14g that has been up for a little over 2 wks.
I have a GBTA, pair of picasso Clowns, Yasha Shrimp Goby w/ Candy Cane Pistol.
I just added a Serpent Star and a peppermint.
I'm running everything stock except for the middle chamber, I threw in LR Rubble and put a white filter floss on top to trap large things. I use the skimmer that Oceanic makes for the system as well.
I added a Finnex 50w heater, its hard to keep constant temp, if the water level goes too low the heater shuts off!
The only coral have in there are some Zoas.
I added a good clean up crew, 5 Nass snails and 5 Astreas.

http://i71.photobucket.com/albums/i128/kbpmbabay/BioCube/Front3-2-082.jpg

[kmjoen230]

o yea ps i love the owner thread idea!

[g-man83]

i meant pics

[g-man83]

well ihope when im in a better state of mind tomarrow the bud light is talking, but i willl have more info on the tank and some pics later keep in mind i get my product for little or no cost so it will be worh watching out for in a little bit

[Reef Ruler]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12038955#post12038955 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by g-man83
i meant pics

Nawh I was just playin...I knew what you meant.

[billq]

Yes, Absolutely....count me in

[billq]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12032919#post12032919 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RiffRaff
Very nice. I also have a 29g BioCube. This is my very first salt water so i am on this site constantly looking for answers. And what a help this has been. This is a current picture of my tank. It was just after the lights came on so not everyone is awake yet. I actually have quite a bit of fish and coral. Probably a beginners mistake, but I guess its too late now huh. <a>
http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d55/bodypiercer/aquarium/myreef007.jpg</a>
I have not changed or modded this tank at all yet. I do know that I am going to switch filter types due to the stock one being way too restrictive though. Any suggestions? This tank is almost 2 months old now, Doing good so far. I haven't killed anything. (Don't worry, I'm knocking on wood as we speak)

I switched from the stock filter for the same reason. I just tore off the filter floss, dumped the charcoal and I make my own. They last at least twice as long, they're cheaper. Then I just hang my charcoal in a filter bag in the return chanmber. Could also put it in the filter cnamer too.

I also tokk out the bio balls and added a CPR SR3 skimmer. That makes ahuge difference. Everything perked right up after I went to the skimmer....

Good luck. A Bio Cube 29 group would be great!

[g-man83]

This skimmer is a piece of crap!
DO NOT BUY ONE!
It is a Visijet ps.
<br>
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v160/xxheartxyouxx/?action=view&current=Picture014.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/xxheartxyouxx/Picture014.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<br>

[g-man83]

<center>
<H1><b>BIG BROTHER, LITTER BROTHER</b></H1>
<br>
<a href="http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v160/xxheartxyouxx/?action=view&current=Picture16.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v160/xxheartxyouxx/Picture16.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[g-man83]

the little light on the cube isnt going to stay, its temporary. So i can see what i am doing. I am eventually going to put a viper 150w clamp on HQi

[Reef Ruler]

Ok..I promised pics...so here ya go. Keep in mind, I set it up yesterday, thats why its so bare.

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee172/BrianLorys/Fish%20Tanks/IMG_4056.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee172/BrianLorys/Fish%20Tanks/IMG_4057.jpg

http://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee172/BrianLorys/Fish%20Tanks/IMG_4058.jpg

[Reef Ruler]

Oh yeah, from top to bottom: Left side, Right side, Front view. Reason why its blurry is cause I accidentally shot them in Macro

[dxtr]

BC14g running for aboutr 10 months now.
2 clowns, 1 randal goby, 1 firefish, misc softies, snails, hermits, nem crab, korila 1, and just added the 3.24 nanotuner PC upgrade.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/dxtr02/out_027.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/dxtr02/out_084.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/dxtr02/out_052.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/dxtr02/tank_014.jpg

[Reef Ruler]

Is that the stock pump? You said you upgraded something...wasnt sure what it was...so im assuming it was the pump. Where did you get it? I dont like the flow on this one...I would like it faster. Mines 14 g also.

[dxtr]

Sorry, the upgrade was the lights and fans in the hood. (see third PC light in above pic)

I am running the stock pump and the Korila 1 (see pick below, it's on the right.)

I'll be upgrading my stock pump to a MaxJet 900 soon.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/dxtr02/tank_004.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/dxtr02/out_042.jpg

[Reef Ruler]

Yeah I saw the other thread...got it now. If i wanted to upgrade the circulation, it would have to fit in the back thing to replace the old one. Any ideas?

[weimers75]

dxtr - the anemone your crab is in is severly bleached, hopefully with your lighting upgrades it will pull through and regain some of its color.

[dxtr]

yea, he's been getting some color lately, however, it has been a rigiorous routine to keep him going...hopefully the lights will help along with the feedings i am doing...Nemone was the main reason I got the lighting upgrade.

Hey, how is Toledo, Weimers?

Perrysburg High School and BGSU graduate here. =0~ lol

[g-man83]

ive found a new skimmer for my b/c I think im gonna hang a seaclone 100 on the side cause i only look at it from two sides think this ll work. Ive got a list on how to mod the skimmer so to make it morre effciant.I think thats my only option cause i dont want to put anything in the back. ihave other plans

[g-man83]

I have pretty much anything at my disposal cause i get my stuff at cost or even cheaper some times. so i am not limited to what i have that i can use........ I mainly wanna focus onmy light though

[g-man83]

oh yea if any body needs ballests for a 29 gal b/c or the whole hood for that matter im getting rid of mine cheap

[dxtr]

what are you planning on keeping inyou BC? If no real serious SPS, then a skimmer is not really needed, IMO. Jut a thought.

[Reef Ruler]

I was just wondering...would a royal gramma do well in a BC14? I think i read they need a minimum of 30g's, but not too sure. I plan on stocking mine with 2 ocellaris and a firefish or Royal Gramma, and the cleaning crew. How does that sound?

[Reef Ruler]

I was just wondering...would a royal gramma do well in a BC14? I think i read they need a minimum of 30g's, but not too sure. I plan on stocking mine with 2 ocellaris and a firefish or Royal Gramma, and the cleaning crew. How does that sound?

[weimers75]

Toledo's doing fine, we didn't get hit nearly as hard as Columbus, I'd say we got 4" or so. I dated a guy from P-burg, we graduated in 93.

[MyMonkey]

Whew, that stuff barely missed me.

[maxheadroom]

I'm in!!! I'll have to take some updated pics tonight.

[workstoomuch]

I'm in too, just got to get some updated pictures.

[NewFish3]

Count me in also......My BioCube 14.........still adding & moving things

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj66/NewFish3/BioCube14-5-1.jpg

[jfro]

My BC29 arrives tomorrow, but I won't get to set it up right away. My wife and I have decided to have Pergo flooring installed. The tank will go in the living room so I've asked them to complete that room first. Hopefully within 2 weeks it'll be up.

[cjscott]

Hello everyone I am really new to this hobby and am glad to have found you all. I have a bio cube 29 that I set up last Friday with the help from my brother in law. He has lots of experience with saltwater aquariums but I am finding that stuff he told me is conflicting with posts and what I read in articles. I wanted to bounce some questions off of you guys.

Background - I set up my tank on 3/7 with 10 lbs of live sand and about 18 lbs of live rock. I mixed the water to correct salinity and left the lights on until I started the 12 hour cycles on timers yesterday. I have 5 snails and 5 hermit crabs.

Questions - Should I add more live sand? I would like to add more live rock but don't know if I should wait for the tank to cycle first or how harmful this would be now or later? My book says to add a couple of damsels to help the cycling but my brother says no no no I will never get them out. How many snails/hermit crabs do you guys have (my book says 1 per gallon)?

[NewFish3]

In my BioCube 14, I have

5 margarita snails
5 astria snails
5 nassarius snails
10 hermit crabs

If you have a 29 cube........I would say start off with off with something like I have.

[MyMonkey]

People... We need photographic documentation here. Take those pics folks. :)

[yousmellsfishy]

Finally some new shots of my BC8 up and running now for a little over 10 months:
http://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/tmulcrone/PICT0073-1.jpghttp://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/tmulcrone/PICT0077-2.jpghttp://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/tmulcrone/PICT0076.jpghttp://i210.photobucket.com/albums/bb188/tmulcrone/PICT0079.jpg

[maxheadroom]

Here's a bad pic of mine from last month. I'll get some new pics soon.

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj262/maxheadroom420/biocube173.jpg


BTW, yeah I know he's bleached. Noob mistake. Don't listen to 98% of people that work at an LFS.

[rjwilson37]

Sweet pictures everyone, nice to see these little tanks doing well.

I switched over from an Aquapod 24g that the lighting went out on, to the 29g Biocube. Over half of this stuff came from my Aquapod, but I added a few hardy corals to fill in spots. I just have a couple fish and shrimp right now, but will be getting a couple more fish in a couple of weeks.

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/20080312biocube.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/bullseyezoa20080312.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/zoaricordea20080312.JPG

[yousmellsfishy]

OMG rj! :eek2: That is Beautiful

[jfro]

RJ - Beautiful coloration - great tank, great job.

I got my BC29 today and have a couple questions. I'll star by asking if anyone has pics of how the ballasts are supposed to hand on the back of the BC29 stand?

I have the nanocustoms upgraded hood so I have 2 ballasts. Any help would be appreciaqted.

[rjwilson37]

Thanks for the compliments.

I just have my ballasts inside my stand on the bottom shelf, which is were the surge protector is as well.

[GBE378]

I just am currtently setting up a BC29 and just got the live rock today.

Here are some pics is a little cloudy still.
<a href="http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh146/rfauquier/?action=view&current=P3130085.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh146/rfauquier/P3130085.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh146/rfauquier/?action=view&current=P3130087.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh146/rfauquier/P3130087.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I am also see if my old Super Skimmer 65 will work as a HOB skimmer. Its been out of commission for a while so its creating alot of microbulbble and will prolly take a while to break in again. Also had to make a little modification to it, with the return. Not sure if its going to work but theres nothing in it for now and if worse comes to worse I take it out and try somthing else.

<a href="http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh146/rfauquier/?action=view&current=P3130002.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh146/rfauquier/P3130002.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s255.photobucket.com/albums/hh146/rfauquier/?action=view&current=P3130001.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i255.photobucket.com/albums/hh146/rfauquier/P3130001.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[MyMonkey]

Cool. Did not know that back panel came off. Hmm...

[MyMonkey]

Wow rjwilson37! Nice looking tank there. Care to expand on the system. Skimmer, mods, additive, corals etc? Also, what is the green and purple variety front right. Looks to be a matting coral of some type.

[Sharkbait1]

I'm in for sure !!

jr nice looking tank.:eek1:
jfro I have the same nanocustoms upgrade. 150MH 2x36W Atinic. The cords on the ballasts should be long enough so that the can just sit inside the stand pretty much where ever you want.

But I know we need pics.. Here it is a few weeks ago. I have since re-aquasaped and think it looks better but still not the way I want it..
I do 2 WC a month and on 1 of them I reaquasape. I have a bucket in the yard that I keep "spare LR" in so I get a "new" tank every month.

<a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Sharkbait1/FishStuff/photo#5168936574180865538"><img src="http://lh4.google.com/Sharkbait1/R7vAbZKTNgI/AAAAAAAAAVk/eM9DlAoNW00/s800/DSC_2979.JPG" /></a>

I have since added a good clean up crew and most of the algae is gone!

[ggk1988]

Here is a really old picture of mine. I will post a new photo once I beat some hair algae.

http://i218.photobucket.com/albums/cc9/GrantK_photos/CoralTank026.jpg

[smartang22]

I have a 14 gallon Biocube that just turned one year old! I upgraded the pump to a maxijet 900, took the bioballs out and replaced with LR rubble and chemipure, and I hid my heater in the right chamber. I upgraded the lighting with the system from Nanotuners. It was super easy to install and the tank is much brighter now.
I currently have a cleaner shrimp and a clown nmed Clownt. I have rics and zoas and yellow polyps, pink xenia, a large feather duster, purple and red shrooms, chaeto, and a pom pom crab. I love it!

I don't have any pictures, but I will post them. I am giving some overgrown xenia to a fellow RC member this weekend so I will take a picture after I ship those off. They grew like a weed, just like everyone said they would. But being a beginner I wanted to have a hardy, aquacultured specimen so that I could grow some confidence. But I am just happy that I could give them away.

[jfro]

I noted earlier that I'm waiting for Pergo flooring to be installed before going forward with my BC29 but I'm getting crazy anxious. I need to get the tank ans stand in place and start putting the system together. I've learned from experience that it's easier to get it set-up right to begin with and minimize the modifications.

Does anyone want to recommend a good heater for the BC29? My heater will plug into my chiller - any recommendatons?

[jfro]

Well, I decided to put the BC29 in my office at work. I've got the rock set-up and water running through it but I need to add some more salt to get the salinity dialed in.

I have a question for whoever is using a chiller with the nanocustom upgrade. Where to you have your pump? Mine is in the middle chamber, but that's where I'll put some LR Rubble and some Chaeto. Hopefully, the Chaeto won't interfere with the pump.

Anyone have a mod that works well with the pump and Fuge?

[chromiumlux]

Just what I've been looking for!
Count me in. I've got a 14g bio cube. No pics yet--need to figure out my camera and how to upload.

[jcvkang]

i have an 8 gallon and 14 gallon biocube.

unfortunately, i'll be getting rid of the 14 gallon and giving my 8 gallon to my parents.

i just got a Red Sea Max the other day. it was a time for an upgrade.

[rjwilson37]

Here is a recent full tank shot, including the stand.

These tanks are so sweet...

They take up so little space and give any room a beautiful look with a piece of the oceans reef in your home.

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/20080322fulltank.JPG

[jfro]

My tank is up and running at work. I needed to break down a tank at homeed and add some critters and live sand to the new work tank. I used old, dried rock from past tanks to aquascape the new tank.

Since I needed this work tank up and running quick, I ordered Bio-Spira to cycle the tank quickly. By reading the Bio-Spira reviews and instructions, I knew I needed to add inhabitants within a day or two to get a bio-load in the tank so the nitrifying bacteria the Bio-Spira introduced could survive.

Having said all that. the Bio-Spira didn't work as adverised and I've suffered significant loss. I got an immediate Ammonia spike - 0 Nitrites and acceptable Nitrates. I learned a lesson the hard way.

I'll keep everyone posted as things progress. I think today's survivors will make it but there will be no more additions until the levels are where they need to be.

My bottom line - don't trust Bio-Spira, don't trust quick fixes, don't trust product reviews. Just stick with the traditional tried and true methods.

[rjwilson37]

I typically use already cured LR from a LFS. I make sure and get LR that has already been at the LFS for 2-3 weeks, which has already had 80-100% die off in there tank, not mine. I have always setup my tanks this way and have a very short/small cycle period and can add fish and corals within 3-5 days. I also use the Hagen Cycle product, which gives the nitrifying bacteria cycle a boost, and I have never had a problem setting up a tank.

The tank 2 posts above never even had an algae bloom, as it was setup and was ready very quickly.

[jfro]

rjwilson37 - Noted. This was the first time I tried to jump start the cycle, and the last time. I dry-scaped the tank and liked it's look so I didn't add any LR - plus our LFS is not reliable or very good. I added quite a bit of live sand and thought it would help.

Anyway, I'm confident it'll end up where I want it to. I love the bright colors of your tank. I see you have a Snowflake Eel as your avatar - have you ever kept one in an aquarium?

[rjwilson37]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12172927#post12172927 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jfro
I see you have a Snowflake Eel as your avatar - have you ever kept one in an aquarium? Yes, I had mine in a 10g nano when I first got him, he was there for about 8 months. He was very small at about 8" or so and was about 10" when I moved him into my 55g tank and later my 90g tank. I was trying to do SPS in my 90g and needed to take him out because of the high bioload between him and all my fish. I then moved him into an Aquapod 24g where he was until about 3 weeks ago, when the lighting went out. He was in there with 2 damsels and a Maroon Clown. I traded him in since I no longer have the 90g and wanted to do something a bit different with this tank. He will be missed, especially by my youngest daughter who thinks he was the coolest. He was just to big for the Biocube at over 24", so I had the fish store find him a new home.

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/misc/snowflakenano1.jpg

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/misc/snowflake092204.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/24g/snowflake021406.jpg

[jfro]

Cool. What about a Snowflake Eel in a reef community RSM tank (34G)? Is that asking for trouble?

[rjwilson37]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12179878#post12179878 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jfro
Cool. What about a Snowflake Eel in a reef community RSM tank (34G)? Is that asking for trouble? That would work, if you don't have any crabs or shrimp. Plus... You have to make sure it is a closed system, because eel's are pretty much escape artists with there curiosity.

[melanotaenia]

[i]

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/20080322fulltank.JPG [/B]

awesome; very clean

any closer shots?

[rjwilson37]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12186171#post12186171 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by melanotaenia
awesome; very clean

any closer shots? Thanks!

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/20080322biocube.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/hairymushroom20080318.jpg

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/orangeric20080322.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/blueric20080322.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/frogspawn20080322.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/purplemushroom20080318.jpg

[jfro]

rjwilson - If you don't mind sharing, do you get your livestock online or from an LFS. If online, who do you use. Your corals are beautiful.

[rjwilson37]

I get them from LFS's. VI Pets for the 2 big zoa rocks and Preuss Pets for the small zoa rocks, ricordea and frogspawn.

You just have to visit them a lot when your in the market for a new coral, and pay the price when a nice specimen comes in.

[hyperboy]

<a href="http://s299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/geckojrf/?action=view&current=CIMG1196.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm281/geckojrf/CIMG1196.jpg" border="0" alt="3-25-08"></a>

My BC29

[WM15]

i just move my 24 gallon nanocube that was leaking into a 29 gal biocube. and so far im liking it. ill put up some pics soon.

[WM15]

<center>
<a href="http://s258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/WM15_reef/?action=view&current=MVI_2042.flv" target="_blank">
<img src="http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh266/WM15_reef/th_MVI_2042.jpg"></a>
</center>

[jfro]

Very nice tanks guys. My BC29 is cycling so I'll hold off posting pics until I have something to show. I'm hoping I can toss in a small cleanup crew in about a week.

[GBE378]

WOW! rj that is an awsome tank. hope i can get mine to look like that eventually. Did you upgrade the lighting at all?

[Kirin1]

Here's an older shot of my BC14 from December:

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j301/Keiran1/HPIM0650.jpg

Since this shot was taken I've upgraded to a Sunpod.

[dxtr]

WM15 - please tell me that you have a larger tank for that Regal/Hippo Tang.

[WM15]

actually im holding it for a friend ive only had it for 3 weeks and he will be gone in 1 and a half. he has had to move tanks also due to a break in the tank.

[Kirin1]

I took some new pics tonight, I realized I hadn't taken any in forever. There's new rock, new light and a new koralia, and lots of new frags courtesy of my clubs Frag Fest in Feb.

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j301/Keiran1/HPIM0705.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j301/Keiran1/HPIM0693.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j301/Keiran1/HPIM0695.jpg
http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j301/Keiran1/HPIM0690.jpg

[Chondro]

Nice tanks everyone!!

My bio-cube29 should be here next week.
I was wondering how well the overflow skims the top of the water?
I have seen a lot of pictures of other peoples tank and it seems like the overflow isn't getting the "scum" off of the top of the water.

[rjwilson37]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12198915#post12198915 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GBE378
WOW! rj that is an awsome tank. hope i can get mine to look like that eventually. Did you upgrade the lighting at all? Thanks GBE378. It is just the standard 72w PC lighting.

HyperBoy: Those are some sweet clowns you have in your tank.

[kingfisher62]

Hey, I want in on this club !!!
Hold on, do I have to pay any dues?

Beautiful tanks everyone, here is my 14g biocube it is about 16 months old.
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r174/Kingfish62/DSCF4504.jpg

[rjwilson37]

Very nice kingfisher62, I just love zoa's, mushrooms and button polyps.

My Blue and Green Stripe mushrooms are getting huge compared to yours. I wonder why yours are not getting enourmous/gigantic like mine. They look very nice, but I don't want them getting so big, that one mushroom takes up a whole area. I have a 29g tank and they take up a lot of space.

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/20080329uppermiddle.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/greenmush20080329.JPG

But I just love zoanthids and button polyps.

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/orangedotzoas20080329.JPG

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/corals/button20080329.JPG

[kingfisher62]

Thanks rjwilson37, Your tank looks impressive! Nice shots ,what type camera are you using?
There are some bigger green striped are not visable .My shrooms seem to go thru phases . Some times the reds are huge sometimes the purple are then the striped or hairy ones.
Hey it keeps things interesting though!

[rjwilson37]

Yes, the mushrooms definately make this hobby interesting. Mine were going down hill in the old Aquapod, because the darn Velvet Damsel was picking/eating at them. Now that there free of that, they are just having a hay day and happy as a clam.

I use the Kodak Z700, which has a 6x optical zoom, a macro mode for closeups, and it is a 4mp camera. I payed $200 for it a few years ago, which was not bad for a camera of this sort.

[BeccaB]

My 29gal, they are not the best pics because they were taken with my phone, but they work for now.
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/Baranovic/0330082306a.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u250/Baranovic/0330082306.jpg

[Kirin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12201151#post12201151 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Chondro

I was wondering how well the overflow skims the top of the water?
I have seen a lot of pictures of other peoples tank and it seems like the overflow isn't getting the "scum" off of the top of the water. [/B]

A lot of times when you see surface scum in pics it's because the pumps are off for the picture. All the suspended stuff floats to the surface, and mine in particular some water comes back over the overflow, taking some gunk from my filter floss with it.

If you aren't getting the kind of surface skimming you'd like, try an SRS Nanoskim from Nanotuners (http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info.php?cPath=50&products_id=247) . I have one on my BC14 and I love it, keeps the surface clear all the time (as long as the pumps are on). I did block the bottom intake in my BC to make it more effective.

[audio101]

Anyone using a small cpr aquafuge on their BC 14? I just got a BC, but I can't find anyone who has a aquafuge on it..

[melanotaenia]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/melanotaenia/DSCN0522.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/melanotaenia/DSCN0537.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/melanotaenia/DSCN0538.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v326/melanotaenia/DSCN0540.jpg

P.S. I suck at taking pictures
Fish: Mystery Wrasse, Percula Clown Pair, Dracula Goby, Twin Spot Blenny

[jkrentz2515]

Just finished installing the knobs on my DIY stand for my 29 BC. By next weekend I hope to have sand, water and rock in. I am getting my rock from my brother who has over 100lbs of lr in his sump/fuge, also a scoop of his sand to get the bacteria growing, and a squeeze of his bacteria filled sponge.

[Luna81]

I'm really looking into this tank as my newbie tank. Is this a good one to start with? Would it be okay to start with it and do changes later. I want to take this slow..

[Jason McK]

I have a 14G that I started in February which was doing great until today when one of the ballasts blew. I've read this is a common problem with them and am wondering how good Oceanic is at living up to their warranty

[jfro]

Luna81 - It's tough to answer your question as everyone has an opinion. The best thing to do is figure out what you want in the tank first, then work from there. Once you know what you want we can help you make some decisions.

I'm starting a new BC-29 at work and the RSM at home. I'm shocked how much bigger the RSM appears, even though it's only 5G more.

Anyway, keep posting and we'll try to help.

[Luna81]

Jfro- Thanks. I guess that this just seems like a decent tank for a starter because it comes with so much. I'm extremely overwhelmed about going in and getting pieces myself. Plus, I have cats and this seems to be enclosed fairly well. My husband likes a 45 bow front we saw at the pet store, but I wouldn't even know how to get started.

I also want to start with something that has a smaller start up cost insofar as sand/rock/etc. to make sure I really stick with the hobby before I put lots and lots of money into it.

(Although, I know I'll end up putting lots and lots of money into it. Heh)

[Snowsrfr]

I recently downsized from a SPS dominated 65 gallon to this 29 gallon Biocube. Pretty much had to start over on the corals, but saved the rock, sand and water from my old tank.

(Still battling a small diatom problem, and please excuse the coraline spots on the front glass.)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0603/snowsrfr/IMG_0515.jpg

[rjwilson37]

Sweet little setup there Snowsrfr, looks very nice, especially that hammer.

[hyperboy]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12204060#post12204060 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rjwilson37

HyperBoy: Those are some sweet clowns you have in your tank.

thanks man

[Jangelo]

I gotta bc 29 with tunze doc 9002 skimmer and koralia power head. Cut overflow from chamber 1 to 2, removed bioballs and replaced with LR and Tunze skimmer.
heres a pic
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b291/jthekid/REEF-UPDATE0001.jpg

[rjwilson37]

I just love Softy/LPS tanks.

Here is a picture at 4 weeks.

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/20080408biocube.JPG

[GBE378]

Still looking good rj.

Does anyone have a problemwith alot of surface scum building up in the third chamber. Any ways to prevent this?

[only_mnh]

Hey guys and gals,
I'm a proud owner of an Oceanic 14 gallon bio cube. The tank has been up since July of 2007. I have a matched pair of black onyx clowns and some coral in there. I am fairly new to the hobby, but I love it. The tank is doing great. I will have to post some pictures. (or you can check out my blog) Send me a msg if you want.

[mksalt]

Some good looking tanks have been posted.

Here's one of mine.

http://img166.imageshack.us/img166/8269/img0696gh9.jpg

[rjwilson37]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12300694#post12300694 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by GBE378
Still looking good rj.

Does anyone have a problemwith alot of surface scum building up in the third chamber. Any ways to prevent this? Thanks GBE378

I don't have any scum in the 3rd chamber.

What kind of mods do you have in your tank. Give us a little info of how you have the back chambers setup/or what your running in your tank.

[jfro]

Eberyone's tanks are looking great - I'm jealous. I have a clean-up crew arriving tomorrow. After that, I'll slowly begin getting my corals. After it's set-up I'll post some pics.

Keep your pics and comments coming!

[jfro]

Eberyone's tanks are looking great - I'm jealous. I have a clean-up crew arriving tomorrow. After that, I'll slowly begin getting my corals. After it's set-up I'll post some pics.

Keep your pics and comments coming!

[jfro]

Sorry for the double post. I think my fuge in chamber 2 isn't getting the job done so I'm going to get a skimmer in there. My tank is the BC29.

The 3 choices I'm looking at are the:
Sapphire for the BC29 (newer pre-sale model)
Tunze 9002
CPR SR3

I want to minimize doing modifications.

The Tunze sounds like it's the most finicky and needs work to get it to fit.
The Sapphire needs to be pre-ordered and likely won't be availble until the end of May.
The CPR SR3 is the least expensive & seems easy to adjust.

What do you all think? Also, please let me know if micro-bubbles are a problem. Thanks everyone.

[El Camaron]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12299976#post12299976 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by rjwilson37
I just love Softy/LPS tanks.

Here is a picture at 4 weeks.

http://www.planetrj.com/reefaquarium/docs/aquarium/biocube/20080408biocube.JPG

Thats really nice for a 4 week tank.

[MyMonkey]

I second that about the 4 week tank. Jealous I am.

[wildcatt]

Here is mine around 4 months old

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii60/wildcatt607/newtankphotos002.jpg

And some of the guys inside

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii60/wildcatt607/newtankphotos009.jpg

http://i261.photobucket.com/albums/ii60/wildcatt607/EGGSINSHRIMP003.jpg

Shrimp should be dropping the babies any time now

[Justinandkrista]

im convinced i think im picking one up this weekend the 29

[Justinandkrista]

If someone with the 29 could i would like to know the demensions of the three chambers.

[arc eye]

Hey all,

I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this, but I know a lot of people have been dying to figure out a cost effective skimmer option for their biocube, so I thought I would post my solution.

First I tried the biocube skimmer.........................guess what? a $30 skimmer skims like a $30 skimmer..........i.e. pretty much not at all.

I decided enough was enough! I got out my tape measurer and my Dremel tool and went to work. I cut the back of my hood open from just about hinge to hinge to accommodate a HOB skimmer. It wasn't very tough, but the key is to cut the light wires out of the back first to get them out of the way.

I made sure my cut big enough the accommodate an Aqua C Remora (the standard, not the nano). Not particularly because I believe them to be a great skimmer, but because of how cheap and readily available used ones are these days.

I was able to pick one up for $70 (no pump) and after picking up a maxijet 1200 I had my self a fairly capable skimmer for just under $100.

I imagine there are better skimmer out there that would fit as well, but this is the route I went.

And last but not least here are some pictures!

http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc222/dandubya/Biocube%20with%20Remora%20Skimmer/

[cjscott]

I have a 29g BC and was wondering what corals people kept in them with the stock lighting.

[Justinandkrista]

Finaly got my biocue 29 stand today from drs foster and smith and was realy dissatisfied with the quality of the stand. I think im sending it back but not sure. When your putin the stand together did anyone have isues with the allen head screw that holds the side panels to the back panel? In the back panel where the screws threads into the holes they were drilled out to large for the screw to grab wood. Anyone have this problem.

[MyMonkey]

Sounds like a dowel rod with glue and new pilot hole may do the trick. Or just send that bad boy back.

[Justinandkrista]

Well its drilled through on the side panels so id see the end of the dowel rod. They come with 2 dowels on each side with a speical screw in the middle. I think it would be ok to leave it out but why if it helps the structue. Plus the thing is all scratched to hell and the bottoms of some of the partical board is chiped and cracked.

[Justinandkrista]

I just hate to ship it back becuase i payed 13$ shipping to get it here and if i have to send it back i might be paying ? 50 maybe becuase its so heavy. I havent clarified what the deal is with Drs foster and smith. Hopfuly it goes well.

[Justinandkrista]

maybe il keep it if i can work out some live aquaria store credit.

[TriGa22]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12059948#post12059948 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by NewFish3
Count me in also......My BioCube 14.........still adding & moving things

http://i269.photobucket.com/albums/jj66/NewFish3/BioCube14-5-1.jpg
What anenome is that and do you have stock lighting?

[FreDre]

Hey guys,

I have a biocube 14 that's set up and running for about 11 months now. I do a 25% water change every 2 weeks. I have:
2 False Percs
1 yellow watchman Goby
2 Sexy Shrimp
Various Snails
Red and Blue Hermits
Green open brain
Frogspawn
Duncan Coral
Yellow Sun pods
Mushrooms
1Toad stool
Bubble Tip nem

I really want to upgrade my lighting. I have everything stock. Do you think my tank would flourish if i did any upgrades? I'd like people's opinions. The only thing I've done is remove the bioballs, and fill it with some Live Rock rubble. I can post some pictures tonight...I've had my nem for about 6 months now...but I think better lighting would help him look a little better, and be a little happier.

[Kirin1]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12399345#post12399345 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by arc eye


http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc222/dandubya/Biocube%20with%20Remora%20Skimmer/Top1.jpg

I made sure my cut big enough the accommodate an Aqua C Remora (the standard, not the nano). Not particularly because I believe them to be a great skimmer, but because of how cheap and readily available used ones are these days.

I was able to pick one up for $70 (no pump) and after picking up a maxijet 1200 I had my self a fairly capable skimmer for just under $100.

I imagine there are better skimmer out there that would fit as well, but this is the route I went.

And last but not least here are some pictures!

http://s216.photobucket.com/albums/cc222/dandubya/Biocube%20with%20Remora%20Skimmer/

aRC eYE,
Nice job on the Remora add on, what size Biocube is that, 8 or 14?

[jkrentz2515]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12522734#post12522734 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Kirin1
aRC eYE,
Nice job on the Remora add on, what size Biocube is that, 8 or 14?

i'm almost positive it is a 14. Nice looking tanks everyone, I will get pics of mine on here once I have more than just clowns. Lucky for me I don't have the money right now to spend on my tank so I can just let it establish itself.;)

[arc eye]

Kirin1, It is the 14g.

The setup actually looks even better in person than in the pictures and now that I finally got around to scraping the coralline it looks even better.........I'll try to post some updated pics as time goes on.

It also now houses a small blue maixma clam, a fire shrimp and a Talbot Damsel (my guinea pig).

[Wooly]

Hey all! I currently have a 14g. that has been running for a little over a year now, and have recently bought a 29g. with a stand. I am not setting it up till I get my RO/DI unit, a skimmer, and possibly a chiller.
I think that I want a skimmer that I can put in the back chamber, or possibly do something like arc eye. Will get some pics up soon.

[JazzZero]

Sorry for the large goinpora in the way (BABYSITTTING IT)

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii288/Fly_boyZero/IMG_2058.jpg

[Wooly]

Heres my 14g. awhile back. Posts of the 29 when I can.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd214/wooljen/14NanoBeforGrapes.jpg

[chrismunn]

do they make a retrofit mh for the 14g biocube?

[sully6956]

hey everyone, I have a 14g bio cube and I am just wondering if anyone has some suggestions for lighting the back compartment for creating a fuge.

[k9gunner]

How about a list of skimmer options for the BC's? Like a list with links?

[O-man21]

Fission Nano fits.

Nanotuners makes a MH retrofit kit. It's like $359 though.

Scrape the paint of the back glass and hang a clip on light. Or add a waterproof white LED into the back.

[Wooly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12628106#post12628106 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by O-man21
Fission Nano fits.

But it does not perform well.

Neither does the Oceanic Biocube model.

I went with Arc eye's idea on a skimmer for my 29. Now I need to order a chiller. Tank was @ 90 degrees this morning with house AC set at 78deg. No lights, one MJ900 for return, and one small Koralia for extra circulation. Looking at buying the CL-150 listed here.http://www.tsunamiaquatic.com/catalog/item/1965418/3625610.htm

I have not ran a skimmer on my 14 gallon for over a year. I do not have a refugium either. What I do have is hair algae. I am hoping with the new RO/DI unit, and the addition of a couple of Emerald Crabs this will be remedied.

What does everyone else do for algae control, or do you even have algae?

[Kirin1]

You've already taken some good steps, the RO/DI being the best.

Phosban is a good idea too.

[Justinandkrista]

cpr sr3 for the 29 or sapphire skimmers

[chrismunn]

so are there any skimmers that fit the BC14 and do preform well?

[Been_There8]

The problem is that most people dont know how to use it IMO. Works perfectly. You need to let the bubbles go up to this point, and not to the top of it, that way you only get white water, you need to set it to this point, do it like this and then let me see you complain. http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm231/Imanz1/DSC00885.jpg

[chrismunn]

is that the fission or the oceanic?

[unbreakable]

been there, and its working out well for you? what are nitrates and phosphates at? what does the skimmate look like?

im having a bit of a problem with some hair algae and red bubble cyano on my rocks..

[Been_There8]

While my tank was up, my nitrates at the most were 7 in all 9 months i had the tank, which is amazing. I get a somewhat tea color skim, i never ever had hair algae, and had to start a post to see what it looked like :) .
I also had it fully stocked. 2 clowns, 1 firefish, 1 cleaner shrimp, and i had corals. :)

Im starting it again 1st day i come back from vacation, im going on vacation for 2 months, no choice but to stop it, and gave back every thing to LFS for free, if i would have knew this site earlier, i would have gave to you guys for free.

[unbreakable]

looks like i might look into the skimmer then. skimming anything is better than not skimming at all

[Wooly]

First off, which skimmer is this that you have posted a picture of? Second,did you have the top on, or the water level low to achive such a raised collector cup? I had a Fission nano skimmer that you could have done this with the lid off, or the water level low, but it would only pull light green water out.

[unbreakable]

i think thats the biocube skimmer

[jmadison]

I have the BC skimmer. it was sortof a b*tch to get dialed in, but once I got that done(over the course of a day or so) I started to pull out some dark green/brown stuff out. I have no algea problems, just enough for my cleaners to eat, and not really any cyno despite being a med-to-heavy feeder and a heavily stocked tank. But this is just in my experience.


*edit- I am pretty sure that is the BC skimmer in his pick.*

[Been_There8]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12637231#post12637231 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jmadison
I have the BC skimmer. it was sortof a b*tch to get dialed in, but once I got that done(over the course of a day or so) I started to pull out some dark green/brown stuff out. I have no algea problems, just enough for my cleaners to eat, and not really any cyno despite being a med-to-heavy feeder and a heavily stocked tank. But this is just in my experience.


*edit- I am pretty sure that is the BC skimmer in his pick.*


Ok first off, that is a biocube skimmer, second i told you guys, its like no one knows how to set it, all they need it someone to show them how it works, once you get it right, it works amazing. Just set the water up to that point and give it 2-3 days, then say its still garbage.

*When setting it, be sure to be turning the nozzel really slowly, and give it 10 seconds to see how high the bubbles come, once it comes to that point, just leave it and give it 2-3 days and see what happens.

[jmadison]

I was supporting your claim... Patients is a vertue. Obviously the bc skimmer isnt the BEST, but it does work. If youre needs are to pull every piece of excess out of the water, then use something else, but for a decent amount of skimming for a considerably cheaper price use the bc.

[jmadison]

Hey wooly, what kinda sand weere you using in your 14g pics? Looks super fine. Did you have duststorm probs or did it stay put pretty well? What sorta powerheads were you using? Did you feel like you had denitrification going on in the sand fairly well?

[Wooly]

jmadison, yes, it was super fine. Once I got rid of the blue damsel, and covered it with another 2" of grey coast sand, duststorms were no longer an issue. As far as denitrification, yeah, it was looking good. A friend of mine has his 180 loaded with it, and it is awesome! Power head is a MJ900 along with a Hydor wavemaker. Had to keep rocks in certain corner to keep sand from blowing away. I had a few things go wrong with the tank as it looked in photo above, and have redone a few things. Will post more updated photos once I have done a few things. Probably next week.

[Been_There8]

Lol, you add another 2" of it, doesnt it mean that its harder to keep from having a sandstorm?

[basser1]

How in the heck did I miss this thread? I'd like to join! I've had my BC29 up since Sept. of '06! It is a mixed reef. I've done the light mod from nanotuners. It has a 150W Phoenix 14 k MH with 2 double actinics. I also have the sapphireaquatics re-circulaitng skimmer, Love It! Just drop it in and you're ready to go, no break-in period and it's not picky on water level. Anyway here's a pic:

http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/9576/bc29shots003dg1.jpg


And Another:
http://img61.imageshack.us/img61/9526/bc29shots011ub5.jpg

[Kirin1]

Basser, that's NTOTM material right there.

Good Stuff Man!

[chrismunn]

how do you keep the tempurature down in that tank with the 2x mh?

[jmadison]

basser is that a blue spotted JF in that second pic? Way cool!

Honestly I want to get the sappire skimmer, especially cuz its designed for our setups. I am having trouble finding them tho. All the sites say coming in may, and sapphire's website isnt working either...

[Justinandkrista]

yea thats a blue spot jawfish i voted for him for tank of the month i think he won to. Thats one of the coolest nanos iv seen. good job

[jkrentz2515]

Has anyone with the CPR SR3 Skimmer ever changed out the airline tubing? I changed mine a couple days ago and have gotten a massive amount of microbubbles because of it. Anyone know of any ways to reduce these bubbles? I already have a filter pad in-between chamber 2 and 3.

[basser1]

chrismunn...... I have 2 double actinic bulbs and 1 MH. I keep my A/C in my house set at 74 degrees and I also keep both front and back lids open at all times. This helps to keep the temps down around 78 in the tank. Now to keep the jawfish from jumping out, I cut plastic gutter screen to fit both openings. So far it's working!


jmadison...... Yep! That's a BSJF, his name is Digger! And as you can imagine, he digs all the time. He has no less than 4 different burrows in the tank. He's one of my favorite fish with a ton of personality. I've had him now for 5 months and he eats like a piglet!

You may want to contact nanotuners or nanocustoms. I think they were taking pre-orders for them.


Justinandkrista....... Thanks for the compliments and the vote. I didn't win NOTM, but it was close! Some wanted me to re-enter again, but I just did it on a whim. I've tried to go with a mixed reef, softies, LPS, and SPS. Something for everybody!

[chrismunn]

what do you mean the front and back lids? there's a back lid?

[basser1]

Yes, there are 2 lids on the 29 gallon Biocube. And I keep both of them open to help cooling.

[Wooly]

jmadison, the extra 2" were of another more coarse sand for keeping sandstorms down, and for a deep sand bed. Definitely beneficial.

[chrismunn]

oh ok, i have a 14, thats why i only have one lid. i was confused there for a minute.

[Endy0430]

Cool I'm recently setting up my 29 gallon bio-cube waiting on a couple parts to come in...So far I replace the lights with the 20" sunpod 150watt MH 14K also added the oceanic bio-cube skimmer removed the bioballs and plan to put chemipure and phos-zorb also the outlet I replace it with Flo Rotating Water Deflector also have a wave maker with 2 rio 50 powerheads. I will post pics of the process very soon tank has no water as of yet stay tune.........

[Sharkbait1]

Way to do it right Endy!
EVERYTIME I set up a tank I promise myself I will do it right next time. Wait till ALL the parts are in and plan it out and set it up THEN fill with water. Don't rush the cycle and wait till the tanks ready BEFORE I add fish and coral.
Instead of pulling it outta the box making it work with what I have and getting water in it ASAP, so I can stock it. Then dealing with perpetually upgrading, modding, and dealing with problems that should have been avoided. Someday I'll learn.

[Justinandkrista]

i dont know about those biocube skimmers tho. If you want to keep a fuge in chamber two maybe but id get a sapphire or cpr skimmer for it.

[Endy0430]

yeah I hear you but I got the skimmer as a gift and going to give it a shot if I see that is worthless then I will buy a better skimmer for now lets see what it does..I've heard from a couple of people that it isn't so bad...lets see....

[Endy0430]

well here are some of my pics so far.........

<a href="http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/?action=view&current=201.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/201.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/?action=view&current=203.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/203.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/?action=view&current=205.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/205.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/?action=view&current=206.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/206.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/?action=view&current=207.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/207.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
<a href="http://s29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/?action=view&current=208.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c283/endy0430/208.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

[chrismunn]

whats the thing on the return nozzle? it rotates right? whats it called?

[Justinandkrista]

Hydor FLO Rotating Deflector

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4588+11363&pcatid=11363

[jmadison]

Justinandkrista-
You plannin on running a DSB or any sand for that matter? Just wondering if you were gonna leave ur maxi that low. Obviously everythings gonna be adjusted, as you're doing it correctly and getting it done right FIRST! Kudos! I was just prying into what your setup was gonna be like.


Also, I posted this before. I am having trouble locating the sapphire skimmer that is designed for our 29 cubes. A bunch of people are running it already, yet all the sites say it isn't released. Maybe I'm missing something, but I wanna be one of the cool kids, so maybe someone can enlighten me as to what I'm getting wrong.

Thanks as always

[jmadison]

EDIT! That was directed at ENDY sorry JandK I saw your post and started typing didn't think. Sorry!

Oh ya ENDY: Since you probably got a few coal cartridge filters free w/ your cube, I lay mine down under that tray in chamber 2 above the bio balls. Itll float about the Bioballs and stay flat under that tray, which will direct it evenly over the cartridge. Flow isn't really inhibited at all and it catches all the nastys that make it past your skimmer.(this is what I do, as I am currently running a BC skimmer.)

[jmadison]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12653914#post12653914 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wooly
jmadison, the extra 2" were of another more coarse sand for keeping sandstorms down, and for a deep sand bed. Definitely beneficial. I am currently running a 50/50 of crushed coral and livesand(unsure as to size but it's fairly fine) Do you Think I could run straight sugarfine with a koralia 3 and stock return pump without having a sandstorm all the time? I have a Koralia nano but not currently using. I just want a better sand bed for my yellow watchman to munch on rather than the CC that has seemed to settle to the top of my sandbed over time. I guess what are the grades of sand, and when do you start approaching the too small end of the spectrum?

[cherubfish pair]

Endy, what wavemaker do you have for your rio's?

[basser1]

jmadison...... Give the folks at nanotuners a call. I think they are taking pre-orders for the Sapphire Skimmers. Last word I heard was late May or early June. Good Luck!

[Draconic]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post on here even though I've been "playing" with reef tanks since 1995, lol.
A little bit about my experience...
I started with a 10g saltwater tank back in 1995, yes, for real... Everyone told me that it was not possible but I went ahead and did it anyway. (I'm the type of guys don't really follow the rules.) Anyway, after that I upgraded to a 20g tank then 30g then finally a 60g tank for these past 5 years. Although as of yesterday, I got rid of my 60g and got myself a 14g BioCube. I just got tired of the "big" tank, since I live in Phoenix AZ, I had to top off the tank almost 1g everyday... I was getting to a point that I didn't even bother doing water changes for 3 or 4 months straight...lol. So I figured that I would just tear everything down and not having a tank at all. The other day, my friend told me that why don't I try to get one of those "cube" things. So I started calling the LFS then found out that JBJ nano cube cost almost twice as much and not as great as the BioCube so I decided to get the BioCube instead.
So far I like it a lot. It's small and I have more rooms in my living room now, lol. I know you guys like to see pictures, I will post one tomorrow. So far, I still have the filter cartridge and the bioballs in there. This weekend, I'm going to try to find Purigen to replace the cartridge. Also I'm going to take out the bioballs and convert the second chamber into a refugium. Believe it or not, I've never had a refugium for my tanks before so this will be the first. I was digging through my storage and found one of those fountain lamps that you put in the patio fountains
and it's actually small enough to fit on top of the chamber so all I need is some cheatos. I still have some left over live rocks that's over 5 years old and I'm going to break them to fit in the chamber one and the refugium.
I do have one question though...someone from the thread was saying to cut the opening from chamber 1 to chamber 2 bigger. Is it necessary? The tank is not empty, I don't have fish in the tank but I do have all of my corals in there so I don't think I can do any hardware mods any more since I have livestock in there. And they've been stressed enough from switching tanks. So the bottom line is, if I want to convert the second chamber into a refugium, do I really have to do anything? Thanks. This post is getting long...so I'll stop now. ;-)

[Endy0430]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12660633#post12660633 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by cherubfish pair
Endy, what wavemaker do you have for your rio's?

JBJ Ocean Pulse - DUO Wavemaker (2 pump Capacity)

Marinedeopot.com has it for $49.99

[chrismunn]

[welcome]

welcome to RC draconic

[Draconic]

Thanks, Chris.

I just ordered one of those Hydor Flo Deflector off ebay. It cost me $14, shipping and insurance included. I'm going to change the stock pump to Maxi jet 1200. Would it be too much for a 14g cube?

Also do I "HAVE" to cut the opening between chamber 1 and 2 if I want to convert the chamber 2 into a refugium?

[jmadison]

bump by jmadison
I am currently running a 50/50 of crushed coral and livesand(unsure as to size but it's fairly fine) Do you Think I could run straight sugarfine with a koralia 3 and stock return pump without having a sandstorm all the time? I have a Koralia nano but not currently using. I just want a better sand bed for my yellow watchman to munch on rather than the CC that has seemed to settle to the top of my sandbed over time. I guess what are the grades of sand, and when do you start approaching the too small end of the spectrum?

[Wooly]

You will know when you reach the too small area, when it starts blowing all around. If you can keep the powerhead aimed anywhere but the sand bed, or on a wall that will deflect it to the sand, that would be good. You may need to place a few rocks in the way to block the flow from disturbing the sandbed. I went to a "Benefits of Deep Sandbeds" By Dr. Shimek this last fall, and would say that anything deeper than 3-4 " will be good.

[jmadison]

wooly-
Is there any truth to the, "over time it settles down and gets 'stickier' when bacteria and whatnot forms in it?" Also will I have a bad cycle if I switch out my LS when I move in about a month? I have about 25-30lbs of LR.

[cjscott]

What do people dose their takes with?

[Draconic]

Do you guys leave your moonlight on 24/7?

[Justinandkrista]

Whats that look like with the 50/50 cush coral with sand. Id like to see cuz i might just try that.

[Justinandkrista]

Where do you all run your carbon. I have a sr3 skimmer and heater in the 1st and 2nd chambers. Can you put a corbon bag next to the heater in chamber one? I wouldnt think so becuase i have the nylon mesh filter bag and it would melt it wouldnt it if it touched. Where else can i put in.

[dxtr]

I leave my moonlights on 24/7, even the ones I modded intot he hood.

As for dosing: Phytoplankton 1x a week, Parts A & B 1x a week, and essential elements after each water change.

As for the heater and carbon bag, will it fit in the chamber with the skimmer? I also don't think it would be a good idea putting the mesh bag next to the heater.

Pic of my 14g Biocube showing moonlight mod.

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/dxtr02/out_076.jpg

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc43/dxtr02/out_083.jpg

[jkrentz2515]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12696788#post12696788 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justinandkrista
Where do you all run your carbon. I have a sr3 skimmer and heater in the 1st and 2nd chambers. Can you put a corbon bag next to the heater in chamber one? I wouldnt think so becuase i have the nylon mesh filter bag and it would melt it wouldnt it if it touched. Where else can i put in.

How about the spot where the sponge in chamber 3 is? When I ever get around to getting some that is where it is going.

[jmadison]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12698808#post12698808 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jkrentz2515
How about the spot where the sponge in chamber 3 is? When I ever get around to getting some that is where it is going. Thats exactly where I run carbon/phosloc. seems to work just fine

[Draconic]

I've just converted the second chamber into a refugium last night and now all three chambers have the same water level. So I'm going to buy Purigen(if I can find it) then put it in chamber 3.

Oh, Dxtr, thanks for answering my question about the moonlight.

[Justinandkrista]

Well how easy is it to take the sponge out. Is it glued in.

[Justinandkrista]

what moonlight mod is that.

[Draconic]

It's not glued in. According to the manual, you're supposed to take it out and clean it every once in a while. Which means it can be taken out.

[Justinandkrista]

perf im doing in now.

[Justinandkrista]

Any one replaced the stocker with a 1200 and how well does it hook up to the green pipe? Thinking of geting one from here.

[Justinandkrista]

Any one replaced the stock return pump with a MJ 1200? Will it fit and if so how well does it hook up to the green pipe? Will i have to cut it?

[jmadison]

I havent done the MJ 1200, but i heard its absolutely the largest MJ that will fit as it is EXTREMELY tight fitting, but it supposedly works. I have heard of 900s a lot i believe.

[Justinandkrista]

Do you think it would be a problem to just drop the bag of carbon into chamber 3. Its kinda layin on top of the pump would that be a problem. I also put the filter foam back in.

[jkrentz2515]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12699014#post12699014 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justinandkrista
Do you think it would be a problem to just drop the bag of carbon into chamber 3. Its kinda layin on top of the pump would that be a problem. I also put the filter foam back in.

Just make sure the bag doesn't get caught in the pump or you will have a mess.

[jmadison]

x2 It will work just fine, but if you put it where the sponge was the water has to flow through the micro bag and thus its more effective.

[Justinandkrista]

True i didnt think so its got a thick tight mesh bag.

[Wooly]

jmadison, yes, Your sand will settle. I don't have the statistics, but in one cubic ft. of live sand there are said to be millions of living organisms that are beneficial to your tank. Hence the term "Live Sand". How large of a tank are you moving? I moved mine from work to home, and did not see any issues. Entire move from drain to set up was about 2 hours. I took all livestock out except the Anemone, and the rock he was stuck on. I drained all the water but what covered him, the rock, and the sand. I was quite worried when I did it, but I did save the water I took out as to not shock the tank too much. The sand will stir up during the ride, but if it's not down more than an hour or two, it shouldn't be to bad. Try to keep your temp as it would be if the tank is still set up. In the end, the anemone was stressed and he split. No noticeable cycle to speak of.

[Wooly]

FYI if you have heat issues:

Maxi Jet 1200
295 gph
20 Watts

Maxi Jet 900
230 gph
8.5 Watts

For only 65 gph more you are more than doubling your heat in watts.

Been there.

[Wooly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12697813#post12697813 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by dxtr
I also don't think it would be a good idea putting the mesh bag next to the heater.


Wouldn't the melting point be more than that of a heater set for 82 deg.?

Also, is anyone using a chiller?

[Justinandkrista]

the 900 dosent have much more flow than the stock pump so kinda pointless besides it might run more quite and cooler. The 1200 will increase the flow by 52 gph.

[Justinandkrista]

I was lookin at via aqua pumps compared to the mj 1200 for the 29 gallon. Here are the demensions of the Mj
MP1200 295gph 3.5" L x 2" W x 3.25" H 5/8" output
ViaAqua 370gph 2 4-1/4" L x 2-1/4"W x 2-3/4" H 3/4" output

Is it posable to reduce the 3/4 to 1/2 for the return pipe.

[jkrentz2515]

Why the need for an upgraded return pump?

[jmadison]

Wooly thanks- I have to move it like 4 hrs away so itll be a task, but with the heat these days shouldnt be a prob with the temp. I have an anenome, but might be removing from tank soon so we;'ll see.

[HaKs310]

2 Week Old Pic of my BC14
http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn136/richaks310/100_3017.jpg


Aquascaping has changed a bit since the picture was taken and will change more tomorrow as I'm planning to do two towers and go for a more open look. There was some dead spots, against the side glass and back of tank I want to get rid off. Going to drill the rocks with a 3/4in drill bit so I can stack them onto two PVC stands I made yesterday afternoon. Replaced the stock pump with a MJ1200 and added a Hydor Flo to it. Did the Nanocustoms 3.24 mod, so I'm running two Actinic bulbs and one 10K. Also got the variable fans and modded the fan grills to allow more flow in and out. Modded the second chamber so more water flows into the third. Running filter floos and a bag of ChemiPure Elite. Temperature is staying at a constant 82-83 so I'll will more than likely be adding a chiller once summer rolls around. Think that covers everything, should have pics and new build thread up tomorrow.


Edit: Almost forgot, I also modded the overflow a bit to get more surface scum out. I just cut one of the teeth all the way to the top with some DYKEs

[ampemployee1]

I have a BC29, set up for about a week with live sand and about 30lbs of live rock. Will post pix later. I have stock lighting, return pump and a Koralia 1 for increased flow. Only reef janitors and about 2lbs of Reef Grunge from Garf on top of the live sand.
I have way too many micro bubbles. How are people dealing with these?

[jkrentz2515]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12702659#post12702659 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by ampemployee1
I have a BC29, set up for about a week with live sand and about 30lbs of live rock. Will post pix later. I have stock lighting, return pump and a Koralia 1 for increased flow. Only reef janitors and about 2lbs of Reef Grunge from Garf on top of the live sand.
I have way too many micro bubbles. How are people dealing with these?

What type of skimmer do you have? How long has the skimmer been running?

[Draconic]

Do you guys keep your refugium light on all the time or do you only turn it on when the main tank lights are on or off?

[Draconic]

To Justinandkrista,

I've replaced the stock pump with the Maxijet 1200 and it's working fine for two days now. I did attach the hydor flo deflector over it because the deflector reduces the pump flow so you won't get enough flow if you use the stock pump along with the deflector. I don't think I would use the 1200 with attaching the deflector because it might be too strong for my tank size.
I only have a 14g BC and I also added another Maxijet 400 so with the 1200+hydor flo and the 400, I think I have enough water flow for the tank.

[Justinandkrista]

Cool thx Draconic i just didnt want to add a Koralia or hydor deflector. I got some more 1/2" locline and used a y for two returns for flow. So it cut down on my preasure so i wanted to up my gph.

[Draconic]

In one of my posts, I said that I'm using the the fountain light for my refugium. Well, bad idea... I didn't know that 10W bulb can generate a lot of heat... My cube was all the way to 92 degree yesterday! So DO NOT use one of those fountain lights.

[chrismunn]

i dont know if this applys to the folks here, but i dont see why not. a reef tank is a reef tank no matter the size... most people have thier refugium lights on a reverse photo period to keep ph stable. so when the main tank lights are on, the refugium lights are off. then when the main lights turn off, the rufugium lights turn on. in the case of keeping caulerpa in the refugium, you should keep the refugium light on 24/7 to keep the caulerpa from going sexual. but thats only if your keeping caulerpa, which you shouldnt be. :)

[chrismunn]

just thought ide share my biocube 14. its been up for 2 weeks i think?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1401995&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

[JazzZero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12611326#post12611326 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JazzZero
Sorry for the large goinpora in the way (BABYSITTTING IT)

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii288/Fly_boyZero/IMG_2058.jpg


Well jsust yesterday i cleaned up my tank and rearranged the rocks and i was wondering if this looked better any opinions?



http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii288/Fly_boyZero/IMG_2166.jpg

[Draconic]

Nice tank. How do you feed the sun polyp? Do you take it out of the tank then feed or what?

[Draconic]

Question to all of you who use submerged led light for your refugium...
What kind of led light do you use?

[Wooly]

Looks really good. How do you like the Bare bottom? I have only seen a few like that. What are some of the benefits besides gaining back some of the room lost?

[O-man21]

Here are some pics of my BC14 with the 72W PC upgrade from nanocustoms dot com.


http://img385.imageshack.us/img385/885/64012pa1.jpg

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/6607/64026xd0.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/2739/cimg1747wp2.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/7004/cimg1752ci6.jpg

http://img221.imageshack.us/img221/1024/cimg1742rb3.jpg

[Draconic]

I just bought a submersible LED light by Marina from Petsmart. it's a single white light, it should be enough for the refugium right?

[abarksdale]

Anyone had a fish stuck in chamber 1? Any ideas on how to get him out?

I have a second pump basically splitting tiny chamber 1 in half so not much fits down there.

[Wooly]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12723637#post12723637 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by abarksdale
Anyone had a fish stuck in chamber 1? Any ideas on how to get him out?

I had a blenny stuck in chamber 2 and 3, and that was a real headache. Can you take the pump in one out? Get one of the smallest catch nets you can find, and possibly a pair of tongs to distract the fish into not noticing the net so much, and hold your mouth just right, and you might just catch a fish.

[JazzZero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12719027#post12719027 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Draconic
Nice tank. How do you feed the sun polyp? Do you take it out of the tank then feed or what?


I usually feed the sun coral in the nights thats mainly why its not out at the time oof the pic. Also i dont take it out i keep it in and feed coclop-eeze (sorry for bad spelling). Also just so you know it takes a week of feeding daily to get it to come out, also it needs to be feed at the same time you fed it last time.

[JazzZero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12721553#post12721553 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Wooly
Looks really good. How do you like the Bare bottom? I have only seen a few like that. What are some of the benefits besides gaining back some of the room lost?

Bare bottom has its good an bad sides.

Advantage
- Easier to clean dirt on the ground (more visible)
- It looks nice :D

Disadvantage
- More clean ups (more water changes to remove dirt)
-Unable to keep that are reliant on sand (pistol shrimps, gobies, etc)
- unable to keep corals that are usually placed in the sand. (elegance)

[Draconic]

JazzZero,

What kind of filtration do you have? other than the liverocks. I'm assuming you have a protein skimmer? I don't have a skimmer and I'm not planning on getting one for my 14g cube so I guess feeding the sun polyp like your in my size of tank would be out of question unless I have a protein skimmer right?

[JazzZero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12726618#post12726618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Draconic
JazzZero,

What kind of filtration do you have? other than the liverocks. I'm assuming you have a protein skimmer? I don't have a skimmer and I'm not planning on getting one for my 14g cube so I guess feeding the sun polyp like your in my size of tank would be out of question unless I have a protein skimmer right?


lol, I dont have a protein skimmer but i did change the bio-balls in the middle chamber to LR rubble, chemi-pure and black diamond carbon. Now i have made a slow down on the feeding of my sun polyps because its coming out everyday. No, i dont think feeding sun polyps in a size like yours would be out of the question but i do however recommend you to get a turkey baxter (best ones are availble at your LFS which are meant for aquarium use). Just a side not i dont recommend getting a turkey baxter from other companys that specifically make it to be a "TURKEY BAXTER" they are much to strong for corals.


P.S the protein skimmer that are meant for BCs' are BAD! I really recommend you to get a good nano hang on skimmer. If you have the cash get Deltec MCE600 (BEST HANG ON SKIMMER EVER) even though it is for larger tanks its still really good.

[JazzZero]

Heres some inspirations


http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii288/Fly_boyZero/IMG_2192.jpg

http://i267.photobucket.com/albums/ii288/Fly_boyZero/IMG_2195.jpg

[Justinandkrista]

O-man21 do you got any close ups on that green clown goby.

[O-man21]

Hmm.. This is the best I can do... My camera is balls. His name is Toby.

Old aquascape, ignore the ugliness:
http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/6650/fish012ig6.jpg
Same pic, new aquascape, haha:
http://img161.imageshack.us/img161/4466/425013mx1.jpg
Different angle:
http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/6886/511008jg4.jpg
He looks translucent in this pic:
http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm300/fishkilla67/5-18005.jpg

Someone else asked me about him on a different forums, this is how I replied. He just asked "what you you think of the Green Clown goby?":

The Green Clown Goby is GREAT! Very personable. He perches at all levels of the tank, sitting mostly on the mushrooms like they are little chairs, and then switching to hide in crevasses and on the sand. He doesn't really have a specific area that he stays in, he just perches on the rocks all the time. He loves to sit on the mushrooms and watch everything. The only problem I have with him is that there really isn't a food that is small enough to fit into his mouth. He is able to eat the Small New Life Spectrum Marine Pellets, but it takes him a while and I worry he will choke. He does eat mysis, the pods in the tank, and cyclopeeze like crazy. His colors are phenomenal! He used to be a drab green with pale red stripes, but now he is a bright green and the red really pops when you look at him. Great color in the tank. I would definitely recommend one.

[Draconic]

To JazzZero, very nice. I've also converted the second chamber into a refugium with live rocks and cheatos. I also put live rock in the first chamber. The only chemical thing that I have is the Seachem Purigen. I don't want to get a hang on skimmer or any kind of skimmer because I don't have room or the cash anyway. I think I have the "turky baster" thing that you were talking about. It's a long and skinny thing and there is a spear at the tip that can be pulled out or retracted right? I don't know what I have one of those but I do, lol. Well, eventurally I might get a sun polyp.

To O-Man21, when you bought that green goby at the begining, did him have problem eatng fish food at all? I don't mean the size of the food. I mean food in general. I had a yellow goby a long time ago and he wouldn't eat anything and it wasn't because of the size of the food. He was just not eat whatsoever. I wonder if green gobies and yellow gobies are some how different when it comes to eating... Yours looks really nice.

[JazzZero]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12730251#post12730251 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Draconic
To JazzZero, very nice. I've also converted the second chamber into a refugium with live rocks and cheatos. I also put live rock in the first chamber. The only chemical thing that I have is the Seachem Purigen. I don't want to get a hang on skimmer or any kind of skimmer because I don't have room or the cash anyway. I think I have the "turky baster" thing that you were talking about. It's a long and skinny thing and there is a spear at the tip that can be pulled out or retracted right? I don't know what I have one of those but I do, lol. Well, eventurally I might get a sun polyp.

To O-Man21, when you bought that green goby at the begining, did him have problem eatng fish food at all? I don't mean the size of the food. I mean food in general. I had a yellow goby a long time ago and he wouldn't eat anything and it wasn't because of the size of the food. He was just not eat whatsoever. I wonder if green gobies and yellow gobies are some how different when it comes to eating... Yours looks really nice.

Lol awright but thats a nice set up in chamber 2 with the refugium idea to bad my bad wont let me open the hood b/c he is worried that i might get sick or something b/c its in my room.

[O-man21]

I never had a problem with him eating at all. He ate the second day I had him. He loves cyclop-eeze. He will probably eat 5 or 6 individual cyclop-eezes every time I feed it. Which is a lot for his size.

[nanoreef25]

do any of you guys use the CR3 skimmer i just bought one for my 29gal thats cycling and was wondering what the general opinion was i heard somthing about micro bubble hell and that made me a tad nervous.
:confused:

[Justinandkrista]

yea there cool thx for the pics. i want to get one

[ampemployee1]

jkrentz2515

I haven't added a skimmer yet. I took care of the bubbles by putting a small media bag from Chemipure in the second chamber where the intake for the third chamber is located.

[Endy0430]

Hey I started my own thread if you were following me here now u can find me the build.....

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1403028

[Justinandkrista]

anyone have ideas or suggestions about the stock fans. They're really loud.

[chrismunn]

i hate the stock fans! ive found that the orientation of them makes them cavitate. the fan that faces down and pulls air into the light housing is the one that seems to be the one that makes noise, at least on mine anyways. i flipped the fans 180 degrees and the same thing happend, the one that now faces down towards the water makes noise. i just unplugged the piece of garbage! it really makes me angry :D

my dilema is posted in my thread regarding my bc14 build found here

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1401995

does anybody know of some better quality fans that will fit in place of the old fans but use the same power supply?

[Justinandkrista]

I looked at the silenX 50/60 fans that are advertised on nanocustoms.com but they dont say much about them or sell them seperat. They do look like quality fans tho.

[Justinandkrista]

i wanna find one that i can just plug into the stock socket

[redwarrior77]

Hello everyone!

I just got my 14g biocube and haven't even added water yet. I've already removed the bioballs and the sponge with the pump and I'm planning on blocking off the bottom intake. Anything else I should do before starting to add water and livesand? I am also ordering 20lbs of live rock for it as well that should arrive within a few days, perhaps longer considering the holiday weekend.

So far, my plans are to add the sand, rock and saltwater and just let it cycle a while. Towards the end of the cycle I think I will add 2 of the koralia nano powerheads to get some better flow and some macroalgae and live rock rubble where the bioballs were. Any other ideas?

Thank you!

[vonodie1]

Is there a reason why you are blocking off the bottom intake?

[redwarrior77]

I'd like to force more intake through the top to allow for more surface skimming. Basically, everyone I've seen with one of these biocubes has done this, but I'm definitely open to other ideas!

[Justinandkrista]

i havent heard of that idea about blocking off the bottom intake. It wouldnt be a bad idea it woud double the flow through the top intake and that one is more useful for skimming.

[nanoreef25]

hey everyone i just set up my new 29 gal bc and its all stock with exception of the CR3 protien skimmer in the bio ball section but my temp is running high like 81+. i was wondering if any one knew a solution that didnt involve buying a 300$ chiller

[chrismunn]

yeah the temp in my bc14 goes up to 87 sometimes. im not sure what im going to do about that?

[MikePowell]

Does anyone have any good Mod ideas for the BC14? I will soon be a proud owner of one but would like to do every thing I can before I set it up so I don't have to fiddle with it later.

I know that there are alot of things I can do so lets hear them!

Also I have a 150w sunpod, MJ1200, and MJ 900.

[redwarrior77]

My new 14g Biocube...all ready for my water and rock to arrive!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/193139newtank.jpg
And my first tank inhabitant, looking pretty happy even without water!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/193139sharktank.jpg

Now I just need about 15g of water and about 20lbs of live rock and I'll be one happy camper! :cool:

[Acan Lord]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12866282#post12866282 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by redwarrior77
My new 14g Biocube...all ready for my water and rock to arrive!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/193139newtank.jpg
And my first tank inhabitant, looking pretty happy even without water!
http://reefcentral.com/gallery/data/500/193139sharktank.jpg

Now I just need about 15g of water and about 20lbs of live rock and I'll be one happy camper! :cool:
Ahh I remember starting mine. Funest part imo. You might not need 15 gallons though mine holds about 12-13 with rock and i only have 15lbs.

[redwarrior77]

I think I'm going to start my own tank build thread...we'll see how it goes. :rolleyes:

[HaKs310]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=12854476#post12854476 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Justinandkrista
I looked at the silenX 50/60 fans that are advertised on nanocustoms.com but they dont say much about them or sell them seperat. They do look like quality fans tho.

Are you talking about the ones that are optional on some of their retros? They sell'em separate at nanotuners.com