Trying to setup my new Biocube 14

[PermaNoob]

Hi everyone. I'm new to all of this and am trying to setup my Biocube. I have everything here in front of me that was in the box, but there are no instructions. The aquarium box was an open floor model so hopefully they had everything in there.

Few questions?

[list=1]
Where does this blue sponge go?
Seems like everyone says to ditch the charcoal, but should I do that right away or wait for the sand to settle after setting it up?
Should I put in the maxijet900 right away or wait for the sand to settle?
You can tell I'm worried about the sand settling...... any way to speed this part up?
[/list=1]

Any other tips/tricks?

[manhorsedog]

this is how i would do it.

1. Add mj900 pump and hook up (but dont turn on :P )
2. put sand in tank
3. add rock (make sure you can get flow to as much rock as you can)
4. add water slowly not to stir sand (dont pour water onto sand and you should be good)
5. Turn on

i would take everything out of the back two chambers untill the tank has cycled, then either add carbon or sponge. Also go to this site http://www.discount-pumps.biz/pond-lights.htm and buy one of the "Halogen fountain light for tabletop fountains (submersible only)" with a ball of chaeto to put in chamber 2.

I highly recommend timers for your lights and the little fishy nano glass cleaner (magnet)

[chitownclown]

First ditch the blue sponge, buy some filter floss and put it in the first chamber and start the pump.

Let this go for a day and then add your powerhead and turn in it on.

Let everything settle out and then remove the floss and stick the carbon in and start the cycle.

Also make sure you check your powerhead after everything settkes just to be on the safe side.

[goldenmacman]

1. NONO dont ditch the blue sponge.. that goes in the 3rd chamber all the way on the left, at the bottom right there is a slot for it
2. No clue, what ever you like
3. either, doesnt really matter.. id put lr in there first tho
4. use a soucer plate, that helps.. and let it settle and dont put the powerhead facing the sand, in other words dont let the water flow hit the sand dirctly

[chitownclown]

DITCH THE SPONGE, this will become a nitrate factory over time and cause nothing but problems, You can use filter floss in the area the sponge went, but this will have to be changed weekly.

If not running a fuge in the back of the system, I would remove the bio balls and sponge and put some live rock back there and just use the filter pad before the sump area.

The filter floss will catch all the sand derius from the start up and can easily be replace.

[manhorsedog]

dont run carbon during cycle

[chitownclown]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=14005595#post14005595 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by manhorsedog
dont run carbon during cycle

Running carbon during the cycle is okay to do it does nothing scrubb the water of the cloudly look and remove any heavy meatals that were in the sand during packaging

[PermaNoob]

Thanks folks. I know that long term I'll be running a fuge in the back with some rubble as well. Right now my main concern is getting this clear enough so I can do my rock work. It's really fine sand. After starting to read these I went ahead and started doing everything. I should have done sand, rockwork then water, but instead did sand, water uh clouds :( .

On a positive note, I was able to ditch that horrible 90 deg elbow that goes to the pump return. I had a piece of 1/2" rubber hose that I ran from the pump but it was the same size as the whole in the bulkhead, so I cut off a piece of garden hose to use as a join. Gotta remember to get a new garden hose before spring.

[manhorsedog]

honestly man i would take the sand out if it is to fine. That will just be a hassle i think and at this stage its not to late to get some new sand.

[PermaNoob]

Woke up this morning to a clear tank. Whew!

I'm sure most of you may be chuckling saying to yourself of course it takes time, but hey, it's my first time lol.

Thanks for all the advice.