View Full Version : Coralife 29g biocube - Return pump? What to do with rear chambers?
homebrewdude
11/15/2015, 07:42 PM
I bought a used Biocube 29gal.
It has a Mag 5 return pump, too much pump for this tank.
What are people running? I want something quiet and I will add a powerhead to the display.
What can I run in the rear chambers? I have this large black sponge that I don't know where it goes.
Also a shelf? Tray? I think it just snaps on top?
I think I want to run some floss or something until the tank is established.
Not sure I want a skimmer, might try skimmerless.
I have lots of sand and rock, and only planning two fish.
homer1475
11/16/2015, 05:38 AM
I upgraded my return to a Sicce syncra 1.5, super quiet and pushes just a tad bit more water, which is perfect for me since splitting the return with loc-line it needs a bit more power.
The back chambers:
Best bet is to take everything out(all false bottoms, upper trays, bioballs, sponges including the one in the little pocket between the second and third chambers), get an InTank media basket and run what you want. Mine currently from first to last, Aquaticlife 115 skimmer(first chamber), Intank media rack and mj1200 pump for the reactor, ATO return, and dosing pump lines(second chambers), return pump, heater, reactor return, and various probes(third chamber).
In my media rack I use filter floss, chemipure and/or purigen(this depends on what I'm trying to accomplish with chemical filtration), and seachem matrix media for my QT. I use to run carbon in the bottom, but since installing the reactor, I run carbon in that instead.
homebrewdude
11/16/2015, 07:52 AM
I was digging through some old boxes and found a MJ1200. Going to swap out the Mag pump tonight.
I am planning on running a reactor. I have on old tree fishes. Not sure I trust it from leaking since I have no sump.
homebrewdude
11/16/2015, 07:54 AM
How loud is the skimmer compared to the pumps? I am avoiding the skimmer due to noise. I will empty out the rear chambers, I think there is just sponges. I want to run floss or something while the tank cycles to get rid of debris.
I have a decent depth sand bed and large porous rock. I can also add more rubble in chamber 2 instead of a skimmer.
Amatuer21
11/16/2015, 08:35 AM
How loud is the skimmer compared to the pumps? I am avoiding the skimmer due to noise. I will empty out the rear chambers, I think there is just sponges. I want to run floss or something while the tank cycles to get rid of debris.
I have a decent depth sand bed and large porous rock. I can also add more rubble in chamber 2 instead of a skimmer.
Not to sure if rubble rock will be benifical to your setup. Flow is slower in the back and the rubble may cause a trap for detris. Give some chateo a try with a cheap cfl bulb.
homer1475
11/16/2015, 08:36 AM
The AL115 skimmer is absolutely silent. I did have a small air sucking noise, but I ran the air intake outside for fresh air and can't hear it at all.
Rubble in chamber 2 is asking for a nitrate factory, unless you take it out weekly and clean it off, and suck out the detritus
homebrewdude
11/16/2015, 08:37 AM
Maybe I will add the skimmer to m future list
soulpatch
11/16/2015, 08:44 AM
Any skimmer will have a slight amount of noise due to the sucking of air and the bubbling. many employ mufflers and tight lids to keep it minimal but it does exist.
A lot of people with the cube 29 go with aquaticlife 115 and I am looking to swap from my aquamaxx hob to the new aquamaxx in sump option that they have.
If you are looking for a new reactor many of us run the BRS reactors.
soulpatch
11/16/2015, 08:45 AM
Not to sure if rubble rock will be benifical to your setup. Flow is slower in the back and the rubble may cause a trap for detris. Give some chateo a try with a cheap cfl bulb.
I made this mistake and still need to get a few pieces out of my rear.
homebrewdude
11/16/2015, 09:00 AM
I was looking at the BRS unit. Need to relook at the old one I have.
ReefWreak
11/16/2015, 09:06 AM
Yeah, I like clean with nothing in the back but a skimmer. Siphon out detritus that settles there, and that's about it.
Soulpatch, does that aquamaxx fit in the back chambers? With a hood on? I'm always looking for something new to spend the $$$ on!
soulpatch
11/16/2015, 10:07 AM
Yeah, I like clean with nothing in the back but a skimmer. Siphon out detritus that settles there, and that's about it.
Soulpatch, does that aquamaxx fit in the back chambers? With a hood on? I'm always looking for something new to spend the $$$ on!
I have no clue yet. I need to measure. I dont think it would fit in the first chamber. I will try to remember to measure tonight as I might be ordering it in with some other items if black friday deals are legit again this year.
ReefWreak
11/16/2015, 10:34 AM
Yeah, if I don't end up buying a new tube amp for my speakers, then I'll probably treat myself during black friday sales to a new vortech. The only thing I need in the hobby now are time, flow, and maybe new lights. Still diagnosing my STN. Fortunately it's slow tissue necrosis and not rapid tissue necrosis, so time is on my side.
homebrewdude
11/16/2015, 11:13 AM
Thoughts on this for the display flow?
Jebao RW-4
soulpatch
11/16/2015, 03:32 PM
Probably need more then a single rw4. I had to add a gyre 130.
Reef- I will be trying to get rock, sp6, plumbing, reactor, and perhaps a dos and wav if they have decent sale
homebrewdude
11/16/2015, 08:19 PM
Pulled out the old pump and trays from the back area.
The section 1 crate is stuck in? Can I still take this one out?
Cut the lid for LED access and caulked the LED fixture on.
Did not have any tubing to install MJ1200 tonight.
homebrewdude
12/01/2015, 05:09 PM
Installed the Sicce 1 and it is real quite now.
Also added RW-4
Flow seems good for what I want in the tank
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