RFD
Reefing newb
Can anyone out there help with the proper set up of a 14gal Bio cube. I'm not sure if the bioballs are needed, do i need a stronger pump, what is the peoper setup for each chamber etc. All advice welcome.
Newbie Setting up BIOCUBE
- Thread starter RFD
- Start date
dustin_P74
Reef enthusiast
id take the bio balls out, youll need atleast one more powerhead in the tank for water movement, and i suggest you get a better set of lights so you can keep corals in your tank later on
RFD
Reefing newb
Great I have another head I can place in the tank- what do you mean by better lights
daugherty
part time reefer
like t'5s or more pc lights or a mh light
dustin_P74
Reef enthusiast
stonger lighting, the basic lighting that comes in the biocube is very weak and can barely sustain soft corals at best, id suggest taking the hood off and putting a set of t-5's on there, also taking the hood off will allow for better heat exchange so the water doesnt get too hot and also will allow you to use a better skimmer
RFD
Reefing newb
Skimmer was just the item they were seling me to remove large particals
Bifferwine
I am a girl
It is the opposite. The skimmer removes small microscopic organic particles; it really doesn't do anything for small particles.
As it is now, you can set it up with the original lights, no problem. You will just be limited to keeping low light corals, since the Bio Cube's standard lights aren't strong enough to keep most corals.
I would also recommend removing the bioballs. You can fill that chamber instead with live rock rubble. I also recommend 1 to 2 lbs of live rock per gallon of the tank, so about 15 to 30 pounds should be good for your tank.
You'll have to let it cycle for several weeks before you can add any fish. And then, you are limited to one to two small fish in a tank that size.
As it is now, you can set it up with the original lights, no problem. You will just be limited to keeping low light corals, since the Bio Cube's standard lights aren't strong enough to keep most corals.
I would also recommend removing the bioballs. You can fill that chamber instead with live rock rubble. I also recommend 1 to 2 lbs of live rock per gallon of the tank, so about 15 to 30 pounds should be good for your tank.
You'll have to let it cycle for several weeks before you can add any fish. And then, you are limited to one to two small fish in a tank that size.
RFD
Reefing newb
Thanks- I removed the bioballs and filled chamber two with 1LBS of fragments - used a few bioballs to fill in the top. Having a really hard time placing the live rock- i have filled each side of the tank with rock and creates an excellent bridge between the two areas. This has left a large cave in the rear of the tank and approx 1/4 of the front of tank empty for flexibility when i start to set up the coral. I guess it is not an exact science but most of the photos i see the live rock is in the center built like a volcano- does that matter?
I realize I an limited but my idea was to take some low lying mushroom at the top and some soft tenticl and finger coral at the bottom to fill i the top.
Can you recommend a show piece type coral for the center of the tank that will survive in the cave portion of the tank but not overwhelm the entire tank.
I realize I an limited but my idea was to take some low lying mushroom at the top and some soft tenticl and finger coral at the bottom to fill i the top.
Can you recommend a show piece type coral for the center of the tank that will survive in the cave portion of the tank but not overwhelm the entire tank.
yote
In Memoriam
You could put a sun coral in the cave because their nonphotosynthetic.
But they require spot feeding of each polyp.
But they require spot feeding of each polyp.
RFD
Reefing newb
That sweet feeding may be an issue what can i do just leave in some brine for it
dustin_P74
Reef enthusiast
youd have to spot feed it
Bifferwine
I am a girl
If you are unable to dedicate time every day to hand feed each individual polyp, you shouldn't keep a sun coral. Very few people can give that coral the attention it needs to do well.
sen5241b
Reef enthusiast
I have the biocube and I strongly recommend you take the LR out of chamber 2 and put it in the main display. Putting it back there accomplishes little or nothing.
I took a razor and carefully scraped the black paint off the back wall over chamber 2. Then I put 2 15 watt Halogen bulbs 2 inches from the glass. (Halogens are not the best choice because they generate too much heat --try a 30 watt plant light). I filled chamber 2 with a big chunk of chaeto --my nitrates dropped to zero. I also have chemipure in the bottom of chamber 2 weighed down by a small piece of rock. Where the water flows into chamber 2 I have a piece of floss to get more crud out. I replaced the stock pump in chamber 3 with a RIO and added loc-lines on the output to direct flow in 2 directions --one with a rotating spout. I eliminated the elbow in chamber 3 to increase flow. I also put a Koralia 1 in the main display that pushes water under the rock. I recommend getting a 30G powerhead instead of the Koralia though becuase the Koralias are big and ugly. I have the cheap Oceanic biocube skimmer and its not the greatest but it will get some crud out.
I left the top and bottom grates in chamber 2. I knocked out the false bottom in chamber 1 by cutting the black silicone with a kitchen knife and put the heater in there.
The stock lights are not enough to do advanced corals so you might want to upgrade eventually.
I took a razor and carefully scraped the black paint off the back wall over chamber 2. Then I put 2 15 watt Halogen bulbs 2 inches from the glass. (Halogens are not the best choice because they generate too much heat --try a 30 watt plant light). I filled chamber 2 with a big chunk of chaeto --my nitrates dropped to zero. I also have chemipure in the bottom of chamber 2 weighed down by a small piece of rock. Where the water flows into chamber 2 I have a piece of floss to get more crud out. I replaced the stock pump in chamber 3 with a RIO and added loc-lines on the output to direct flow in 2 directions --one with a rotating spout. I eliminated the elbow in chamber 3 to increase flow. I also put a Koralia 1 in the main display that pushes water under the rock. I recommend getting a 30G powerhead instead of the Koralia though becuase the Koralias are big and ugly. I have the cheap Oceanic biocube skimmer and its not the greatest but it will get some crud out.
I left the top and bottom grates in chamber 2. I knocked out the false bottom in chamber 1 by cutting the black silicone with a kitchen knife and put the heater in there.
The stock lights are not enough to do advanced corals so you might want to upgrade eventually.
mng777777
Shark Wrangler Wannabe
I have a dendro which is similar to the sun coral. Everyone here is right! If you dont feed it daily, it won't live long in your tank. It's not difficult, but it has to be done! I bought one of these at my LFS: http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+4430+13943&pcatid=13943
I feed once every day and on days when I'm home while the lights are still on, I will usually feed twice. It only takes 30 seconds, but it has to be done!
