Just bought a 14 gal oceanic biocube as my first attempt at Saltwater

rtrecost · 01/22/2008, 12:17 PM

Has anyone had any experience with these and if so what do you recommend and what issues if any have you had with it.

Sk8r · 01/22/2008, 12:20 PM

Welcome!
Should be good.
Very first thing---see the two threads with a * symbol at the top of the thread list?
Read those two threads and it will save you a bundle of both money and grief. It tells you how, why, why not, and bunches of info that will make sure this new 'cube of yours goes right the first time.
Read those, and come back with questions. We'll be happy to answer.

jsr · 01/22/2008, 12:25 PM

I had one and just gave it to a friend. In the first year I had a ballast and fan go out. I just called Oceanic and they sent a new ballast, no questions asked. Great service. As for the fans, I just pulled both out and replaced them with some better ones I got at Fry's. Other then that, it was a great little tank.

dileggi · 01/22/2008, 12:30 PM

My first suggestion...listen to sk8r. I've taken his advice numerous times.

As for the biocube, I currently have the 29. I think the set up is slightly different, but for the most part, still close enough.

Some of the things that I did were, obviously, add a heater. I also purchased the oceanic skimmer that was desinged to fit into the bio cube. I'm just not sure where it fits on the 14. On my 29g, it goes in the first chamber.

Another important thing is to get rid of the bio balls that come with the tank and fill that compartment with some live rock and/or live rock rubble. I had a terrible time keeping my nitrates down with the bio balls. I'm having much much better luck with the live rock in there.

I also found it necessary to add an additional power head for flow. I purchaed the Koralia1. That along with the flow from the return on the sump should be enough flow, of course depending on what you would like to keep.

dileggi · 01/22/2008, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by dileggi
My first suggestion...listen to sk8r. I've taken his advice numerous times.

As for the biocube, I currently have the 29. I think the set up is slightly different, but for the most part, still close enough.

Some of the things that I did were, obviously, add a heater. I also purchased the oceanic skimmer that was desinged to fit into the bio cube. I'm just not sure where it fits on the 14. On my 29g, it goes in the first chamber. I also added some filter floss, which I change weekly to the top of the overflow tray in the second compartment.

Another important thing is to get rid of the bio balls that come with the tank and fill that compartment with some live rock and/or live rock rubble. I had a terrible time keeping my nitrates down with the bio balls. I'm having much much better luck with the live rock in there.

I also found it necessary to add an additional power head for flow. I purchaed the Koralia1. That along with the flow from the return on the sump should be enough flow, of course depending on what you would like to keep.

Beanfish · 01/23/2008, 10:39 AM

Yes definately get those bio balls out of there. That's the only thing I changed on my bio cube...swap them out for live rock rubble. I also added a heater.

01/22/2008, 12:17 PM	#1
rtrecost Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 23	Just bought a 14 gal oceanic biocube as my first attempt at Saltwater Has anyone had any experience with these and if so what do you recommend and what issues if any have you had with it.

01/22/2008, 12:20 PM	#2
Sk8r RC Mod Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Spokane WA Posts: 34,628 Blog Entries: 55	Welcome! Should be good. Very first thing---see the two threads with a * symbol at the top of the thread list? Read those two threads and it will save you a bundle of both money and grief. It tells you how, why, why not, and bunches of info that will make sure this new 'cube of yours goes right the first time. Read those, and come back with questions. We'll be happy to answer. __________________ Sk8r Salinity 1.024-6; alkalinity 8.3-9.3 on KH scale; calcium 420; magnesium 1300, temp 78-80, nitrate .2. Ammonia 0. No filters: lps tank. Alk and cal won't rise if mg is low. Current Tank Info: 105g AquaVim wedge, yellow tang, sailfin blenny,royal gramma, ocellaris clown pair, yellow watchman, 100 microceriths, 25 tiny hermits, a 4" conch, 1" nassarius, recovering from 2 year hiatus with daily water change of 10%.

01/22/2008, 12:25 PM	#3
jsr Premium Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cedar Park, TX Posts: 409	I had one and just gave it to a friend. In the first year I had a ballast and fan go out. I just called Oceanic and they sent a new ballast, no questions asked. Great service. As for the fans, I just pulled both out and replaced them with some better ones I got at Fry's. Other then that, it was a great little tank. __________________ Just my grain of salt... Current Tank Info: 135G Oceanic Mixed, 4 x 140W VHO, Octopus NW200, 3 x Koralia 4's, 30G Sump, 140# Live Rock, 120# Live Sand, ATO

01/22/2008, 12:30 PM	#4
dileggi Premium Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: S. Philly PA Posts: 1,171	My first suggestion...listen to sk8r. I've taken his advice numerous times. As for the biocube, I currently have the 29. I think the set up is slightly different, but for the most part, still close enough. Some of the things that I did were, obviously, add a heater. I also purchased the oceanic skimmer that was desinged to fit into the bio cube. I'm just not sure where it fits on the 14. On my 29g, it goes in the first chamber. Another important thing is to get rid of the bio balls that come with the tank and fill that compartment with some live rock and/or live rock rubble. I had a terrible time keeping my nitrates down with the bio balls. I'm having much much better luck with the live rock in there. I also found it necessary to add an additional power head for flow. I purchaed the Koralia1. That along with the flow from the return on the sump should be enough flow, of course depending on what you would like to keep. __________________ Eric "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled, was convincing the world he didn't exist." - Usual Suspects Current Tank Info: 90g w/30g sump; skimmer; 2x175w MH & 2x super white actinic...3g w/.5g fuge 1x150w MH Viper

01/23/2008, 10:39 AM	#6
Beanfish Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Imperial, MO Posts: 121	Yes definately get those bio balls out of there. That's the only thing I changed on my bio cube...swap them out for live rock rubble. I also added a heater.