BioCube 29 Chambers

bdwpac81 · 07/23/2007, 06:04 PM

I am new to the saltwater/reef hobby and set up a 29 gallon Oceanic BioCube over the weekend.

So far, there are 30 lbs of cured live rock and 25 lbs of sand. I used prepared water from the fish store.

Here is my setup...

Chamber 1: Overflow
Chamber 2: Live rock rubble, Seagel, Purigen, Polyfilter, Filter floss.
Chamber 3: Return pump, sponge.

The water depth in the third chamber is too low for a 100 watt heater. I am not sure where else to place it besides in the display tank. I have heard of people removing the base in the first chamber but this seems to be difficult and I have not yet been successful.

Does anyone have suggestions regarding heater placement? Are there smaller heaters? Obviously, I would like everything to be out of the display tank if possible.

During the cycling process, what should I be doing other than replacing water and waiting? How soon should I test the water for pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates? When should I do the first water change? Should I keep the lights on or off?

Thanks for your help!
Brandon

aquarius77 · 07/23/2007, 06:11 PM

My girl has a BC 14g and i crammed a 100w heater behind the filter pad that comes with the tank in the first compartment. You could also raise the water level in the third chamber by adding more water to the tank and put the heater in there but i dont advise it. If you forget to top off your heater could get exposed.

During cycle there is not much to do but sit back and wait. Change water if you want too but your just spending money. Test in 3 days to a week to see where your at, you can test as much as you want to really. I would wait at least a month before you start to add stuff. Even if your ammonia, nitrite and nitrates are at 0 your tanks parameters such as alkalinity and calcium and PH will not be stable and will swing all over the place in that first month or two.

07/23/2007, 06:04 PM	#1
bdwpac81 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 14	BioCube 29 Chambers I am new to the saltwater/reef hobby and set up a 29 gallon Oceanic BioCube over the weekend. So far, there are 30 lbs of cured live rock and 25 lbs of sand. I used prepared water from the fish store. Here is my setup... Chamber 1: Overflow Chamber 2: Live rock rubble, Seagel, Purigen, Polyfilter, Filter floss. Chamber 3: Return pump, sponge. The water depth in the third chamber is too low for a 100 watt heater. I am not sure where else to place it besides in the display tank. I have heard of people removing the base in the first chamber but this seems to be difficult and I have not yet been successful. Does anyone have suggestions regarding heater placement? Are there smaller heaters? Obviously, I would like everything to be out of the display tank if possible. During the cycling process, what should I be doing other than replacing water and waiting? How soon should I test the water for pH, ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates? When should I do the first water change? Should I keep the lights on or off? Thanks for your help! Brandon

07/23/2007, 06:11 PM	#2
aquarius77 Moved On Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Highland, Il Posts: 2,198	My girl has a BC 14g and i crammed a 100w heater behind the filter pad that comes with the tank in the first compartment. You could also raise the water level in the third chamber by adding more water to the tank and put the heater in there but i dont advise it. If you forget to top off your heater could get exposed. During cycle there is not much to do but sit back and wait. Change water if you want too but your just spending money. Test in 3 days to a week to see where your at, you can test as much as you want to really. I would wait at least a month before you start to add stuff. Even if your ammonia, nitrite and nitrates are at 0 your tanks parameters such as alkalinity and calcium and PH will not be stable and will swing all over the place in that first month or two.