BioCube 29 Question

MelbaToasty · 10/06/2010, 06:03 PM

I just got a new BioCube 29 for a second tank. I was installing the protien skimmer and the instructions say to remove the filter cartridge and hang the skimmer in its place. Doing so will prevent me from putting the cartridge back in its designated slot.

When you add a protien skimmer, do you no longer need the mechanical filtration? Thanks.

neoalchemist74 · 10/06/2010, 06:57 PM

I'm not sure that skimmer is worth it. It looks to small to be affective to me. so I say try it and see, but add a bag of good quality carbon to the overflow chamber or the return chamber. The carbon is the biggest benefit of those cartridges any way.

MelbaToasty · 10/06/2010, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the reply. I just liked that the skimmer fits cleanly in the return chamber. It is air powered and does look a bit chincy.

If I were to put a bag of carbon in there, do I treat it like a cartridge and change it every 3 to 4 weeks? Thanks again.

Raggamuffin · 10/06/2010, 07:21 PM

I own one of those tanks, take a bit of advice and either chuck that skimmer or save it for use in a very low load hospital tank or QT. The media basket itself is not horrid but you will be better served if not using a sump or fuge to get a tunze 9002 skimmer. They fit tight but perfectly in the back middle chamber. You can either deal with the cup being a pain to adjust or buy a $15 special cup for it that is square and made for the BC29.

P.S. Used tunze 9002's are available alot because it is a dang good skimmer for small tanks as well as relitively cheap ($50 - $75 used) then folks upgrade to bigger tanks where it becomes worthless.

MelbaToasty · 10/06/2010, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raggamuffin

I own one of those tanks, take a bit of advice and either chuck that skimmer or save it for use in a very low load hospital tank or QT

Thanks for the advice. I bought the BioCube so I can convert my 10 gallon to a proper/sterile QT. On your advice, I'll try it out in the QT. I got the skimmer dirt cheap so I am not too worried about it either way.

I am not going to retro a fuge or sump at this time. You mentioned that you put that skimmer in the second chamber. Does that mean you removed the Bio Balls?

10/06/2010, 06:03 PM	#1
MelbaToasty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 54	BioCube 29 Question I just got a new BioCube 29 for a second tank. I was installing the protien skimmer and the instructions say to remove the filter cartridge and hang the skimmer in its place. Doing so will prevent me from putting the cartridge back in its designated slot. When you add a protien skimmer, do you no longer need the mechanical filtration? Thanks.

10/06/2010, 06:57 PM	#2
neoalchemist74 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Longmont Colorado Posts: 627	I'm not sure that skimmer is worth it. It looks to small to be affective to me. so I say try it and see, but add a bag of good quality carbon to the overflow chamber or the return chamber. The carbon is the biggest benefit of those cartridges any way. __________________ You have two ears and one mouth, so you should listen twice as much as you talk. Current Tank Info: in progress

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10/06/2010, 07:13 PM	#3
MelbaToasty Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 54	Thanks for the reply. I just liked that the skimmer fits cleanly in the return chamber. It is air powered and does look a bit chincy. If I were to put a bag of carbon in there, do I treat it like a cartridge and change it every 3 to 4 weeks? Thanks again.

10/06/2010, 07:21 PM	#4
Raggamuffin Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Brandon SD. Posts: 541	I own one of those tanks, take a bit of advice and either chuck that skimmer or save it for use in a very low load hospital tank or QT. The media basket itself is not horrid but you will be better served if not using a sump or fuge to get a tunze 9002 skimmer. They fit tight but perfectly in the back middle chamber. You can either deal with the cup being a pain to adjust or buy a $15 special cup for it that is square and made for the BC29. P.S. Used tunze 9002's are available alot because it is a dang good skimmer for small tanks as well as relitively cheap ($50 - $75 used) then folks upgrade to bigger tanks where it becomes worthless.