Biocube Beginner

spearmynt · 01/26/2014, 12:38 AM

Hello all, this is my first saltwater tank and first fish tank in more than 15 years. I have it all set up and am going to give the live rock and the water about a month before I start putting fish in. I just wanted to know what you guys think I might need to add to make it better. As of now I have a 50G heater, and am using the provided filter with the Biocube. Ive got 8 lbs of live rock in there. Should I go out and immediately grab a protein skimmer? Add more rock? Different pump? Or should I just go as is for awhile.

nlgill13 · 01/26/2014, 12:44 AM

What are you looking to have in your tank?

Protein skimmer is a good idea.

spearmynt · 01/26/2014, 08:00 PM

Just a few fish and some hermits maybe a shrimp or 2

mattack · 01/26/2014, 08:46 PM

What size cube I just started one to I have about 26 lb of rock and 40 lbs live sand my cube is 29. I'm using the middle chamber a fuge and biocube skimmer 2 hydro 425 powerheads. Been going good so far best of luck

spearmynt · 01/27/2014, 07:02 PM

I have a 29 too, I'm using a wave maker, bio cube skimmer. What's a fuge and power head?

Crna · 01/27/2014, 07:28 PM

Power heads in this case are circulation pumps used to increase flow in your tank. Mattack is using hydor koralia 425's. That's my guess, anyway. A fuge is used for natural filtration in your tank. It's usually comprised of macro algae with a light, and possibly live rock rubble. The macro algae consumes nutrients to grow, which filters the water. They are a popular component of a lot of people's sumps. Some people really cultivate them, even using small mangroves. For us, I have a BC29 too, the back three chambers are our sump.
Spearmynt, it depends on which size biocube that you have. Most people do choose to add power heads, and to upgrade the return pump. The cobalt mj900 and 1200 are popular return pumps that fit in the back of biocubes. There are several protein skimmers that are popular, but as a heads up, the biocube skimmer doesn't seem to work well based on reviews. Definitely check out the nano forum here, there is tons of great info from really knowledgable people!

mattack · 01/27/2014, 08:34 PM

Fuge was exactly what I did in the middle chamber the bio cube skimmer has worked ok I may upgrade at some point . Yes those the pumps I have the 425 s .with the return pump have you found the one that came with the cube to not be enough?

boosted_347 · 01/27/2014, 11:06 PM

I've HEARD that the biocube skimmer is really not that great, so I chose not to use that. That being said, I've had my 29g biocube up and running now for about a year and a half with no major issues. Regular testing and weekly water changes keep everything in line. I use purigen also. Again... This is just what I've heard, and my experience so far. Good luck!!

spearmynt · 01/30/2014, 10:54 PM

So I added in 3 hermit crabs kind of early and its been 3 days and so far there doing good. Ive got the tank right at 80 degrees, salt level is good. I have a test kit in the mail for the rest of the stuff. Biocube skimmer as well, Ill use it for now.

01/26/2014, 12:38 AM	#1
spearmynt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 73	Biocube Beginner Hello all, this is my first saltwater tank and first fish tank in more than 15 years. I have it all set up and am going to give the live rock and the water about a month before I start putting fish in. I just wanted to know what you guys think I might need to add to make it better. As of now I have a 50G heater, and am using the provided filter with the Biocube. Ive got 8 lbs of live rock in there. Should I go out and immediately grab a protein skimmer? Add more rock? Different pump? Or should I just go as is for awhile.

01/26/2014, 12:44 AM	#2
nlgill13 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Boulder,CO Posts: 1,291	What are you looking to have in your tank? Protein skimmer is a good idea. __________________ 90G DT w/ 30G sump, 2 Apollo SolarBlast Dimmable LEDs, 160 Reef Octopus Extreme, Neptune Apex, Mag 7, MP10 & MP40

01/27/2014, 07:28 PM	#6
Crna Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Columbia, SC Posts: 246	Power heads in this case are circulation pumps used to increase flow in your tank. Mattack is using hydor koralia 425's. That's my guess, anyway. A fuge is used for natural filtration in your tank. It's usually comprised of macro algae with a light, and possibly live rock rubble. The macro algae consumes nutrients to grow, which filters the water. They are a popular component of a lot of people's sumps. Some people really cultivate them, even using small mangroves. For us, I have a BC29 too, the back three chambers are our sump. Spearmynt, it depends on which size biocube that you have. Most people do choose to add power heads, and to upgrade the return pump. The cobalt mj900 and 1200 are popular return pumps that fit in the back of biocubes. There are several protein skimmers that are popular, but as a heads up, the biocube skimmer doesn't seem to work well based on reviews. Definitely check out the nano forum here, there is tons of great info from really knowledgable people! __________________ ......Brian......

01/26/2014, 08:00 PM	#3
spearmynt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 73	Just a few fish and some hermits maybe a shrimp or 2

01/26/2014, 08:46 PM	#4
mattack Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 85	What size cube I just started one to I have about 26 lb of rock and 40 lbs live sand my cube is 29. I'm using the middle chamber a fuge and biocube skimmer 2 hydro 425 powerheads. Been going good so far best of luck

01/27/2014, 07:02 PM	#5
spearmynt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 73	I have a 29 too, I'm using a wave maker, bio cube skimmer. What's a fuge and power head?

01/27/2014, 08:34 PM	#7
mattack Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 85	Fuge was exactly what I did in the middle chamber the bio cube skimmer has worked ok I may upgrade at some point . Yes those the pumps I have the 425 s .with the return pump have you found the one that came with the cube to not be enough?

01/27/2014, 11:06 PM	#8
boosted_347 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Shawnee, KS Posts: 99	I've HEARD that the biocube skimmer is really not that great, so I chose not to use that. That being said, I've had my 29g biocube up and running now for about a year and a half with no major issues. Regular testing and weekly water changes keep everything in line. I use purigen also. Again... This is just what I've heard, and my experience so far. Good luck!!

01/30/2014, 10:54 PM	#9
spearmynt Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 73	So I added in 3 hermit crabs kind of early and its been 3 days and so far there doing good. Ive got the tank right at 80 degrees, salt level is good. I have a test kit in the mail for the rest of the stuff. Biocube skimmer as well, Ill use it for now.