Best biocube 29 filter setup?

MTF7 · 07/30/2014, 08:45 PM

first off i have a biocube 29 and i currently have a media rack, and then i have some LRR in the rest of the 2nd chamber. either way i am tossing the LRR or putting it into my display, i have and still plan to run purigen and chemi pure. I guess my tank is sorta in neglect i still do weekly water changes but at the moment i only have some filter sponge ( acting as filter floss) and a like a 3 month old bag of chemi-pure elite no purigen, i just havent been able to find any around me and haven't gone to ordering online yet. anyone try the chemi pure blue yet?

my question is with my size tank do i need a skimmer to replace the LRR in my 2nd chamber? i sorta have 3 options after removing the LRR
1. add skimmer
2. add chaeto and a light
3. add a Mini GFO reactor ( yes i have found one that fits in the 2nd chamber)

I do have an algae problem i change water every week which i have for 3 months now and i have seen a huge improvement in it but it all has not died off. i hope that addition of chemi pure and purigen ( changing every 3-4 months) not every 5-7 will help but i also feel like it wont because I started the tank with the chemi and purigen and it was going a good 4 months algae free and then the algae came even with the chemi and purigen. so if anyone could give me some ideas or answers i have also thought of doing magnesium doses too.

AngelandNathan · 07/30/2014, 10:00 PM

we also have a biocube29 and use the InTank products. We have so far been unsuccessful in keeping chaeto in the back chamber with a jbj nano-glow fuge light. I was thinking about trying a skimmer myself. A lot of biocube owners use the tunze 9002 skimmer or the aquatic life 115. I think my next purchase will be the tunze. BTW depending on your bioload you'll most likely need to change your chemipure more often than the manufacturer recommends.

IndyMatt · 07/31/2014, 06:47 AM

Okay this has worked for me after buying a neglected Biocube29 that had hair algae all over the liverock.

1. I used a toothbrush to scrub the rocks nearly clean of the hair algae. I used the water change water to wash liverock off after the scrubbing the get the little hair algae pieces off.

2. Purchased a ESHOPPS Skimmer that was rated for a 100 Gallon Tank:
http://premiumaquatics.com/products/...100g-tank.html

3. I am currently running Phosguard, Activated Carbon, Purigen between the second and third chamber (bubble trap area).

4. Growing Chaeto in the Second Chamber with an LEDs.

5. Added a nice big CUC from reefcleaners

6. Replaced the MH bulb. I had no idea how old the last one was.

Now the protein skimmer is great but it is debateable whether you need one at all with weekly water changes. The green sludge in the skimmer cup begs to differ but who knows.

To me the biggest changes that had the most effect was the cleanup crew, skimmer, and new bulb.

The rocks are nearly picked clean of hair algae. I did decide to remove one piece of liverock as it was a loss cause in my opinion. As part of the CUC i got an emerald crab. This guy is a machine! He has tore through the hair algae like it is his JOB.

Anyway my tank looks much better with these changes. I also only have two clowns that are fed very sparingly.

MidMichiganReef · 07/31/2014, 08:29 AM

Back in the day I had an unmodifed 29g BC. I put a CPR skimmer in chamber 2 and loved it. That would be my recommendation.

sdch1000 · 08/01/2014, 02:22 PM

I had a DIY setup for a light and chaeto, to be honest I don't think that small amount of macro algae was effective at all. The biggest problem was when the algae breaks it would get into the return pump and get stuck. After a while everything mysteriously went slimy black and died off. Video here shows my chamber setup.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-tN4...mWOyzJFC_uiSMQ

Tinpanva · 08/02/2014, 08:55 AM

I have a 29bc as well, I use the intank media and my setup. Chamber 1 - probes and in and out for HOB skimmer. Chamber 2 - over water director into top of media rack. Filter floss top shelf, purigen second shelf, and bag of carbon and bag of rowaphos on bottom shelf. I also have the fuge rack where I have a ball of chaeto growing under leds, Chamber 3 has the return pump (MJ1200) photo eye for ATO and dosing lines. Tank is 2 yrs old and mixed reef. Doing awesome.

07/30/2014, 08:45 PM	#1
MTF7 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Illinois Posts: 285	Best biocube 29 filter setup? first off i have a biocube 29 and i currently have a media rack, and then i have some LRR in the rest of the 2nd chamber. either way i am tossing the LRR or putting it into my display, i have and still plan to run purigen and chemi pure. I guess my tank is sorta in neglect i still do weekly water changes but at the moment i only have some filter sponge ( acting as filter floss) and a like a 3 month old bag of chemi-pure elite no purigen, i just havent been able to find any around me and haven't gone to ordering online yet. anyone try the chemi pure blue yet? my question is with my size tank do i need a skimmer to replace the LRR in my 2nd chamber? i sorta have 3 options after removing the LRR 1. add skimmer 2. add chaeto and a light 3. add a Mini GFO reactor ( yes i have found one that fits in the 2nd chamber) I do have an algae problem i change water every week which i have for 3 months now and i have seen a huge improvement in it but it all has not died off. i hope that addition of chemi pure and purigen ( changing every 3-4 months) not every 5-7 will help but i also feel like it wont because I started the tank with the chemi and purigen and it was going a good 4 months algae free and then the algae came even with the chemi and purigen. so if anyone could give me some ideas or answers i have also thought of doing magnesium doses too.

07/31/2014, 08:29 AM	#4
MidMichiganReef Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 217	Back in the day I had an unmodifed 29g BC. I put a CPR skimmer in chamber 2 and loved it. That would be my recommendation. __________________ Completely modified 29g Biocube. Drilled with sump, RapidLed dimmable retro fit kit, mp10wes x 2, all controlled by Apex Neptune. Build your tank your way.

07/30/2014, 10:00 PM	#2
AngelandNathan Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Clearwater Posts: 77	we also have a biocube29 and use the InTank products. We have so far been unsuccessful in keeping chaeto in the back chamber with a jbj nano-glow fuge light. I was thinking about trying a skimmer myself. A lot of biocube owners use the tunze 9002 skimmer or the aquatic life 115. I think my next purchase will be the tunze. BTW depending on your bioload you'll most likely need to change your chemipure more often than the manufacturer recommends.

07/31/2014, 06:47 AM	#3
IndyMatt Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Indy Posts: 568	Okay this has worked for me after buying a neglected Biocube29 that had hair algae all over the liverock. 1. I used a toothbrush to scrub the rocks nearly clean of the hair algae. I used the water change water to wash liverock off after the scrubbing the get the little hair algae pieces off. 2. Purchased a ESHOPPS Skimmer that was rated for a 100 Gallon Tank: http://premiumaquatics.com/products/...100g-tank.html 3. I am currently running Phosguard, Activated Carbon, Purigen between the second and third chamber (bubble trap area). 4. Growing Chaeto in the Second Chamber with an LEDs. 5. Added a nice big CUC from reefcleaners 6. Replaced the MH bulb. I had no idea how old the last one was. Now the protein skimmer is great but it is debateable whether you need one at all with weekly water changes. The green sludge in the skimmer cup begs to differ but who knows. To me the biggest changes that had the most effect was the cleanup crew, skimmer, and new bulb. The rocks are nearly picked clean of hair algae. I did decide to remove one piece of liverock as it was a loss cause in my opinion. As part of the CUC i got an emerald crab. This guy is a machine! He has tore through the hair algae like it is his JOB. Anyway my tank looks much better with these changes. I also only have two clowns that are fed very sparingly.

08/01/2014, 02:22 PM	#5
sdch1000 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 12	I had a DIY setup for a light and chaeto, to be honest I don't think that small amount of macro algae was effective at all. The biggest problem was when the algae breaks it would get into the return pump and get stuck. After a while everything mysteriously went slimy black and died off. Video here shows my chamber setup. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-tN4...mWOyzJFC_uiSMQ

08/02/2014, 08:55 AM	#6
Tinpanva Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Central Virginia Posts: 254	I have a 29bc as well, I use the intank media and my setup. Chamber 1 - probes and in and out for HOB skimmer. Chamber 2 - over water director into top of media rack. Filter floss top shelf, purigen second shelf, and bag of carbon and bag of rowaphos on bottom shelf. I also have the fuge rack where I have a ball of chaeto growing under leds, Chamber 3 has the return pump (MJ1200) photo eye for ATO and dosing lines. Tank is 2 yrs old and mixed reef. Doing awesome.