Bio Cube Owner's Thread - Page 16

2_zoa · 10/21/2008, 06:06 PM

Has any of you bio cubers had problems with your factory lids?

I am sure that most of you folks have got rid of them long ago for better lighting. But I thought I would ask since I am still using mine.

Reef Newb11 · 10/21/2008, 06:17 PM

what kind of problems? I modded a 150w MH into it and have had no problems with it, also using the stock CF as well and had no problems.

2_zoa · 10/21/2008, 07:01 PM

I am on my third lid and they all have done the same thing. My lids seem to relax and not fit the tank right anymore. Its like they want to go flat.

cet98 · 10/21/2008, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Reef Newb11
what kind of problems? I modded a 150w MH into it and have had no problems with it, also using the stock CF as well and had no problems.

hey Reef Newb...can you be more specific about your MH mod?...was it DIY or the nanotuners kit?...
I have a 14gal BC and was considering a reasonablity priced mod/upgrade...
thanks!!!

Reef Newb11 · 10/21/2008, 07:35 PM

It was a DIY job, I found a small reflector located here:
https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...roducts_id=415
Then cut the original metal reflector to fit this reflector, then I spaced the two stock 36w compact florescents to have one in front and one in back of the newly mounted MH reflector. I added two 40mm PC fans to each side of this reflector so that it can get some air circulating under the splash guard. Then to put to splashguard back on I used small rubber spacers on each of the screws for the splashguard so that there is a small clearance so air can get through. Then for the ballast for the MH I am using one from ballastwise.com. I also raised the hood of my biocube 4 inches by getting some black acrylic and just using weld-on to put the peices together and raise it up, so it sits on the biocube like the stock hood would. This allowed me to put two 80mm computer fans into the back area of the riser which I left open. That allows the air to blow over the surface water. The only problem that I ran into with this is that I evaporate almost a 5 gallons of water a week.. Easily dealt with by my ATO though. Hope this helps, I will try and get some pictures as well but my camera is not working.

oh and also, I cut a hole the size of the new reflector into the plastic splash guard....it started to melt and so I just cut it out. I didnt put those 40mm fans in until after I tried it out which was not the best idea on my part....it melted the splashguard in minutes.

Reef Newb11 · 10/21/2008, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by 2_zoa
I am on my third lid and they all have done the same thing. My lids seem to relax and not fit the tank right anymore. Its like they want to go flat.

Never heard of that happening are u using the stock lights?...I could see if you had some metal halides in there that would basically soften the plastic and cause it to weaken and get out of shape but I dont see how that would happen with the stock lights...

chrismunn · 10/21/2008, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by FrankyV
Hi
I just picked up a BC-14 used locally with the 3-24 watt pc upgrade and fan upgrade. I have the tank set up in my daughters room on her dresser>while this tank is cycling i would like to take advantage and do what ever mods needed before corals and fish get introduced. in the first chamber i have the filter pad in place and second chamber has bio-balls. I like the idea have haveing a small fuge in the middle chamber but how do i get a light to it without removeing the hood ? and can i add a skimmer into the first chamber ? which brand ??

cheers
i will post a pic as soon as i can figure out how to post it

you should be able to get some ideas in this thread. just scroll trough the pics.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showth...5&pagenumber=1

2_zoa · 10/21/2008, 07:56 PM

I am still using the stock lighting and I have had the tank about 8 months.

left front

[IMG]

[/IMG]

left side of the tank

[IMG]

[/IMG]

The right side of the tank is the same way as the left side.

mwlude · 10/21/2008, 07:58 PM

What can I do to quiet down my tank after removing the bio balls. There is a water fall and it is noisey. I would prefer not to add live rock back there.

chrismunn · 10/21/2008, 08:06 PM

just add more water untill the chambers fill up mwlude

2_zoa · 10/21/2008, 08:28 PM

yep add water I run mine just below the grate so if I forget to or can't add water one day it will remind me on the next day.

mwlude · 10/21/2008, 08:29 PM

Won't the water be above the maximum line?

Reef Newb11 · 10/21/2008, 08:41 PM

yeah it will be pretty far above the maximum water line, but that line is only to show you the reccommended level for when the bioballs are in, if you have the level above the maximum while the bio balls are in it would no longer be a trickle filter. But since you have taken them out just ignore that line

2_zoa · 10/21/2008, 08:51 PM

Reef Newb11, Did you see the pics? You can see the light coming out from where the top does't fit any more.

Reef Newb11 · 10/21/2008, 08:58 PM

yes, I actually think that my hood was doing that as well before I built the riser for mine..Where it is in my room I did really notice though.

The only thing I can think of to possibly "fix" that would be to get some thick narrow peices of acrylic and reinforce the sides...

2_zoa · 10/21/2008, 09:08 PM

Yea I was thinking kinda the same thing it would appear that the power cord to the lights is pushing on the sides but when I have tried to release the pressure it didn't seem to help. We will see I guess maybe someone else will chime in that has this problem or has fixed it.

tapiana · 10/22/2008, 12:07 PM

2_zoa - don't know if this will help or not - I had issues getting my lid to sit in the lip of the tank due to my power cords every time I moved it. I finally enlarged the og hole in the back of the lid to give some more flexability to my cords. Now it sits perfectly.

PerfectDark · 10/22/2008, 12:41 PM

Hi Everyone,

I am not a new member to RC I just havent posted a whole lot since I joined up. I have a 29Gal Bio Cube, its been set up since March of 2007. Here are some pics. Look forward to talking with you all.

Some of my corals

My Anemone hosting my 2 ocellaris.

mksalt · 10/22/2008, 01:23 PM

PerfectDark,

So you got your ocellaris to host. Nice.

What are you feeding that anemone?

PerfectDark · 10/22/2008, 01:37 PM

Mostly its fed a 150W halide for 8 hrs of the day...LOL. Supplementaly It gets fed what ever the fish bring over to it or drop in it. It also gets what ever I feed my tank should it pass by. It hasent been spot feed in over 6 months. Its approx 10" in diameter when fully inflated.

mksalt · 10/22/2008, 01:55 PM

I just added a baby RTBA about 10 days ago. So far so good.

2_zoa · 10/22/2008, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tapiana
2_zoa - don't know if this will help or not - I had issues getting my lid to sit in the lip of the tank due to my power cords every time I moved it. I finally enlarged the og hole in the back of the lid to give some more flexability to my cords. Now it sits perfectly.

It does help thanks. I would like to try if you can give a little more insight cause that is exactly what is happening. I can't get it to sit down properly so I see light and get condensation drips down the sides.

Maybe a pic of the mod?

I just want to be sure that it is the very back or where the cord goes into the light reflector area.

firebirdude · 10/22/2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rjwilson37

What are those orange guys?

Acerone · 10/26/2008, 12:54 PM

One month old now and added the first clown last week.

2_zoa · 10/26/2008, 08:20 PM

Can any one tell me the name of the big coral up front?

10/21/2008, 07:56 PM	#383
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	I am still using the stock lighting and I have had the tank about 8 months. left front [IMG][/IMG] left side of the tank [IMG][/IMG] The right side of the tank is the same way as the left side.

10/21/2008, 08:06 PM	#385
chrismunn Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 4,200	just add more water untill the chambers fill up mwlude __________________ Marine Aquarists Association of South Texas Austin Reef Club PBITAWA... Current Tank Info: 14g bio cube

10/22/2008, 12:07 PM	#392
tapiana Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fountain Valley, CA Posts: 79	2_zoa - don't know if this will help or not - I had issues getting my lid to sit in the lip of the tank due to my power cords every time I moved it. I finally enlarged the og hole in the back of the lid to give some more flexability to my cords. Now it sits perfectly. __________________ Taps Current Tank Info: 29g Stock BioCube - cycling with LR

10/22/2008, 12:41 PM	#393
PerfectDark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 22	NEW TO RC Hi Everyone, I am not a new member to RC I just havent posted a whole lot since I joined up. I have a 29Gal Bio Cube, its been set up since March of 2007. Here are some pics. Look forward to talking with you all. Some of my corals My Anemone hosting my 2 ocellaris. __________________ Science is not based on fact, it is based on hypothesis that have not been disproven. Aspire to Inspire... Current Tank Info: 29 Gal Bio Cube, 35lbs LR, corals, 2 Ocellaris & RBTA. 40gal breeder frag tank and 36gal Bow Front.

10/22/2008, 01:37 PM	#395
PerfectDark Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 22	Mostly its fed a 150W halide for 8 hrs of the day...LOL. Supplementaly It gets fed what ever the fish bring over to it or drop in it. It also gets what ever I feed my tank should it pass by. It hasent been spot feed in over 6 months. Its approx 10" in diameter when fully inflated. __________________ Science is not based on fact, it is based on hypothesis that have not been disproven. Aspire to Inspire... Current Tank Info: 29 Gal Bio Cube, 35lbs LR, corals, 2 Ocellaris & RBTA. 40gal breeder frag tank and 36gal Bow Front.

10/21/2008, 06:06 PM	#376
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	Has any of you bio cubers had problems with your factory lids? I am sure that most of you folks have got rid of them long ago for better lighting. But I thought I would ask since I am still using mine.

10/21/2008, 06:17 PM	#377
Reef Newb11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, CA Posts: 280	what kind of problems? I modded a 150w MH into it and have had no problems with it, also using the stock CF as well and had no problems.

10/21/2008, 07:01 PM	#378
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	I am on my third lid and they all have done the same thing. My lids seem to relax and not fit the tank right anymore. Its like they want to go flat.

10/21/2008, 07:35 PM	#380
Reef Newb11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, CA Posts: 280	It was a DIY job, I found a small reflector located here: https://diyreef.authsecure.com/shop/...roducts_id=415 Then cut the original metal reflector to fit this reflector, then I spaced the two stock 36w compact florescents to have one in front and one in back of the newly mounted MH reflector. I added two 40mm PC fans to each side of this reflector so that it can get some air circulating under the splash guard. Then to put to splashguard back on I used small rubber spacers on each of the screws for the splashguard so that there is a small clearance so air can get through. Then for the ballast for the MH I am using one from ballastwise.com. I also raised the hood of my biocube 4 inches by getting some black acrylic and just using weld-on to put the peices together and raise it up, so it sits on the biocube like the stock hood would. This allowed me to put two 80mm computer fans into the back area of the riser which I left open. That allows the air to blow over the surface water. The only problem that I ran into with this is that I evaporate almost a 5 gallons of water a week.. Easily dealt with by my ATO though. Hope this helps, I will try and get some pictures as well but my camera is not working. oh and also, I cut a hole the size of the new reflector into the plastic splash guard....it started to melt and so I just cut it out. I didnt put those 40mm fans in until after I tried it out which was not the best idea on my part....it melted the splashguard in minutes.

10/21/2008, 07:58 PM	#384
mwlude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: wi Posts: 100	What can I do to quiet down my tank after removing the bio balls. There is a water fall and it is noisey. I would prefer not to add live rock back there.

10/21/2008, 08:28 PM	#386
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	yep add water I run mine just below the grate so if I forget to or can't add water one day it will remind me on the next day.

10/21/2008, 08:29 PM	#387
mwlude Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: wi Posts: 100	Won't the water be above the maximum line?

10/21/2008, 08:41 PM	#388
Reef Newb11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, CA Posts: 280	yeah it will be pretty far above the maximum water line, but that line is only to show you the reccommended level for when the bioballs are in, if you have the level above the maximum while the bio balls are in it would no longer be a trickle filter. But since you have taken them out just ignore that line

10/21/2008, 08:51 PM	#389
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	Reef Newb11, Did you see the pics? You can see the light coming out from where the top does't fit any more.

10/21/2008, 08:58 PM	#390
Reef Newb11 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Richmond, CA Posts: 280	yes, I actually think that my hood was doing that as well before I built the riser for mine..Where it is in my room I did really notice though. The only thing I can think of to possibly "fix" that would be to get some thick narrow peices of acrylic and reinforce the sides...

10/21/2008, 09:08 PM	#391
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	Yea I was thinking kinda the same thing it would appear that the power cord to the lights is pushing on the sides but when I have tried to release the pressure it didn't seem to help. We will see I guess maybe someone else will chime in that has this problem or has fixed it.

10/22/2008, 01:23 PM	#394
mksalt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NW Chicago Suburbs Posts: 370	PerfectDark, So you got your ocellaris to host. Nice. What are you feeding that anemone?

10/22/2008, 01:55 PM	#396
mksalt Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: NW Chicago Suburbs Posts: 370	I just added a baby RTBA about 10 days ago. So far so good.

10/26/2008, 12:54 PM	#399
Acerone Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Long Island Posts: 57	One month old now and added the first clown last week.

10/26/2008, 08:20 PM	#400
2_zoa Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 1,840	Can any one tell me the name of the big coral up front?