Bio Cube Owner's Thread

[Bongo Shrimp]

Originally Posted by David Jr.

Thanks Bongo Shrimp. It sounds like I need to get that false bottom out of there or else it will turn into a nitrate factory.

Yep, it just gets really nasty down there. Pretty big design flaw if you ask me. To get it out, just put your hand in there and push on it. You need to push kinda hard but don't worry because it probably won't break but even if it does you don't need it any more. Try pushing on it near the sides where it is glued in place. If that doesn't work just push on it right in the middle. I did it on two biocubes and it did not break on either one. Then just be sure to get a syphon in there and get all the junk out that has been sitting there for a year.

Wouldn't be surprised if your water quality gets better after you clean it out.

[tralynne]

what, if any, protein skimmers are folks using for the BC 8g? i see lots of options for the 14 and 29 but not many who are talking about the 8gal.

[6-line]

I'm thinking that an 8 is just probably too small to see much use for a skimmer expecially if periodic water changes are performed--this is what i have read anyhow. On my 14 is use the BC skimmer and it does skim somewhat despite people's complaints about it...

[David Jr.]

Well Bongo Shrimp, I went to pop out the false bottom in the first chamber, and realized that if I did the filter cartridge would not stop and would just fall. Am I right about this? Thanks.

[Bongo Shrimp]

Yes, but what I did is to take out the plastic piece that sits horizontally in the second chamber, you know, on top of the bioballs and put the filter pad there. I was having flow issues where the filter pad would clog up and restrict flow. So I called oceanic support and THEY told me to do this. It helps with flow and filtration.

If you need a pic I can post one.

[David Jr.]

No, I think I'll either skip the mod or find a way to secure the filter after its gone, as I have a CPR skimmer that fills up the second chamber. Thanks!

[Bongo Shrimp]

Oh, my skimmer is in the first chamber. I'm sure you can find a way to secure it.

Here's my new LED spotlights I just installed:
Close up on one:


The full hood:


Lights on (is actually blindingly bright, the camera adjusted so you can see everything)


What do you think?

[waverz]

Originally Posted by Bongo Shrimp

Lights on (is actually blindingly bright, the camera adjusted so you can see everything)


What do you think?

Looks like you just need a pole and some dancers.

[tralynne]

Can anyone tell me if this is just OEM replacement fans for the BC 8g or is this a better upgraded fan? Also has anyone used this for their BC? how good is it and is it worth getting?

http://www.nanotuners.com/product_in...roducts_id=365

i am struggling keeping the temperature from large swings. 74 in the am 79 in the pm. i have an ice cap fan on the outside vent but it is not doing much. i can keep the front feeding lid open a little to vent but then i have evaporation like crazy.

[Catharsis70]

Originally Posted by Luna81

I had a gash in my hand TRYING to remove the false floor. I gave up and it's still in there. Glad I'm not the only one.

Just went back to the beginning of the thread so forgive me if Im posting on old stuff. To remove the bottom rack in chamber one on my BC29, I inserted a fork through the slits in it. Then I turned the fork sideways so It would then catch on the rack and pulled it straight out.

[Rhodes19]

Originally Posted by tralynne

Can anyone tell me if this is just OEM replacement fans for the BC 8g or is this a better upgraded fan? Also has anyone used this for their BC? how good is it and is it worth getting?

http://www.nanotuners.com/product_in...roducts_id=365

i am struggling keeping the temperature from large swings. 74 in the am 79 in the pm. i have an ice cap fan on the outside vent but it is not doing much. i can keep the front feeding lid open a little to vent but then i have evaporation like crazy.

From what I understand they are not OEM and they are supposed to be better (more flow, less noise). I was going to get the retro kit for my BC 14 but have had some unexpected expenditures.

[tralynne]

Ordered the fan kit for the BC 8g with the variable power supply....i will post the results of keeping my temp stable once i figure out how to get it done. :-)

[buttons buster]

Does anyone know how to take off the lid without damaging it?
Biocube 8

[Paramecium]

Knock the pins out.

[6-line]

occasionally the fans on my 8 week old BC14 growl upon start up. I just cycle the power a couple times and then they'll start silent and sometimes it doesn't make the noise. Is this the bearing issue already?

[Rhodes19]

Originally Posted by 6-line

occasionally the fans on my 8 week old BC14 growl upon start up. I just cycle the power a couple times and then they'll start silent and sometimes it doesn't make the noise. Is this the bearing issue already?

The fans seam to be the Biocube's weak point. If you call Oceanic and tell them about your fans they will send you a new set for no charge. They are easy to install. Their tech support is fairly descent. A lot of folks will get new fans from computer/electronic stores or go with after market upgrade kits and the fans in them are supposed to quieter and move more volume of air than the stock fans. HTH

[jwilliams229]

Can someone post some pictures of their tank cover for a BC29? I have an open top with a MH pendant. I just was curious to see different methods since i don't want it to be very noticeable.

Thanks,

J

[tralynne]

Do they not sell a stand for BC 8?

[waverz]

I just got (2) 5 watt submersible lights and am gonna try to get cheato to grow in the first chamber, should be an interesting experiment.

[Bongo Shrimp]

Originally Posted by tralynne

Do they not sell a stand for BC 8?

You just use the standard one or put it on a desk or table.

[Driznik]

I had a 90G for about 3 years, but had to give it up when we moved. I missed it, so my wife surprised me with a BC29 for Xmas. Turns out she was also paying a lot more attention to the first tank than I thought and picked up most of what I needed to get it started.

I spent yesterday getting it wired, filled it with water and got the Aragonite down. I'm now in the process of getting the filtration down before I go and get LR.

After wading through the 40+ pages of this thread (which has been hugely helpful), my plan is:

Since I'm not going to use the bio-balls, run the water level significantly higher than the marked 'max line'.

Chamber 1 - knock out the false bottom, block the lower inflow with acrylic. Put in the BC skimmer that came with the tank (looking at it compared to the Euro-Reef I had in my old tank and reading what everybody else says it seems awfully light weight and I'm not keen on swapping the airstone every month, but I figure if I've got it already, it can't hurt). If there's room with the skimmer, I'll also drop the 150W Eb-Jagr heater I've still got from my old tank in here as well.

Chamber 2 - Pull out the false bottom here. Pick up a couple of low heat submersible lights and use this chamber for LR rubble and chaeto. Given the corner we've got the tank in, scraping the paint and rear mounting a light isn't really an option. I grew macro in the sump of my last tank and it had a huge impact in terms of reducing algae growth in the display.

Chamber 3 - Stick with stock pump for now. If there isn't room for the heater in chamber 1, then this is where it'll go.

Stocking Plan

I'm only planning on stocking a pair of clowns, a neon goby and a fairy basslet. My wife would really like a yellow tailed Damsel on top of that, but given the damsels aggressive tendencies, I'm trying to talk her out of it. Otherwise, she's the one who'll have to spend three days catching it when it goes psycho.

Lighting

This is mostly going to be a FOWLR tank will with maybe a couple mushrooms or softies for color so I'm just going stock for lighting, though I will swap the actinic and 10k bulbs so the fans come on with the actinic. I'll set my timers to turn on the actinic a 1/2 hr or so before the daylight, and shut off 1/2 hr later.

Water Motion

For water motion I've still got a new-in-box MJ900 and MJ600. I'll use one of those on the other side with a random flow head to create more movement.

What do you think? Any other suggestions?

[kingfisher62]

Sounds good, But with your stock lighting I think you could get a some LPS's if you wanted.They have done well in my tank!

[Rhodes19]

Originally Posted by Driznik

I had a 90G for about 3 years, but had to give it up when we moved. I missed it, so my wife surprised me with a BC29 for Xmas. Turns out she was also paying a lot more attention to the first tank than I thought and picked up most of what I needed to get it started.

Thats awesome. Congratulations. You are a lucky man, a new tank and a wife who supports your hobby and pays attention. Its amazing how they can do that.

[Driznik]

Originally Posted by Rhodes19

Thats awesome. Congratulations. You are a lucky man, a new tank and a wife who supports your hobby and pays attention. Its amazing how they can do that.

Can't argue with that. I'm a very lucky man. Now that it's up and cycling I'm pretty impressed with the Biocube. I only wish there was a better option for both growing macro and protein skimming.

[tralynne]

Got a 14BC for Christmas and guess what? the center chamber came with no paint on the back. (the bioball area.) not sure if this is old news or not...i just know alot of people were using razor blade to scrape the paint off the back of that chamber.