Bio Cube Owner's Thread - Page 28

forddna · 02/06/2009, 04:21 PM

Has anyone owned/tried BOTH the Tunze 9002 skimmer and the Sapphire? I'm curious about performance, ease of getting it dialed in initially, and how conspicuous each of them is. I'm keeping my hood, so I prefer the most inconspicuous skimmer.

Octoberfest · 02/06/2009, 05:15 PM

You know I wish I had the fundage to get one of each and do an average joe test of all the skimmers together. It would be nice to see the results of all the skimmers built for nano tanks from the same set up, same stocking, same feeding schedule, etc. I've had my tank setup since November and I'm doing water changes every other week simply because I have no idea which skimmer to buy. I'm not going to spend the money on the saphire skimmer when I could get the same results out of a biocube skimmer.....who knows...LOL

jmadison · 02/06/2009, 06:17 PM

Having owned BOTH the BC skimmer and the Sapphire, I can say there is a HUGE difference there. Not to mention you have to replace that stupid wooden stone in the BC every month to even get the littlist amount of actual skimmate sludge(as opposed to just tea water). There is no way I would switch back to BC IMO. Honestly I look at the BC skimmer as a 30 dollar air pump, as thats all I ever use it for anymore.

I havent used the Tunze, so I can not speak on them.

jmadison · 02/06/2009, 06:19 PM

Oh and the Sapphire will work under the hood with NO modification(although I am not running a hood).

firebirdude · 02/06/2009, 07:35 PM

Im using the Sapphire with the hood. Fits fine.

How much skimmate do you get out of it? How dark are we talking here?

Megg0602 · 02/06/2009, 09:08 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rickinferno
Nice tank Megg0602! How many Watt is that light?

thanks. it's a 150w HQI

forddna · 02/07/2009, 08:27 AM

jm and fire, thank you!!

Is it easy to get to the skimmer cup to remove for cleaning?

jmadison · 02/07/2009, 10:12 AM

amanda - No problem, Just lift lightly to remove super easy. It just pulls straight up (presumably through the back lid) and then drop back in the back.

firebirdude- if you were asking me about skimmate, I get REALLY dark liquid in the cup, and the tube in the center along with the top of the cup is caked with thick sludge. I clean about every 2-3 days. The more often you clean it, the better it works(ie after about 4-6 days of non cleaning you don't get nearly the performance)

forddna · 02/07/2009, 11:27 AM

Thanks!! Now I just need some Tunze owners to chime in.

Luna81 · 02/07/2009, 01:47 PM

I love the Tunze, but it's the only thing I've had. The center column got caked pretty quickly. I'm still learning how to adjust it in just right.

You *do* have to do a mod to get it to fit with the standard hood. We just used a dremel to cut some areas back.

h20 freak1 · 02/08/2009, 08:32 PM

Quote:

WM15 - please tell me that you have a larger tank for that Regal/Hippo Tang.

Quote:

Originally posted by WM15
actually im holding it for a friend ive only had it for 3 weeks and he will be gone in 1 and a half. he has had to move tanks also due to a break in the tank.

Hahaha

I SWEAR ITS NOT MINE! Im-Im just holding it for a friend

great thread I'm interested in making a downgrade to a 29 and this thread is getting me excited. Do you guys think that a seio 1000gph pump plus the pump that comes with the tank will suffice? I have a koralia nano but I don't want to have it in there wasting space if I don't have to.

forddna · 02/08/2009, 09:50 PM

h20, I'm planning on using an MJ1200 return pump (barely more than stock) and approx 600gph powerhead. I plan to only keep LPS, Zoas, and Montiporas, though.

jmadison · 02/08/2009, 09:56 PM

H20- The nano doesnt really even do much if you DO put it in. It's really worth it to atleast get the K1. I run 2 K2's and am working on replacing them with a vortech MP20.

jkrentz2515 · 02/08/2009, 10:43 PM

Since you guys are discussing the Sapphire and Tunze skimmers, I thought I should mention my CPR SR3 skimmer which works very well for me. It fits in the second chamber without any mods. It was fairly easy to dial in, and isn't too picky about water level.

Octoberfest · 02/09/2009, 06:56 AM

I agree with jmadison, I added a Koralia 1 to my tank and it ended up not being enough so I added another 1

tor101898 · 02/09/2009, 07:58 AM

Anyone with a pump mod on the BC8?

jmadison · 02/09/2009, 08:56 AM

Tor- (this is what i've "heard" having never done/owned myself) that most/any mods to the return pump either by mod or 'upgrade' cause a vast increase in heat. To the point of it being more detrimentel than helpful.

Octoberfest · 02/09/2009, 09:02 AM

I have a biocube 29 and I honestly just left the stock pump in there. I have heard too many things about heat with pump mods and figured if I was going to add a pump it would be more beneficial to add a Koralia 1 inside the tank. It will creat more water movement for the amount of heat its putting in the tank versus chaning out the return pump.

Also if you are going to use a maxijet for a return pump use the maxijet 900, not the maxijet 1200. If you look at the difference in flow its not much but the difference in amps requried to run it its much different (20 amps vs 9 amps I believe).

Blitzburggirl · 02/09/2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hyperboy

My BC29

Resurrecting a post from March :-)

Nice picassos!!!!

Blitzburggirl · 02/09/2009, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by hyperboy

My BC29

Resurrecting a post from March :-)

Nice picassos!!!!

tor101898 · 02/09/2009, 02:26 PM

thanks for the info, much appreciated

forddna · 02/09/2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jkrentz2515
Since you guys are discussing the Sapphire and Tunze skimmers, I thought I should mention my CPR SR3 skimmer which works very well for me. It fits in the second chamber without any mods. It was fairly easy to dial in, and isn't too picky about water level.

Does it fit with the hood on and closed?

h20 freak1 · 02/09/2009, 04:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jmadison
H20- The nano doesnt really even do much if you DO put it in. It's really worth it to atleast get the K1. I run 2 K2's and am working on replacing them with a vortech MP20.

My one pump would do 200 gph less then 2 k2's are you saying its really worth it to have the two different sources? I would just like to avoid putting in a lot of equipment. Also planning on just running the stock pump even though I do have an mj1200 to spare as well.

jkrentz2515 · 02/09/2009, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by forddna
Does it fit with the hood on and closed?

Yes it does. You can look on youtube and see how to install it as well, although it is as easy as putting the pump in and dropping it into the second chamber. You will get bubbles for about a week while it breaks in, but that is expected with any skimmer.

jkrentz2515 · 02/09/2009, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Blitzburggirl
Resurrecting a post from March :-)

Nice picassos!!!!

If those were picassos I would already have a pair. They are snowflake clowns which cost a considerable amount more.

02/06/2009, 04:21 PM	#676
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	Has anyone owned/tried BOTH the Tunze 9002 skimmer and the Sapphire? I'm curious about performance, ease of getting it dialed in initially, and how conspicuous each of them is. I'm keeping my hood, so I prefer the most inconspicuous skimmer. __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

02/06/2009, 05:15 PM	#677
Octoberfest Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NC Posts: 1,350	You know I wish I had the fundage to get one of each and do an average joe test of all the skimmers together. It would be nice to see the results of all the skimmers built for nano tanks from the same set up, same stocking, same feeding schedule, etc. I've had my tank setup since November and I'm doing water changes every other week simply because I have no idea which skimmer to buy. I'm not going to spend the money on the saphire skimmer when I could get the same results out of a biocube skimmer.....who knows...LOL __________________ 29 gallon bio-cube with 150w metal halide sunpod fixture, stock 14 gallon bio-cube

02/06/2009, 06:17 PM	#678
jmadison rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHX, AZ Posts: 1,426	Having owned BOTH the BC skimmer and the Sapphire, I can say there is a HUGE difference there. Not to mention you have to replace that stupid wooden stone in the BC every month to even get the littlist amount of actual skimmate sludge(as opposed to just tea water). There is no way I would switch back to BC IMO. Honestly I look at the BC skimmer as a 30 dollar air pump, as thats all I ever use it for anymore. I havent used the Tunze, so I can not speak on them. __________________ -Keyser Söze- By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -Confucius Current Tank Info: Construction Zone

02/06/2009, 06:19 PM	#679
jmadison rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHX, AZ Posts: 1,426	Oh and the Sapphire will work under the hood with NO modification(although I am not running a hood). __________________ -Keyser Söze- By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -Confucius Current Tank Info: Construction Zone

02/07/2009, 08:27 AM	#682
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	jm and fire, thank you!! Is it easy to get to the skimmer cup to remove for cleaning? __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress Last edited by forddna; 02/07/2009 at 08:36 AM.

02/06/2009, 07:35 PM	#680
firebirdude User and Abuser Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 1,836	Im using the Sapphire with the hood. Fits fine. How much skimmate do you get out of it? How dark are we talking here?

02/07/2009, 10:12 AM	#683
jmadison rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHX, AZ Posts: 1,426	amanda - No problem, Just lift lightly to remove super easy. It just pulls straight up (presumably through the back lid) and then drop back in the back. firebirdude- if you were asking me about skimmate, I get REALLY dark liquid in the cup, and the tube in the center along with the top of the cup is caked with thick sludge. I clean about every 2-3 days. The more often you clean it, the better it works(ie after about 4-6 days of non cleaning you don't get nearly the performance) __________________ -Keyser Söze- By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -Confucius Current Tank Info: Construction Zone

02/07/2009, 11:27 AM	#684
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	Thanks!! Now I just need some Tunze owners to chime in. __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

02/07/2009, 01:47 PM	#685
Luna81 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Minneapolis Posts: 33	I love the Tunze, but it's the only thing I've had. The center column got caked pretty quickly. I'm still learning how to adjust it in just right. You do have to do a mod to get it to fit with the standard hood. We just used a dremel to cut some areas back.

02/08/2009, 09:50 PM	#687
forddna Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Crossville, TN (Tampa native) Posts: 5,143	h20, I'm planning on using an MJ1200 return pump (barely more than stock) and approx 600gph powerhead. I plan to only keep LPS, Zoas, and Montiporas, though. __________________ ~Amanda~ Returning to the hobby after a 5+ year hiatus Current Tank Info: 93g Cube - Build in Progress

02/08/2009, 09:56 PM	#688
jmadison rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHX, AZ Posts: 1,426	H20- The nano doesnt really even do much if you DO put it in. It's really worth it to atleast get the K1. I run 2 K2's and am working on replacing them with a vortech MP20. __________________ -Keyser Söze- By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -Confucius Current Tank Info: Construction Zone

02/08/2009, 10:43 PM	#689
jkrentz2515 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mauerapolis Posts: 635	Since you guys are discussing the Sapphire and Tunze skimmers, I thought I should mention my CPR SR3 skimmer which works very well for me. It fits in the second chamber without any mods. It was fairly easy to dial in, and isn't too picky about water level.

02/09/2009, 06:56 AM	#690
Octoberfest Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NC Posts: 1,350	I agree with jmadison, I added a Koralia 1 to my tank and it ended up not being enough so I added another 1 __________________ 29 gallon bio-cube with 150w metal halide sunpod fixture, stock 14 gallon bio-cube

02/09/2009, 07:58 AM	#691
tor101898 Plankton27 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Staten Island,NEW YORK Posts: 582	Anyone with a pump mod on the BC8? __________________ Alex "The sea is everything... An emmense reservoir of nature where i roam at will...." CAPT. NEMO Current Tank Info: Marineland DD 200 gallon, custom built stand 50"L X 38"W X 33"H,I-tech 400 skimmer with tunze 9410 and 9420 pumps, custom made MRC sump, Two Vortech Mp40w.

02/09/2009, 08:56 AM	#692
jmadison rebmeM deretsigeR Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: PHX, AZ Posts: 1,426	Tor- (this is what i've "heard" having never done/owned myself) that most/any mods to the return pump either by mod or 'upgrade' cause a vast increase in heat. To the point of it being more detrimentel than helpful. __________________ -Keyser Söze- By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest. -Confucius Current Tank Info: Construction Zone

02/09/2009, 09:02 AM	#693
Octoberfest Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: NC Posts: 1,350	I have a biocube 29 and I honestly just left the stock pump in there. I have heard too many things about heat with pump mods and figured if I was going to add a pump it would be more beneficial to add a Koralia 1 inside the tank. It will creat more water movement for the amount of heat its putting in the tank versus chaning out the return pump. Also if you are going to use a maxijet for a return pump use the maxijet 900, not the maxijet 1200. If you look at the difference in flow its not much but the difference in amps requried to run it its much different (20 amps vs 9 amps I believe). __________________ 29 gallon bio-cube with 150w metal halide sunpod fixture, stock 14 gallon bio-cube

02/09/2009, 02:26 PM	#696
tor101898 Plankton27 Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Staten Island,NEW YORK Posts: 582	thanks for the info, much appreciated __________________ Alex "The sea is everything... An emmense reservoir of nature where i roam at will...." CAPT. NEMO Current Tank Info: Marineland DD 200 gallon, custom built stand 50"L X 38"W X 33"H,I-tech 400 skimmer with tunze 9410 and 9420 pumps, custom made MRC sump, Two Vortech Mp40w.