upgrading a biocube 29g

tiller25 · 03/02/2008, 05:07 PM

i want to get a protein skimmer for my biocube 29 and i am debating right now between the sapphire BC29R and the tunze DOC 9002. any one have any opinions on the 2? i have read a lot of good things about the 9002 but since the BC29R is made for the biocube i was thinking it might be easier to use? i would also like to get a powerhead in the tank, will the koralia 1 be a good choice? thanks for the help!

jkrentz2515 · 03/02/2008, 05:59 PM

the cpr sr3 is also made to fit in the BC and there is even an installation video online. go to ebay and search sr3 skimmer. Don't have one but I have read good reviews for it.

jkrentz2515 · 03/02/2008, 06:00 PM

Also I had a thread about which koralias to put in my BC29 and the majority said if they could do it all over they would put in 2x #2 for more flow.

tiller25 · 03/02/2008, 06:33 PM

sounds good, thanks for the advice.

basser1 · 03/02/2008, 07:40 PM

I have the Sapphire recirculating skimmer in my BC29 and I love it! It is made to fit, no cutting, just drop in and plug it in! Also, if you want more flow, instead of going with 2 koralias, go with 1 Tunze 6025 nano-stream, my corals love it!

basser1 · 03/02/2008, 07:46 PM

I have the Sapphire recirculating skimmer in my BC29 and I love it! It is made to fit, no cutting, just drop in and plug it in! Also, if you want more flow, instead of going with 2 koralias, go with 1 Tunze 6025 nano-stream, my corals love it!

melanotaenia · 03/02/2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jkrentz2515
Also I had a thread about which koralias to put in my BC29 and the majority said if they could do it all over they would put in 2x #2 for more flow.

#2? Two of those with the return pump is WAY too much flow IMO even for the most demanding of corals.

I have two #1 and even find that to be pretty strong current.

And the Tunze skimmer is nice, but you have to be really anal about keeping the water level constant in the back chamber (which is really a mute point if you have an ATO system)

beeker · 03/03/2008, 10:36 AM

I use a maxi-jet 1200 for the return pump

and have 1 koralia #1 pump and 1 koralia #2 pump in the main tank

I think it's the perfect amount of flow, it comes out to about 36x's turnover rate an hour i have softie's and SPS so with this amount of random flow i shouldn't have to upgrade the pumps until my tank is fully stocked or until everything grows out

billq · 03/03/2008, 01:20 PM

I also have the CPR SR3. It's great. I did a slight mod right from the start though, I trashed the air line and added a piece that gives me plenty of slck on top. Don't know how anyone could get their fingers on the valve with such a short air line. An added benefit was that with the longer line, I can hang it over the skimmer and let it hang just over the water outlet of the skimmer, that eliminted almost completely the sound of the air.

I also placed a piece of sponge filter between the chamber 1 wall and the skimmer. It eliminates the sound of the water flowing in.

It really pulls alot of crud out, I was amazed.

tiller25 · 03/03/2008, 05:56 PM

alright, thanks a lot for all the responses. i have heard nothing but good stuff for the sapphire so i think thats what i am going to go with. i'll let you know how it works out.

FishFace28 · 03/03/2008, 10:16 PM

Good luck finding a Sapphire. I've been trying for months. From what I've heard, the owner is getting divorced and is shutting down the business.

ckekelle · 03/03/2008, 10:34 PM

I also have the CPR SR3. I took everything out of the back chambers and keep filter pad going into the skimmer. I stick a bag of carbon where the sponge used to be and upgraded the stock pump to a Rio and also have a powerhead and upgraded lights. I like the SR3.

03/02/2008, 06:33 PM	#4
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	sounds good, thanks for the advice. __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.

03/03/2008, 01:20 PM	#9
billq Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Derry, NH Posts: 17	I also have the CPR SR3. It's great. I did a slight mod right from the start though, I trashed the air line and added a piece that gives me plenty of slck on top. Don't know how anyone could get their fingers on the valve with such a short air line. An added benefit was that with the longer line, I can hang it over the skimmer and let it hang just over the water outlet of the skimmer, that eliminted almost completely the sound of the air. I also placed a piece of sponge filter between the chamber 1 wall and the skimmer. It eliminates the sound of the water flowing in. It really pulls alot of crud out, I was amazed. __________________ Bill Current Tank Info: Bio Cube Reef

03/03/2008, 05:56 PM	#10
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	alright, thanks a lot for all the responses. i have heard nothing but good stuff for the sapphire so i think thats what i am going to go with. i'll let you know how it works out. __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.

03/02/2008, 05:07 PM	#1
tiller25 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: NC Posts: 137	upgrading a biocube 29g i want to get a protein skimmer for my biocube 29 and i am debating right now between the sapphire BC29R and the tunze DOC 9002. any one have any opinions on the 2? i have read a lot of good things about the 9002 but since the BC29R is made for the biocube i was thinking it might be easier to use? i would also like to get a powerhead in the tank, will the koralia 1 be a good choice? thanks for the help! __________________ I know that one day, human beings and fish can coexist peacefully.

03/02/2008, 05:59 PM	#2
jkrentz2515 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mauerapolis Posts: 635	the cpr sr3 is also made to fit in the BC and there is even an installation video online. go to ebay and search sr3 skimmer. Don't have one but I have read good reviews for it.

03/02/2008, 06:00 PM	#3
jkrentz2515 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Mauerapolis Posts: 635	Also I had a thread about which koralias to put in my BC29 and the majority said if they could do it all over they would put in 2x #2 for more flow.

03/02/2008, 07:40 PM	#5
basser1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So. Indiana Posts: 1,109	I have the Sapphire recirculating skimmer in my BC29 and I love it! It is made to fit, no cutting, just drop in and plug it in! Also, if you want more flow, instead of going with 2 koralias, go with 1 Tunze 6025 nano-stream, my corals love it!

03/02/2008, 07:46 PM	#6
basser1 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: So. Indiana Posts: 1,109	I have the Sapphire recirculating skimmer in my BC29 and I love it! It is made to fit, no cutting, just drop in and plug it in! Also, if you want more flow, instead of going with 2 koralias, go with 1 Tunze 6025 nano-stream, my corals love it!

03/03/2008, 10:36 AM	#8
beeker Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: cincinnati Posts: 701	I use a maxi-jet 1200 for the return pump and have 1 koralia #1 pump and 1 koralia #2 pump in the main tank I think it's the perfect amount of flow, it comes out to about 36x's turnover rate an hour i have softie's and SPS so with this amount of random flow i shouldn't have to upgrade the pumps until my tank is fully stocked or until everything grows out

03/03/2008, 10:16 PM	#11
FishFace28 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: North Little Rock, AR Posts: 109	Good luck finding a Sapphire. I've been trying for months. From what I've heard, the owner is getting divorced and is shutting down the business.

03/03/2008, 10:34 PM	#12
ckekelle Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: St Charles Co Posts: 52	I also have the CPR SR3. I took everything out of the back chambers and keep filter pad going into the skimmer. I stick a bag of carbon where the sponge used to be and upgraded the stock pump to a Rio and also have a powerhead and upgraded lights. I like the SR3.