Another Biocube Upgrade Questions

[debincalif]

I'm looking for feedback from any of you who own a Biocube and have done modifications with In Tank baskets.

Right now I have the stock Oceanic Biocube. I've removed the bioballs and am running a hydor submersible skimmer in chamber #2. Chamber #1 has filter floss only, and chamber #3 has the heater and return flow. See my signature for tank specs.

I'd like to put a skimmer in chamber #1, but I'll have to get a new skimmer as my current one won't fit. Suggestions welcome - but I'm considering the Biocube skimmer.

In chamber #2 I'd like to put in the In Tank media basket and refugium basket with the submersible light. I'd but a ball of chaeto in the refugium.

Looking for feedback and experience with this set-up. Any info would be great before I invest the time, money, and energy.

Down the road I plan on upgrading the lighting to a retrofit LED system. I'm still looking into that, but have found a couple that look good; right now I'm leaning toward Steve's.

Oh - one more question! I've got the stock return flow from chamber #3 and I'm also running a Biocube powerhead on the right side of the tank and have it angled up so that it's stirring the top of the water. I'm wondering if I should have another powerhead on the left side of the tank angled down toward the front/bottom of the tank. I'm having problems with cyano along the front of the tank, and I think increasing flow will help. Thoughts??

 

[Windirmere]

I have a biocube 29 with the tunze 9002 Doc in the middle, beside it i have a 6"x3"x3" cheato basket. Instead of a submersible light i just took a razor and scraped off some of the black paint on the back and got the Jbj 4 LED magnetic light. It has been working very well.

I was supposed to get the smaller tunze, to have it in the 1st chamber but over enthusiastic LFS owner got me the larger one at the same price... instead of the one i wanted her to order : \ But so far alls good.

 

[1st timereefer]

I have the Aquaticlife 115 skimmer in the first chamber. It seems to work good. I get a good green/brown liquid and the cone of the collection cup gets covered with a nasty brown sludge.

second chamber is just filter floss across the top, some carbon and LR rubble for now.

third chamber heater, Biocube UV sterilizer and return pump.

I'm still using the stock lights but have seen a few DIY LED's that i have been impressed with.

I have a AI Sol on another tank that is very impressive and would recommend if you're willing to make the investment.

 

[wabooth555]

For my Oceanic 29 cube:
Chamber 1: Heater
Chamber 2: InTank Media Basket (Floss, Purigen, Chemi-Pure Elite)
InTank Fuge Basket (nothing in it yet, but plan on trying some Cheato)
Chamber 3: Return Pump

I don't use a UV Sterilizer or Skimmer, and things seem to be working fine. I do a 5 gallong water change every couple of weeks.

 

[phryan]

Chamber 1: Aquaticlife 115 in
Chamber 2: Floss across the top and beneath than some Chaeto (that barely grows). In the Chamber 3: Heater, upgraded the pump to a MJ1200.

On the return I added a hydor deflector that does a good job at mixing up the flow from a pair of Koralias.

For lighting I went with a DIY kit from RapidLED.

I modded the Aquaticlife 115 skimmer...the airline mod and a remote collection cup, originally the cup would fill up in 2-3 days.

 

[Windirmere]

oh +1 for the Rapid Led kit its amazing

 

[ryeguyy84]

Chamber 1: Aquaticlife 115 in
Chamber 2: Floss across the top and beneath than some Chaeto (that barely grows). In the Chamber 3: Heater, upgraded the pump to a MJ1200.

On the return I added a hydor deflector that does a good job at mixing up the flow from a pair of Koralias.

For lighting I went with a DIY kit from RapidLED.

I modded the Aquaticlife 115 skimmer...the airline mod and a remote collection cup, originally the cup would fill up in 2-3 days.

do you have a picture of the remote collection cup? did you just drill a hole in the bottom of the cup and add a nipple to collect the grossness elsewhere?

 

[phryan]

do you have a picture of the remote collection cup? did you just drill a hole in the bottom of the cup and add a nipple to collect the grossness elsewhere?

The first picture is of the cup. Yes, drilled a hole, added a fitting, ran some airline. The second picture of inside the stand. The remote collection cup is from an old bottle of vinegar, it is hidden behind the kalk mixer.

I plan to ditch the 115 for a Tunze 9002, later in the week. There are some micro-bubbles making their way into the display section and I think the source is the skimmer. I will most likely do a similar remote collection for the 9002.

 

[ryeguyy84]

Very nice I always like to look into people's cabinets. Let us know how that tunze works vs the 115 I've been thinking of making the switch. I just feel there's more that can be pulled out.

 

[SharkaThon]

Did you have to do any cutting/changes to get 115 in?

 

[phryan]

Did you have to do any cutting/changes to get 115 in?

A small cut (3/8" tall and 1" wide) out of the hood for the bracket. It's almost invisible in the picture but the 2 airlines are at either end and the bracket is between them. The lid fits flush.

 

[ryeguyy84]

no cutting if you have an HQI.