Best Biocube Filter setup

[blake2shay]

I'm finally wanting to change out some of the filter pads that I use in the back. My current setup is ( going from chamber 1,2,3)
1) Biocube protein skimmer
2) large black filter blocks with a water polisher pad on top
3) the pump.

That's it.

Any other cubers care to share their lay outs or hardware?

 

[Wmich2008]

Check out Intank media. They make some really nice baskets that will help with the filtration. The biggest thing I found that helped was just regularly scheduled water changes.

 

[Justintegra]

I have the basic InTank setup.

Chamber1: heater
Chamber2: media rack with filter floss, Purigen, then ChemiPure Elite
Tunze9001
Chamber3: black foam filter in the slot, and the pump with a floating glass thermometer setup to be visible through the little window on the side just perfect.

 

[soulpatch]

you will regret that glass thermometer the day it finally explodes. For the same price you can get a small digital one or one with a small probe.

 

[homer1475]

First thing first.... The biocube skimmer is junk and will cost you a lot of money buying those limewood airstones. I'm going to assume you followed the reefthuz video on youtube? I originally did also, until I had a huge nitrate problem, narrowed it down to the foam blocks. Ditched those and went with the intank basket, haven't had a nitrate problem since.

In My cube I have Aquaticlife 115 skimmer in chamber 1, Intank media basket with floss, purigen, and Seachem matrix media for my QT, and cobalt MJ1200 for the BRS minreactor in chamber 2. Chamber 3 has my heater, apex probes, dosing pump line, reactor return line, and return pump.

No need for a "filter" in a reef tank. All biological filtration takes place in your sand bed/live rock. You only need any chemical and mechanical filtration in the biocube chambers.

 

[Nano_Marek]

In My cube I have Aquaticlife 115 skimmer in chamber 1, Intank media basket with floss, purigen, and Seachem matrix media for my QT, and cobalt MJ1200 for the BRS minreactor in chamber 2. Chamber 3 has my heater, apex probes, dosing pump line, reactor return line, and return pump.

.

Homer: I have my BRS deluxe reactor pump set up like you in chamber 2, but my return is going to chamber 2 as well. Would it be better for the return line to go into chamber 3? Or does it not make too much of a difference.

I have my Tunze ATO nano in chamber 3 so didn't want the return line to mess with the bobber on the ATO.

 

[soulpatch]

return chamber doesnt matter

 

[Nano_Marek]

return chamber doesnt matter

do you have a media rack in yours? i have no room in my 2nd chamber to even think about putting one in there. i would like to put some macro algae in there, how important is it to have the algae?

 

[soulpatch]

I have a media rack and my reactor pump in chamber 2. My reactor return is in chamber 3.

 

[Nano_Marek]

I have a media rack and my reactor pump in chamber 2. My reactor return is in chamber 3.

its very tight already with the skimmer return into chamber 2...i was trying to squeeze some macro algae in there but i don't think its gonna work.

i might just get some red dragon algae and put it inside the tank...i would like to incorporate some, maybe i don't need any if i have the reactor/skimmer going..idk.

 

[soulpatch]

my skimmer return is on top of the media basket so the rest of the chamber is open. That is my my reactor pump fit so nicely in there.

 

[Justintegra]

you will regret that glass thermometer the day it finally explodes. For the same price you can get a small digital one or one with a small probe.

I actually have the coralife digital thermometer with the probe in the DT , but it is extremely inconsistent. The glass one is in there just to prove I'm not crazy, lol.

 

[blake2shay]

So I just did a water change and for whatever reason my chambers aren't emptying into each other the right way. The #2 is emptying into the #3 via water falling and the little hole an inch or so below it and it's aerating the water going into the tank which is catching in the rocks and I'm afraid it'll bring forth algae. Plus my fish aren't going anywhere near the top where these bubbles are and my one zoa up there hasn't opened. Is there anyway to fix this or reset the levels of the rear compartments

 

[soulpatch]

Did you overfill? Or do you still have the sponge in the bottom between chambers 2 and 3 that is clogged?

 

[blake2shay]

Forgot about that last filter down there

 

[soulpatch]

I do not keep that filter in the bottom of chamber 2. I removed mine and dont have anything in its place. My media rack has floss at the top to grab what it needs to.

 

[blake2shay]

I totally forgot about that filter. Just pulled it out and it was like thick as play doh. Tanks chambers are flowing beautifully now

 

[blake2shay]

Is a reactor worth it? I'm just rediscovering this post and debating getting one.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[soulpatch]

reactor is better then running bags of media. It forces water through the media which is beneficial. BRS actually did a cool video showing the benefits of a reactor not too long ago.

 

[homer1475]

reactor is better then running bags of media. It forces water through the media which is beneficial. BRS actually did a cool video showing the benefits of a reactor not too long ago.

I originally ran a bag of carbon in the bottom of the media rack, until I watched that video. I immediately ordered a reactor afterwards.