Biocube 29 build

[RedStangGA]

I bought my BC29 used from a local reef club member in Feb and have slowly been aquiring the other pieces and parts since then. Unfortunately on Monday a LFS announce it was closing but that also led me to be able to finish my start-up purchases. By Monday night I had the tank half full, placed the LR in, and ran a power head. By Tueday night the tank was completely full and sand was placed in it along with some dry rock. Nothing living in it except hitch hikers right now. Any shells are empty ones just thrown in.

Hardware:
Stock BC29 PC lighting
Hydor Pico 1200 return pump
Hydor Nano 425 powerhead
Bioballs removed
Media basket, filter floss, chemi-pure, and purigen waiting patiently for the cycle to end

Pics:
Rock scape

Hitch hiker, now dead courtesy of a boiling water bath

 

[walnuts24]

I have a BC 29 up and running for a little over a month now with the bioballs but have heard nothing but bad things about them. Can you post pics of your middle chamber and how you did the media basket and what is in there?

Also, if I do change it is it ok to do while my livestock and everything are in there?

 

[RedStangGA]

I don't have the media basket in there right now as I'm still cycling. You can go to mediabaskets.com and watch the videos of how it works. You can also make your own basket out of egg crate if money is tight. Pick up some pillow stuffing for cheap at walmart(make sure it's plain, no special mold inhibitors or anything) to use as filter floss, and then some chemi-pure elite and purigen. Get the small sizes of the chemical filtration. I removed the false floors in chambers 1&2, removed the sponge between chamber 2&3, put the heater in 1. I got a couple BC29 stock filters for free so I'm running one of those now until the cycle is complete. I run all three chambers full to the top.

The floors are easy to pull up, do a search if you're worried. Plenty of threads on how to do it.

As for your bio balls everything I've read said you have to take them out slowly in an established tank. Maybe 15-20% every few days? Just test your parameters frequently during the change over.

Have you considered a skimmer? I'm thinking of one once I get some real bioload going.

 

[RedStangGA]

Some updates:

Siphoned out the black sand as I found that some of it was attracted to my mag-float. Picked up some white sand to replace it and am waiting for the water to clear. Filter floss has helped but every time I clean the rock it goes cloudy again. Caribsea ocean direct was the type I used.

Hopefully all the dust will be strained out by the weekend!

 

[RedStangGA]

Well, I guess an update is in order! Ammonia and Nitrites were at zero for a couple weeks so I accepted a freebie paly colony and yesterday put in a small CUC. Some of the Paly's have already split off onto the sand and are growing new heads. I was also given a free kenya tree that looked like it was dead when given to me and never showed signs of life so I tossed it. Ironically, a couple pieces that fell off when I pulled it out are now growing. Another reefer taking down his tank gave me a monti frag as well. I was hesitant to take it so soon but he said he'd rather see it go to someone new.

Here are some pics:
Just did water change before the pic so it's cloudy

Members of the CUC

 

[Kaneda215]

I have a BC 29 up and running for a little over a month now with the bioballs but have heard nothing but bad things about them. Can you post pics of your middle chamber and how you did the media basket and what is in there?

Also, if I do change it is it ok to do while my livestock and everything are in there?

I changed out my Bioballs and put in the media rack with floss/chemipure/purigen about 2 months into my build and everything was perfectly fine. I took out the balls over the course of two days with no problems. All in all, the switch to the media rack was a really good idea and it has been working really well.

Nice rock work OP.

 

[RedStangGA]

Nice rock work OP.

Thanks! My wife and I dive and love reef walls so we tried to simulate that, as much as we can anyway, in this tank.

 

[mantis1437]

The white sand actually brighten up the tank alot more then the black sand. Nice rock work.

 

[RedStangGA]

The white sand actually brighten up the tank alot more then the black sand. Nice rock work.

Agree. Maybe it's because I didn't really have anything in it but the black sand just wasn't what I was expecting. 9yo daughter prefers the white sand anyway.

 

[Hextall]

I just set up my biocube last night (minus the 10 or so pounds of live rock from LFS I'm getting tomorrow... I already have 15 lbs of dry live rock in there), so I'm about 3 weeks or so behind where you were when you started

I also have the media baskets (I think these are really well produced). Did you break off the tab between chambers one and two? I haven't yet and plan to do it soon. I assume now you have some creatures in your tank you've put the media baskets in?

I've noticed that with the tab, there is some water that spills between the basket and the back edge of the tank, bypassing the floss filter (I bought pillow stuffing from walmart as my cheapo filter alternative during cycling) and if I leave it as it is, the chemipure and purigen. Does anyone think this will be a problem? I can't imagine it will be as a vast majority of the flow is going to go down through the basket.

Also, the wall between chambers one and two have a slight leak. Again, this is shortcircuiting the flow channeling I want, but it's such a small amount, I'll bet it's not a problem... but I'm new, so not sure.

One last question... does the magnet glass cleaners work in the front corners? if not, any suggestions on how to clean those easily?

 

[RedStangGA]

I just set up my biocube last night (minus the 10 or so pounds of live rock from LFS I'm getting tomorrow... I already have 15 lbs of dry live rock in there), so I'm about 3 weeks or so behind where you were when you started

I also have the media baskets (I think these are really well produced). Did you break off the tab between chambers one and two? I haven't yet and plan to do it soon. I assume now you have some creatures in your tank you've put the media baskets in?

I've noticed that with the tab, there is some water that spills between the basket and the back edge of the tank, bypassing the floss filter (I bought pillow stuffing from walmart as my cheapo filter alternative during cycling) and if I leave it as it is, the chemipure and purigen. Does anyone think this will be a problem? I can't imagine it will be as a vast majority of the flow is going to go down through the basket.

Also, the wall between chambers one and two have a slight leak. Again, this is shortcircuiting the flow channeling I want, but it's such a small amount, I'll bet it's not a problem... but I'm new, so not sure.

One last question... does the magnet glass cleaners work in the front corners? if not, any suggestions on how to clean those easily?

Sorry dude! Thought I had replied to this.

My BC is used and already had that section cut out. I get the media basket today for my birthday so I'll see if I need to enlarge it any. I don't think the small amount that slips by is worth worrying over.

The slight leaks aren't anything to worry about either IMO. It's a trace amount compared to what gets filtered.

My mag float does not get the corners. I appropriated a tooth brush to get the corners and along the sand line with excellent results.

I also ordered some loc-line to split the flow coming off the return pump. Should give me more flexibility and ensure I have no dead flow spots. Now if my freaking Apex Jr would just get here ! I'll also try to get an updated pic tomorrow after I do the water change tonight.

 

[Hextall]

Thanks... I had forgot I asked that stuff.

I just purchased an Apex myself. I like gadgets, so there's added value in the relatively high pricetag. Not only will it help me maintain my tank, but I'll be able to placate my nerd.

Not sure if you noticed the biocube owners thread, but I'm a bit confused how people use fans to help cool their biocubes... if you update pictures, can you take one of how you use a fan (if you do). I'm thinking the fan to cool the lights doesn't speed up evaporation. Is that right?

 

[RedStangGA]

Thanks... I had forgot I asked that stuff.

I just purchased an Apex myself. I like gadgets, so there's added value in the relatively high pricetag. Not only will it help me maintain my tank, but I'll be able to placate my nerd.

Not sure if you noticed the biocube owners thread, but I'm a bit confused how people use fans to help cool their biocubes... if you update pictures, can you take one of how you use a fan (if you do). I'm thinking the fan to cool the lights doesn't speed up evaporation. Is that right?

Which Apex did you get? I thought about the light but honestly I have maybe $600 invested in this thing right now and I felt another $300 and the capabilities of the Apex light would be overkill.

I do follow that thread. I'll probably go with opening the rear compartment. I've tried that off and on and it does make at least 1-2 degree difference. I may also look into mounting a pc fan back there if I feel the need to. I also plan on upgrading the 2 light fans as well for a little less noise. Might look also at a MJ900 to replace the return pump. Little less flow but significantly less heat. I plan on getting a MP10 anyway...

 

[Hextall]

I went with the Apex Lite. I researched for a while, and for me the extra thing I wanted it to do was control temperature (our living room can get hot as we don't have AC in it) and an ATO (I'm paranoid), as well as control turning on and off lights and I felt that bumping up to the Lite now was worth it over getting the Jr. now and then having to buy all the components that the Lite has later.

Plus, being a bit of a tech nerd, I'm actually looking forward to some of the programming. so the more pieces to program... the better.

Edit: and I won't mention anything about how much I've sunk into it... it's just better if I don't dwell on that.

 

[SlvrSurfRidr]

I went with the Apex Lite. I researched for a while, and for me the extra thing I wanted it to do was control temperature (our living room can get hot as we don't have AC in it) and an ATO (I'm paranoid), as well as control turning on and off lights and I felt that bumping up to the Lite now was worth it over getting the Jr. now and then having to buy all the components that the Lite has later.

Plus, being a bit of a tech nerd, I'm actually looking forward to some of the programming. so the more pieces to program... the better.

Edit: and I won't mention anything about how much I've sunk into it... it's just better if I don't dwell on that.

+1 on everything you just said :bounce1:

I ran the Jr. for a couple years, for me it was great ... I just wanted the integrated networking functionality so I could geek out and get the iPhone app setup and run my logging from the web

 

[RedStangGA]

+1 on everything you just said :bounce1:

I ran the Jr. for a couple years, for me it was great ... I just wanted the integrated networking functionality so I could geek out and get the iPhone app setup and run my logging from the web

Pretty much the same here. The whole tech part of a controller really appealed to me. With networking built in and the ability to control it remotely with my iPhone I was sold. The apex Jr just lowers the buy in price for me. Not sure it'll be much, if any, cheaper in the long haul but for a nano it should be perfect!

Mini update:
Installed my inTank media basket today! I could have built it much cheaper myself but the workmanship on this is fantastic. Very happy with it. Next up is a fish when we get back from vacation!

 

[Db366]

I am debating doing a DIY media basket as well. I have to agree as well, nice aquascaping!

 

[RedStangGA]

Thanks Db!

Update! I have fish!

We went on a wonderful vacation and got back last night. I ran some tests and everything checked out so I ran out and picked up a couple clowns and some flake and pellet food. The big one ate right away and definitely prefers the pellets. I haven't seen the little one take so much as a nibble on anything yet. Hopefully he'll come around.

Seeing a bunch of little coralline growth spots on my base rock which is nice.

Pic!

 

[Hextall]

Nice. I'm in the same boat as you... I'm going on vacation in a couple of weeks and don't want to put fish in yet until I'm back even though I'm cycled and everything looks good.

late last week though, I started seeing some algae on the glass, so I figure it's time for a CUC. You mentioned you got a small one... what did you get?

Also, last week my wife and daughter were away, so I could take over the living room where the tank is and set up the Apex. Gotta say, I'm very happy with it. I got it to turn on a clip on fan when it gets too hot and auto top off when needed (among other things).

I'm not really sure what to do for a light schedule though, any suggestions?

 

[RedStangGA]

Nice. I'm in the same boat as you... I'm going on vacation in a couple of weeks and don't want to put fish in yet until I'm back even though I'm cycled and everything looks good.

late last week though, I started seeing some algae on the glass, so I figure it's time for a CUC. You mentioned you got a small one... what did you get?

Also, last week my wife and daughter were away, so I could take over the living room where the tank is and set up the Apex. Gotta say, I'm very happy with it. I got it to turn on a clip on fan when it gets too hot and auto top off when needed (among other things).

I'm not really sure what to do for a light schedule though, any suggestions?

It was tough to wait but I knew it'd be better in the long run anyway. I picked up 5 hermits and 5 snails. Two snails were the larger turban looking ones and three look like nerite snails. All are still going strong though I did have to save one upside down nerite from a hermit once. I'm thinking of adding 3-4 more snails though.

Good deal on the apex. I pick up my Jr today and can't wait to get it going. Will have to buy a module though to get ATO going.

As for lights I'm planning on actinics at 9am, white's at noon, white's off at 6pm, and actinics off at 9pm.