Biocube/Smaller reef tanks
- Thread starter savageAJC
- Start date
Tanque Verde
New member
I've kept nothing but nanos. As for aquascaping, two preliminary decisions have a major impact on your design and overall appearance: 1) will you go topless? and 2) will you place the tank at eye level or lower?
If you go topless and if you light the tank with MH or LED, you can generate a really nice shimmer effect by installing a hydor on the return. But that can disrupt viewing from above.
If you place the tank at eye level, the cubes are deep enough (i.e from front to back as you are viewing) that you can achieve some nice effects with depth. Aquascaping in layers from front to back. But this is less appealing if you're viewing angle is top down. The tanks are also tall enough that you can place corals at contrasting heights.
I highly recommend not leaning the rock against the back wall, or if you must, stacking it in such a way as to maximize flow behind the rocks, basically so the rocks don't become a detritus trap.
I keep an aquapod and I am less familiar with the biocube, but on my cubes it has been beneficial to swap out the stock pump, and to drill additional returns in the false wall. You can also cut the vinyl backing off the rear of the tank and run a fuge in the rear chambers, lit from the back through the glass. Finally, research InTank (Stevie T) custom media racks and biocube accessories.
Good luck.
If you go topless and if you light the tank with MH or LED, you can generate a really nice shimmer effect by installing a hydor on the return. But that can disrupt viewing from above.
If you place the tank at eye level, the cubes are deep enough (i.e from front to back as you are viewing) that you can achieve some nice effects with depth. Aquascaping in layers from front to back. But this is less appealing if you're viewing angle is top down. The tanks are also tall enough that you can place corals at contrasting heights.
I highly recommend not leaning the rock against the back wall, or if you must, stacking it in such a way as to maximize flow behind the rocks, basically so the rocks don't become a detritus trap.
I keep an aquapod and I am less familiar with the biocube, but on my cubes it has been beneficial to swap out the stock pump, and to drill additional returns in the false wall. You can also cut the vinyl backing off the rear of the tank and run a fuge in the rear chambers, lit from the back through the glass. Finally, research InTank (Stevie T) custom media racks and biocube accessories.
Good luck.
Tanque Verde
New member
P.S. IMHO, the design to avoid is the generic mountain of rocks. To avoid this, use less rocks and consider ways to join the rocks (acrylic tubing, zip ties, epoxy, etc) that will allow you to use less rocks while still creating interesting nooks.
savageAJC
New member
Ahh thx for
the info! I forgot you are the nano
master! I remeMber your tanks when I picked up that frogspawn!
I will be setting it up probably next week, I still need a
stand. And it will be at eye-level most likely with a hood. I don't think I'll be stocking
it up with too
much corals too soon as I still have a 75 to
fill. So for now the stock pc bulbs will have to do..
Have you used LEDs on any of yours tanque?
the info! I forgot you are the nano
master! I remeMber your tanks when I picked up that frogspawn!
I will be setting it up probably next week, I still need a
stand. And it will be at eye-level most likely with a hood. I don't think I'll be stocking
it up with too
much corals too soon as I still have a 75 to
fill. So for now the stock pc bulbs will have to do..
Have you used LEDs on any of yours tanque?
Tanque Verde
New member
Yes, I used LEDs on a ADA 45p. If I could afford it, I would use LEDs on all my tanks.
Out of the box, these AIO cubes have a lot of little flaws. For example, the stock Aquapod return pump has a terrible wattage-to-flow ratio (it adds more heat per gph than, say, a maxijet). Consequently, AIO keepers have perfected an array of brand-specific mods to tweak these tanks' performance. I highly recommend the nano forums on RC and elsewhere for a run down on those mods. If the tank is not already up and running, you can make a few cheap and easy fixes that will greatly improve the tanks performance. Another example: on the AP24, it was super easy to swap out the 2 x 32 PCs for 2 x 40s, which resulted in 25% more light. Also, be sure to check out nano-tuners and nano-customs if you don't already know those sites. They sell amazing upgrades on closed-hood biocubes.
Out of the box, these AIO cubes have a lot of little flaws. For example, the stock Aquapod return pump has a terrible wattage-to-flow ratio (it adds more heat per gph than, say, a maxijet). Consequently, AIO keepers have perfected an array of brand-specific mods to tweak these tanks' performance. I highly recommend the nano forums on RC and elsewhere for a run down on those mods. If the tank is not already up and running, you can make a few cheap and easy fixes that will greatly improve the tanks performance. Another example: on the AP24, it was super easy to swap out the 2 x 32 PCs for 2 x 40s, which resulted in 25% more light. Also, be sure to check out nano-tuners and nano-customs if you don't already know those sites. They sell amazing upgrades on closed-hood biocubes.
