Joshnieder216's biocube 32 build

[Joshnieder216]

After debating for a long time if i wanted to do a build thread ive decided to take the plunge and throw mine out there. I bought my biocube when they were first released last Aug/Sep. Since then i have been slowly buying parts and pieces here and there to try and keep the initial sticker shock down and also really take the time to decide exactly how i wanted to go about putting everything together. I truly appreciate all of the builds in the forums so far as ive borrowed ideas from alot of you here. I'm gonna try to go back in time from pics on my phone and piece everything back together from the beginning so bear with me until i can get caught up to date.

 

[Joshnieder216]

My first big purchase was my brs 6 stage rodi and 40 lbs of brs reef saver rock. I wanted to start fresh and avoid any pest hitchhikers. I threw the rock in a heated circulated tank to cure knowing it was gonna be a few months before everything else was ready to go anyways. My garage is heated and never below 60F so to avoid dragging buckets up from the basement decided this was the best place.

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[Joshnieder216]

So next was the stand. I decided to build my own based off the coralife stand only using solid wood rather than the laminated press board they used plus I wanted to incorporate a dj power strip to get that Red Sea feel at a discount price. I used a couple small brackets so that you can tilt the shelf down to get behind the strip to change cords if need be but locks in place otherwise. It's kinda cheesy but overall functional.

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[Joshnieder216]

We have a "not so local" fish store that's kinda known for building live rock walls on the back of their tanks. I REALLY liked the look but wanted to avoid paying then to build one if I could take it on myself. It turned out pretty good for my first attempt I think but like anything else if I did it again it would be better. (I've since decided to remove the egg crate from the bottom of the tank)

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[Joshnieder216]

So here's where the fun began...I had a PLAN to gather the rest of the equipment I wanted to get this thing up and running for Christmas. Spend a couple days getting it all out in place to add water Jan 1st. Well there was a silicone mishap which if you find my biocube face palm thread you'll see the details of what happened. A very humbling experience and a reminder of why plans are usually a bad idea. Ive spent the last couple weeks trying to rectify the mistake I'd made and the jury is still out if all is going to be well.


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[Joshnieder216]

So where we are now is last week I got my rockscape in and it's been sitting stagnant. Last night I got all equipment, sand and water in the tank and the cycle started. I'm doubling up with biospira and the Red Sea reef mature so hopefully all goes well with that. Not that I'm in a hurry to get cycled but just wanted to get a solid start. As it stands right now my tank is chamber 1 100w neotherm heater. Chamber 2 stock rack with floss on top (switching to intank basket and fuge whenever fuge is in stock) Chamber 3 mj1200 w/Coralife UV, AL115, tunze nano top off and that is CRAMPED in there. Hopefully not but most likely somethings going to get changed back there as it's pretty busy.

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[Seattle_Reef]

Looking good so far! I like the rock work. I'm looking forward to updates, thanks for sharing.

 

[Smoke Inator]

love the rock wall!

 

[Joshnieder216]

love the rock wall!

Hey, thanks Ron. I've gotta admit I've followed you pretty close on here the last few months. You've asked alot of the same questions that have been on my mind about things. I really chewed my lip the other night about cutting a hole in my lid above chamber 1 so i could keep my AL115 over there...haha

 

[Smoke Inator]

Hey, thanks Ron. I've gotta admit I've followed you pretty close on here the last few months. You've asked alot of the same questions that have been on my mind about things. I really chewed my lip the other night about cutting a hole in my lid above chamber 1 so i could keep my AL115 over there...haha

:thumbsup:

I just picked up an ato so i can go AL115 in chamber 2 and move my reactor to chamber 1.

with the amount of cash we dump into these things, my wife would kill me if i start cutting the hood apart.

 

[Joshnieder216]

:thumbsup:



I just picked up an ato so i can go AL115 in chamber 2 and move my reactor to chamber 1.



with the amount of cash we dump into these things, my wife would kill me if i start cutting the hood apart.

Yup, mine too. I couldn't come up with a way to do it and make it look good.

I'm conflicted. I wanna stick with the fuge in #2 because someday I'd like to try to keep a mandarin, but at the same time my chamber 3 is so packed full it's gonna be a huge deal to change the sponge down there. Not giving in just yet but ultimately I do like the idea of a reactor over a fuge.


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[PyroSteve]

Looks good. 3D rock wall is a nice touch!

 

[Smoke Inator]

crap, just ordered the AL115 to try out.

Thanks Josh, its all your fault!

 

[jzch82]

Can we see a picture of the back and all the pumps?
Can you also post a link to the AL115 thing you bought so I know why to find it if I end up needing one?

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[Smoke Inator]

AquaticLife Internal Mini Protein Skimmer 115

I just ordered it so next weekend i will send picks of my chamber setups

 

[Joshnieder216]

crap, just ordered the AL115 to try out.

Thanks Josh, its all your fault!

Anytime! Hopefully one of us can hammer this out. I kinda feel like I'm being greedy asking too much out of too small a place. Is day 2 of the cycle too soon to be thinking full blown sump??? Haha jk

As requested this is the aquatic life 115 protein skimmer and my chamber 3 which is WAY too crowded.


"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude

 

[rockhead51]

I don't run a skimmer (all softies and one frogspawn, so they seen to like it that way) in my BioCube 32, but I do have a general question (I'm a noob): what good is a skimmer in chamber 3 after all the mechanical filtration? Wouldn't it be better to go into chamber 1, or take up half of a modified chamber 2?

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[Joshnieder216]

I don't run a skimmer (all softies and one frogspawn, so they seen to like it that way) in my BioCube 32, but I do have a general question (I'm a noob): what good is a skimmer in chamber 3 after all the mechanical filtration? Wouldn't it be better to go into chamber 1, or take up half of a modified chamber 2?

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Ideally yes, chamber 1 is where i'd like to keep it. Hoping someone smarter than me can find a way to make this particular skimmer fit in there. More or less this setup is just how i could fit all the equipment I hope to use in the space I have. My chamber 2 is going to be tied up with an intank rack/fuge or possibly rack/reactor if I decide to scrap the fuge. I'm absolutely open to any and all suggestions though. I do believe your right that in chamber 3 the skimmer loses a ton of efficiency but anything it pulls out is better than nothing.

 

[Scurvy Dawg]

Cool rock wall, keep us up to date after things start maturing and filling in.

I have a quick question....How come so much filtered water for a 32? I am always a little nervous keeping too much stagnant water sitting around.

BTW, I have the exact same BRS filter setup as you and love it. Had a small issue with the auto-shutoff valve leaking and they sent a replacement in 2 days. Those guys over there are pretty awesome to deal with.

 

[Joshnieder216]

Cool rock wall, keep us up to date after things start maturing and filling in.

I have a quick question....How come so much filtered water for a 32? I am always a little nervous keeping too much stagnant water sitting around.

BTW, I have the exact same BRS filter setup as you and love it. Had a small issue with the auto-shutoff valve leaking and they sent a replacement in 2 days. Those guys over there are pretty awesome to deal with.

I originally tried using a couple 10 totes. They would flex so bad between full and empty my bulkheads leaked so I decided to use brutes since that seems to be the norm. The 30 gal can was the smallest I could find. Worked great having the room for my initial fill up and now I'm keeping them under half full. Planning on 5 gal weekly water changes.


"Yea, well, that's like, your opinion man" -The Dude