My biocube 14 build up

[tpayne156]

hello my name is Tim Payne. I am starting a 14 gallon biocube tank. this will be my first saltwater tank setup. So comments that could help would be appreciated. I will try to upload as many pic as I can because i found there is not alot of helpful pic on biocube out there.

 

[duncantse]

Good luck on your biocube! Can't wait for some pics.

 

[tpayne156]

Here is a pic of some of the equipment I'm using in the tank.
Biocube Protein skimmer
Hydor Koralia nano 425
Maxi-jet 900
Aqua Lifter
50 watt heater
Hydor flo
Nanomag magnetic cleaner
Biocube 14 media basket
ReefKeeper Lite L3 PLUS - Digital Aquatics
Single Bracket ReefKeeper Float Switch Kit - Digital Aquatics
BRS RO/DI.

 

[tpayne156]

pic

 

[tpayne156]

the MAXI JET 900 POWERHEAD will need to be modified. It will not fit in it the stock pump chamber. I did this by removing about 1/4 inch of the inlet side of the pump.

 

[duncantse]

Good start! What is your stocking plan?

 

[tpayne156]

i don't know. Right now there is 1 Emerald Crab, 1 Turbo Snail, 3 Hermit Crab and 1 sand sifting snail.

 

[tpayne156]

Yes i know it is a 29 biocube stand but i need more room under the tank.

 

[tpayne156]

15 lb of live rock and 20 lb of live sand

 

[tpayne156]

some more setup pic

 

[duncantse]

Nice start! Now just sit back and relax and let your tank cycle.

 

[tpayne156]

so i have a ReefKeeper Lite and the ph is 8.10 to 8.25 is that good that is moves up and down like that?

 

[duncantse]

That much of a pH swing is nothing to worry about.

 

[tpayne156]

I'm having problems with my protein skimmer every time i close the lid the cup falls off. I think it's funny that the protein skimmer made for the tank doesn't really work will in the tank. i will just have to think of a way to make it work.

 

[duncantse]

The biocube protein skimmer is a waste of money IMO. I bought one for my 20g tank and it did not break in. I have waited a full month still, there was no skimmate. The water that filled the cup was clear, no green/brown water or anything.

 

[tpayne156]

I will have to post some pic on what I did to the Skimmer and biocube but it is working great now. And it is producing a lot for simmate. The local petsmart was selling boicube Skimmer for $15 so I got another one Just incase.

 

[dnanoreefer]

is that skimmer the oceanic one with the airstone? my friend has that same one and he is pulling good amounts of skimmate daily out of his pico. he did have to modify the airline i believe? but he likes it. and 15 bucks wow, i have seen them at petco but for 50 bucks. are your fts with just your actinics on?

 

[tpayne156]

One of those pictures has the actinic's on and the other one does not have them on. it's just the other light. The actinic's seem to mess with the camera when taking pictures. I will try to get some other pictures of all the lighting. What did your friend have to do to the airlines to modify it. The first skimmer I bought was from petco 50 dollars so I was surprised when I saw that one. I plan on using it in my brackish water tank.

 

[AndoCleophus]

seeing this reminds me of my old BC8, great start btw, just be patient, so difficult to watch everything just happen; i started getting frag obsessed and eventually everything grew out so fast and was time for an upgrade...will follow along on your progress.

 

[tpayne156]

For mine Protein skimmer I had to cut the side of the tank so the skimmer would sit lower in the water and so the cup would not get knocked off by the hood when I close it. You would think that biocube would at least consider this When making the skimmer for their tanks.