my new biocube

[cmac23]

as you notice the middle chamber is bigger, kind of block by my metal halide lighting. also the 4th pic shows the stock window for a fuge. so can i just put a light back there, and it can penetrate through the glass, or do i still need a light down in the water for the fuge. im thinking oceanic made this window so you can attach a light to the back. you will also notice that the filter lays horiz comapred to the previous vertical one in the first chamber. first chamber has a skimmer and heater right now

is my tank different than the orignal cubes? and of course just want to know if i can attach a light to the outside of the tank where the window is? also i dont think a steviet's media basket will fit snug in here, seems as my second chamber is bigger.

well just found out that i can put a light in the back of the tank. how many watts should the light be to pentrate thru the glass. also should i even use cheato.

 

[wpecoul]

You shouldn't need much of a light - maybe a 9W compact or a 15W twist/60W equivalent. You might even be able to use a dual white LED module. Spectrum doesn't matter here. And I would definitely use chaeto - in fact I wouldn't put anything else in there. If you need some chaeto, let me know and I'll bring some to next week's meeting for you.
I was looking at that setup when it came into the store. Take your time and plan it out and you should be really happy with it.

 

[cmac23]

thanks for the cheato,. when did you check it out at the store. i went on thurs, feb 18th, and went back and bought it on sat. im taking my time. i ordered the stand, should be here this week, then i will add live rock and water. hopefully i can buy live rock from someone's tank to help mine get started.

 

[cmac23]

so pull the filter thats in the second chamber and the sponge going to the third chamber? also should i add chem pur/carbon? or shoudl those only be added when needed. right now i have the k1 pump, 50 watt stealth heater, and the oceanic skimmer it came with. thinking that the small ocaenic skimmer will have to be replaced, but if i haev enuff live rock can i get away with it. what will catch the debris in the tank if i take everything out? im experienced but still new. on my 75 gallon i had a nice skimmer and canister filter

 

[wpecoul]

Basically, all of the prefilters and mesh/foam filters are a no-no >unless< you are going to keep them clean almost religiously. Otherwise, they clog, slow the rate of flow and become nitrate factories.
Carbon is fine, but it's most effective if the water is forced through it - just a bag somewhere in there won't do much.
I've seen that setup a couple of times since he got it in - last weekend and one day last week as well. Even though it has a fuge and skimmer, I would still plan on weekly water changes of about 5G. Water changes are important on all of our system, but crucial in a nano.

 

[cmac23]

i will be on top of the water changes. just trying to get everything good before i add water, as im new to nano, (saltwater exp about 4 years)