Oceanic BioCube (or equivalent) surface skimming

[Buddyboy]

Hi All!

Just wondering what kind of a job these all-in-one units, the BioCube specifically, do with surface skimming? Does the built-in overflow box get the job done? Is there an oily slick on the water surface? I have been battling 'the slick' for months with my AquaC Remora w/ skimmer box and i'm fed up!! hahaha Is the BioCube the answer? Thanks for your thoughts!!!

Greg

 

[Rivenjim]

i would liketo know too as i am interested in this system.

 

[Snowsrfr]

I'm sure the more experienced will speak up, but I just set up my 8 gallon BioCube this weekend and the water is now crystal clear but I do have the "slick" on the surface. Has anybody tried one of the surface skimmers that you can get for the Nano Cubes? Maybe a Tunze nano stream would be the answer for surface agitation?

 

[Buddyboy]

Ugh! I was afraid of that! Anybody else have any different experiences? Maybe i'll just need to add a sump to fix this problem?

I find that surface agitation only moves the slick around but does not get rid of it.

You mentioned something about a surface skimmer for the Nano Cubes? Does anyone have any information on this?

 

[GSMguy]

first of alll enough surface agitation will get rid of any slick you need to block the bottom intake on the bio cube and increase agitation if you have oily water you are low on oxygen as well especially with no skimmer

 

[mdisalvo55]

I just aim the water flow coming from the built in pump at the surface and it does a great job of getting rid of the oily slick at the top. I think if you aim it right you can send the slick right through the filtration.

 

[stealle]

I have the BC8. It's been up and running for about 6 weeks. Replaced the stock pump with a minijet 606. Went from 100 gph to 150+ghp with the pump upgrade. I use a hydor-flo. When it's in the up position you get great surface agitation.

I don't use the factory filter. I cut the plastic in between chamber one and two a little to improve flow (just takes a couple minutes with a razor blade to score and some wire snips). This will bring down the water level in the main display just a little and draws water rapidly into the top intake. The result is great surface skimming.

Now I have rubble in chamber one and set up a fuge in chamber 2. I've never seen an oil slick. Very satisfied with this system.

 

[slumpysix]

Hey Greg,
I turned my output nozzle vertical and point it to the front glass letting the water agitate the surface. I get the surface pretty well I think. I ordered the sapphire skimmer designed for the BC 29. I get it Friday. I left the stock pump in and you know what, it really is a decent stock pump. The tunze skimmer you have to mod out the middle chamber for it to fit. The sapphire is supposed to fit right in without problem. We shall see. Hope this helps.
Jeff

 

[slovan]

I just set up a Bio cube 14 yesterday. I'm still using the stock Oceanic pump for the return but stuck a maxijet 1200 in there. You can tell from the second picture that the surface is well agitated.

I have some live rock in the wet/dry(middle) compartment and a bag of carbon instead of the carbon cartridges in the right compartment. I hope it'll work.

 

[GobyJohnKenobi]

I have a BC8 with a minijet and a Flo.

As far as surface skimming goes with this setup, lets just say that with the pump on it takes about 2.5 seconds for a small, floating food pellet to get pushed thru the surface grate into the back chamber from the opposite front corner.

Good thing my pseudochromis is FAST. LOL

No surface scum. The Flo and higher output from the Minijet ARE the key.

 

[ddahlheimer]

I have the Bio 14 and I have also found that replacing the stock pump and adding a flo are the way to go. I also cut a few of the tops off of the intake grate teeth and found this to be an effective way to surface skim without cutting the chamber walls.