Setting up a NEW Oceanic Biocube 29 - I have questions?

[o2zen]

I am new to this and this will be my first saltwater tank. Are there any mods I should do to the tank before I get too deep into the setting up of my first reef system?

I was told the tank came with a protein skimmer when I bought it but I have been told by others that they do not. Do I need one right away and has anyone used one of these? Good/Bad?

Is there a good mod for one on these systems?

I have 40 pounds of live fuji pink sand and water from the same system my live rock came out of as of right now but I have not picked out my live rock or even started setting up the system until I get a few more facts.

I live on the ocean in Florida and was also wondering about picking up base rock from the edge of one of the local bridges, at low tide and wanted to hear the pros/cons to this and how it might work in the tank or against the tank. I am a diver and not looking to harm the beaches or ocean around here by taking corals and such but I was curious about base rock/live rock and if it would work or not?

Any help or links to other Oceanic Biocube 29 mods would be great. Thanks.

 

[slumpysix]

Here's my thread and there are many others. Use the search tools on the main page and search for bio-cube, it will help immensely. The skimmer is not included and some use one and some do not.


http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=958885&perpage=25&pagenumber=2

 

[o2zen]

I just started my tank tonight and noticed that the pump connection to the bulkhead is dripping every few minutes which is throwing a ton of bubbles into the tank. I need to correct this and before I did this I was curious what people are doing with the pump and powerhead that comes stock in the tank?

I picked up a MJ1200 but am I supposed to replace the stock pump with this or add in to another chamber or in the tank itself. I also picked up a Hydor Flow and wanted to know where the best place to place it was.

I also wanted to add that when I filled my tank my 3rd chamber is way over the max line but when I trun off the pump the water levels out and is below where they tell you to fill it in the instructions. Is this normal with the tank?

I removed the bio balls and will be putting LR rubble in there for now and in about a month after I get it up and running I am adding the Sapphire protein skimmer.

Is everyone cutting the first chamber wall so water flow is better into the second chamber as well?

 

[slumpysix]

You could replace the stock pump but you have to cut the supply hose I believe. Have them side by side with all the parts and you should be able to do it to size up the exact height needed.

The main tank should be filled within a 1/4" of going over the black wall.
The first chamber wall can be cut for more flow and most have done this. Just use a utility knife with a sharp blade and score the plastic to make the cut and it will snap off pretty easy.

The skimmer will not work in chamber 2 with LR in it. I do not have LR in the rear chamber and have removed the bio balls.

You can always add the pump leaving the stock one. I think you would remove the first chamber floor by pushing down on a corner and will pop out providing the new pump will fit down in there.
You have to have a 90 degree fitting to turn out into the tank like the stock one and then have some sort of loc line fittings to finish it off.
You want the first chamber to pour over into chamber 2. Leave the floor in chamber 2 if you want to add the skimmer. That chamber will be about half filled. Remove the blue sponge in chamber 3 and have extra water to replace what is pushed into the tank. Add your water into the main tank to replace evaporated water. The chambers will even themselves out .


Happy Holidays....

 

[birdy607]

i dont have a protien skimmer because i do water changes every week but yea if it works so that u can close the lid it sounds nice but yea the bio cubes are nice and i just use my stock power head

 

[o2zen]

More questions and photos

More questions and photos

Quick update.

Added 40 pounds of Fuji Pink live sand today. Added 30-40 pounds of LR to the main tank and 5 pounds of rubbles to the middle chamber for now. I changed out the stock pump for the MJ1200 (should I run a filter in that at all?).

The LR I put in the main tank was half cured (nothing at all on it) and the other half was full of life and I wonder if I should have gone with all cured LR and not worried about die off? I found some small crabs of some type in my LR which are in the tank now and some of the other LR has very strange life on it. I know I picked up some worms of some type including some little 5 legged guys that look like a worm version of a star fish and turn into a ball and roll across the sand then lay flat again.

I also have some off looking things that kinda remind me of a leach (round with pointy ends and what look like a mouth or opening on one end like a pod.

I have some pink stuff that reminds me of melted plastic or gum on one of the LR I picked up and I am not sure what any of this stuff is or if I even want it in the tank.

I tested my salt levels and they are in the norm for now and my temp is just under 80.

Before the photo's I also wanted to ask about the power head and which way people tended to turn in for flow. I notice that the front of my tank is getting a ditch from the strong flow. I will be adding a Hydor Flow in the next day or so once places open up. The one I picked up was broken.

1) Some of the LR I put in the new tank today.

2) Some of the LR I put in the new tank today.

3) Some of the LR I put in the new tank today.

4) What is this guy? I now I have two out in the open but I also found two sticking out of some LR and when I tocuhed one it went back inside the rock.

5) So far this is how I have my front view looking. Sorry it is cloudy still. more images tomiorrow or the next day when it clears up some more.

6) Ok so this is a side view of the tank so far but what is that pink growth on the rocks towards the back. I am trying to set the rock up so I have a few channels for fish to swim through as well as some protected areas.

 

[Cody Ray]

Thoughs are some awesome pieces!

 

[o2zen]

Thanks. I spent about 2 hours in the dark lst night looking for life and that unknown slug like thing got up while I was sleeping and moved off someplace. I could not find him anywhere now. The other one that was on top of a LR now has little bristles all along its sides which I assume is for moving. I also found about 5 worm like things moving around in the dark coming out of the rocks and going back in when I turned on lights.