Upgrades for Biocube 29 G

[avi21]

First off all, i am new to Salt water hobbie and have veryless knowledge .

I am writing up this thread to get best suggestions from the people who had well hands on experience. Basically everyone

I got a used Biocube 29G and trying to set it up. I have gone through lot of forums and videos but each one has different opinons. So i am trying to check, if someone can help me in the right direction. Also i am less on budget , so would like to go with cheap and best way. I know cheap and best are two exact opposite words but we always aim for that and end in a different way.

Right now i have heater(Tetra), Aqueon circulation pump 700, pump which came with biocube, UV sterilizer(no idea which model it is), thermometer.

I really dont to mess up by starting with something and let fishes die. So i am trying to be more patient to get more and more knowledge before i jump in.

Please advise me on how to setup my tank and maintenance that i need to takecare after setting up the tank.

Thanks alot in advance.
@vi

 

[daninflipflops]

you might not need the heater depending on where you live, what type of light is on the cube?? only thing i see missing is a powerhead, i would add one of those. other than that i think you are ok for equipment. i ran a cube that size for a long time with no skimmer, just water changes.

next up would then be getting some rock, either live rock, dry rock or a combination of the two. if you want sand get some aragonite, live not needed its a waste of money.

read up on the cyling a tank here in the stickies and ask lots of questions.

if you have questions on where the equipment goes on the back of your tank, take a picture and post it and we can help

 

[avi21]

First off all thanks @daninflipflopps for having time to read my post and responding back. I live in Auburn Hills, Michigan. I need a heater for sure in my weather.

About the light it came with Coralife 10,000K 36Watss and Coralife Aclinic Blue 36 Watts along with two blue led lights.

Is there any powerhead model that you can recommend off?

Also i attached image of my tank back. For more clear view , i did attach one from google which looks the same.

Due you recommend any filtration that i need to have.

 

[LQT]

For a return pump, I'd recommend a Cobalt MJ1200. As far as power heads go, I would recommend 2, one on each side of the tank. For a budget friendly option, 2 Jebao SW4s would work very well, for midrange 2 Tunze 6040s are excellent, if you have money to burn, then 2 Ecotech MP10wQDs. For a protein skimmer, I highly recommend an Aquaticlife 115 in chamber 1. The water level in chamber 1 remains consistent thus you'll get consistent skimmer performance there. In the middle chamber if you haven't already done so, get rid of the sponges and bioballs. I use an InTank media basket with filter floss, purigen and BRS ROX carbon in the media basket sections. Also, definitely invest in an ATO (auto top off) to keep your salinity stable. The Autoaqua Smart Micro ATO would be perfect for theBioCube 29.

Check out the Nano section on Reef Central as there are a wealth of BioCube build threads that you can use for inspiration.

 

[avi21]

@LQT Thanks for the suggestion

Dont you think the return pump that the biocube came with is not enough? Also, i have Aqueon circulation pump 700 wont be good enough? If not can i have just another power head as you recommend for the second?

 

[LQT]

I'm sure the stock will work, but over time, I've heard that they can get noisey. Not familiar with the Aqueon 700 pump, how many gph does it push? Also, as far as the MJ1200, make sure you get the Cobalt MJ1200, it's Italian made as opposed to the Marineland Maxi Jet 1200, which is Chinese made... big difference!

 

[daninflipflops]

well OP said cheapest way...LOL...so i would stick to the stock equipment and i wouldnt do a skimmer right away. get the tank cycled and get a powerhead, when i had a bio-cube i used one of the cheap ones, but the Jabao is a good option for sure. you can always upgrade equipment as you go. agree with ditching the sponges and balls, you dont want that. filter floss is good that you will wash and replace often. get some carbon, i use the mid-grade stuff from BRS, again thinking budget here. i wouldnt start with carbon, but use it once you start getting stocked.