Upgrading Oceanic Biocube 14

[jgb23]

I purchased an Oceanic Biocube 14 gallon nano cube and was wondering of ways to upgrade it. So far, I got rid of the small return pump from 137GPH to a RIO 600GPH (I had it laying around).

The lighting is standard (24W 10K and 24W actintic, total 48W). I am not going to keep anything really fancy, so I think this lighting should be ok. I was thinking of keeping some shrooms, lps and softies. I think the lighting should be sufficient.

What really concerns me is the old style filtration. It looks like it uses a carbon filter then a bio-ball type (biolgical) section. I am only keep 2-3 small gobies, a pistol shrimp and a couple of corals.
What can be done to upgrade the filtration? I was thinking about the nano skimmer, but from what I read, it doesnt appear to be that good.

 

[jgb23]

any takers?

 

[Avalanche1201]

get rid of the bio balls, throw some LR cheato in there to help out....u can use some filter floss to help catch debris...and theres some other ways but i cant think of it now b/c im in class...ill get back to other ways later, HTH

 

[jmcmahon66]

Popular mods to the Biocube are removing the filter cartridge, bioballs, and blue sponge near the pump. You could place a poly filter pad, LR rubble, and chaeto in the back. I do not know if the Tunze nano skimmer would fit the 14g size, but it is a reliable option in a small size. A bigger pump (like a MJ1200) and a hydor flow would help make more randomized flow. HTH

 

[dixonba]

In a tank that small, I would run purigen in with the chaeto to get a good hold on organics and keep up with the water changes. Get rid of the bio-balls and make yourself a fuge.

 

[jgb23]

Great, thanks for the replies. What is a purigen? From the fuge perspective, what kind of lighting would I install for it?

 

[dixonba]

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Np=1&pc=1&N=0&Nty=1

You should find something in the 6500k temperature range.