Oceanic Bio Cube 29 Gallons Questions

jrubio69 · 08-06-2007, 03:17 PM

I am from Mexico City, but I bought my Bio Cube in the States a few weeks ago. I read a lot in this community and I found out that my choise was a good one. This type of aquariums are difficult to find in Mexico in a good price.

From what I read in the past few days is that I have to kick out the Bio spheres and replace them with a Swimmer, also that I have to make some modifications to the wall between chambers number 1 and 2.

My questions are:
How many live sand and live rock I have to buy?
I can use the live rocks instaed of the Skimmer in the second chamber and place the skimmer in the third chamber or the skimmer outside the chambers with the live rocks in the second?
Between the second and the third chamber there is a spounch, I have to take it out?
In the first chamber there is a filter, I have to take it out?

Thanks to all for your time

Julio Rubio

Psychojam · 08-06-2007, 05:52 PM

Hi There,

to Talkingreef!

Question #1: 1 to 2 pounds of live sand and live rock per gallon. (Remember that the display area of a BioCube 29 is considerably less than 29 gal.)

Question #2: You can put Live Rock rubble in the 2nd chamber, or even put a small light and macroalgae for a refugium. As for where to put the skimmer, it depends on which skimmer you use. Some are specifically designed to go in the second chamber. Click here for an example.I haven't done any of these things myself, so I can't comment from experience.

Question #3: I didn't take out the sponge, I think it helps reduce micro-bubbles (could be wrong about this) I do rinse it at least once a week in RO/DI water. As far as the filter, I stopped using the stock carbon filter insert and started using a product called Poly-Filter, with good success.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your new tank!

jrubio69 · 08-07-2007, 04:13 PM

Psycojam:

Thanks a lot in answering. Another question, you mention that I have to put a small light in the second chamber, how many watts is this light? and what type of light?

Regards

Julio

Psychojam · 08-07-2007, 08:48 PM

Here's an example.

I'm sure there are other ways to go about doing this. Like I said, I've never done this myself, so I can't speak from experience. (Right now, i just have a ball of Cheato floating in my display

)

**CarmieJo** · 08-08-2007, 01:18 AM

Hi Julio, "welcome" to TR.

I have the sponge in my first chamber and run carbon second.

Plasticreefer · 09-28-2007, 07:49 PM

I have had one of these for a year now and i have about 20 pounds of both live sand and rock and i got a nano skimmer about 6months ago and its been work just fine so i would strongly recomend this. i would not recommend putting more than 30 punds of live sand in the tank because when you have a very deep sand bed in such a small tank it builds up various amounts of ugly algea wich is hard to get rid of i took some sand out of my tank after a while of pesky algae

**CarmieJo** · 09-28-2007, 08:31 PM

Hi Plastic Reefer,

What kind of skimmer do you have?

Plasticreefer · 10-01-2007, 08:01 PM

i think that the company is CPR (cprusa.com) its model is SR3 it works great...

aprillynd · 06-25-2008, 04:46 PM

I actually bought the one made for the Bio Cube and it works ok. only problem is where to put it. I've resorted to placing it in the first chamber where the water enters the back to be filtered. IMO, that isn't a very good setup. Also, I don't know much about modifications. I'm afraid I'll break the tank.

rroselavy · 06-26-2008, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psychojam

Here's an example.

I'm sure there are other ways to go about doing this. Like I said, I've never done this myself, so I can't speak from experience. (Right now, i just have a ball of Cheato floating in my display

)

That chamber light mod is pretty good. I would probably get 3 for better coverage.

I bought one of these Nanocustoms 5.1 LED lights for my sump's Chaeto chamber. It was actually designed for tanks like the BC29. Even comes with Adhesive backed velcro for attachment. Expensive, but it works well and you do not have to worry about heat. Here's a picture of it on my sump.

BTW: The water exchange system that person has is interesting.

keith p · 07-06-2008, 10:45 AM

Adding chaeto was a great help in my tank. This cheap(er) light works great for me!

Taam Rio Mini Sun Daylight Lighting Fixture (Flexible Mount LEDs )

Some one once told me to rinse sponges off with tank water, to avoide "die off" inside the sponge. Any truth to this?

Julio,
Good luck with your tank! Take it slow and plan ahead

**CarmieJo** · 07-07-2008, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keith p

Some one once told me to rinse sponges off with tank water, to avoide "die off" inside the sponge. Any truth to this?

Presuming you are talking about sponges in the back I don't think you want any significant bacteria in them. The bacteria will be aerobic and the nitrate will build up in your tank. I don't use them at all in my nano but if I was trying to use them as a pre-filter to trap detritus I would rinse them nearly daily.