Hello all, i am new here and im looking for ideas on what to do to the rear chambers of my NC14. I just upgraded from a very beat up eclipse 12 that i had going for about 3 years until it was overtaken with coralline algae. I would like to someday get a coral or two growing, but for now all that resides in the tank are a clown a cleaner shrimp and two snails. The tank currently has live sand and about 4 pounds of live rock (i will probably add more live rock as the tank matures. It has only been up for about 2 weeks.)
I have read about all the mods people have done on these tanks and im excited to get started. Here is what im thinking of making or adding:
The first thing that appealed to me was a protein skimmer, i wish to make one similar to the sapphire design, and replace the bio balls in the second chamber with it. Good idea bad idea?
Should i add more flow? a stronger pump for the circulation and use the stock pump for the skimmer? A koralia nano for in the tank?
Keep or loose the stock filter cartridge? I kinda like the simplicity of replacing a cartridge... If i loose it what do i replace it with?
Cheato? where do i get it? what does it need to grow other than light?
What supplements should i buy to add to the water?
If you guys have any other suggestions go for it... Im eager to hear what you guys have to say.
Full Version: what to do to my new BC14
First off others are going to want to know what tank you actually have
Do you have the Biocube 14 or the Nano Cube 12?
QUOTE (Foppert @ Nov 19 2009, 03:47 AM) 
Hello all, i am new here and im looking for ideas on what to do to the rear chambers of my NC14. I just upgraded from a very beat up eclipse 12 that i had going for about 3 years until it was overtaken with coralline algae. I would like to someday get a coral or two growing, but for now all that resides in the tank are a clown a cleaner shrimp and two snails. The tank currently has live sand and about 4 pounds of live rock (i will probably add more live rock as the tank matures. It has only been up for about 2 weeks.)
I have read about all the mods people have done on these tanks and im excited to get started. Here is what im thinking of making or adding:
The first thing that appealed to me was a protein skimmer, i wish to make one similar to the sapphire design, and replace the bio balls in the second chamber with it. Good idea bad idea?
Should i add more flow? a stronger pump for the circulation and use the stock pump for the skimmer? A koralia nano for in the tank?
Keep or loose the stock filter cartridge? I kinda like the simplicity of replacing a cartridge... If i loose it what do i replace it with?
Cheato? where do i get it? what does it need to grow other than light?
What supplements should i buy to add to the water?
If you guys have any other suggestions go for it... Im eager to hear what you guys have to say.
Make a plan on what type of tank you want, if you are new to the hobbie you might want to start with easy soft corals and very few fish. Research and study any item or tank inhabitant BEFORE purchase. I have read about all the mods people have done on these tanks and im excited to get started. Here is what im thinking of making or adding:
The first thing that appealed to me was a protein skimmer, i wish to make one similar to the sapphire design, and replace the bio balls in the second chamber with it. Good idea bad idea?
Should i add more flow? a stronger pump for the circulation and use the stock pump for the skimmer? A koralia nano for in the tank?
Keep or loose the stock filter cartridge? I kinda like the simplicity of replacing a cartridge... If i loose it what do i replace it with?
Cheato? where do i get it? what does it need to grow other than light?
What supplements should i buy to add to the water?
If you guys have any other suggestions go for it... Im eager to hear what you guys have to say.
1. I remove the stock filters and only use them at feeding time, everyother day and then rinse with tank water when fish are done eating.
2. I also take out the bioballs, and use chempure and purgen instead.
3. You really do not need a skimmer unless you are going keep SPS or a large bioload. Weekly water changes of 10% will work and replace any trace elements you need so I would not add supplements until you know what you are going to do. And always test for whatever your adding before adding it.
4. Cheato is easy to find on-line, or at the LFS.
5. I would add a Koralla 1 anything bigger is going to be too much.
6. Go slow and research, you will enjoy the hobbie more and have greater success.
7. Depending on what your going to keep you might want to upgrade the lights, but the PC's are good for now.
8. I to have a new JBJ 12 gal deluxe that I just stated to cycle as you can see from my pic's the hobbie can become an addiction.
9. Post pics and keep everyone updated on your journey.
QUOTE (cheryl jordan @ Nov 19 2009, 12:38 PM)
Make a plan on what type of tank you want, if you are new to the hobbie you might want to start with easy soft corals and very few fish. Research and study any item or tank inhabitant BEFORE purchase.
1. I remove the stock filters and only use them at feeding time, everyother day and then rinse with tank water when fish are done eating.
2. I also take out the bioballs, and use chempure and purgen instead.
3. You really do not need a skimmer unless you are going keep SPS or a large bioload. Weekly water changes of 10% will work and replace any trace elements you need so I would not add supplements until you know what you are going to do. And always test for whatever your adding before adding it.
4. Cheato is easy to find on-line, or at the LFS.
5. I would add a Koralla 1 anything bigger is going to be too much.
6. Go slow and research, you will enjoy the hobbie more and have greater success.
7. Depending on what your going to keep you might want to upgrade the lights, but the PC's are good for now.
8. I to have a new JBJ 12 gal deluxe that I just stated to cycle as you can see from my pic's the hobbie can become an addiction.
9. Post pics and keep everyone updated on your journey.
1. I remove the stock filters and only use them at feeding time, everyother day and then rinse with tank water when fish are done eating.
2. I also take out the bioballs, and use chempure and purgen instead.
3. You really do not need a skimmer unless you are going keep SPS or a large bioload. Weekly water changes of 10% will work and replace any trace elements you need so I would not add supplements until you know what you are going to do. And always test for whatever your adding before adding it.
4. Cheato is easy to find on-line, or at the LFS.
5. I would add a Koralla 1 anything bigger is going to be too much.
6. Go slow and research, you will enjoy the hobbie more and have greater success.
7. Depending on what your going to keep you might want to upgrade the lights, but the PC's are good for now.
8. I to have a new JBJ 12 gal deluxe that I just stated to cycle as you can see from my pic's the hobbie can become an addiction.
9. Post pics and keep everyone updated on your journey.
Oh yea pics
Alright.... first, sorry its a BC14, my bad. I just got a clump of cheato which currently is free in the main chamber for the light. I might come up with some means of holding it near the surface of the tank to get it off the floor soon. Is there anything else i should know about cheato?
I have read to remove the sponge from the intake of the pump? Is this true? is there anything else i should remove from the stock filtration?
I have read to remove the sponge from the intake of the pump? Is this true? is there anything else i should remove from the stock filtration?
QUOTE (Foppert @ Nov 22 2009, 01:39 AM)
Alright.... first, sorry its a BC14, my bad. I just got a clump of cheato which currently is free in the main chamber for the light. I might come up with some means of holding it near the surface of the tank to get it off the floor soon. Is there anything else i should know about cheato?
I have read to remove the sponge from the intake of the pump? Is this true? is there anything else i should remove from the stock filtration?
I have read to remove the sponge from the intake of the pump? Is this true? is there anything else i should remove from the stock filtration?
Remove the bio-media and sponges, run floss and Chemi-pure elite, and perhaps purigen.
add 10 more pounds of live rock as soon as you can, it will help the tank cycle faster
QUOTE (Foppert @ Nov 22 2009, 01:39 AM)
Alright.... first, sorry its a BC14,
You can do a full edit on your first post and change the title, that way you will receive better answers.
Have you read over this link yet?
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...0&start=180
I've looked through the first few pages of the guide, good stuff there. I plan on trying to make it through the 13 pages... 
Can i replace the bioballs and the filter cartridge with the chemi-pure purigen and filterfloss?
Also how long does chemi-pure last before it has to be replaced?
Purigen... can it really be reused? Does it really last 6 months before needing to be regenerated?
if i make a set of trays to go in the second chamber of my tank how much light will the cheato need?
Can i replace the bioballs and the filter cartridge with the chemi-pure purigen and filterfloss?
Also how long does chemi-pure last before it has to be replaced?
Purigen... can it really be reused? Does it really last 6 months before needing to be regenerated?
if i make a set of trays to go in the second chamber of my tank how much light will the cheato need?
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