The Biocube Resource Guide

[Reefmonster]

IMO with the BC14 unless you are in a heavy bioload situation weekly water changes should be enough to keep your system nice an clean. In addition if you have not already done so look into modding the stock filter to accept some polyester fiber fill and change it a couple of times per week.

You could certaily get an MP 10 for this tank as they are pretty much infinitely adjustable.

 

 

 

The Maxijets are definitely adding heat to the system especially with the top closed. Does the 14 gallon have the small part of the hood that opens in the back? If so you can dissipate some of the heat by keeping that part open. The MP10 added to the tank and the Maxijets removed will help to remove some of the heat from the tank.

Awesome! Thanks...I think I'm going to add a couple of fans to the back plane of the hood...A little more air-flow in can't hurt...I'm also thinking about remoting the ballasts to a box behind the tank, if possible. No idea how to do that, but there must be a way... I wonder if replacing the 3.24 mod with a LED retro with cool whites on a nice heatsink and remoting all the hot ballasts will make it better? Anyone know if this is possible? I really don't want to add a chiller...my house gets warm as it is...

[jfarabaugh]

Awesome! Thanks...I think I'm going to add a couple of fans to the back plane of the hood...A little more air-flow in can't hurt...I'm also thinking about remoting the ballasts to a box behind the tank, if possible. No idea how to do that, but there must be a way... I wonder if replacing the 3.24 mod with a LED retro with cool whites on a nice heatsink and remoting all the hot ballasts will make it better? Anyone know if this is possible? I really don't want to add a chiller...my house gets warm as it is...

 

Define "Warm" EDIT: Sorry you stated this in a earlier post - 78

If the location of your tank is either hot or cold with nothing in the tank to handle it (heater or chiller) your tank is going to go into bad temp ranges and affect your livestock.

 

 

EDIT: I recently replaced 2 nano power heads with an MP10 in my BC 29 and I have seen about a 2 degree difference in my max tank temp.

 

MP10 is the best thing I have ever bought for my tank.

Edited May 14, 2010 by jfarabaugh

[Primeval]

I keep the room temp at 78*. I think I'm getting heat from the powerheads. I have a MJ1200, and a MJ900 for circulation...I noticed the MJ1200 was really warm this morning...I also noticed that the ballast gets REALLY hot...Maybe I'll raise the hood and set a piece of eggcrate between it and the water...give it a bit of airflow. (I have two small kids and don't want something "dropping" in the water, but don't want my water to get to 90* either)... I did the 3.24 Mod, but didn't upgrade my ballasts...shame on me . I wonder if a MP10 would lower the heat qotient? Maybe an upgrade to LED's? No ideas at this point....A chiller is not an option...my wife says "NO", and she's the boss....

 

What do you guys think?

 

 

I'm assuming you have the 900 in Chamber 3 to replace the stock pump. Take the 1200 out and replace it with a Koralia - I don't think they run as hot but someone will have to confirm.

 

If you have 2 maxijets in the display area then that would certainly be a big factor in your heat issue.

[spanko]

Also if you have a MJ1200 or even the 900 replacing the stock pump, look into the Rio 6hf. They run with less power consumption which equates to less heat.

 

Maxi-Jet 1200

• V/Hz: 120V/60Hz

• Wattage: 20W

• Max Flow: 295gph

• Max Pumping Height: 69"

• Dimensions: 3.5" L x 2" W x 3.25" H

Maxi-jet 900

• V/Hz: 120V/60Hz

• Wattage: 8.5W

• Max Flow: 230gph

• Max Pumping Height: 46"

• Dimensions: 3.5" L x 2" W x 3.25" H

Rio 6HF

• V/Hz: 120V/60Hz

• Wattage: 15W

• Max Flow: 350gph

• Max Pumping Height: 72"

• Dimensions: 3.9" L x 2" W x 2.5" H

Rio 8HF

• V/Hz: 120V/60Hz

• Wattage: 30W

• Max Flow: 550gph

• Max Pumping Height: 78"

• Dimensions: 4.4" X 2.3" X 2.8"

[benoitcdc]

A chiller is not an option...my wife says "NO", and she's the boss....

 

What do you guys think?

I think the wife is the boss!!! Works that way in my home as well. LOL

 

Removing the power heads or changing them out like the others have recommended is a good start. Adding fans or changing lights are another option. The only other thing I can think of is dropping the room temp by 4 deg to 74 deg. With your room temp at 78, that does not give you much wiggle room for equipment heat.

[jfarabaugh]

I think the wife is the boss!!! Works that way in my home as well. LOL

 

Removing the power heads or changing them out like the others have recommended is a good start. Adding fans or changing lights are another option. The only other thing I can think of is dropping the room temp by 4 deg to 74 deg. With your room temp at 78, that does not give you much wiggle room for equipment heat.

 

A chiller will be cheaper then cooling the whole house another 4 deg. The same may go for swapping out powerheads and lights. Just keep that in mind when trying to convince the boss

[chrssprngs]

Also if you have a MJ1200 or even the 900 replacing the stock pump, look into the Rio 6hf. They run with less power consumption which equates to less heat.

 

Maxi-Jet 1200

• V/Hz: 120V/60Hz

• Wattage: 20W

• Max Flow: 295gph

• Max Pumping Height: 69"

• Dimensions: 3.5" L x 2" W x 3.25" H

Maxi-jet 900

• V/Hz: 120V/60Hz

• Wattage: 8.5W

• Max Flow: 230gph

• Max Pumping Height: 46"

• Dimensions: 3.5" L x 2" W x 3.25" H

Rio 6HF

• V/Hz: 120V/60Hz

• Wattage: 15W

• Max Flow: 350gph

• Max Pumping Height: 72"

• Dimensions: 3.9" L x 2" W x 2.5" H

Rio 8HF

• V/Hz: 120V/60Hz

• Wattage: 30W

• Max Flow: 550gph

• Max Pumping Height: 78"

• Dimensions: 4.4" X 2.3" X 2.8"

 

 

Nice Info. Lower power consumption, less heat, smaller footprint and more flow. Hard to beat that. Give me a Rio!

Edited May 21, 2010 by chrssprngs

[chrssprngs]

Just looked at a picture of the Rio and noticed another advantage. The intake is grated and at the bottom which is much better than the Maxijet inlet which I had to mod a little for a better fit. Much less chance of a snail or the side of the chamber clogging the intake.

[uxdesigner]

Nice Info. Lower power consumption, less heat, smaller footprint and more flow. Hard to beat that. Give me a Rio!

 

Also take a look at the Hydor Pico Evolution 1200. 300 GPH at 8 watts of power and silent. I'm using mine with a Hydor Flo and replaced the 90 degree connection with a single hose and the power is excellent. A few others on here are also using them all with great success.

 

 

Great forum and great resource that helped me get started. I would like to be added to the Members Biocube 14 list. Thanks!

Edited May 24, 2010 by uxdesigner

[Reefmonster]

Also take a look at the Hydor Pico Evolution 1200. 300 GPH at 8 watts of power and silent. I'm using mine with a Hydor Flo and replaced the 90 degree connection with a single hose and the power is excellent. A few others on here are also using them all with great success.

 

 

Great forum and great resource that helped me get started. I would like to be added to the Members Biocube 14 list. Thanks!

Awesome answers! Thanks and Hydor here I come!

[chrssprngs]

One Hydor Pico 1200 on its way.

[InLimbo87]

Is there a DIY for a screen mesh cover for the Biocube 29? I will be running mine open top and have been looking for a good resource for plans to cover it to prevent jumping fish.

[spanko]

There is also a corner connector made from vinyl that I cannot find a picture of but look like these metal ones.

And of course the 3/8" pond netting.

I used 3/8 inch and double layered it. I had it single layered but my first yellow Head Jawfish jumped right through it. So now instead of one layer of a 3/8 inch square opening in the net i have the two layers crossed so that the square is a box with a X in it. You can see what I mean in the picture.

You can order 1/4" pond netting on line, however I did not only because I did not know if the fish would still be able to launch itself through the square hole. I was really surprised one day when my wife had my 2 year old granddaughter call me at work and tell me that the new jawfish was all dried up on the carpet!

 

all the supplies were from Lowe's except the pond net. They may even have that.

 

Don't have a full pic of mine but here is one another reefer made from the plans I gave him.

If you have a square tank it will be much easier because we had to trim for the bow front of the 29 biocube.

[InLimbo87]

Perfect, thank you

 

I also found this one: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=212941 which appears to follow the same idea.

[uwwmatt]

...

 

Nice DIY, thanks for sharing.

[uwwmatt]

It has been a while since I have updated the Biocube Owners List. I tried to go back and find the ones I missed. Here is the list I have now. If your name is not on there and you want it to be just let me know.

 

• 8s
  

nanonan's 8G Biocube
Hlander's BC8 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=221323
Gromit's BC8 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=238519&hl=
 
14s
UWWMatt's 14G Biocube
Plainrt's 14G Biocube
Deli's 14G Biocube
splitskater's 14G biocube
girlgoneaqua's14G Biocube
nanoreef11's 14G Biocube
Hairoid's 14G Biocube
Ishane's 14G Biocube
Cali-girl's 14G Biocube
Patrick19's 14G Biocube
Phoebe's 14G Biocube
Firefish CR's 14G Biocube
Vegas Chad's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry2604700
Bio-reef's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=217683
fmfa0801's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=217252
CJ's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=219870
TheMac86's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=231546
Hawaii_Bio_Cube's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...213851&st=0
MadDevil's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=195166
Crazy Tiki's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=204141
CalBear91's 14BC http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=0#entry2294455
Teezy's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=0#entry2865857
UX Designer's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=233690
 
29s
nckwrn's 29G Biocube
dahliaheartsyou's 29G Biocube
ando's 29G Biocube
beeker's 29G Biocube
dooderino's 29G Biocube
Colgan10's 29G Biocube
Reeferboy's 29G Biocube
Spanko's 29G Biocube
FSU1Dolfan's 29G Biocube
Cmador's 29G biocube
myatt's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=211134
Saltine's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=221853
Degener8's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=224640
Tapout's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry2541600
TheStar's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=184879
Crazy Tarzan's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=205367
James411's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=202594
Streetsong's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...203663&st=0
JMAdam's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry2775552

 

updated 6/3/10

Edited June 15, 2010 by uwwmatt

[Gromit1710]

It has been a while since I have updated the Biocube Owners List. I tried to go back and find the ones I missed. Here is the list I have now. If your name is not on there and you want it to be just let me know.

 

• 8s
  

nanonan's 8G Biocube
Hlander's BC8 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=221323
 
14s
UWWMatt's 14G Biocube
Plainrt's 14G Biocube
Deli's 14G Biocube
splitskater's 14G biocube
girlgoneaqua's14G Biocube
nanoreef11's 14G Biocube
Hairoid's 14G Biocube
Ishane's 14G Biocube
Cali-girl's 14G Biocube
Patrick19's 14G Biocube
Phoebe's 14G Biocube
Firefish CR's 14G Biocube
Vegas Chad's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry2604700
Bio-reef's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=217683
fmfa0801's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=217252
CJ's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=219870
TheMac86's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=231546
Hawaii_Bio_Cube's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...213851&st=0
MadDevil's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=195166
Crazy Tiki's BC14 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=204141
CalBear91's 14BC http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=0#entry2294455
 
29s
nckwrn's 29G Biocube
dahliaheartsyou's 29G Biocube
ando's 29G Biocube
beeker's 29G Biocube
dooderino's 29G Biocube
Colgan10's 29G Biocube
Reeferboy's 29G Biocube
Spanko's 29G Biocube
FSU1Dolfan's 29G Biocube
Cmador's 29G biocube
myatt's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=211134
Saltine's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=221853
Degener8's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=224640
Tapout's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry2541600
TheStar's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=184879
Crazy Tarzan's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=205367
James411's BC29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=202594

Deal me in

Gromit's BC8 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=238519&hl=

[Teezy]

Great guide!

 

Link to my BC14 in my signature.

[jesus_cs92]

hoping someone can help me, i have a biocube 29 and i need a way to cool off the tank, during the day the temperature is between 84 and 86, and i dont know what to do.... a fan maybe, opening the feeding lid and the back one also???

[benoitcdc]

hoping someone can help me, i have a biocube 29 and i need a way to cool off the tank, during the day the temperature is between 84 and 86, and i dont know what to do.... a fan maybe, opening the feeding lid and the back one also???

Hi 'jesus_cs92',

 

Wow, thats some high temps. What are you keeping your room temp at? If you can, drop the room temp to around 74-76 degrees. If you can't, you will need a chiller. You can use fans over the top of the water to help cool the tank down but if your room temp is high, you will get limited cooling. HTH

[Gromit1710]

hoping someone can help me, i have a biocube 29 and i need a way to cool off the tank, during the day the temperature is between 84 and 86, and i dont know what to do.... a fan maybe, opening the feeding lid and the back one also???

 

Thy this: I prop my tank's lid open. Keeps the temps around 79-80.

 

[chrssprngs]

A combination of all of the above. Drop the room temp even if it's a degree or two. Open the feeding lid. I have a tower fan blowing on my tank 24/7. It blows on the glass and into the open lid. These three things should get you at least 3 degrees. Also, what and how many pumps/powerheads are you running? Switching out the stock return pump for a lower wattage (cooler running) and probably higher output pump will help also. See previous recent posts on this subject. Hydor Pico Evolution being probably the first choice. I have a 14 so not sure what the 29 guys are running. Having the flow directed up to the surface helps also IMO due to increased gas exchange. HTH.

 

One other thing. Double check your heater setting. You never know.

Edited June 3, 2010 by chrssprngs

[streetsong]

Hi! Please add my BC29 to the member's tanks section: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...p;#entry2867023

Thanks!

[Primeval]

Did anyone have a problem with the Hydor Flo deflector falling off of their output inside the tank? Mine has fallen off twice now and next smallest connector doesn't come close to fitting.

 

Ideas?

Edited June 4, 2010 by Primeval

[Gromit1710]

Did anyone have a problem with the Hydor Flo deflector falling off of their output inside the tank? Mine has fallen off twice now and next smallest connector doesn't come close to fitting.

 

Ideas?

Mine does it occasionally. I fix it by taking the rotating head part and flaring out the plastic coupling that mates to the larger connector inside the tank. I use a closed pair of scissors I have and shove it in the hole. It presses out against the plastic and flares it out for a tighter fit.

 

I still find it resting on my zoa's once or twice a month.