Nolesx4 Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 (edited) Hello people, I have been involved in the aquarium hobby since I was a kid. 30 years later, I saw a lonely BioCube 14 sitting on the shelf on clearance at PetSmart. $110 gotta get it. I have been reading every article I can find, purchasing all the stuff to "start it right", and doing basic mods on the BC. I'm going to try to keep a from day 1 log, so let's get started! Big box of goodness! It's a boy, or a girl... I don't know yet?!? Popped out the false floor in #1 BioBalls gone, guess it was a girl... or it is now! No need to scrape paint on this one! Pump upgrade. Doesn't put out the 300gph it's rated, seems more like 175gph when I tested it. 50w Eheim Jager in #1 Tap water filter set-up (filters, TD meter, tubing and DI not installed yet). I'll be using it for my 100 gal freshwater tank also. Edited April 16, 2011 by Nolesx4 Quote Link to comment
Chutsk10 Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 In regards to the pump . . I would suggest you go with a Maxijet900 . . . and not the powerhead style but the utility pump style. http://www.marinedepot.com/Aquarium_System...IWPSBUF-vi.html I had a Hydor Pico1200 and the output was very weak. While it is rated at 300gph it is rated at a very low pressure head and I found it to perform no better than the stock Biocube pump. Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 Thanks, I will look into that MJ900. My very un-scientific test showed the 1200 pumps 167-175 gph. and the stock pump was right at the 137 gph rating. I filled a 5 gal bucket and timed how long it took to drain with each pump. Then calculated it time out to GPH. I'm going to get some Korilia Nano's for flow. I was wondering what the consensus on two 425's in a BC14...too much? I've seen either one 240 or 425, but not two in a BC14. Quote Link to comment
Chutsk10 Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 Depends on what you want to keep. I use two 425's on a timer. Both run randomly through out the day sometimes overlapping duration and I only have 1 running through the night. I mostly have LPS and Softies but IMO you can never really have too much flow . . Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 OK, Tonight I did some DIY. I made a drip plate for #2 chamber. Plexi cut to size. Did some trimming to get a perfect fit. Holes marked out and ready to drill. Dinner break!!! 3/16" holes going in. Holes done. Chamfer bit. All holes get it... no euphemism intended. Finished drip plate on stock one for comparison purpose only. Had some chipping on the holes due to not using an acrylic bit. I just chamfered the bottom holes a little to get a cleaner look. Drip plate in place. Depends on what you want to keep. I use two 425's on a timer. Both run randomly through out the day sometimes overlapping duration and I only have 1 running through the night. I mostly have LPS and Softies but IMO you can never really have too much flow . . I think I'll go with 2x425's on a timer too. Thanks Quote Link to comment
naughty Posted March 29, 2011 Share Posted March 29, 2011 heya looks awesome! how'd you pop that false floor in chamber 1 out? i cut myself to crap and gave up Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted March 29, 2011 Author Share Posted March 29, 2011 heya looks awesome! how'd you pop that false floor in chamber 1 out? i cut myself to crap and gave up I took a broom handle and pushed on one corner, and it popped off. You have to push pretty hard. Then just reached in and pulled it and all the silicon out. Next mod will be to enlarge the overflow between #1 & 2 chamber. Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted April 1, 2011 Author Share Posted April 1, 2011 (edited) Alright, I have had some free time from work. So, I did a few more things to get the BC14 ready to go. Swapped the bulbs so fans come on with the actinic. Que "Psycho" theme!!! Sanded smooth as a baby's sanded bottom. First water/leak test. Passed with flying colors...YEA!!! DIY drip tray working very good, and I am unanimous in that. Thinking of a spray bar for behind the live rock, to keep it clean. Next things I have planned: Removing fins over fans in light cover. Add fans to back of hood to aid cooling...The summers in Central CA can get F-ing hot. Design and build stand. Build fuge light system. Set-up X10 controllers for lighting. Have a good day folks! Edited April 1, 2011 by Nolesx4 Quote Link to comment
_Mitch_ Posted April 1, 2011 Share Posted April 1, 2011 Looking very good! Can't wait to see this tank progress. Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted April 2, 2011 Author Share Posted April 2, 2011 (edited) Another day of thinking leads me to this. I have a hydor 1200 that I was disappointed with the output, so what could I do with it? How about making an up-current reactor for my Purigen and Chem-Pure!?! The thinking is to get better contact between the water and the media. 1 1/4" PVC cap and a 4' florescent light protector. The pump is 2" tall so an 8" tube it is. Hole big enough for a friction fit in the pump output. Finished prototype. My secret testing facility! It works pretty good. And fit's nicely in the second chamber. The thin wall of the tube should be OK as there is really no pressure. OK, just tried to fit the Purigen and Chem-Pure in the chamber... only 1 will fit. So I think I'll use this for the Purigen as the bag is smaller. And place the Chem-Pure in the space between 2&3 chamber where the sponge was.. Edited April 2, 2011 by Nolesx4 Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted April 13, 2011 Author Share Posted April 13, 2011 Just to update: I'm in the process of designing the stand for the BC. I'll get pic's up ASAP once the build starts. Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted April 15, 2011 Author Share Posted April 15, 2011 YEA!!! Two boxes arrived today: 2x Nano 425's, and the 5-stage water filter and D/I stuff from BRS for making clean water. I'm almost excited to get this up and running. Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted April 25, 2011 Author Share Posted April 25, 2011 (edited) Well, this Easter week the stand starts to come to life. Had to go thru the whole 16 sheets to find the oak I liked. It was the 2nd to last sheet, damn Home Depot. Sides cut and routed to hold the bottom shelf. Back brace to screw into the wall stud to prevent tipping. Checking the width to match the BC14 exactly. My son holding it together during the dry fit. It was actually easier than I thought. Thank goodness he's wearing his new shoes. They seem to last 2-3 month with him! It measures 32" tall, 21" deep and 15" wide. I should be able to fit all the electrical (switches, timers, outlets, battery back-up, etc.), and the in-line reactors. Next step will be the face frame, finishing and assembly. Hope to have it done soon so I can get the tank up and running so we can all enjoy it. Edited April 25, 2011 by Nolesx4 Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted May 7, 2011 Author Share Posted May 7, 2011 Just and update... Been out of town for work a lot and not able to finish the stand as quickly as I thought. Hope to get it done this weekend. I'll be in Tennessee for a week the end of the month, so I'll be postponing the cycling/stockin process until I get back. Quote Link to comment
cees Posted May 7, 2011 Share Posted May 7, 2011 Good stuff u got here. I just got my bicube 14, i cant wait to see how yours turns out! Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted May 22, 2011 Author Share Posted May 22, 2011 (edited) Update: Stand is glued and stained. Face frame to come. You can see the color samples on the scrap board. I tried to match the shelves I made 16 years ago, pain in the arse!!! Got the MJ900 to replace the replacement pump I got. Guess I can use that for mixing the salt. Sand and salt have been purchased from the pet store around the corner from me. I'm excited about getting this running. And as soon as the family and I get back from Tennessee and the World Destination Imagination Championship. My kids took #1 in region and #2 in state. Hope to get top 50 in world! Edited May 22, 2011 by Nolesx4 Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 (edited) Face frame done and stained. Top trim stained and ready to do in the morning. Need some help folks... Tank has a slight wobble when on top of the stand, tank to stand. What are some recommendations to get the wobble out? I was thinking a piece of foam for it to sit on to level it out. Edited May 23, 2011 by Nolesx4 Quote Link to comment
chucktdbm321 Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 Yes and that will help insulate the tank as well. What i used was a cheap foam yoga mat from our local dollar store cost 5 bucks and its durable foam that won't deteriorate Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 Will my wife notice a piece out of her yoga mat??? Better not attempt that. Thanks Chuck Quote Link to comment
cees Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 So wat reurn pump are u using now?? Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 It will be the MaxiJet900 for the return pump once I get it up and running. Going to use the Pico1200 for salt mixing, with the stock pump as a back-up, or to power a reactor. Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted May 23, 2011 Author Share Posted May 23, 2011 (edited) And the stand is DONE!!! And a full freshwater test of the system. No leaks, movement of 425 Korila's nice on wave maker, MJ900 good output, and got the lights working again. I swapped the two bulbs earlier so the fans come on with the actinic. When I plugged them in today, NO lights only the fans. I unplugged everything and reseated the bulbs, and all is now OK. Edited May 24, 2011 by Nolesx4 Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted June 4, 2011 Author Share Posted June 4, 2011 My BRS Pukani rock just arrived. 15#'s of nice fist to double fist size, just like I asked them for. I'm getting to like BRS more and more. Can't wait to get the 'scape going this weekend. Quote Link to comment
Dasani Posted June 4, 2011 Share Posted June 4, 2011 That's 15 lbs? Looks like 40 Quote Link to comment
Nolesx4 Posted June 4, 2011 Author Share Posted June 4, 2011 (edited) I did weigh it, and it was just over 15. Would be 40 with water weight!!??!! Seriously like this rock. The LFS can't come close to this. Just gotta wait for stuff to start growing on it now. Just did a quick rinse to get off the dust and stuff, and gained 10#'s. I can only imagine once it gets saturated with water. Edited June 4, 2011 by Nolesx4 Quote Link to comment
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