Biocube upgrades

[Primeval]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greetings gents. I am making my triumphant comeback to nano-reefing.

 

I have been keeping tanks for years but end up spending more time on my girlfriends tank (listed in my sig) than my own.

 

I have a 20gal hex and a 14gal Biocube with absolutely no fish - although I have excellent coraline algae farms.

 

Neither of these tanks really have coral. I have a few polyps here and there in the 20gal hex and some bleached mushrooms in the Biocube (for going 3 weeks with burnt out lights).

 

I'm tired of pumping power into empty tanks so I am going to make the necessary upgrades to get them going again.

 

 

 

First off, the Biocube.

 

 

 

 

- As you all know the fans in these things are terrible. I am pretty sure only one of them is loud and worthless (goes on and off) so it will need to be replaced.

 

QUESTION: What is the proper size fan to replace the stock ones with? I know they are 50mm but what about thickness? I want to be able to fit a new fan in with minimal mods. I also have read that the fan plugs are different and I will need to purchase an adapter to power them up to the stock hood. Hopefully this can be done with simple plugging and no wire cutting.

 

- I am also going to add a Hydor Flo to my flow output to increase movement in the tank. If I leave the tank shut up for too long it develops a nasty film on the top. The thicker sand on the bottom looks like it could use some increased movement.

 

 

 

 

QUESTION: What is your experience with these? How often do you clean yours? How much does it decrease tank flow speed?

 

- I realize I will lose flow power with the Hydor Flo and am looking to increase flow regardless so a new pump for the 3rd chamber will be necessary

 

QUESTION: I have seen that people are replacing these with Maxijet 900s. I have collected a few maxijets over the years and have some of all sizes. Would a 1200 be overkill or is the 900 sufficient for what I am looking for (hydor and increased flow)

 

- I am likely adding a Neon Dottyback (Arabian Pseudochromis according to the store). I have loved these fish for years and the one at the store is an aggressive eater, very personable and (surprisingly) isn't bullying the firefish and false perc they have in the small tank with him. Although, he would be the only fish in this small tank.

 

 

 

 

QUESTION: Does anyone have any negative experiences with these fish in regards to coral? What did they destroy/nip at if you did? I am not concerned about their aggressiveness towards other fish as he will likely be the only one (I know they can be mean as hell). I do have a few blue legs in this tank, a large scarlet reef hermit and a zebra turbo. Are they known for killing crabs? Is a biocube really just too small for this fish?

 

- I am also considering adding another piece or two of liverock. I want to eventually add coral but this may be limited to my fish selection.

 

 

 

 

QUESTION: I have had this LR for years. I think the name of it is tonga red branch. I probably don't even have 10lbs in there. Does the tank look bare to you? Will my new livestock addition (neon pseudo) want a little more for comfort? I am eventually going to add some coral pieces as I get the cash. Should I save room for coral growth or so I have room to spare? I don't want my liverock to touch the glass and I want to have room to clean it with the magfloat. Seems the only way to go is up or pack in what I already have.

 

 

I will make a separate thread for my 20gal hex as I move on to it.

[seabass]

I've come to prefer the look of less rock to more rock over the years (as long as you keep the bio-load light). You might have an issue with your substrate as you add fish (could become a detritus trap).

 

The Hydor thingy is fine to help create random flow. However, in addition, I would provide additional flow with a Koralia Nano in the display. I'm not really sure how much flow the tank's intakes can handle.

[Primeval]

I like the look of the thicker LS bottom but can see where it may be a detritus trap. I have a very large scarlet reef that I hope will help with that. So far it has stayed pretty clean.

 

 

 

 

 

I also noticed I have a bit of red algae on the bottom right corner on a piece of LR - likely due to inadequate water changes since there really isn't anything in the tank.

[seabass]

I have a very large scarlet reef that I hope will help with that.

It won't.

[Primeval]

After doing more reading my above questions still stand but I am also interested in some of StevieT's products - namely the media basket. Thinking of going the chaeto route with chemipure and filter floss.

 

 

[StevieT]

paycheck goes to nanoreef StevieT

 

 

I concur

[Primeval]

Further reading has also got me interested in adding another 24 watts to the stock lighting.

 

However, I am not excited about having to do actual rewiring to my (still stock) system.

 

Also, I don't want to use the fans that come with the nanocustoms 3.24 retro. Does anyone sell the bulb retro and the pieces necessary to install it without fans and adapter?

[TheMac86]

Further reading has also got me interested in adding another 24 watts to the stock lighting.

 

However, I am not excited about having to do actual rewiring to my (still stock) system.

 

Also, I don't want to use the fans that come with the nanocustoms 3.24 retro. Does anyone sell the bulb retro and the pieces necessary to install it without fans and adapter?

 

I highly recommend using the fans our you will see high accumulation of heat. Let me know when you get the setup an I van walk you trough installation.

[Primeval]

I highly recommend using the fans our you will see high accumulation of heat. Let me know when you get the setup an I van walk you trough installation.

 

 

I plan on using upgraded fans. I'm just not sure I want the ones that come with the retro. What are the specs on them?

[Primeval]

up

[Primeval]

I cleaned the tank up a bit this weekend while I was making some upgrades.

 

I removed all of the bioballs, the top grate and the bottom grate. I put chemipure in the bottom, added the bottom grate in for separation and added poly floss to reduce sound and sediment.

 

I also upgraded the stock pump in chamber 3 to a Maxijet 900 and added water in the back to reach the elbow joint for the pump. So far the increased flow seems to be great and no water level issues.

 

The chamber 2 is only temporary as I am about to add a media basket with chemipure and chaeto with submersible light from steviet. I just need to see if I need anything else from him first

 

 

 

 

 

[Primeval]

I finally made my purchase from mediabaskets.com to complete my Biocube and 20 Hex projects.

 

I ordered:

 

- 1 Media Basket for Biocube 14

 

- 1 Fish Saver Guard for Biocube 14

 

- 1 Underwater 5w light to power the chaeto inside the media basket

 

- 1 6.5oz Bag of Chemipure for the media basket

 

- 2 Stealth Submersible 75w Heaters*

 

- 2 NanoMag Cleaners*

 

 

* I went ahead and got an extra NanoMag and Stealth heater for my 20Hex. I was already getting two NanoMags and my total was$120 before shipping and $135 with shipping at checkout. I figured I could just get another $20 Stealth Heater to put my total at $140 and mediabaskets.com offers free shipping at that point so I figured $5 for the heater was a good deal. Thanks StevieT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Now all I need is some Chaeto since I've already ordered the Koralia Nano powerhead from my LFS.

[Primeval]

up

[Primeval]

My Chaeto order fell through and got dropped. So I may be in the market from someone on here.

[StevieT]

I figured I could just get another $20 Stealth Heater to put my total at $140 and mediabaskets.com offers free shipping at that point so I figured $5 for the heater was a good deal. Thanks StevieT!

 

inTank you

 

Now you're thinking. You would be surprised at how many people will have an order of $120 in product, 12-15 in shipping say total of $135. Yet they are willing to give that money to UPS instead of purchasing it in product, paying themselves and get the free shipping.

[sloo50]

My Neon Dottyback hangs out w/ one of my clowns all day long. I have never seen him nip at corals, but he did kill the one and only peppermint shrimp that I had.

 

 

 

Wes

[Primeval]

inTank you

 

Now you're thinking. You would be surprised at how many people will have an order of $120 in product, 12-15 in shipping say total of $135. Yet they are willing to give that money to UPS instead of purchasing it in product, paying themselves and get the free shipping.

 

I'll end up needing it anyway to put in my skimmer for my 20 Hex project. It was a good score. I wish I would have ended up getting my Koralia nano from you as well. I spent $12 more at my LPS.

 

 

My Neon Dottyback hangs out w/ one of my clowns all day long. I have never seen him nip at corals, but he did kill the one and only peppermint shrimp that I had.

 

 

 

Wes

 

 

They love shrimp. He appreciates the tasty meal, I'm sure.

[Primeval]

StevieT delivers!

 

I got my package in the mail on Friday. I haven't had time to do anything with it except open it and update here.

 

Hopefully I can find some time to get some things done tomorrow.

 

 

Dibs

 

Big package. I had a healthy order.

 

 

Packed well.

 

 

Everything was safe and protected well.

 

 

My order

 

 

 

 

Media Basket for Biocube14

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was about to start throwing away the packing insides and then found this. I almost forgot that I ordered the fish guard too - hiding at the bottom.

[Primeval]

I unpacked more goodies and got a few things in my Biocube today.

 

Hydor Flo Deflector arrived on Friday!

 

 

Deflector and parts. I don't know what the small part is for. Perhaps I should read the directions at some point.

 

 

Deflector in action

 

 

Water surface agitation. Nice.

 

 

I added the NanoMag to the tank today. The glass is somewhat green right now but I will probably use it more after I take the razor to several coraline spots.

 

 

The other side of the NanoMag. I'm anxious to see how well this cleans the curved corners.

 

 

I purchased the Koralia Nano for additional flow inside my tank - especially after losing some flow from the addition of the deflector.

 

 

Current placement. We'll see how it goes.

 

 

Now time to play with the Media Basket.

 

I have not had a chance to cut the wall between chambers 1 and 2 so I will still have a flow and direction issue until I do this. The easiest way to do this is likely a dremel but there's no way I'm doing that on an established tank. I will have to find a way to cut it with a hand tool of some kind later.

 

For now chamber two has Chemipure at the bottom and some filter floss at the top.

 

 

Current flow from chambers 1 to 2

 

 

Emptied chamber 2 again

 

 

The Media Basket (with inTank logo in case you forgot who made it).

 

For now the bottom area has the chemipure in it, the middle area is empty and the top area has clean poly filter floss in it. I will eventually use Chaeto with light, chemipure and filter floss (in that order).

 

 

Media Basket in chamber 2

 

 

There seems to be a bit of extra space in the chamber with the Media Basket in there. I realize many put the submersible light in front of or behind the media basket, but I plan on putting the light right down into the Media Basket with the Chaeto (once I have some) so algae growth on the media basket doesn't block the light.

 

 

Submersible light

 

 

Testing. Nice and bright.

 

 

Current flow with Media Basket installed.

 

 

Fish Saver! I plan on getting a Neon Dottyback eventually and I don't want him to go missing in one of the back chambers. I think this is a great purchase.

 

 

Fish Saver installed. I hope its normal for this to be slightly lop-sided. I'm guessing it has something to do with me not cutting the Chamber 1 wall yet.

 

 

Tank shot with flash. I realize I have coraline all over the glass. My tank is old - will clean soon.

 

 

No flash. The water is murky because I've been playing around in it.

 

 

Closer

[Primeval]

I finally got my hands on some Chaeto for the Media Basket.

 

 

Floss / Chemipure / Chaeto with submersible light in Media Basket.

 

 

Installed. StevieT has cut the holes on the "grate" separating each section of the Media Basket just large enough to fit the submersible light. I ran the cord up the left side.

 

 

It took me FOR-EV-ER to get the damn false floor out of chamber 1. After taking out about 20% of the water I began to tackle the false floor.

I pressed on it with my thumb until it smashed through the vent. Then I went at it with a razor but couldnt really guide it around the edges. I tried to pry it out with a flathead but couldn't get a good handle on it. I finally turned the screwdriver upside down and pressed really hard and it finally snapped.

 

This thing had a ton of silicone holding it in place.

 

 

Sediment started pouring from chamber 1 into my tank

 

 

I took out a little more water from chamber 1 to help with the sediment

 

 

Time to install the heater

 

 

Heater and parts

[Primeval]

Chamber 1 without the false floor. I still have a little bit of sand at the bottom. You can also see here that my filter floss that I just cleaned is now full of sediment.

 

 

Heater installed. My tank had some pretty heavy temperature swings at night when the lights were off - probably why I lost most of my snails and my cleaner shrimp about a year ago.

 

 

 

This wraps up everything I have pending right now. I have the Fish Saver out until I get the Neon Pseudochromis that I have my eye on.

 

I still haven't upgraded my fans yet and haven't made the decision if I am going to get just the fan upgrade from nanotuners.com or the whole light kit to add another 24W to the tank.

[Edelmango]

While I am in no way a veteran.....If you have not removed the plastic between 1 & 2 yet....some people just snap it off with pliers. I used a razor knife and shaved it down a little at a time. I braced the tank in front with my body/chest and pulled the knife toward me. Took 5 min tops and it is pretty clean.

 

I also cut a piece of thin plastic from a DVD case and superglued it on the little plastic piece holding the media basket close to the wall btwn 1 & 2....it directs the water toward middle of the top level on basket. I think I will install same thing on other side too. It didn't slow flow at all just gently redirects it.

 

Curious if it is the stock pump you have attached to the Hydor gizmo of if you upgraded? Easy to hook up?? I just ordered one myself.

[Primeval]

While I am in no way a veteran.....If you have not removed the plastic between 1 & 2 yet....some people just snap it off with pliers. I used a razor knife and shaved it down a little at a time. I braced the tank in front with my body/chest and pulled the knife toward me. Took 5 min tops and it is pretty clean.

 

I also cut a piece of thin plastic from a DVD case and superglued it on the little plastic piece holding the media basket close to the wall btwn 1 & 2....it directs the water toward middle of the top level on basket. I think I will install same thing on other side too. It didn't slow flow at all just gently redirects it.

 

Curious if it is the stock pump you have attached to the Hydor gizmo of if you upgraded? Easy to hook up?? I just ordered one myself.

 

 

The Media Basket comes with a water direction piece that you mentioned. I just haven't installed it yet because I haven't snapped off the divider yet between 1 and 2.

 

 

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion. I may try the razor method first to see how good it slices through. I do not want to end up with any plastic dust in my tank or chambers. Also, the tank is in my kitchen and pressed up against the counter. I can only stand on the front and right sides of it so this might complicate things slightly.

 

If the razor knife doesn't work, I may see if I can fit my pruning shears on it for an even cut.

 

And yes - I replaced the stock pump with a maxijet 900 that I wasn't using. It was pretty simple to install. The hardest part was getting my hand in there and turning the stock pump enough to pull it out.

 

Here are my steps:

 

*There are only 5 parts - Elbow joint, connector from joint to tube, tube, connector from tube to pump, and pump.

 

- Pull tube connector out of elbow joint. The elbow joint will turn.

 

- Use the tube to fish out the pump (this almost worked until the tube came unplugged from the pump output.

 

- If the tube comes out just reach in there and turn the pump until it has enough room to come out.

 

- Connect tube - without connector - to Maxijet. The output section of the maxijet is the same size as the connector and slightly smaller than the tube. Just pull out the connector on one end.

 

- Slide the Maxijet back in and make sure that the Maxijet head is turned so it is as short as possible (see example below) so your tube is not kinked.

 

- Put connector end of tubing back inside the Elbow joint.

 

Done.

 

 

 

Turn it this way

 

 

Instead of this way

 

 

And honestly, I am still thinking about putting an Accela 1000 in there to see what happens. I feel my flow could be better still and it is rated between the Maxijet 900 and 1200.

[Primeval]

I also think I snagged some caulerpa in my chaeto bundle. The bundle is larger than a golf ball and cost $8.

 

Not too bad considering I wanted it soon rather than ordering it.

[StevieT]

Great pictures

 

Cutting tab with a razor knife

 

 

Once you remove the tab the fish saver will sit straight. It is designed with the tab removed.