patrick19 Posted April 10, 2009 Share Posted April 10, 2009 Member's Biocubes Take a look at what other Biocube owners have done and learn from their experiences. 8snanonan's 8G Biocube 14sUWWMatt's 14G BiocubePlainrt's 14G BiocubeDeli's 14G Biocubesplitskater's 14G biocubegirlgoneaqua'a 14G Biocubenanoreef11's 14G BiocubeHairoid's 14G BiocubeIshane's 14G BiocubeCali-girl's 14G Biocube29snckwrn's 29G Biocubedahliaheartsyou's 29G Biocubeando's 29G Biocubebeeker's 29G Biocubedooderino's 29G BiocubeColgan10's 29G Biocube*post a link to your biocube thread and I will add it to this list. Table of Contents: -Biocube FAQ -UWWMatt's Mod Review -Biocube Signature Badges -Member's Biocubes -Helpful Links http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=193794 Add me to the 14gal list, please! Thanks!!! Quote Link to comment
nbavf6 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 Could we start a filtration section to the Resource guide? I have a 29. Right now im just useing filter floss and stock sponge. I know there are a lot of variations but if we could have a link on here and everybody say and show what they do that would be awesome!!! Anyone else agree? Quote Link to comment
uwwmatt Posted April 12, 2009 Author Share Posted April 12, 2009 Could we start a filtration section to the Resource guide? I have a 29. Right now im just useing filter floss and stock sponge. I know there are a lot of variations but if we could have a link on here and everybody say and show what they do that would be awesome!!! Anyone else agree? I have been meaning to do one. Quote Link to comment
nbavf6 Posted April 12, 2009 Share Posted April 12, 2009 I have been meaning to do one. Sweet. Cant wait for it to be up! Quote Link to comment
uwwmatt Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) Biocube Filtration (water conditioning/movement/filtration): Stock Filtration: All sizes of the stock biocube use the same methods for filtration. First water is drawn through a filter cartridge (carbon covered with filter floss). This provides both mechanical and chemical filtration for your tank. Water then travels over the top of the dividing wall and into the middle chamber. This is where the bioballs provide the biological filtration. Next water is pulled down to the bottom of the middle chamber and drawn through a sponge separating chambers 2 and 3. This provides an added layer of mechanical filtration while also protecting your return pump from large particles that can cause damage to the rotor blades. Finally to complete the cycle water is returned to the display using the stock return pump. The return pump is an import part of the filtration cycle, that will be discussed later on.stock pumpsBC-8 106 gphBC-14 137 gphBC-29 243 gph *The filtration process in the biocube also helps to oxygenate the water which is a very import part in keeping a healthy tank. As you can see the people at oceanic have done a good job designing a tank that incorporates all 3 types of filtration: Mechanical, Chemical, and Biological. So why would you want to make any changes? Well, there are a couple reasons why people decide to make changes, for me it was a combination of increased performance and my insatiable appetite for DIY projects. I am going to break this article into 4 parts tackling all 3 of the filtration methods as well as the importance of proper water movement. Each section will discuss the benefits and disadvantages of the stock method verses the various other upgrades that are available. Chapter 1: Mechanical Filtration Filter Cartridge: When I make reference to mechanical filtration in regards to the filter cartridge I am only referring to the filter floss (not the carbon). Problem:The filter cartridge does a fine job at removing particles from the water column, however it has 2 serious flaws. As the floss becomes dirty the organic particles begin to break down and lower your water quality. The solution, replacing the cartridge every few days, is simple but brings about the second problem. At $3 a pop the money you spend on cartridges is going to really add up over the lifetime of your biocube. That money would be better spent on tank upgrades---or beer.Solution:The solution to this one is simple, and cheap (the best kind). All you need is a bag of filter floss (100% pure polyester fiber, basically its just pillow stuffing). This is what I use, it costs next to nothing and lasts a really long time.The goal is to place the floss in a place where all the water is going to be forced through.The grate over chamber 2 works perfect!All you need is a small amount of floss.And thats it you did it! In 2-3 days it will get dirty and you can just throw it in the garbage and add a new handful. Sponges: coming soon... Edited April 13, 2009 by uwwmatt Quote Link to comment
uwwmatt Posted April 13, 2009 Author Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) OK, so I have updated both the table of contents and members biocube sections. If you have a DIY/Helpful link or your biocube is not on the list please post a link and I will add it to the first page. Thanks Featured Articles: -Biocube Lighting -Biocube Filtration Biocube Information: -Biocube FAQ -UWWMatt's Mod Review -Biocube Signature Badges -Member's Biocubes -Helpful Links -Manufacturer's Product Information DIY -nckwrn's Cold Cathode Moonlights -Uwwmatt's Fuge Light -Removing the Tab (increased flow into back chambers) -Badbread's above tank sump -Adkins.its's Rimless Biocube -Firefish CR's Fan Upgrade 8snanonan's 8G Biocube 14sUWWMatt's 14G BiocubePlainrt's 14G BiocubeDeli's 14G Biocubesplitskater's 14G biocubegirlgoneaqua's 14G Biocubenanoreef11's 14G BiocubeHairoid's 14G BiocubeIshane's 14G BiocubeCali-girl's 14G BiocubePatrick19's 14G BiocubePhoebe's 14G BiocubeFirefish CR's 14G Biocube 29snckwrn's 29G Biocubedahliaheartsyou's 29G Biocubeando's 29G Biocubebeeker's 29G Biocubedooderino's 29G BiocubeColgan10's 29G BiocubeReeferboy's 29G BiocubeSpanko's 29G BiocubeFSU1Dolfan's 29G BiocubeCmador's 29G biocube Edited April 13, 2009 by uwwmatt Quote Link to comment
nbavf6 Posted April 13, 2009 Share Posted April 13, 2009 (edited) Here is my page. Its not very clean, Got to redo some posts/pictures and I don't have a camera so cell phone pictures have to do for now. But good stuff to come. Promise Nick's BC 29 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...8&hl=nbavf6 Edited April 13, 2009 by nbavf6 Quote Link to comment
mdavis203 Posted April 16, 2009 Share Posted April 16, 2009 Anyone else having heat problems? The first thing I did was change the lighting and return pump. I've got a DIY LED upgrade with two Silenx fans added. I changed the return pump out with an MJ900 before I ever put water in the tank. At the same time, I added a Koralia nano. At this point, my tank was running a steady 78F. A couple of weeks later, I added another Koralia nano and StevieT's media rack (with floss, chaeto, and chemipure) and put his fuge light on the chaeto. A few days after this, my temp was running 80-81F. At first, I thought it was a faulty thermometer. But, I put in a secondary thermometer and got the same temp. So, I went to my heater. I pulled it out, and the temp is still running the same. I can't imagine it being my lights (main or fuge), because the temp's steady night and day. I thought about the pumps, but the only pump I added before the heat problems started was the Koralia nano, and I can't see that little thing putting that much heat in the water. My stock fans are making a little noise, so I'm hoping that's it. I've ordered a couple more SilenX fans to replace them. Other than that, any ideas? Quote Link to comment
StevieT Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 80-81 is pretty normal, I wouldn't worry about it. Large swings in temp are more of a problem. Quote Link to comment
mdavis203 Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 80-81 is pretty normal, I wouldn't worry about it. Large swings in temp are more of a problem. Thanks, Stevie! I wasn't too worried about the 80-81 now as much as I was the change that I saw and concern that it might get worse in the coming summer months. Strangely, the past couple of days, it's been back down in the 78-79 range. I'm baffled. I received the fans this weekend and plan to install them sometime this week. I'm hoping that will help it become more stable. I've also been kicking around the idea of picking up a Vortech to replace the Koralias to get a few more watts out of the water. I know the two of them only absorb 7 watts total, but maybe that makes a difference in a water volume this small? Opinions? Quote Link to comment
Lear Posted April 21, 2009 Share Posted April 21, 2009 Awesome thread! I really wish this info had been this organized back when I was starting out! I would love to have my minimal tank thread added to the 14g biocube list: http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=195040 Quote Link to comment
nbavf6 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 Any more chapters to the filtration segment? Quote Link to comment
C Jerome Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 I have not noticed in anyone ones thread but has anyone removed the stock 'bulkhead' though the false wall and replaced it with a larger one to reduce the restriction. I will be transferring my 14 to a BC29 soon and am considering such a mod. I would probably cut out the existing 'bulkhead' and then make the hole large enough to accept a male threaded 3/4 inch loc line adaptor and use a threaded/slip 90 elbow on the pump side. Could do the same but with 1/2 inch but I think the benefits would be less. Any input? Jerome Quote Link to comment
dexter1080 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 just typing a message so I can find the link to my thread. lol Quote Link to comment
Rathje70 Posted April 27, 2009 Share Posted April 27, 2009 http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=177795&hl= Here is the thread to my 29g biocube with custom refugium! Thanks for adding me to the list! Quote Link to comment
crs2k Posted April 28, 2009 Share Posted April 28, 2009 (edited) http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?...=0#entry1901001 Here is my thread for my 14G Biocube with my LED retrofit. Thanks!!! Edited November 22, 2009 by crs2k Quote Link to comment
uwwmatt Posted April 29, 2009 Author Share Posted April 29, 2009 Any more chapters to the filtration segment? One of these days I will find time to finish that thing Quote Link to comment
patrick19 Posted May 4, 2009 Share Posted May 4, 2009 Thought I would make a post in this thread to see if I have any more luck finding someone who has purchased the new BioCube UV Sterilizer. http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=196546 I'm just curious to see if it's worth buying, basically. Anyone here have one yet? Quote Link to comment
Adkins.its Posted May 9, 2009 Share Posted May 9, 2009 (edited) Awesome my tank got added! Its been few months now and the tank is still holding strong. I really think that it is structually sound. Ive been trying to get a few good photos for a new post. I hope to get them up by the end of the weekend. Now with new corals added new 20K, k-1 and new scape. Oh yeah, and whos gonna step up and do a 29? Edited May 9, 2009 by Adkins.its Quote Link to comment
danktank Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 just a thought, has anyone tried a 70 watt MH on a biocube 8? Also i plan on getting a biocube 8 in 2 years for college and I WILL be using many of these mods;) great thread Quote Link to comment
basser1 Posted May 11, 2009 Share Posted May 11, 2009 (edited) Well, I'm probably an "old-timer" when it comes to the Biocubes. I've had my BC29 set up for over 2 1/2 years. Here is a FTS and a link listing all of my mods. http://www.nano-reef.com/featured/?tank=13 FTS, as you can see, I made some changes to the aquascaping. I went to more SPS corals. Edited May 11, 2009 by basser1 Quote Link to comment
Adkins.its Posted May 17, 2009 Share Posted May 17, 2009 I was at a trusted LFS yesterday and was talking to him about biocubes. To my surprise he told me that they changed the biocubes (at least the 14s and 29s). New changes: 1 Higher Rear wall with center chamber overflow and no fish in the back. (just in case) 2 Window in the paint for a center chamber fuge light. No more scraping. 3 A Metal Halide coversion kit. That was as much as he knew. The first two I actually saw obviously they are just changes to the tank. The MH conversion is soon to come I guess. Quote Link to comment
danktank Posted May 20, 2009 Share Posted May 20, 2009 i have now aquired a Biocube 8 please add me to the list Quote Link to comment
Nickeleye Posted May 21, 2009 Share Posted May 21, 2009 So they cool the whole thing with just those fans in the stock locations with the MH? We also cool the halide fixture with two additional 50x10mm fans such as shown below. Quote Link to comment
patrick19 Posted May 28, 2009 Share Posted May 28, 2009 Well, I'm probably an "old-timer" when it comes to the Biocubes. I've had my BC29 set up for over 2 1/2 years. Here is a FTS and a link listing all of my mods. http://www.nano-reef.com/featured/?tank=13 FTS, as you can see, I made some changes to the aquascaping. I went to more SPS corals. Love the red cap! Looks great - nice to see how your tank has progressed since being TOTM! Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.