BIOCUBE - Good or not so good

seoceo · 09-09-2007, 07:26 PM

So a lady friend of mine recently bought me a 29 gallon BIOCUBE with the stand. I read into them and saw that they were good for Salt Water Setups. I have only had tropical setups in the past so i am a newbie.

I bought 10 gallons of ready made salt water from the local petco. About 5 small to medium live rock, a bag of salt, some testers, zymes, and i'm off.

2 weeks later and 4 damsels down i adjusted the waters salinity (i think my hydrometer sucks) and turned down the heater so its around 78 degrees. My PH levels look a little low but not terribly bad and my ammonia level is 0.

The 4 new Damsels i bought are much more playful and active (day 1) so i think we are ok.

Does any one know if i am on the right track or should i stop wasting time with this biocube?

I really want a dwarf lionfish, can i make that purchase with the 29 gallon biocube?

How often should i change the water and how much of it?

I DO NOT TRUST THE PETCO EMPLOYEES INFO. Their fish die constantly.

**Deepwater** · 09-09-2007, 07:33 PM

Welcome to Reefer's Cafe!!

A little more about your water parameters will help. Ph , salinity , nitrate ,nitrite .

What kind of test kits are you using not all of them are accurate. fr testing salt I would go with a refractometer you can find one for $45 new and it will give a more accurate reading for salinity.

Do you have a skimmer n the tank'. And definitely go with the 29 gal for the dwarf lion fish , Note they poop lots so you will have to keep a close eye on water parameter with a small tank

**Deepwater** · 09-09-2007, 07:45 PM

do you have Any pic of your set up ?

seoceo · 09-10-2007, 11:17 AM

I do not think i have a skimmer. This is what the biocube comes with:

Oceanic's new BioCube has all the necessary components built in. Spend time creating your ideal environment, then plug it in and enjoy the results. The BioCube features curved glass front corners, side viewing window for filtration water pump, blue lunar moon lights and two compact fluorescent lamps along with a remote ballast. Dual filter intakes, one on top to skim the surface and one on the bottom, allow constant water flow through the integrated wet/dry filtration system.
* Integrated wet/dry biological filtration
* 2 power compact fluorescent lamps, 10,000 K and Actinic
* Lunar Blue, Moon Glow LED lights
* Dual filter intakes
* Viewing window for filtration water pump
* Remote ballasts with quick disconnects
* Curved glass front corners
* Sealed light lens cover
* UL listed submersible pump with adjustable discharge nozzle

I am using a API Salt Water Master Kit that i bought at Petco.

The PH is between 7.6-8.0. I do not have a great eye for the color chart.

The ammonia was 0.

And i will check the nitrate level and get back to you.

I will also post a picture asap.

Where can i get a refractometer?

**JF2381** · 09-10-2007, 11:25 AM

Marine Depot $50.00

Premium Aquatics $45.00

Championlighting $40.00

**JF2381** · 09-10-2007, 11:28 AM

Get rid of the wet/dry media (bioballs, Ceramic noodles) and replace them with live rock rubble. Also remove the sponges if any or if you want to keep them change/wash them weekly or biweekly.

You should have a skimmer if you are going to keep a fish like that but if you can't have one then you should do weekly water changes.

seoceo · 09-10-2007, 11:56 AM

Out of the three refractometers which do you recommend and why?

Live rock rubble can be found ???

Do you know if i can put a skimmer into the biocube? Where can i get it? and how do i put it in?

BTW! Day two with the new damsels and they seem to be doing extremely well.

My Nitrate Levels are - 0

My Nitrite Levels are - 0

Is there a more effectient way to test other then the color cards that come with the api master test kit?

**JF2381** · 09-10-2007, 12:15 PM

Salifert test kits (color water). More accurate than the cards.

You can get rubble at any LFS that sells Marine livestock.

Have to get back to you on the skimmer question. I don't know the layout of the biocubes.

**JF2381** · 09-10-2007, 12:29 PM

After looking at some pictures of the cube. I don't think there is an easy way for you to add a skimmer. You have to either drill the tank or cut the hood.

seoceo · 09-10-2007, 12:36 PM

and without a skimmer will my life be miserable?

**JF2381** · 09-10-2007, 01:02 PM

It all depends on whether doing more water changes is going to be a pain for you.

**JF2381** · 09-10-2007, 01:27 PM

Here are some pics of a drilled one.

http://www.njreefers.org/joomla/inde...,5406.new.html

**JF2381** · 09-11-2007, 01:20 PM

to the top

Djay · 09-11-2007, 01:59 PM

this is very true

Quote:

Originally Posted by JF2381

Get rid of the wet/dry media (bioballs, Ceramic noodles) and replace them with live rock rubble. Also remove the sponges if any or if you want to keep them change/wash them weekly or biweekly.

You should have a skimmer if you are going to keep a fish like that but if you can hhave one then you shoul ddo weekly water changes.