Just got a 14 gallon biocube
- Thread starter greymach
- Start date
sigmachris
Active Member
1) Fill and check for leaks
2) Empty and rinse well but DON'T use any cleaners / soaps
3) Swap out the bio balls for LR rubble
4) Add LS and LR, wait and be patient for the cycle. If you can find good CURED LR from a LFS and get it into your tank fast, this will reduce your cycle time.
5) After first month of use, swap out the disposable carbon filter and place filter floss on the drip tray. Place it in front of the overflow gap between champer #2 and #3.
6) Good luck, this hobby can be addicitng.
2) Empty and rinse well but DON'T use any cleaners / soaps
3) Swap out the bio balls for LR rubble
4) Add LS and LR, wait and be patient for the cycle. If you can find good CURED LR from a LFS and get it into your tank fast, this will reduce your cycle time.
5) After first month of use, swap out the disposable carbon filter and place filter floss on the drip tray. Place it in front of the overflow gap between champer #2 and #3.
6) Good luck, this hobby can be addicitng.
adairable
Member
Originally Posted by SigmaChris
1) Fill and check for leaks
2) Empty and rinse well but DON'T use any cleaners / soaps
3) Swap out the bio balls for LR rubble
4) Add LS and LR, wait and be patient for the cycle. If you can find good CURED LR from a LFS and get it into your tank fast, this will reduce your cycle time.
5) After first month of use, swap out the disposable carbon filter and place filter floss on the drip tray. Place it in front of the overflow gap between champer #2 and #3.
6) Good luck, this hobby can be addicitng.
so i have the same tank as you and I haven't done anything to it except set it up(only had it a short time)....I wanted to exchange the bioballs for rubble but my LFS only had large stuff and they kinda suck that way. 
...so i skipped that.
But anywho, the reason I am writing is because I wanna know how to do #5 because I am so tired of buying those damn filters....the LFS never has them and it is the most frustrating thing to get in and out! So let me know!!!
Thanks and good luck!
1) Fill and check for leaks
2) Empty and rinse well but DON'T use any cleaners / soaps
3) Swap out the bio balls for LR rubble
4) Add LS and LR, wait and be patient for the cycle. If you can find good CURED LR from a LFS and get it into your tank fast, this will reduce your cycle time.
5) After first month of use, swap out the disposable carbon filter and place filter floss on the drip tray. Place it in front of the overflow gap between champer #2 and #3.
6) Good luck, this hobby can be addicitng.
...so i skipped that. But anywho, the reason I am writing is because I wanna know how to do #5 because I am so tired of buying those damn filters....the LFS never has them and it is the most frustrating thing to get in and out! So let me know!!!
Thanks and good luck!
spanko
Active Member
On #5 I have taken a used stock filter, cut the floss off, removed the carbon, and cut to fit a pc. of filter material to relace what I took off. I alternate the new filter material. You can purchase it in sheets that can be cut to fit. Sometimes I use a material impregnated with a phosphate remover, sometimes just straight filter material, and sometimes I put in a new stock pad to get the benefit of the carbon.
When you take off the stock stuff make sure you get all of it off of the little nubs around the ouside of the plastic holder. You can secure the new padding with a pc. of fishing line on the top and bottom, or you can cut slots in the cross members the form the compartments where the carbon are and push the new material into the slots.
When you take off the stock stuff make sure you get all of it off of the little nubs around the ouside of the plastic holder. You can secure the new padding with a pc. of fishing line on the top and bottom, or you can cut slots in the cross members the form the compartments where the carbon are and push the new material into the slots.
sigmachris
Active Member
I got this idea from other Nano owners so I can't take credit.
I removed the carbon filter.
Purchased blue colored filter floss, its about $8 for a bunch of sheets that will last 6 months.
Cut out a square about 2"x3" and place it on the drip tray in the center compartment. You want to place it where the water spills from the right compartment to the center compartment. This will catch the large debris and food. You will have to change this out every few days.
I also purchased carbon and a carbon bag and put it on top of the LR rubble for 7 days every month.
As for finding small rubble, just buy a rock, PUT ON SOME SAFETY GLASSES, and take a hammer to it. After a couple of good smacks you will have small rubble to work with.
I removed the carbon filter.
Purchased blue colored filter floss, its about $8 for a bunch of sheets that will last 6 months.
Cut out a square about 2"x3" and place it on the drip tray in the center compartment. You want to place it where the water spills from the right compartment to the center compartment. This will catch the large debris and food. You will have to change this out every few days.
I also purchased carbon and a carbon bag and put it on top of the LR rubble for 7 days every month.
As for finding small rubble, just buy a rock, PUT ON SOME SAFETY GLASSES, and take a hammer to it. After a couple of good smacks you will have small rubble to work with.
sigmachris
Active Member
I would get a heater, there only $25. Get oe that is small enough (7" to9") so it can fit in the compartment.
You want the heater so you can set the temp to 1 degree less that what your lights keep your tank at. This way you won't have a big drop in temp at night if your AC is running and you can keep the water temp equal through out the day.
You want the heater so you can set the temp to 1 degree less that what your lights keep your tank at. This way you won't have a big drop in temp at night if your AC is running and you can keep the water temp equal through out the day.