need help with new biocube 14

[rizzamatic]

I was just given a brand new 14gal biocube. I have had a 20 gal salt, fish only with LR and LS for almost 10 yrs. I have never had a coral tank before or experience with this type of tank and I've got some questions. Some of my questions may sound simple and stupid, so sorry if they do!
I've already taken the bio balls out and replaced them with LR rubble. I've got LS in the tank now and I'm letting live rock cure in a large container now. I've read to replace the carbon cartridge in the 1st chamber with a heater and filter media. What "brand" of filter media? And how is it sold? I've never bought it before. Also, does should it be placed between the two chambers to catch the overflow?
Also, should I replace the stock pump/powerhead in chamber 3 with something better? I've read to use the Maxijet 900. Will this just fit in that chamber?
Should I get Purigen and place it in the 3rd chamber as well?
I don't want to upgrade the lighting right now. I'll only do this if I find out some of the corals I want will not make it with the factory lighting.
Anything else I need to know????
I know the LR may take a while to cure, so I have no problem being patient with this! Any advice or help anyone can give me will be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[new2salt1]

Hey bud, I will just comment of the filtration because I have lots of experience using activated carbon for numerous freshwater DIY filters.
My opinion is to use the carbon. Some are like me and always use it, others run it one week a month, others do without.
And thats the beauty of the BioCube. It is very versatile, and you can set it up how you think will be most effective.
From growing up fishing and living in Alaska for a summer, the cleanest water I had ever seen was water that was churned. Either in a waterfall or small rapid, it is always the place you want to drink from. Now, combine that churning with live rock (a natural filter), and you have a good combo. Now for the trio.
Carbon is so good for water filtration because of its suface area. If you can get a pic of activated carbon under a scope, it's worth checking out. It looks like shredded wheat almost, all intertwined together. There are all kinds nooks, cracks, and holes - just like live rock - for the water to filter through, and the waste to be absorbed IN.
So what I do is I leave the middle chamber of the BioCube about 75% free from water. This allows the water to fall. I fill it about half way with Live Rock. And then I take a woman's stocking (make sure they are not dyed) - buy a big box of activated carbon for like $7, and stuff a portion of the stocking. One stocking - if cut correctly - should last you one year, doing a new carbon bad monthly. And the carbon box should last a year as well.
After rinsing the carbon thoroughly in freshwater, I stuff the filled stocking in between the walls in the rear middle compartment of the BioCube. This forces the water to flow through the carbon, which absorbs a great deal of impurities, and then churns in the live rock as it falls.
The stocking can be replaced with a filtration bag of your choice. Although, the nylon stocking catches a lot of the crud too.
Anyway, Im sure if you asked everyone in here we all do something a little bit different. But I just dont think nature can be wrong...churning water = clean water most of the time, especially when using jagged live rock and activated carbon filters.
Good luck with your tank and getting the rest of your questions answered. I dont want to misguide you with currents and that kind of stuff.

 

[rizzamatic]

Thanks! I still use the carbon cartridge in my 20 gal and think it helps. I don't have corals in that tank, just fish and LR. I think I'm going to use the carbon for about a week out of each month. I'll probably make my own bag. Thanks again!