New Biocube 8!

nyhcx516x

nyhcx516x

Member
Hey guys, i'm setting up my new Biocube 8 and I have some questions.
1. Is it possible to fit a Fission Nano Skimmer in the 8 anywhere? I have it and it dosent seem like its going to fit anywhere.
2. I am going to be taking out the BioBalls from the middle chamber and putting in LR rubble. Should I wait for the cycle to finish before I put the rubble in there?
3. From what Im reading here on the boards, Im going to want to get a heater. I was not sure if the small size of the tank with the lights produced enough heat to not have to get one.
Im sure I have other questions, but ill post them as they come up. Thanks!
 
fenrir

fenrir

Member
For you first question, no you dont even need a skimer for such a small tank. I have the 14 gallon version of your tank and as long as you keep up on water changes a skimmer is not needed.
The second question is, yes you will need your lr rubble in when you cycle. Make sure you remove the filter cartridge and place your heater in the chamber where the cartridge was. Then take some filter floss and place it on the drip tray and clean that every two days.
Other than that just do a 10% water change every week and you should be set!
 
nyhcx516x

nyhcx516x

Member
Also thinking about your post... I should run the cycle without the filter, but put the filter in after the cycle is over correct?
 
fenrir

fenrir

Member
yes sorry the over flow tray. No get rid of the filter for good. The replacements are expensive nd uncessary since you will be using lr. I am assuming yuo are using live sand as well, and with the lr they will naturally do what your filter would of done.
Would you like some pics of what I did to the back of my tank? It's pretty simple.
 
nyhcx516x

nyhcx516x

Member
Pics would be great. I guess I can always toss a bag of carbon in the back for a short time if I need to. The filter floss you run all the time as well?
 
fenrir

fenrir

Member
Yeah i'll get some pics here in a bit. People use carbon here and there to clear up the water, and yes run the filer floss to catch uneated food so it wont build up in your lr rubble.
 
nyhcx516x

nyhcx516x

Member
I see what looks like a sponge in there, where is the filter floss?
I think I may have to post a pic of mine, cause I think its different, and im stumped as to where I could put some filter material.
can ya tell im new at this ;)
 
fenrir

fenrir

Member
No worries I just started as well. Sorry about the confusion by filter flos I mean the sponge, yo can get a pack of small ones for like $2. You sure you have a biocube? Everyone I have seen are the same regardless of size.
 
nyhcx516x

nyhcx516x

Member
Here is the before...

and after I put the sponge in..

Adding the sponge decreased the waterflow alot, causing the water level in the tank to raise a bit, and the water level in the far left chamber (wih the return pump) to drop a bit.
I will be putting the heater back into the far right chamber, i just had it out to tweak to the correct setting.
Do I want the return feed pointing more towards the surface to agitate it, or more down to increase the circulation?
Current readings
First full day:
Ammonia: .75
Nitrite: .5
Nitrate (NO3): 0
PH 7.8
Temp 79
SG 1.023
Second full day (today)
Ammonia: 1
Nitrite: 2
Nitrate(NO3): 15
PH 7.8
Temp 79
SG 1.023
Using the API Saltwater Master test. Do these reading look right for the first few days? I started the cycle with some live rock rubble in the back chamber and in the tank itself, and for the first 24 hours, i had a piece of cocktail shrimp in there. I did take it out after the first 24 hours.
 
fenrir

fenrir

Member
yep thats how mine looks, everything looks good. I had mine pointing to the top of the water at the begining to get all of the stuff at the top of my water get filtered out, and I now have it pointed in the middle. I will be getting a seperate power head soon to get the water flow up.
Your first few days look good wioth your cycle. Are you going to be adding live rock to your display? It's a real good idea since we are using natural filtration to clean out our tanks, so the more rock the better filtration. If so I would add that soon, if not you will start another cycle when you add the rock. Keep us updated!
 
nyhcx516x

nyhcx516x

Member
I will be adding live rock, and it will be already cured LR from the LFS. Since its going to be already cured, I thought I should add it after the cycle. Is this something that I should add during the cycle?
 
fenrir

fenrir

Member
Well since its laready cured, I would add it at the end of the cylce, and then wait a couple of days to make sure nothing spikes.
 
nyhcx516x

nyhcx516x

Member
Day 3 readings....
(im only going to test ammonia until it zeros out, then ill test the rest)
Ammonia: 0.25
Isnt that dropping too fast already? Is it possible that I didnt leave the dead shrimp in long enough?
 
nyhcx516x

nyhcx516x

Member
day 6
ammonia 0
nitrite .25
nitrate 0
day 7
ammonia 0
nitrite 0
nitrate 0
SG 1.023
LOTS of detrius build up in the tank and in the chambers in the back.
 
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