Water Change in 29 gal Biocube

[kmc]

When doing a water change in your tanks do you leave the pump on or turn it off? I changed water last night and siphoned out 1 1/4 gallons. The pump started sucking air so I turned it off. When i turned it back on after adding some water it seemed to blowing out a lot of trash but it cleared up pretty quickly.
Also, How far in advance do you mix the saltwater you use to replace what you draw out? Any other tricks I should know about?

 

[lion_crazz]

With that size tank and the way it is made, I would probably turn the pump off if possible.
I would mix the saltwater at least 24 hours in advance, but preferably 48 hours. Another thing that is important when mixing saltwater is to make sure that the salinity and temp are the same as your aquarium. This means that a powerhead and heater should be used in the mixing container. Also, if you are not doing it already, check the pH and kH of the new water being added. Many times, salts will give you a low kH, which will throw off the pH balance in your tank overtime.

 

[kmc]

Originally Posted by lion_crazz
With that size tank and the way it is made, I would probably turn the pump off if possible.
I would mix the saltwater at least 24 hours in advance, but preferably 48 hours. Another thing that is important when mixing saltwater is to make sure that the salinity and temp are the same as your aquarium. This means that a powerhead and heater should be used in the mixing container. Also, if you are not doing it already, check the pH and kH of the new water being added. Many times, salts will give you a low kH, which will throw off the pH balance in your tank overtime.
Thanks for the info. I need to find a 5 gallon or so container with a lid to premix the change water . How long will the water be OK to use after I mix it?
I only see myself changing about a gallon a week in this size tank. As far as the Kh, I have not checked it. I guess I need to get a test kit. What level am I looking to maintain and how do I raise or lower it?
Thanks

 

[lbaskball]

hey I have a question for you. Did you take out all tbe bioballs? ANd if so, did you replace that section with live rock or a sponge, because I noticed that once the bio balls are taken out, the water starts splashing and gets loud so Im decided weather to put live rock there or a small sponge to keep the noise low.

 

[ekvikmost]

Question about the biocube. I have a new 29 gallon biocube and when I put the filter cartridge in the slots designed for it, the water flow decreases to the point that the water level goes below the minimum marking on the side. If I pull the cartridge out of the slots and just lay it loose in the chamber the water flow is fine and sits between minimum and maximum.
How important is the water level in that third wet/dry chamber? I checked and the filter cartridge doesn't appear to be clogged. I am assuming that as long as the cartridge is in the chamber it will be fine.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by ekvikmost
Question about the biocube. I have a new 29 gallon biocube and when I put the filter cartridge in the slots designed for it, the water flow decreases to the point that the water level goes below the minimum marking on the side. If I pull the cartridge out of the slots and just lay it loose in the chamber the water flow is fine and sits between minimum and maximum.
How important is the water level in that third wet/dry chamber? I checked and the filter cartridge doesn't appear to be clogged. I am assuming that as long as the cartridge is in the chamber it will be fine.
In consideration of the original poster, please make a new thread in order to discuss your question.

 

[lion_crazz]

Originally Posted by kmc
Thanks for the info. I need to find a 5 gallon or so container with a lid to premix the change water . How long will the water be OK to use after I mix it?
I only see myself changing about a gallon a week in this size tank. As far as the Kh, I have not checked it. I guess I need to get a test kit. What level am I looking to maintain and how do I raise or lower it?
Thanks
You can allow the water to sit with a powerhead circulating it for at least a week, if not more. The main thing is that you want to keep the water from going stagnant.
kH should read between 8 and 12. You will raise it with a kH buffer or "builder".

 

[lbaskball]

Hope you get back to my question about the noise if you remove the bioballs, since the water falls straight down into 2nd chamber, it splashes and makes noise as if someone is peeing. Its annoying, so I put a sponge in there and addd couple of bio balls (tempporarily) so that there wouldnt be any noise. DO you have this PROBLEM?

 

[kmc]

Originally Posted by lbaskball
Hope you get back to my question about the noise if you remove the bioballs, since the water falls straight down into 2nd chamber, it splashes and makes noise as if someone is peeing. Its annoying, so I put a sponge in there and addd couple of bio balls (tempporarily) so that there wouldnt be any noise. DO you have this PROBLEM?
I have not removed the bio balls but I can understand what you are saying. I have heard some people say that they replace the bio balls with a like amount of live rock rubble or even bags of filtered charcoal.

 

[d-90]

I have a biocube 14 and I have the some water hight problems. I too am thinking about taking out my bio balls. I am not sure what is best. There seems to be two schools of thought and I am too new at this to know whick is best.

 

[lbaskball]

Originally Posted by D-90
I have a biocube 14 and I have the some water hight problems. I too am thinking about taking out my bio balls. I am not sure what is best. There seems to be two schools of thought and I am too new at this to know whick is best.
Take out the bioballs, they will become a problem in the future. I never used my bioballs, i threw half of them away and only left a couple temporarily until i put a live rock in the back so that there wont be any "peeing" noise because without the bioballs, the water noise pisses me off.