32 Biocube Filtration Opinions

nfritz565 · Mar 27, 2019

1st of all, I am using the stock setup on a 32 led biocube. I DO NOT plan on replacing stock shelves in chamber 2 so please save it about the pricy options that admittedly are pretty effective.

Currently, the tank is in its 4th month and the nasty stage of algae is 95% gone. Water parameters are not perfect but no need at this time to chase ghosts.

So far I have left my filtration alone, except the weekly floss changing and 20% water change every 2 weeks. It consists of floss, purigen, phosgard, matrix bio media, and a bag of chemipure elite in chamber 3. I also have a gyre pump.

I feel that maybe it's time to change the media. I plan on some more corals and eventually dosing. I'm also in the process of getting my pod population up for a manderin. I'm asking for informed opinions on what media to use after the tank has become established.

sprinklerdudes · Mar 27, 2019

I am not sure about changing the media,, I use the 3m blue reusable air conditioning filter from lowes, I cut it into pieces the size I need, it is cheap and plentiful, I use activated carbon in a sock or floss bag. change it out when I clean the tank. I do two part dose with bulk reef supplies kit, I also dose magnisum occasional . when I start to see salt creep on the tank or hardware I know its time to start back on the magnisum. I don't get caught up in a lot of chemicals. I try to keep it simple, and try to let the tank balance itself out, it takes time, with a small tank patience is key, adding things slowly and letting the tank find its balance. looks like a good setup you have, and I like the aqua scape.

Mjrenz · Mar 28, 2019

Are you using the replacement floss filters that coralife makes and charges a lot for? If so, it's way cheaper if you tear the floss out of a used one and dump the carbon out, it leaves you with 4 empty spaces that accommodate cut up peices of filter pad perfectly and you can just run carbon in a bag below it.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-filter-pad

Mjrenz · Mar 28, 2019

Also, a mandarin will most likely not survive long in a biocube. It's just too small of a tank to support a large enough food supply for one

Algaewarrior · Mar 28, 2019

Mjrenz said:
Are you using the replacement floss filters that coralife makes and charges a lot for? If so, it's way cheaper if you tear the floss out of a used one and dump the carbon out, it leaves you with 4 empty spaces that accommodate cut up peices of filter pad perfectly and you can just run carbon in a bag below it.

https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/imagitarium-filter-pad

I did that. I run a high micron white filter on the old filter holder with a slit down the middle for equal water distribution, then a blue and white pad, then carbon bag, then a bag of purigen if my phosphates are high. I replace the white filter every other day and the blue one biweekly.