Bio Cube 29 Startup

[bothfly]

Hey guys, just got a Bio Cube 29, some live rock and sand and its been running for about 5 days.
Question, I've got tiny sand or something particles still flying around in the water. The water is crystal clear and the only water return is aimed mostly towards the top of the tank.
Do I need to do anything to get rid of the flying sand pieces?

Also just tested the water and everything looks good as far as I can tell.

I'm just waiting for the go ahead to start adding something, fish, crabs just not sure when and what. Two local fish stores near me with good advice on hand.
Thanks

 

[Longnose Hawkfish]

It will take time for the particles to clear. Happens when you use super fine sand. I had that in my new tank for like two weeks. And I would give the tank maybe like one more week and then check parameters again before adding.

 

[bothfly]

Ok, thanks.
The guy at the fish store thought it might be nano bubbles from the filter.
I've only got the one water return going, and it seems strong. If I turn it off the stuff settles pretty fast.
I did also use fine sand.
Thanks for your help.

 

[bothfly]

Here's what the water looks like

 

[saltyphish]

Love my biocube. Did you keep the bio-balls in it?

 

[bothfly]

Love my biocube. Did you keep the bio-balls in it?

That was another question I had.
I was told to remove the bio balls, which I did.
Now the tank seems loud when the water falls into the empty section where the ball would be.
Maybe thats why I have so much stuff in the water, nothing is catching it

 

[saltyphish]

Ignore the min and max fill line. I keep mine filled up to the return nozzle un chamber 3. Look into getting the intank media basket for that tank.

 

[Rjramos]

Ignore the min and max fill line. I keep mine filled up to the return nozzle un chamber 3. Look into getting the intank media basket for that tank.

I agree get media basket and run floss pad, purigen, and chemi pure elite. The left over space in that chamber where the bioballs were can be used for a Refugium or a skimmer. If you go to the site intank.com they have a nice video that will give options of how to upgrade. I ended up making my own baskets and along with the little oceanic biocube skimmer in chamber 1, the tank is beautiful with perfect parameter.

 

[aceav8er]

I just got a new Biocube 29 for Christmas which was a total surprise, because I had just setup a deal on CR for a 14 and decided to get it anyways since it was a screaming deal. I love these guys so far, they seem
Very well built. I just got my 14 up yesterday so today is a full 24 hours. I took the bio balls out like everyone had suggesting and filled chambers up with water. I will probably get an intank media basket and run exactly what Rjramos has said. Good luck and keep pics going!

 

[saltyphish]

Lot's of nice mods and upgrades for them.

 

[bothfly]

My understanding was not to use any media for filtration since I have Live Rock?
The guy at the fish store said to even put some live rock in the Bio Ball chamber.
Why do I need to add this thing from IN Tank?
Thanks

 

[Rjramos]

My understanding was not to use any media for filtration since I have Live Rock?
The guy at the fish store said to even put some live rock in the Bio Ball chamber.
Why do I need to add this thing from IN Tank?
Thanks

You can just put live rock in there. However, it is better to have diversity in filtration. Live rock is the biological means, and you have that and sand in the tank already. The 1st stage in the media basket in my cube (the floss) gets clogged in a week, showing its purpose. The chemi pure and Purigen keep the water crystal clear and reduce nitrate/ phosphate. The refugium basket is full of chaeto which further aids at removing nitrates/ phosphate, plus keeps a nice population of undisturbed critters reproducing. It's just more tools to keep that biocube running nice long term without hassles. This biocube 29 was started in July 2014 for the "Nano in 90 competition", if you look on the thread you'll see how it progressed from start till now and see how others have upgraded theirs. Hope this helps.

 

[bothfly]

Ok, sounds good.
Just got the setup from InTank.
Thanks

 

[Rjramos]

You won't go wrong,easy to maintain too! I have been wanting to upgrade the lighting from standard PC's to Retrofit LED, wanna keep the top for sure. Looking at rapidLED right now but unsure of driver to go with. Even still, everything is growing nicely under PC's!

 

[bothfly]

Can you grow Corals with the LEDs on the Coral Life Bio Cube? I was going to buy extra LEDs to fill up the slots?
I did see a site called Steve's who make a LED retro fit, but I really don't want to tear the hood apart and install new LEDs.
Unless of course the LEDs that are on there won't grown anything, seems pretty bright though.

 

[Rjramos]

Can you grow Corals with the LEDs on the Coral Life Bio Cube? I was going to buy extra LEDs to fill up the slots?
I did see a site called Steve's who make a LED retro fit, but I really don't want to tear the hood apart and install new LEDs.
Unless of course the LEDs that are on there won't grown anything, seems pretty bright though.

What and how much LED's/ wattage did your biocube come with? Mine came with the standard 2 bulb PC's. And most of the corals showing growth, but some near the sand are not. That's why I'm upgrading.

 

[bothfly]

What and how much LED's/ wattage did your biocube come with? Mine came with the standard 2 bulb PC's. And most of the corals showing growth, but some near the sand are not. That's why I'm upgrading.

Mine is standard as well but there are 4 open slots for more LEDs.
I was thinking of adding 3 whites and 1 blue.
Are you upgrading the entire LED hood or just adding lights?

 

[Rjramos]

Right now mine has the 2 PC's and 3 LED moonlights. I haven't really seen about slots to add on. My plan is to gut out existing and retrofit RapidLED I just ordered. 24- 3 watt LED's.

 

[Scubafrog]

Mine is standard as well but there are 4 open slots for more LEDs.
I was thinking of adding 3 whites and 1 blue.
Are you upgrading the entire LED hood or just adding lights?

Keep in mind that LED switch one controls the factory installed LED strip. LED switch two controls the four empty slots. Also, switch one provides power to switch two (only one power cable). So if you put the white LED's in they will be on at the same time as the blue lunar LED.

I installed two extra lunar blue strips to provide more "glow" to my corals. I have them on a timer to come on an hour before and shut off a few hours after my PC bulbs. Some of my zoas will stay open with only the blue lunar LED's on.

I did have two Eshopps foam pads in the second chamber to catch the water flow from chamber one. Check out ReefThuz on YouTube. I just replaced the foam pads with an inTank media basket and Tunze 9001 skimmer in chamber two.

+1 on all the above information.

 

[Scubafrog]

Your ammonia looks a little high but everything else looks okay. I would wait a little longer.

I was told that patience is the key to reef tanks. I am finding this out as I set up a 29G Biocube on Sept. 1, 2014. Time and water changes seem to be the best advice I would give. You will have the urge to constantly mess with the tank or add livestock quickly but be patient. Don't over react when things may look or seem bad. Good luck and enjoy!