Biocube 16 questions

[citymouse]

I finally got my Biocube 16 set up and cycled, added my clowns tonight that have been patiently waiting for months in a QT while I procrastinated. Cycled with Red Sea. I'm not adding corals.

I just wanted to run this by you to make sure I'm doing this right.
First, the filter it came with...I have no idea which way this should face or if it matters, the instructions only say to "place filter cartridge in slot provided on the cartridge holder"..not sure what this "slot" is, but one side of the filter is plastic, the other has the soft filter material (not sure what to call it), I put the soft side facing the back of the tank, anyone know if this is right or if it matters?
In the middle chamber, I have matrix on the bottom, chemi pure blue in the center and filter floss on top.
How does this sound? I have no idea why I chose this combination, I researched back in Feb and something led me to this...after all these months, I don't remember why.

Also, as far as fish go, I have the 2 small clowns in there, they are now bonded I believe, since one is a bit larger and they are together 24/7 . I'm wondering if I can add maybe a small goby and/or a fire shrimp? or something that pairs up but stays small? I'm likely going to put a a snail in there for clean up if needed. I know I can't fill it with fish due to the size, but would like 1 or 2 things that are compatible if possible.

Side note: now that my QT is freed up, I can start adding fish to my larger tank, the 2 clowns in there are starting to think they live in a mansion.

 

[Retro Reefer]

Just throw the stock filter away it’s worthless.. the matrix, chem pure and floss in second chamber is all you need

 

[Katrina71]

Look at the InTank filter basket and fuge if you decide to enhance what you've got. Please post pics. I started with an 8 gallon cube and now have a 29. I'd like to see your ideas and little guys.

 

[citymouse]

Look at the InTank filter basket and fuge if you decide to enhance what you've got. Please post pics. I started with an 8 gallon cube and now have a 29. I'd like to see your ideas and little guys.

I'll take some pictures later when the light comes on, I have no idea how to turn it on now that it's on the timer!
My 215, for some reason, I didn't take any really good pictures of it when it was up and running! I have one, but I tried to take a pic of with the blue lights on and it came out too glaring, this is when it was first set up last year. Currently battling algae in that tank, always..I'm really good at growing algae! lol

 

[Katrina71]

@cromag27 has done some sweet custom stuff scaled down for us.

 

[citymouse]

These are my biocube clowns , when they were in the QT forever.
The ones in my profile pic are in my bigger tank.

 

[citymouse]

Just throw the stock filter away it’s worthless.. the matrix, chem pure and floss in second chamber is all you need

I was wondering the same, felt pointless to put that filter in..thinking that would be a better place for the heater since it's now where the pump is and that water level drops sometimes.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I was wondering the same, felt pointless to put that filter in..thinking that would be a better place for the heater since it's now where the pump is and that water level drops sometimes.

Yes first chamber is best for heater or skimmer, second for mechanical, chemical and bio filter media and last for your return pump.. if you use a shorter heater like a neotherm and ATO so your water level doesn’t get to low you can run a heater in the last chamber with return pump.

 

[citymouse]

Yes first chamber is best for heater or skimmer, second for mechanical, chemical and bio filter media and last for your return pump.. if you use a shorter heater like a neotherm and ATO so your water level doesn’t get to low you can run a heater in the last chamber with return pump.

I have a Colbalt neo therm. With the filter that came with he tank, I can't see a heater fitting in there without touching the filter, it's a tight squeeze. But I'm probably going to remove that filter anyway, so that would leave the chamber empty, perfect for the heater.

 

[Retro Reefer]

I have a Colbalt neo therm. With the filter that came with he tank, I can't see a heater fitting in there without touching the filter, it's a tight squeeze. But I'm probably going to remove that filter anyway, so that would leave the chamber empty, perfect for the heater.

I run a neotherm in the last chamber with the pump, you just need to make sure your water level stays above the heater.. a ATO is best for this to make sure your water level stays constant.

 

[citymouse]

I run a neotherm in the last chamber with the pump, you just need to make sure your water level stays above the heater.. a ATO is best for this to make sure your water level stays constant.

What is an ATO? I was on vacation for 2 weeks, when I got home I saw the water level had dropped and the heater was about 1/4 out of the water, since then I've been checking it daily. I should have known better, I put water in my sump on the big tank about every other day...

Had a minor increase in ammonia today too, just waiting for water to cool before doing a water change, the RODI tanks are in the garage, they water was 83+ degrees. In the winter I'm heating it up, in the summer I'm waiting for it to cool..there's no in between.

 

[Jeff_Toronto]

What is an ATO? I was on vacation for 2 weeks, when I got home I saw the water level had dropped and the heater was about 1/4 out of the water, since then I've been checking it daily. I should have known better, I put water in my sump on the big tank about every other day...

Had a minor increase in ammonia today too, just waiting for water to cool before doing a water change, the RODI tanks are in the garage, they water was 83+ degrees. In the winter I'm heating it up, in the summer I'm waiting for it to cool..there's no in between.

Ato = auto top off and worth weight in gold. One of best purchases you can get. Automatically tops off water from seperate reservoir to keep level consistent, especially when in vacation. I have different ones on different tanks and for size of yours check out auto aqua smart ato but tunze great as well. Lots of posts on here for ato systems. Just remember to fill reservoir with rodi water only because when water evaporates the salt stays. So adding salt water will increase salinity.

Note. When you let too much water evaporate salinity will rise and so keeping the same level isn't very important

 

[citymouse]

Ato = auto top off and worth weight in gold. One of best purchases you can get. Automatically tops off water from seperate reservoir to keep level consistent, especially when in vacation. I have different ones on different tanks and for size of yours check out auto aqua smart ato but tunze great as well. Lots of posts on here for ato systems. Just remember to fill reservoir with rodi water only because when water evaporates the salt stays. So adding salt water will increase salinity.

Note. When you let too much water evaporate salinity will rise and so keeping the same level isn't very important

Thank you, I'll look into this for both of my saltwater tanks! I always top off with just the RODI water

My tank had ammonia and nitrites tonight...ugh, I hate the cycling phase!

Thanks for the info!