Biocube 32 frustrated but hanging in

[Krzydmnd]

I made my own using egg crate. Much cheaper then upgrading to intank one which is nice but expensive.

Also built a screen for top of tank using same stuff so I can leave open now and again for more oxygen exchange

Silly question maybe but how did you trim the egg crate so cleanly? I just recently went topless with my biocube 32 and am using egg crate for a screen right now but when I try to trim it to shape it just basically shatters!

 

[Flexin]

People are funny, they always blame the light...

 

[cmoore497]

Hey guys. Take a deep breath... I've got a BC32 and have gone through the same thing and successfuly gotten through it! I'm happy to help. Let's start off with figuring out what's causing the algae/excess nutrients. What's stocked in the tank? My guess is it's over stocked like mine was. Get me this info and I can lead you on to the next step
Here's my tank today, at 1 year... And no algae (hope this gives you hope)

Wow your tank looks amazing! Don’t know if I’ll ever get there as my BC32 at month 4 had ick and velvet knocking out most my fish and the treatment killed some coral. Depressed Newbie Hobbiest

 

[cmoore497]

How many fish are recommended in a bio cube 32? Since all our other fish died from ick we will start over. I’m open to suggestions too.
We have a dart fish and firefish goby. Plus 2 shrimp, sandsifting starfish and horseshoe crab. Thx for the ideas!

 

[CindyKz]

Silly question maybe but how did you trim the egg crate so cleanly? I just recently went topless with my biocube 32 and am using egg crate for a screen right now but when I try to trim it to shape it just basically shatters!

We always use wirecutters.

 

[Steelheader09]

I went through it in my biocube. I ended up taking all the rocks out. Doing a 90% water change, and physically removing the algae from the rocks. I then rearranged the rocks so the algae side was down. After this the algae nearly disappeared, and has not returned.

 

[fishnchip]

Keep up on your maintenance schedule. Scrub those rocks weekly to the best of your ability. Get back feeding and lighting schedule. In my opinion there is magic solution that will completely eliminate your algae issues. I have used a few additives that worked only to have the algae come back after I stopped dosing. Your rock may be leaching po4 so your most effective way of removal is weekly water changes or some sort of algae turf scrubber or reactor. I believe in running a system as close to natural as possible. On my system I run a skimmer and a algae scrubber nothing else

What skimmer and algae scrubber do you use on your cube?

 

[Flexin]

I just added a refugium last night to my cube. I used the stock media basket, and cut eggcrate to make an enclosed box out of the bottom chamber of the basket. Then I added a 12 watt grow light and black tape to cover the rest of the 2nd chamber (I don't like the ambient light at night). I got in the habit of feeding heavy in this tank because I have to in my other. So I will need to target feed. But looking forward to see how the refugium helps so I may keep things as is for a month and see. In my 65, I can't get my nitrates above 1 and I think it's the refugium doing too good of a job. This week in that second tank I removed more chaeto to see if that helps with the level up. So funny, on one tank you are going left and the other, way right They are all so different...

 

[jisc]

Running a hydor slim Nano skimmer on my 32. Has to turn sideways to fit chamber 2 but seems to work well. I had the coralife skimmer for a couple years and worked good at times. Still have the hood on mine since I have 3 kids 8 and under.

 

[LEOreefer]

What skimmer and algae scrubber do you use on your cube?

I use a life reef ventri skimmer I think the model is s-24 or something like that. My algae scrubber is the clear water 50

 

[fishnchip]

I use a life reef ventri skimmer I think the model is s-24 or something like that. My algae scrubber is the clear water 50

Running a hydor slim Nano skimmer on my 32. Has to turn sideways to fit chamber 2 but seems to work well. I had the coralife skimmer for a couple years and worked good at times. Still have the hood on mine since I have 3 kids 8 and under.

Thanks! How are you guys liking your skimmers? Thinking of adding one to mine but all the reviews for nano skimmers haven't been the greatest Have you noticed a difference after adding the scrubber?

 

[LEOreefer]

Thanks! How are you guys liking your skimmers? Thinking of adding one to mine but all the reviews for nano skimmers haven't been the greatest Have you noticed a difference after adding the scrubber?

I love my skimmer. It’s oversized and does a tremendous job at pulling out junk. As far as my scrubber it seems to be working as I’ve noticed a decrease in algae in my dt and the growth on the scrubber is bright green