Biocube 32

Rxb09a · Dec 10, 2017

So I posted this in another section but later realized this might be the more appropriate section.

So I’m new to saltwater tanks and I just purchased a Biocube 32. I’m wondering what filtration y’all would recommend. From what I understand the in tank media basket is the best option. What protein skimmer would you run with it and what should I run in the media basket?

Katrina71 · Dec 10, 2017

@Scurvy

Katrina71 · Dec 10, 2017

Scurvy has this same setup. It's a gorgeous tank. Knows his stuff. He is very helpful.

Rxb09a · Dec 10, 2017

Katrina71 said:
Scurvy has this same setup. It's a gorgeous tank. Knows his stuff. He is very helpful.

Okay thanks!

Scurvy · Dec 11, 2017

I run the Ice Cap K2-50 skimmer in my 32 with the In-Tank rack. It’s a snug fit for sure but have good results with it.

For media in the rack I run similar to most I think with filter floss on top and a small bag of Phosguard under the floss. In the middle chamber I have 5.5oz bag of chemi pure blue and in the bottom a couple of bags of Seachem Pond Matrix.

Lloyd Williams · Dec 11, 2017

I have a 32 Biocube. I am running the media rack from In-Tank as well as a fluval fx-4. Added Biocube protein skimmer also. Running chemi-pure blue elite and bioballs with cheato in bottom of media rack. Also a bag of sea chem purigen

Rxb09a · Dec 11, 2017

@Lloyd Williams from what I have read the biocube skimmer seems to be a hit or miss with most people. Have you had success with yours? @Scurvy did you have to do any mods to get the ice cap skimmer to fit in the biocube? I’m not opposed to mods just don’t know how in depth I want to get modding my tank right now.

Mikedawg · Dec 11, 2017

+ 1 on Intank basket. I combined mine with the Aquticlife 115 in second chamber (held on with acrylic coated magnet from OctoAquatics) and use Marine Pure balls and some Purigen in basket. Also, upgraded stock return pump to Sicce 1.5 and significantly more flow. Just bought some random flow generators from Vivid Creative Aquatics for another tank and really like the effect they have; would recommend for Biocube as well.

Think you'll really like the tank.

Lloyd Williams · Dec 11, 2017

Rxb09a said:
@Lloyd Williams from what I have read the biocube skimmer seems to be a hit or miss with most people. Have you had success with yours? @Scurvy did you have to do any mods to get the ice cap skimmer to fit in the biocube? I’m not opposed to mods just don’t know how in depth I want to get modding my tank right now.

The skimmer is relatively new but so far so good. The bubbles are just coming over the lip in the cup. Not seeing much junk as of yet. Thinking the fx-4 is just working that good but will be keeping an eye out

Scurvy · Dec 11, 2017

Rxb09a said:
@Lloyd Williams from what I have read the biocube skimmer seems to be a hit or miss with most people. Have you had success with yours? @Scurvy did you have to do any mods to get the ice cap skimmer to fit in the biocube? I’m not opposed to mods just don’t know how in depth I want to get modding my tank right now.

I followed the same mods that “In tank” uses for the Tunze 9001 only i had to cut out a little bit more of the same plastic lip. Wasnt dificult at all.

gln826 · Dec 12, 2017

I use a Tunze 9001 skimmer in the middle chamber, have a Jab Wavemaker and use a Penn Plax Elite Cascade 1000 canister filter. That's all. The key is weekly five gallon water changes. The stock lighting doesn't support SPS, but for softies, anemones and leathers, its fine.

Katrina71 · Dec 14, 2017

@Scurvy @Mikedawg y'all are a bad/good influence. Looking for a sicce 1.5 for my son now.

Mikedawg · Dec 14, 2017

Katrina71 said:
@Scurvy @Mikedawg y'all are a bad/good influence. Looking for a sicce 1.5 for my son now.

So glad you show me in second place to Scurvy, as the "good" influence

Scurvy · Dec 14, 2017

I've never been told to be a good influence.... I was the kid that mommies told theirs kids to stay away from! Great pump!

John3 · Dec 26, 2017

I’ve got a 29 biocube and I’m running a Aquamaxx was-1 in the middle chamber. I was running a Hydor slimskin but I could never get it to run consistently. It’s a 3 sided unit with the 4th side sliding in and that made it kinda flimsy for me and I had to zip tie it to keep it from popping out.

The aquamaxx unit has been awesome. It’s built really well and feels solid and most important it skins really well. I don’t use a rack, I just use a filter sock with a bag of carbon and phosguard in it also in the middle chamber. At the top of the sock where water flows in I use a piece of filter floss to catch larger junk. I change the floss and sock twice a week.

Oh I forgot to mention I removed the top lid. So I don’t know how well this skimmer would fit with the top.

George Willings · Jan 3, 2018

I just got my Biocube 32 up and running about a week ago. I use Bio Spira, to kick start it, and it kick started it alright, ammonia is a 0.25 ppm, Nitrites 0 ppm, and Nitrates at 40 ppm as of this morning. Now to wait for ammonia to drop to 0 and do a water change, then put my snails in there from the bucket they are currently in. My Biocube came with the Coralife basket, no bioballs (would not have used them anyway, did not like them in freshwater aquariums either). I plan on running filter floss, phosguard, and purigen, then some chaeto as I have some dry rock rubble in the bottom of chamber 2. I am using the Coralife Skimmer, and it has been giving me full cups of water in the morning and afternoon, the bubbles just make it to the top of the column for the skimmer, and I think I need to turn it down a bit more or replace that skimmer. I do plan on running a reactor with carbon and GFO in it to free up the entire 2nd chamber for chaeto.