Help, biocube setup...use included bio balls?

[bct15]

I acquired a full 14 gallon setup in a trade for one of my old 150gallon tanks a while back. I am setting up the biocube for my son to use as a nightlight. In the back middle chamber is a whole bunch of bioball looking things, how many people use these and how many people toss them? I'm just putting a fire fish and a couple gobies in there fore him, along with a few zoas, GSP, and sympodium from my tank and liverock from my sump.

Thanks
Brandon

 

[Spendley]

I used them for the first month then ditched. Not sure if using "used" ones would be better or worse, but they are often described as detritus traps. I currently use the inTank media basket instead and no complaints

 

[bct15]

Im also planning in doing 3 gal wc on this with used water from my display. I do twenty gallon wc weekly on my display with 0 nitrates and phosphates and alk and cal are at 8.1 and 420. My salt mix is redsea coral pro and I don't think a full wc with this salt is suitable for this little tank. What do you think about that plan, not good? It also has a skimmer and uv sterilizer and I was planning on using a small bag with a little carbon and gfo...

 

[jonny]

I'd guess about 95% of people throw them out..they hold all kinds of junk that will cause nitrates..not worth the trouble.

 

[tangboy]

When I had my 8g BC, I pulled the Bio Balls out.

I then scrapped the black paint off the back just behind the middle chamber only. I took a black ravioli microwave dinner tray, put a small hole in it and tapped a little light inside of it I picked up from Lowes.

I then got the velcro tape and taped that to the back of the glass to turn the center chamber into a fuge. The velcro didn't let any light leak out and was only on at night anyway.

Now you can put your little ball of chaeto back there and the water runs through it and works great. Just make sure to keep the chaeto ball about the size of a golf ball, give the rest away as it grows.

I also upgraded the pump for more flow and put in some loc-link with the nozzles pointing different ways for maximum flow coverage.

Look at LED upgrades to replace the PC when you have a chance, the PCs lose strength too quickly.

 

[clownfitch]

Definitely chunk the bio balls. I have live rock and a small clamp on led in mine. If you use them and don't clean them at least weekly you will have nutrient issues. Also beware of the sponge between that compartment and the return compartment. Make sure you keep it clean also!

 

[bct15]

K thanks, I'll I just put the bioballs in a gallon ziploc bag incase I ever sell it, that way it is a compete kit. I will just find one of my mesh bags and toss a little rubble back there. I was thinking if I left the lid of the middle chamber open maybe I could grow some chaeto in there.

Any recommendations on fish? He is definitely getting a fire fish, and then I was thinking of maybe a pair of gobies. I think he would like something that has a potential of spawning in there. I was thinking about seahorses but figure there will not be enough movement or color for him to really enjoy it. He is only three, below is a pic of him after he found out this is going to be his tank. He ran and grabbed the camera and started taking pictures of it, kind of funny. It is just filled with vinegar RO water so I can clean it...it's getting filled today.

 

[clownfitch]

That's awesome man. Little ones love tanks! I would go for fish with character as much as color. A pair of ocellaris clowns would be great and would get along great with your firefish. Gobies tend to not get along with other fish of similar size and shape so I would stay away from that with a firefish. No seahorses either as they can be difficult to care for. For a biocube a pretty pair of clowns and an algea blenny would be perfect ion my opinion.

 

[clownfitch]

How is your son's night light doing?