Modify my Biocube?

[lickyricky]

Hey guys,
I am a newbie to the hobby and will be purchasing my Biocube 29 in 11 days and had a quick question. I just bought some stuff from a guy on Craigslist. A Maxi Jet 1000 and a Tetra 200W heater. Is it going to be easy to replace the pump in the Biocube with the Maxi Jet? he told me it was simple and it gives much better output....what do you guys think? Also, the heater has no way to attach it to the tank, suggestions?

 

[Cooper32803]

Yes it is simple to switch out the pump... I put in a new one for better flow since I am using the Hydor Flo water deflecter and that diminishes flow rates. Not sure about the heater, I havent really had to use one because the PC light tends to keep the water warm even after the 5 hours I have it on...

 

[lickyricky]

Yes it is simple to switch out the pump... I put in a new one for better flow since I am using the Hydor Flo water deflecter and that diminishes flow rates. Not sure about the heater, I havent really had to use one because the PC light tends to keep the water warm even after the 5 hours I have it on...

Thanks! Hope i can find some way to get this heater in there just in case the water temp gets too cool.

 

[Cooper32803]

I have heard of people cutting out notches at the bottom of the first chamber for their fully submersible water heaters, so you may want to look into that. It's better to do work like that when you have a dry tank rather than trying to do it after you have filled your tank with water. You can always put it in the third chamber with your pump if you plan on taking out the bioballs and doing the in tank media baskets. Your water level rises in the third chamber when you do.

 

[lickyricky]

I have heard of people cutting out notches at the bottom of the first chamber for their fully submersible water heaters, so you may want to look into that. It's better to do work like that when you have a dry tank rather than trying to do it after you have filled your tank with water. You can always put it in the third chamber with your pump if you plan on taking out the bioballs and doing the in tank media baskets. Your water level rises in the third chamber when you do.

Well I dont have the tank yet so it would be dry. So they just make a notch in the first chamber?? not really sure how that would work. Do you recommend taking about the Bioballs? what does that do to the tank?

 

[BigB7]

I use to have a 29g biocube and I just took out the false floor in the first chamber and put my heater in there with plenty of room for the small skimmer as well...

 

[Mufasa31]

You can remove the false floor in both the 1st and 2nd chambers.
I purchased the Intank media basket and fish guard.
I also upgraded to leds.

 

[Singlefin]

Check out inTank's site for videos and upgrades. Much easier to do when dry. Eventually you will do them. Not sure about the 1000 but I have a mj1200 in mine. I think that's the biggest one that will fit. Ditch the bio balls.

Shop.mediabaskets.com


Part of me is salty...,

 

[Singlefin]

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/BioCube-29_c16.htm


Part of me is salty...,

 

[Singlefin]

I would suggest a heater in first or third chamber. Media basket and tunze 9002 skimmer or fuge in second chamber.
I have the media basket/tunze combo. In chamber 2. No heater. I'm on a chiller.


Part of me is salty...,

 

[Steelerfan747]

Good luck with the mod. Please post pics once you do it.

 

[impur]

I have my heater in the first chamber, but the floor is not removable. I had to cut out a small square area so my heater would fit.

Also if you have some eggcrate laying around, you can make a media basket for basically free instead of buying one of the acrylic ones.

The return pump is super easy to replace.

I also retrofitted LEDs into mine. I love it.