Setting up a BioCube 32

[NoviceReefr]

Hi everyone new to the hobby but I just got a Biocube 32 and I'm looking to start the conditioning cycle next week. I have a few questions that I can't seem to find good answers to and was hoping members of this great site could help.

1.) I am using the media basket that came with the cube for now and was wonder what does in there. I have the filter that comes with it but what else do I need for the basket?
2.) In fact what would you recommend for the other chambers? I was thinking a heater in one of them but not sure what else I must absolutely have in the others. I have read that a skimmer is not really necessary so I will hold off on that.
3.) For the tank I am really thinking about this combo of fish and inverts:

- pair of clownfish
- 1 banggai cardinal
- 1 watchman goby
- 1 scarlet cleaner
- 1 tuxedo urchin
- not sure what or how many snails or crabs I need as the CUC

So last question is how is this mix of fishes, I heard stories of aggression so I was thinking order of adding them would be goby, cardinal and clownfish, does that work?

Thanks everyone for your help!!! Can't wait to get this off the road

 

[speedieber]

Good Morning...

I have Biocube 29/32 and love them...

To answer your questions..

1.) I am using the media basket that came with the cube for now and was wonder what does in there. I have the filter that comes with it but what else do I need for the basket? I would trash the media basket and balls that come with the Biocube...I would replace it with a Intank Media basket and small protein skimmer. For the Intank media basket I placed filter floss in the first chamber, then a bag of purigen in the next chamber and finally chemipure blue in the last chamber. For a protein skimmer I use a tunze 9004 which works great. Intank has videos on this configuration.
2.) In fact what would you recommend for the other chambers? I was thinking a heater in one of them but not sure what else I must absolutely have in the others. I have read that a skimmer is not really necessary so I will hold off on that. I have a heater, temp probe and automatic top off.... A skimmer is not required, but I would strongly recommend.
3.) For the tank I am really thinking about this combo of fish and inverts: fish look fine... but for a cuc I would recommend either a cleaner or peppermint shrimp, emerald, blue or red foot crads and some small snails.. Good Luck

 

[hdsoftail1065]

Welcome and congrats on your 32!

There are several ways to set these up as you will soon discover. You can do a little search and get some great ideas. I'm not a fan of the skimmer and gave up on it some time ago. There isn't a right way or a wrong way, just whatever works for you.

Your stocking plan looks good. We tried twice with pincushions in our biocube but they seem to starve out over time. Hopefully your tuxedo does better! Your watchman might like a little pistol shrimp companion.

 

[Katrina71]

I use chemipure blue in mine. The elite doesn't work well for us.

 

[NoviceReefr]

thanks everyone for the reply.

 

[NoviceReefr]

Good Morning...

I have Biocube 29/32 and love them...

To answer your questions..

1.) I am using the media basket that came with the cube for now and was wonder what does in there. I have the filter that comes with it but what else do I need for the basket? I would trash the media basket and balls that come with the Biocube...I would replace it with a Intank Media basket and small protein skimmer. For the Intank media basket I placed filter floss in the first chamber, then a bag of purigen in the next chamber and finally chemipure blue in the last chamber. For a protein skimmer I use a tunze 9004 which works great. Intank has videos on this configuration.
2.) In fact what would you recommend for the other chambers? I was thinking a heater in one of them but not sure what else I must absolutely have in the others. I have read that a skimmer is not really necessary so I will hold off on that. I have a heater, temp probe and automatic top off.... A skimmer is not required, but I would strongly recommend.
3.) For the tank I am really thinking about this combo of fish and inverts: fish look fine... but for a cuc I would recommend either a cleaner or peppermint shrimp, emerald, blue or red foot crads and some small snails.. Good Luck

If I get the Intank Media basket can I still use the biocube filter cartridge? I have a lot of them and can't return them so don't want to waste it. Where would you suggest I put them if I can use them in the Intank Basket

 

[speedieber]

If I get the Intank Media basket can I still use the biocube filter cartridge? I have a lot of them and can't return them so don't want to waste it. Where would you suggest I put them if I can use them in the Intank Basket

Nope... you want be able to use the biocube filter cartridge