Trying to start a BioCube

[Mario0240]

Hey guys!

So I have a 20ish gallon BioCube that's just sitting in my garage, begging to be cycled. It came with everything I need to start it, BUT it doesn't have the basket in the back. If I didn't want to buy a basket for one, whats a good way to add filtering materials for it? I was thinking of stuffing some filter floss in it somewhere, and then throwing some chaeto in there too, and pretty much just hoping for the best!! I feel like I've seen someones cube set up in this manor, but i'm not sure and i'm looking for the communities input.

Thanks!

 

[JustDewwit]

Hey guys!

So I have a 20ish gallon BioCube that's just sitting in my garage, begging to be cycled. It came with everything I need to start it, BUT it doesn't have the basket in the back. If I didn't want to buy a basket for one, whats a good way to add filtering materials for it? I was thinking of stuffing some filter floss in it somewhere, and then throwing some chaeto in there too, and pretty much just hoping for the best!! I feel like I've seen someones cube set up in this manor, but i'm not sure and i'm looking for the communities input.

Thanks!

Go for it ,but lets get you setup right. The inTank media basket is going to be your best bet. I'm guessing you have a biocube 16. The basket will set you back $62.99 +shipping. Can you set up the tank without the inTank media basket ,Yes. I warn you a lot can go wrong fast especially in nano class aio's. Invest in filtration,lighting and flow.Once again go for it and we will all be here to help along the way.

 

[Katrina71]

Show us some pics of your tank. Who makes it? There are some DIY eggcrate ones too.

 

[Retro Reefer]

You don’t need to waist your money on a manufactured rack, just fill the middle chamber half full of bio balls, throw a bag of carbon or chemipure blue on top of the balls for chemical filtration and top it off with filter floss or similar for mechanical filtration.. simple, cheap and effective

 

[Katrina71]

You don’t need to waist your money on a manufactured rack, just fill the middle chamber half full of bio balls, throw a bag of carbon or chemipure blue on top of the balls for chemical filtration and top it off with filter floss or similar for mechanical filtration.. simple, cheap and effective

Yep!

 

[JustDewwit]

Yep!

Only downside is when it comes time to change media there will be more time consumed. The rack has its benefits which is use one basket to pull everything out vs digging it out . Seems more of a mess ,however I agree 100% your method will work just as well.

 

[Mario0240]

It’s just an older bio cube. Nothing special. Like I said it’s just missing the media basket. Got the tank for $75 that was bought for me by a friend who I helped move his tank/birthday present. So the tank was free. Just gotta get some rock, sand, and a couple clowns!

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

for rocks I would recommend the caribsea life rock nano shapes, I love the rocks..... I didn't get the nano version cause it wouldn't be enough in a 75g. you can make some killer scapes with them with swim throughs and options for coral placement

 

[spsaddict4lyfe77]

Eggcrate and zipties. Done

 

[Barnabie Mejia]

Eggcrate and zipties. Done

Eggcrate for the win!!! I use that stuff way more than I should! haha but its functional and cheap, if you put some good thought into it you can actually make some stuff that is also visually attractive!

 

[Mario0240]

Sweeeet!! I, for some reason, didn’t think about egg crate!! I’m get some today and start cutting!

On another note, what should I put in the basket? Floss, carbon, what else?

 

[45ZoaGarden]

Sweeeet!! I, for some reason, didn’t think about egg crate!! I’m get some today and start cutting!

On another note, what should I put in the basket? Floss, carbon, what else?

I use sponges up top, then two bags of purigen on the bottom. But I have a carbon, and gfo reactor. Maybe consider a mangrove... I have one in my second basket

 

[Magellan]

Sweeeet!! I, for some reason, didn’t think about egg crate!! I’m get some today and start cutting!

On another note, what should I put in the basket? Floss, carbon, what else?

Purigen and Biomedia

 

[CavalierReef]

You don’t need to waist your money on a manufactured rack, just fill the middle chamber half full of bio balls, throw a bag of carbon or chemipure blue on top of the balls for chemical filtration and top it off with filter floss or similar for mechanical filtration.. simple, cheap and effective

What RetroReefer said.

 

[45ZoaGarden]

It’s a pain when you want to clean it though

 

[Mario0240]

It’s a pain when you want to clean it though

what is?

 

[jayala12]

I put filter floss on top, purigen in the middle, and chemi pure elite on the bottom. Change the floss out every Friday and water changes every two weeks.

 

[Mario0240]

I put filter floss on top, purigen in the middle, and chemi pure elite on the bottom. Change the floss out every Friday and water changes every two weeks.

That's the maintenance i'm looking for with this one being a possible office tank.

 

[jayala12]

That's the maintenance i'm looking for with this one being a possible office tank.

Yeah it’s simple and it works for me. I have a mixed reef with acros , mushrooms, chalices , and zoas. With a blasto for good measure lol.

 

[Mario0240]

Yeah it’s simple and it works for me. I have a mixed reef with acros , mushrooms, chalices , and zoas. With a blasto for good measure lol.

Any pics of the tank and the back as well??