PROJECT BIOCUBE 14 (JUNE 14 UPDATE)

[BioCube14]

I just got a new biocube 14. I am new to the site new to the hobby. Already doing mods to the lights, pump, and filtration. Should have pictures up soon. This site has some really great people. Thanks to everyone who has help me out.

[cbianco]

Chalk another one up for the nano club.

Can you give us more details regarding the mods on your BioCube14? Maybe you can do a tank build follow along (depending on how far along you are).

Christopher

[brewercm]

I'm interested also since I just go the cube14 myself.

[FireWater]

One thing that I learned about mine is to make sure you remove the rear grates to clean. I started having spikes in my params and finally figured out that decaying food and wastes were collecting in the chamber under the filter and under where the bio-balls go.

[BioCube14]

light filter Mods are on the tank should have some pics up tomorrow..

[MattK]

So, where's the pics?

[BioCube14]

sorry need to charge my batt for my camera should be up soon..

[BioCube14]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/MalawiCichlids/Projectbiocube3.jpg

stock Filtration was tossed out bioballs and soon the cartridge replaced with live rock in all 3 chambers with chemi pure and poly pad to help reduce trickle noise.

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/MalawiCichlids/Projectbiocube2.jpg

Upgraded lighting with extra PC from nanotuners. This was a kit that came with fans and everything you need to do it yourself. Had some trouble but I eventually figured it out. This was a great upgrade by the way.


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/MalawiCichlids/Projectbiocube.jpg

14 gal cube 1 week old about 20lbs of walt smith and live sand. Running stock pump. Tried the maxi jet and did not like it. Replaced output with hydorflow also added hydor theo heater. Work in progress.. more pics up as I go.

[cbianco]

The aquascaping is looking good! Keep up the great work!

Christopher :)

[MattK]

So, have you started stocking it yet?

[BioCube14]

added timers (digital) I tried the analog they seem to have a ticking noise that gradually gets louder over time so I went with the digital they work great so far. Also added some great zoanthids pics up soon..

[BioCube14]

upgraded the already upgraded fans from nano tuners 60mm instead of the 50mm due to the heat problems. (problem now solved) coralife thermometer. maxijet 606 for added flow. added six line and cromis for fish and a bunch of cool zoanthids and rics. More to come..Pics up soon

[BioCube14]

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/MalawiCichlids/edit2.jpg


http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/MalawiCichlids/IMG_2101.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/MalawiCichlids/IMG_2183.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/MalawiCichlids/edit4.jpg

http://i43.photobucket.com/albums/e359/MalawiCichlids/edit3.jpg

[BioCube14]

many new zoos some you can see some you cant couple new mods to the fans and filter as well.. having trouble using my camera 30D with 60mm macro thinking i will go with a 100mm macro. finding the right settings on the camera is a pain as well pictures dont do these justice as far as color but this was the best I could do especially with PC lighting!!!

[Noodle]

That is one awesome tank BC14! You've got a great zoa collection going there... not to mention the rics look great too. Keep up the great job!

[5.0Stang]

SWEET lookin good!

[cpreefguy]

Im digging those Red Wines!

[BioCube14]

thanks cpreef the pic does not do them justice but i think its because of my lighting

[erikharrison]

looks awesome!

[BioCube14]

thanks erik l

[BioCube14]

I have some fans if anyone needs to replace the stock fans on their biocubes or nano style tanks
all12volt
60mm x 10mm high flow model $5 pair 18cfm (requires some dremeling on the 14 gal)
50mm x 10mm better than stock $3 pair
50mm x 10mm stock $freeBie~

for use to add more flow on a custom setup or to replace what you have.

[hanknmorgan]

Looking great man. Those Zombie eye Zoos I bought from you about a month ago are doing well. They are already starting to grow since I added my new lighting setup. My old bulbs were way old, so nothing grew at all before the new lights. Anyway, keep up the good work. i hope my tank will look that awesome someday

[BioCube14]

its not hard it takes time and lots of money buying and selling zoos. Im still letting everything fill out . I have a lot of new stuff that is still settling in. I got some pyros envy but they died in shipment my guess is the heat killed them they were on the UPS truck all day i got them at 5pm and they never opened up. I hope i can find some again. ANYONE?

[5.0Stang]

next time let me know when you order UPS always bring my packages at 11a.m. and wjen its a live order at 9a.m. I always sleep on the couch when i know their coming!! Their my alarm!

[hanknmorgan]

Where do you guys order from. You have some great zoos that I have never seen in stores.

[BioCube14]

i just figured out how to install my silenX fans in a biocube 14...Dont know many people who tried this in a 14 but I know why. tons of dremelin and alot of patience dont say i did not warn you. In the end i think it was worth it I have no noise from the fans you cant even tell they are on unless you put your ear to it and I have more air flow as well!

[boogaman]

I would like to know the bulb you upgraded to? 50/50 or actinic?

[ClownReef®]

GREAT Job! Cube is the way to go!.. Nice to see other fellow cubists!. Louis Vauxcelles and Georges Braque arent the only ones anymore.. :skeezy

[RayAllen]

Great looking BC 14 man!

[gjuarez]

BioCube, how did you take out the middle chamber? I want to do the same for mine, I dont like bioballs. Did it require dremeling? I would appreciate the help and hopefully you'll be able to help with other quiestions that I might have since I am not a very good DIYer. jaja

[hanknmorgan]

I think he just removed the filter media (bioballs) from the middle chamber and used liverock for natural filtration. The stock sponges, bioballs, etc. can work just fine, but that can be real nitrate factories if not cleaned properly and regularly. Most people ditch all that stuff and just use live rock rubble in the back. Alot of people also make a small refugium in the rear chambers by adding a light and macroalgae back there. Not neccesary, but I like mine and my tank water is always sparkly clean.

Also if you have not checked out nano-reef.com, you should visit that site. LOTS of info on all things nano.

[BioCube14]

UPDATE: Bye bye PC's Im goin Halide 70 watt halide by current sunpod

[erikharrison]

awesome, that little tank is going to be a frag machine!!!! :)

[BioCube14]

I hope maybe I can get my money back for the lights im going to put on it

[blueboy]

good luck with that!

[FSU]

tank looks great, and I REALLY like the zoo's and ric! I just got this same tank for a nano, but atm, only have live rock, some snails and hermits in it! I did have a question for you though. You may have already answered somewhere in the thread, but, are you having a heating problem with your water? My lights, the stock ones, are keeping my tank at about 79 degrees. Thought I saw someone somewhere in another thread that mentioned swapping out the fans, but not sure.

[BioCube14]

well being such a small tank you will have heat problems with causes being many different things such as ambient room temp extra heat from other things like additional pumps in the tank (or anything that is added that you have to plug in that makes any type of heat) Keeping your lights on too long.. being a closed enclosure heat stays in there you probably dont really need a heater. When you add extra lights such as the nano customs extra PC bulb you have to do something with the heat thats why i did the fans. I sold the hood that came with it and went to a sunpod (topless) setup where heat is not an issue with my tank.

[BioCube14]

UPDATE!

biocube CRASHED and burned due to salinity swing
Biocube is coming back from the dead
NEW zoos and palys
hoping for the best tried SPS with no luck being such a small tank i dont think its really possible in the long run. I am testing a few new LPS on my 70 watt halide I will keep you posted..