gjuarez 14g Biocube

[gjuarez]

Hey guys, I'm back!! Just finished setting up a new BioCube 14. It will consists of mainly zoos, ricordeas, and some lps. I am thinking of doing some mods to it, the light might not be enough, definately need more flow. I will take some pics tomorrow and will also document the progress. Glad to be back!!!!!

Jerry

[tony]

welcome back!

[LoneStar]

Awesome! Looks like were getting that Jerry Pizzazz back!

[gjuarez]

jaja. You got me!! Stay tuned for some pics

[gjuarez]

tried to post a pic, nevermind it didnt work

[LoneStar]

photobucket.com???

[gjuarez]

Just bought a 70w mh retrofit kit from aquabuys. Everything is included, including a 10k ushio bulb. I decided that i wanted to keep a clam and maybe some acros and montis. Has anybody moded their nano with mh?

[hanknmorgan]

I have a 12g nanocube with a 70w MH and 32w PC. I have the same ushio 10k bulb that you got and I really like it. I have to admit however that without actinic supplimentation it is a bit yellow for my taste. It's perfect with the 32w actinic in my opinion. People have successfully retrofitted a 70w in the stock hood, but temperature control is always a problem from what I have read. I made a custom lighthood for mine that sits on top of the tank. I am currently making one for another members 14g biocube. You will love the MH. I will never go back to PC's. Here is a link to some pictures of my light. Maybe it will give you some ideas. Good luck and have fun.

http://www.maast.org/index.php?name=PNphpBB2&file=viewtopic&t=26019&hig hlight=

[gjuarez]

THanks for the input hank. If I cant fit the mh kit in the stock hood I'll just have someone build me a canopy and i'll take everything apart and add it all into it. I cant have softies only, I am still addicted to sps. As far as the heat issue, my apt always is at around 72 degrees and with some light fans I dont think it should be that much of a problem, but we'll see. I am still wondering if biocube tore the middle chamber apart

[gjuarez]

Ok, finally figured out how to take out the middle chamber apart. I took out the bio-balls aka nitrate factories. I will add live rock rubble tomorrow. THe 70w halides should be here saturday! What happened to Joshua, Steve R, Gary P, Ace, Clint, Bryan, Carl, I need your input overhere. jajaja

[markgsa]

Good luck on setting up the cube, those things are soo much fun.

You should start a "where are they now thread."

[hobogato]

im here - just tagging at the moment. glad you are back btw!

[gjuarez]

I am having fun again!! I really like my biocube.. I am going to have fun doing all the mods, wish me luck. I will need to head over to san antonio for some cool zoos and rics.

[gjuarez]

Thanks for the update. I havent kept touch with local reefers either, but were changing that.. Trying to get ACRO going again

[gjuarez]

Update: Just wired up my metal halides and these little things are super bright. (Thanks to Caferacermike) I love the color of the ushio 10k so far, a nice crisp with a hint of blue. I am sure it will change color once it burns in, but so far so good. I am very impressed. I decided to go the canopy route instead of a fixture. The main reason will be because of heat isses, i need some good fans that will keep the temp down. I'm having a lot of fun with this little nano!!

THe tank has been setup for 2 and a half weeks now, only a couple more weeks to go. I'm excited.

[gjuarez]

Well.... The nano has been running for more than 18 months now with nothing but water and a couple of snails... you think its cycled by now?? Anyways, Rick (marlin) and I manufactured a very nice canopy for my biocube that consists of 70w metal halide 2 x 24w actinic and some moonlights.. We must have spent at least 8 hours making it, took a while because of the bow in front but we did it. I am very pleased with how everything came out. Have to give major thanks to Rick for helping me out, this guy is a genious. So all i have to do now is stock it little by little. Im back!

[LoneStar]

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a142/LoneStarSA/random%20stuff/thread_is_worthless.jpg

[SVT519]

Well.... The nano has been running for more than 18 months now with nothing but water and a couple of snails... you think its cycled by now?? Anyways, Rick (marlin) and I manufactured a very nice canopy for my biocube that consists of 70w metal halide 2 x 24w actinic and some moonlights.. We must have spent at least 8 hours making it, took a while because of the bow in front but we did it. I am very pleased with how everything came out. Have to give major thanks to Rick for helping me out, this guy is a genious. So all i have to do now is stock it little by little. Im back!

Any plans for a nice write up?! I just got my 14 like two days ago and im ready to step it up and your combo sounds the most appealing.

[gjuarez]

Pictures will be coming soon... I painted my canopy white in the inside for better reflection and for protection of course. I am waiting for the first coat to dry up so I can apply a second one. I am also painting the outside of the canopy black. I should have everything ready by this evening. I will post pics of the canopy and the aquarium later. I ordered 2 x 24w actinics yesterday, they should be here by next week hopefully. I havent checked my parameters in more than a year, so I am doing that in a minute.. THen again, I only had a six line wrasse for about a month or so and that was many moons ago. I have zero algae in my tank, just some detritus that my rock leaches out every now and then.

I am pleased with DE Ushio bulb, its a 10k and surprisingly it has a nice crisp white with a hint of blue. I was expecting more of a yellowish look.

SVT519, i will be posting tank updates and progression pics. If you have any questions that i may not have answered for you, feel free to ask away.

[fishypets]

Well Jerry it's nice to see that you're still teasing us by not showing pictures! Some things never change eh?

[gjuarez]

LOL... Got a camera now.. I will post pics later, tank is empty though. I guess i'll go outside and take a pic of the canopy before its finally painted. BRB

[gjuarez]

I dont see the [IMG button anymore.. how do you post the pics?


http://www.maast.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=384

http://www.maast.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=382

http://www.maast.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=383

[gjuarez]

I installed everything and its painted too, I will get a pic of it in just a bit

[fishypets]

I do see one problem though. Where are all the empty beer cans?

[gjuarez]

No beer cans, just a ton of michelob ultra bottles that rick and i drank up. Lol. I have a picture of the canopy with most of the stuff installed. How do i post so that it shows here on the thread. My computer wont let me do it as an attachment.

[LoneStar]

http://www.maast.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=384
http://www.maast.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=382
http://www.maast.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=383

looks good!

I just copied the direct link of the image, slapped it between

direct link

no spaces of course

[gjuarez]

metal halide right on center, moonlights on the sides of the halide, and both pc actinic in front and back. just ordered new pc actinic, should be here next week. i'm installing the fans later.

http://www.maast.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=386

http://www.maast.org/forums/picture.php?albumid=63&pictureid=385

[greenmako]

Ok found the thread disregard my other post asking about info on the new tank lol
looking good man!

[gjuarez]

Hey Brian, been a while. I will be setting up another tank soon.. Its a 30g long, or who knows, i might go bigger if rick gives me a good deal on his 100g. I plan on keeping a mixed reef with this nano... I am going to stock it very soon

[greenmako]

Nice, can't wait to see it stocked

[gjuarez]

Hey guys, quick update. I went ahead and added a few frags that Rick gave me. I added an Idaho Grape Monti Cap along with some green monti cap.. THey are both a little browned out right but slowly coloring up. I will be getting my actinic bulbs tomorrow.

I am very impressed with Dr. Foster and Smith. My shipment got lost, called them up and said not to worry, that they would overnight me the bulbs the very next business day. That was yesterday so I should receive them tomorrow. We shall see.

I will be slowly stocking my nano, should hit you guys up in san antonio pretty soon.

Hey Brian guess what, I will getting your old 75g tank that belonged to Chrissy. I am buying it from Rick since he consolidated tanks. It will be a BB sps tank. Love the tank.

[gjuarez]

I need more flow for my tank.... What powerheads of mini pumps would you all recommend for my 14g biocube? Koralias?

[blindside]

Try a k1 the nano doesn't put out much flow

[gjuarez]

I know, definately need more flow for my sps. Luckily right now I only have the caps but in two weeks i am getting some acros.

[gjuarez]

Well, i went ahead and added a small bio cube skimmer to my Nano. I am extremely happy and surprised at how this little thing can skim. I love it.

I also bought some small colonies from liveaquaria, they should get here soon. I'll keep you guys posted.