New BioCube 29 Gallon

[Jaire]

I received a 29 gallon biocube for Christmas and will be attempting to set it up this weekend. My boyfriend has a 55 gallon w/30 gal refugium right now, so we will pull water from it, and we are getting some live rock from a friend.

Since my tank is significantly smaller than his, I am wondering how much live rock I should put in, if I should get a skimmer, and if I should purchase a clean up crew? I have helped with his tank for a few years, but in reality have little knowledge of what I need to do with mine - which is where you all come in!! Any advice, suggestions, etc are welcome.

I know I need to purchase a heater, but I have heard that is the only additonal "equipment" that I need to purchase at the forefront. Better lights and so on can be purchased later.

[RayAllen]

take a look at my build thread on my BC 29

http://maast.org/forums/showthread.php?t=53905

There are several of us on here with them. Skimmer is not necessary nor is a heater. There are lots on here who run 100g plus tank without heaters. You must realize that your pumps, lights and other equipment create heat.

Have fun with it, ive had a lot of large aquariums from 100g-200gs but really enjoy the simplicity of my Bio Cube.

[edshas2]

Ive had my 29cube for about 2 years now, its awesome, i think i have between 25 and 30 pounds of rock in it, just make sure you set up the rocks away from your glass so that you are always able to clean it, Clean up crew is always helpfull, snails, hermits, crabs. if you have any questions along the way feel free to ask, im sure many people on here are super knowledgeable and will be able to answer your questions

[Mr Cob]

Congrats on the BioCube and welcome to MAAST. I would just get the thing going and get a good feel for it before adding anything other than macro algae, ive sand and live rock.

As already mentioned these tanks are meant to run themselves and don't NEED additional equipment.

Once you get a feel for the temp swings etc... then you can make a decission as to what you need. When talking about heaters, you may need one or you may not. Depends what kind of temp you keep in your house.

Anyways.... have fun. Can't wait to see some pics.

[Third Coast Tropical]

I have four of them....obviously I like them....good tanks

[Jaire]

Thank you all for your input!! I will post pics as soon as I get it up and running this weekend!! Any additional information or suggestions that you all think might be helpful are always appreciated!!

[FireWater]

My advice is the same as those above. I ran a BC29 for over a year and liked it. I will say to watch out for detritus build up in the bottoms of the chambers. In the 1st chamber where the filter media is the screen floor is siliconed in and can be removed and replaced as needed to siphon the compartment. Under the bio-balls in the 2nd chamber is another false floor that needs to be removed to check for detritus build up and cleaned out. It is common belief that the bio-balls will eventually become a water issue problem, to combat that I would periodically take 1/2 of them out and clean them. It worked for me.

You will hear about several mods you can make to your tank. I recommend enjoying it for a while 1st. If you decide on a skimmer I would look into the Sapphire Aquatics skimmers as they are custom built to fit w/out modding the hood.

[Big_Pun]

just as everyone said they are great tanks, i owned 5 at one time one in every size 2x29's, ide ditch the bioballs go with rock rubble, also the factory filters get clogged fast and hinder flow, i usually just use a coarse black sponge on the second chamber over the rubble, and a fine filter floss for a couple days after water changes. no need for a skimmer, just do small weekly water changes. ide let the tank settle for a week or so do a good water change then add clean up crew, then feed them pellets or even misis to kick start the cycle again. just take it slow and yo will be fine. one day you can get bored and dump the lights and do t5 like my old one.