Regarding Biocube 14gallon

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dotc0m

New Member
As this is my first post, I would like to say hi to everyone and comment on how helpful this site has been for the past couple of hours. It already seems as if it is already too much to absorb.

I am looking into the 14gallon Biocube nano tank. I have very little experience with fish, but I am very capable of taking on new challenges. I am a little confused with it as of now, but I'm sure I'll be okay after extensive research.

So to start out with a noob question, my g/f and I want a clown fish. Will it fit in a 14gallon nano? I have heard that it needs to be in at least a 40 gallon. I am deciding on a project that includes the whole works, not only fish.

So far I know I will have to start out with the tank, and quarantine it for a week or so. Any clarifications woudl be greatly appreciated. Thanks for the help, and any misdirects to helpful sites would be greatly appreciated as well.

Tony
 
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KidNano

New Member
http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2007- ... /index.php
This is a forum called reefkeeping 101. It's a new forum so no yet complete. This article is from last month so go ahead and read the article from this month as well. search and learn about the nitrogen cycle. I don't have the link that I usually share on this computer but if you google it you should find plenty.

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11_03/acclimation.php
acclimation is very important. watch this little tutorial and read as many articles as you can about it. It's not just about temperature which I initially thought when I got into the hobby.

Good luck and if I can think of more links that would help you I'll share. For now that should be plenty to start you off.
 
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dotc0m

New Member
Can you help me with some Mods? I am having trouble looking for such information. The 14g Biocube will be stock, but I heard that you can/should make mods to things such as the filter, and light. I plan on using LR, and anemones, and shrooms.

I am going to take this slow, and I want to research EVERY in and out. I haven't been excited about something in a very long time :D
 
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Jonnyraincloud

New Member
the size 14 biocube is actually around ten gallons with the rock/sand in place.
the numbers dont represent gallons for some weird reason...


but the mods are really run and easy.
i would just get some submersible LEDs (3-4 watts)
and plunk em down in the middle or third chamber w/ some macroalgae
ditch the bioballs, and put some live rubble in there instead.
the live rock from petco works well here

and as for the filters, you have to change them once a week atleast.
i change mine every three days...
to save some money just buy the "whisper" filter cartridges and dont use the plastic portions.
i just use carbon, and phosphate/nitrate sponges.


just be sure to let your tank cycle fully before you start.
you can use additives like "biospira" or "cycle" .
but they dont do everything that they claim on the bottle.
also if you buy live sand, itll speed up the cycling process.


cheers, and have fun with it. i know i am.
 
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dotc0m

New Member
Okay, well I plan on buying an upgraded filter. The light I will also probably keep, although I am still considering upgrading that, if I want to stray from softies that is.

So far my shopping list will be:

the tank itself
about 15-16lbs of LR//about the same amount in LS if not less
A refractometer to measure the SG
a powerhead probably using minijet
50 or 75w ebo jager heater
I don't think I'm missing anything else, please let me know if I am

I'm kind of new to the whole fish thing period. I raise snakes, and many other reptiles, so this is a whole new ballpark. Should I upgrade the filter? I know I read about some good ones out there, just can't think of the name right now. SJ or JS (something like that)

But after this initial investment, it will definitely be a good 1-2 months before the critters come to clean up. Hopefully I will have some sort of enlightenment during the process of research.

Anyway, I also have a question about skimmers. Are they vital? I know it has something to do with filtering organic particles and fish residue. Any additional info would be awesome.
 
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KidNano

New Member
Filters---- the filtration for reef aquariums is actually pretty simple. Most people just rely on the LR and LS, then add some macro Algae to absorb what's left over. Carbon is pretty important as well, as far as I'm concerned. It will remove heavy metals and keep your water crystal clear. Then maybe some filter floss in one of the chambers that will absorb some of the large particals. I wouldn't add an extra filter if that's what your looking for. It's really not neccesary. Add a Fuge and a sump if your going to add anything. Increase the water volume and it will be easier to maintain.

Check out the sticky's in the DIY forum. you'll get some good ideas from there.

Keep the lights off during your cycle. they don't help.... only hurt in the long run.

hope this helps. :D
 
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dotc0m

New Member
I was actually considering moving up to a 24 aqua pod, or get the 29 biocube.

I am still VERY confused as to what a refuge, or sump REALLY does.

It's to keep invertebrates away from danger - okay.. for what? I know it's probably a very obvious answer, but I am again very unsure about many of the obvious things regarding the aqua world :D.


So I clear out the chambers in the back of cube, and use that as a fuge. A fuge is for invertebrates beneficial to the water, but are from harms way. Is that correct? That's all I have for a fuge so far in terms of research. Anyone with a better discription, or even a misdirection link with ample info would be AWESOME.

Okay, so no filter then, very strange to me, but I think I understand why now. All I need is water movement. Do you suggest two sources? Does that mean I would need 2 power heads then? Thanks for the click guys!
 
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dotc0m

New Member
another question as I am diong research --

Would a buble tip anemone thrive in a 24 Aquapod with 70w HQI??
 
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KidNano

New Member
dotc0m said:
I was actually considering moving up to a 24 aqua pod, or get the 29 biocube.
Click to expand...
Good idea.

I am still VERY confused as to what a refuge, or sump REALLY does.

It's to keep invertebrates away from danger - okay.. for what? I know it's probably a very obvious answer, but I am again very unsure about many of the obvious things regarding the aqua world :D.
Click to expand...
a refugium has quite a few benefits and maybe some others can add to my list.
1. provides a place to put a macro algae. This consumes the nutrients that you don't want in your tank.
2.your tank is going to have algae in one form or another so you might as well try to promote certain types which are controlled by you.
3. provides a home for pods. Pods , isopods, copepods... etc... are all beneficial.

So I clear out the chambers in the back of cube, and use that as a fuge. A fuge is for invertebrates beneficial to the water, but are from harms way. Is that correct? That's all I have for a fuge so far in terms of research. Anyone with a better discription, or even a misdirection link with ample info would be AWESOME.

Okay, so no filter then, very strange to me, but I think I understand why now. All I need is water movement. Do you suggest two sources? Does that mean I would need 2 power heads then? Thanks for the click guys!
Click to expand...
you need two different types of movement as far as I'm concerned. you need your display water to move through the filtration which is the carbon, macro, filter floss..... etc which will remove particals and cloudiness. in your case this will be whats moving through the back chambers in your tank. depending on what you put in the tank this might be enough. If you decide to jump up to the higher flow demanding corals then you'll need axtra movement through out your display that you don't necessarily want to add to your chambers. so you get a Koralia or tunze to sit in your display and provide extra movement. look at Jesse's 12 gallon in the 20 and under forum and you can see how he is setting up his new 12 gallon.

read and read and read through these forums and through the archives. you'll find so much information that you didn't even know you needed to know.

It's fun and a big unexpected education.
 
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KidNano

New Member
oh yeah a BTA..... I've heard from a few sources not to get an anemone for a smaller tank. They move around a lot and will disturb your coral and probably kill them. I've also heard that to have good success with anemones you need to put them in an established tank such as a tank that's been running for at least a year. The long tentacle in my signature photo is dead. I had him for about 2-3 months. I think my fish killed him by obsessing over his location but an immature tank could have contributed.
 
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dotc0m

New Member
Hmm, I see.

So what I plan on doing is making 3-4 chambers. One of them I will probably steal the idea of Cobra and H20 with the filler floss. That seems like a very good idea. And another I will put LR rubble and possibly just have some macro algae in another for extra filtration.

I will still try to work the in's and out's of it regarding that.

I really would like a bta. My girlfriend fell in love with how it looked at the LFS. What if I just had LR, anemone, and a pair of CF's. Do people do that? Then I could run another nano just for corals and other fish. All these decisions to make, such little money. What to do... what to do... :D

Thanks for the info btw. I am still researching and clearing up alot of the fog in my own tank (brain). Hpefully it will clear up soon.
 
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KidNano

New Member
dotc0m said:
Hmm, I see.

So what I plan on doing is making 3-4 chambers. One of them I will probably steal the idea of Cobra and H20 with the filler floss. That seems like a very good idea. And another I will put LR rubble and possibly just have some macro algae in another for extra filtration.

I will still try to work the in's and out's of it regarding that.
Click to expand...
Don't forget your going to need a good light on that macro. If it's not lit well it won't last. There are a few different ways to do this. you can research them in the DIY forum.
I really would like a bta. My girlfriend fell in love with how it looked at the LFS. What if I just had LR, anemone, and a pair of CF's. Do people do that? Then I could run another nano just for corals and other fish.
Click to expand...
I would go with a 24 or 29 if you want an anemone with a couple of clowns. I think it would be fine however weight for the tank to be at least 6 months old preferably a year before you add the BTA.

All these decisions to make, such little money. What to do... what to do... :D
Click to expand...
Tell me about it. :alc: you and me both buddy.
Thanks for the info btw. I am still researching and clearing up alot of the fog in my own tank (brain). Hpefully it will clear up soon.
Click to expand...
:whost
 
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dotc0m

New Member
Well the aquapod 24 come with a 70w HQI. Can I just do one of those hang on wall soap dish thingies with the macro in it? I could just use the light from there. Awesomeness :D
 
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dotc0m

New Member
It's soap dish that hangs in the main tank with macro algae basically. I probably will put it in the chambers actually and just get a light for it. Or maybe not get it at all at least until down the line.

For my 24g, how many lbs of LR do you suggest? I was thinking about 25, but the LFS mentioned as as I can afford because the more the better. I am still thinkinga bout 25-30 cuz I definietly don't want it to clutter.
 
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KidNano

New Member
25 pounds would probably be plenty. you definitely don't want to fill up your tank with Rock. I have about 50 lbs. in my 60 gallon and it's doing it's job just fine. Some people like more but I like more room for the fish. As long as you have enough to keep your parameters where they need to be.

Don't use the soap dish. your tank will be fine with out the macro..... It's just one more thing that helps. When you have the means to provide the proper lighting for it in one of your back chambers do it that way.

can't wait to see pics.
 
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reefman23

New Member
dotc0m said:
actually scratch that, i bought a 24g 150w HQI on the way :D
Click to expand...
Good choice! I'll think you'll love it.

I agree with pretty much everything Cris has told you already.

Keep us updated.

Jesse
 
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KidNano

New Member
Thanks Jesse. I'm glad to here that I've retained some of the info you and the others here have pounded into my head time and time again.

Dotcom you should find these links useful. They're simple and informative.

http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/sbegin-longterm.html
http://fins.actwin.com/mirror/begin-cycling.html
http://www.fishdoctors.com/ArticlesDetail.asp?id=127
http://www.xtalworld.com/Aquarium/hitchfaq.htm add this one to your favorites
http://melevsreef.com/id/ add this one as well. you'll refer back to them plenty of times.

have fun reading.
 
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