LED Biocube 32 work in progress!!

[JVan82]

Originally Posted by TexChuck

Thanks!! Congrats on the mandarin and fuge success. I'm on my 3rd load of macro - I'm using the middle section of the intank media basket, but I'm debating pulling the skimmer from the second half of 2 and replacing with the fuge basket to run more macro.

I keep encountering people going skimmerless in their BC's.

Congrats again on all the growth!


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Never had a s kimmer as of yet, not that I'm hoodless it opens the door to choosing a skimmer

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[TexChuck]

Originally Posted by JVan82

Never had a s kimmer as of yet, not that I'm hoodless it opens the door to choosing a skimmer

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Are you looking at any units in particular?

I'm really, really tempted to yank mine and run macro the same way as you. I can ship a Tunze 9001 your way

[JVan82]

I appreciate the offer.
Sadly I haven't heard anything good about any if the small skimmers, even Innovative marines ghost serious seem hit or miss... If worse coming to worse I'll add purigen again.

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[ReefWreak]

Originally Posted by JVan82

I appreciate the offer.
Sadly I haven't heard anything good about any if the small skimmers, even Innovative marines ghost serious seem hit or miss... If worse coming to worse I'll add purigen again.

If you're looking for a skimmer that fits chamber 2, that actually performs, the AquaMaxx WS-1 (or new 1.5/2) are real skimmers. You either need to leave the back hatch open or have the top off (you have your top off already), but man, it's a mean skimmer, and it's the first nano skimmer I've used that makes skimmate that smells like skimmate.

That being said, I'm still always contemplating whether it would be better to run an algal turf scrubber or a skimmer, and have never finalized on what would be best, but for now I have this skimmer and it works really well. I've been feeding a lot more, and have no algae issues other than my bubble algae that grows whether or not there's nutrients.

[JVan82]

Originally Posted by ReefWreak

If you're looking for a skimmer that fits chamber 2, that actually performs, the AquaMaxx WS-1 (or new 1.5/2) are real skimmers. You either need to leave the back hatch open or have the top off (you have your top off already), but man, it's a mean skimmer, and it's the first nano skimmer I've used that makes skimmate that smells like skimmate.

That being said, I'm still always contemplating whether it would be better to run an algal turf scrubber or a skimmer, and have never finalized on what would be best, but for now I have this skimmer and it works really well. I've been feeding a lot more, and have no algae issues other than my bubble algae that grows whether or not there's nutrients.

Thanks reef I'll keep that in mind!!

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[JVan82]

Here are my settings for my lights, XR15 pro, and dual MP10s, settings are same for both MP10s. Thoughts advice suggestions welcome.

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[JVan82]

Mandarin update!
So after being away for a week I got home Sunday made a new batch of baby brine, added them to the feeder I made based on Paul Baldassano's tutorial. And sucess!!!

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[TexChuck]

Congrats!!!! Great pic of him eating... Live brine?

[JVan82]

Yes live baby brine shrimp

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[ReeferJody]

Looks like a nice setup. Like the coarseness and depth of your sand. What type sand and how deep if you don't mind me asking. I was thinking about getting a biocube 32 myself but was wondering if the heat from having the top closed would be an issue. will definitely be following your posts as you go. Nice pics also. Hope you post some of your cleanup crew when you put them in.

[JVan82]

Originally Posted by ReeferJody

Looks like a nice setup. Like the coarseness and depth of your sand. What type sand and how deep if you don't mind me asking. I was thinking about getting a biocube 32 myself but was wondering if the heat from having the top closed would be an issue. will definitely be following your posts as you go. Nice pics also. Hope you post some of your cleanup crew when you put them in.

Sand is CaribSea Arag-Alive, and I use 1 20 pound bag. I placed egg crate on the bottom of the tank and then put the rock on that, then added sand. As far as a clean up crew I started originally with:

Assorted Hermits x1
Blue Leg Hermit Crab x1
Dwarf Cerith x10
Nerite Snail x1 Dead soon after replace with Trochus Snails x2 1 left after hermit fancied his shell.

[JVan82]

Update time, things are going, dealing with hair algae which seems like everyone that started their bc32 roughly a yr ago is dealing with. Wanted to add some pics of the frags I picked up during reefers direct first live sale.



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[Smoke Inator]

So you went with dual mp10s nice been thinking of that for mine


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[JVan82]

Originally Posted by Smoke Inator

So you went with dual mp10s nice been thinking of that for mine


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Yes had one, picked up the second on here and the battery backup.

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[TexChuck]

Great coral pics!! I like the acro.

How goes the algae fight? Aggressive WC's seem to be helping with mine.

[JVan82]

I have a few new snails coming tomorrow, my sole snail is making a dent. So hoping they help out.

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[TexChuck]

Good luck with the turbo snails!! I'm thinking about adding a couple myself.


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[The Modest Reef]

Nice job so far. Wish I had found this thread when I started my Biocube. I too have been tempted to go with the open top. Especially since I have to prop me lid open since upgrading to Steve's LEDs. But I keep thinking that I could have just bought the replacement biocube 32 for $130 if I was gonna do that. Plus, there are better looking rimless tanks out there. And then there is the evaporation. With my lid propped open a couple of inches, the evaporation is pretty severe. Can't imagine how bad it would be without a top

[JVan82]

Originally Posted by The Modest Reef

Nice job so far. Wish I had found this thread when I started my Biocube. I too have been tempted to go with the open top. Especially since I have to prop me lid open since upgrading to Steve's LEDs. But I keep thinking that I could have just bought the replacement biocube 32 for $130 if I was gonna do that. Plus, there are better looking rimless tanks out there. And then there is the evaporation. With my lid propped open a couple of inches, the evaporation is pretty severe. Can't imagine how bad it would be without a top

Thanks, it's been a learning curve for sure. Evap is a lot more than with the lid on, of course, but temp is way more stable. I only went topless cause I had a horrible experience with a light retofit.

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[Rico515]

Hey JVan82,

Just read through your build. The tank is looking good. I was wondering what refugium light you are using since you are having success with growing chaeto in the InTank refugium basket?

Thanks,

[JVan82]

I currently am running the IM aguagadget fuge light. Going to be installing the aquamaxx WS-1 and idk if I will be able to keep the fuge basket. If I can I will upgrade to the chaetomaxx light.

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