New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank

ge0 · 08-07-2007, 06:39 PM

Trying my hand at my first reef tank. I will update this thread as time goes on.

I decided on the 29g bio-cube for looks and functionality. Most people agree it is decent and can run without too many mods.

Started the tank on 8/4/07.

25lbs LR - more or less cured at my LFS
30? lbs LS
All Stock equipment - no mods (yet)
1st chamber mech/charcol fitler pack - I added some extra mech filter media for startup
2nd chamber bio-balls
3rd chamber 243gph pump
Bought the water premixed from my LFS.
Water temp is around 80F (my apartment is warm)

Set-up at start with 25lbs LR and 30?lbs LS. Stock 29g BioCube.

ge0 · 08-07-2007, 09:20 PM

Now for a few questions:

Do I really need a protien skimmer?

Do I need to upgrade my lighting and my pump?

Any mods that my tnak can't live without?

ge0 · 08-09-2007, 01:15 AM

Just got 15 more pounds of live rock for a total of 40 lbs.

I installed a Tunze 9002 skimmer using this forum post as a guide. Removed the bio-balls. And dislodged the filter cartridge to allow more flow into the 2nd chamber.

I adjusted the water level in the 2nd and 2rd chamber so that it is about 5 inches below the top of the tank. This allows the Tunze skimmer to work properly.

My current aquascape:

ge0 · 08-09-2007, 01:16 AM

Top view and cross-section view of my tank after adding the Tunze 9002 Skimmer. Water level is just below the top of the skimmer in the 2nd and 3rd chambers, so yes it is very high. Also the Skimmer is actually tall and skinner, I did not draw it to the right scale, so it is miss-leading.

ge0 · 08-09-2007, 01:17 AM

oops2

GeeWizzItsMe · 08-10-2007, 12:39 PM

Nice rocks!

Anselth · 08-10-2007, 12:48 PM

Upgrading the lighting is dependant on what you intend to keep in the tank. For softies and LPS the stock lighting should be fine. SPS and anemones will require more light. I don't know enough about the biocube to give good advice on the pump, but you might want to look into adding a powerhead like a hydor korallia if you intend to keep some higher flow corals. Aiming it at the front of the tank should create some decent indirect current.

ge0 · 08-12-2007, 08:46 PM

Question - Is the rock in the back to close to the surrface?

Do I have too much rock in the tank?

08-07-2007, 06:39 PM	#1 (permalink)
ge0 Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank Trying my hand at my first reef tank. I will update this thread as time goes on. I decided on the 29g bio-cube for looks and functionality. Most people agree it is decent and can run without too many mods. Started the tank on 8/4/07. 25lbs LR - more or less cured at my LFS 30? lbs LS All Stock equipment - no mods (yet) 1st chamber mech/charcol fitler pack - I added some extra mech filter media for startup 2nd chamber bio-balls 3rd chamber 243gph pump Bought the water premixed from my LFS. Water temp is around 80F (my apartment is warm) Set-up at start with 25lbs LR and 30?lbs LS. Stock 29g BioCube.

08-07-2007, 09:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
ge0 Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank Now for a few questions: Do I really need a protien skimmer? Do I need to upgrade my lighting and my pump? Any mods that my tnak can't live without?

08-09-2007, 01:15 AM	#3 (permalink)
ge0 Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank Just got 15 more pounds of live rock for a total of 40 lbs. I installed a Tunze 9002 skimmer using this forum post as a guide. Removed the bio-balls. And dislodged the filter cartridge to allow more flow into the 2nd chamber. I adjusted the water level in the 2nd and 2rd chamber so that it is about 5 inches below the top of the tank. This allows the Tunze skimmer to work properly. My current aquascape: Last edited by ge0 : 08-09-2007 at 07:52 PM.

08-09-2007, 01:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
ge0 Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank Top view and cross-section view of my tank after adding the Tunze 9002 Skimmer. Water level is just below the top of the skimmer in the 2nd and 3rd chambers, so yes it is very high. Also the Skimmer is actually tall and skinner, I did not draw it to the right scale, so it is miss-leading. Last edited by ge0 : 08-09-2007 at 06:51 PM.

08-09-2007, 01:17 AM	#5 (permalink)
ge0 Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank oops2 Last edited by ge0 : 08-09-2007 at 11:21 AM.

08-10-2007, 12:39 PM	#6 (permalink)
GeeWizzItsMe See Golden Compass Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Nashville Posts: 1,857 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank Nice rocks! __________________ VP of Dork Club http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...-new-tank.html

08-10-2007, 12:48 PM	#7 (permalink)
Anselth Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 945 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank Upgrading the lighting is dependant on what you intend to keep in the tank. For softies and LPS the stock lighting should be fine. SPS and anemones will require more light. I don't know enough about the biocube to give good advice on the pump, but you might want to look into adding a powerhead like a hydor korallia if you intend to keep some higher flow corals. Aiming it at the front of the tank should create some decent indirect current. __________________ -Adam Learning on the fly My 70 Gallon Reef My 110 Gallon Build

08-12-2007, 08:46 PM	#8 (permalink)
ge0 Tunicate Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 10 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: New 29g Bio-Cube Reef Tank Question - Is the rock in the back to close to the surrface? Do I have too much rock in the tank?

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