BioCube 32 Gallon Filter Question

[UND4UNT3D]

Hello, I am brand new to the forum. I joined because I am getting back into the saltwater aquarium hobby after being out of it for two decades. I figured I would start small with a Biocube 32 gallon. I am looking for clarification for the filtration chambers in the back of the tank. Before turning on any pumps, I filled the display tank with RODI water. Then I noticed all three filter chambers in the back of the tank were filled with water as well. I thought the first chamber would fill up and overflow into the the second chamber and then into the third chamber with the return pump. If someone could please clear this up for me I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

 

[cdemoss01]

@Jay Hemdal had one of these!

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Hello, I am brand new to the forum. I joined because I am getting back into the saltwater aquarium hobby after being out of it for two decades. I figured I would start small with a Biocube 32 gallon. I am looking for clarification for the filtration chambers in the back of the tank. Before turning on any pumps, I filled the display tank with RODI water. Then I noticed all three filter chambers in the back of the tank were filled with water as well. I thought the first chamber would fill up and overflow into the the second chamber and then into the third chamber with the return pump. If someone could please clear this up for me I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

All 3 chamber will fill. There should be a pump moving water from the last chamber back to the tank.

I have a protein skimmer in the middle chamber and a bag of chemi pure blue in the last chamber (first chamber is empty).

 

[UND4UNT3D]

Hello, I am brand new to the forum. I joined because I am getting back into the saltwater aquarium hobby after being out of it for two decades. I figured I would start small with a Biocube 32 gallon. I am looking for clarification for the filtration chambers in the back of the tank. Before turning on any pumps, I filled the display tank with RODI water. Then I noticed all three filter chambers in the back of the tank were filled with water as well. I thought the first chamber would fill up and overflow into the the second chamber and then into the third chamber with the return pump. If someone could please clear this up for me I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you.

All 3 chamber will fill. There should be a pump moving water from the last chamber back to the tank.

I have a protein skimmer in the middle chamber and a bag of chemi pure blue in the last chamber (first chamber is empty).

Thank you for responding. So before I turn on the pump all three chambers will fill with water?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Thank you for responding. So before I turn on the pump all three chambers will fill with water?

Yes, and as water evaporates over time, the level in the last chamber will drop a bit. You'll need to add RO water to bring the level back up. I would strongly urge you to get a bio cube protein skimmer if the tank didn't come with one. They are $45 on Amazon.

 

[UND4UNT3D]

I cannot thank you enough for responding. I actually called coralife and the person did not know what the heck they were talking about and told me to return the Biocube to Amazon because they said the first chamber must be leaking. So I did, the new one came, and same thing happened.

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I cannot thank you enough for responding. I actually called coralife and the person did not know what the heck they were talking about and told me to return the Biocube to Amazon because they said the first chamber must be leaking. So I did, the new one came, and same thing happened.

Weird! Now, I have a Coral life Biocube 16, but I assume the 32 is set up the same way, maybe not?

 

[UND4UNT3D]

I will verify today. But I think you are right. What are the chances I would get two in a row that have the same problem