Biocube filter

Big_Mclargehuge · May 23, 2020

Hey! I recently set up my first tank. A biocube 32. It's currently cycling. The only filter media it came with was a filter sponge and a filter cartridge. Should I add anything else to the media basket or does it matter that much? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks!

Dbichler · May 23, 2020

When I had a 29 bio cube I ran heater in first section then rubble rock in middle and carbon once in a great while if lazy on water changes. Small enough tank to not worry about any filtration other than live rock and sand.

Big_Mclargehuge · May 23, 2020

Dbichler said:
When I had a 29 bio cube I ran heater in first section then rubble rock in middle and carbon once in a great while if lazy on water changes. Small enough tank to not worry about any filtration other than live rock and sand.

Thanks. That's kind of what I was getting from things I've read.

Grimreefer89 · May 23, 2020

just my 2 sense but in my biocube i used an intank media basket with filter floss, chemipure blue, and had a fuge beside it in the 2nd chamber. my wife has it now and does the same with seahorses just no fuge now. the media basket is pricey but honestly it forces water through the filter so much better and imho its the best upgrade besides lighting for that tank. good luck it was my first tank as well and id bet you'll upgrade in few months so don't blow to much on that thing. lol

Big_Mclargehuge · May 23, 2020

Grimreefer89 said:
just my 2 sense but in my biocube i used an intank media basket with filter floss, chemipure blue, and had a fuge beside it in the 2nd chamber. my wife has it now and does the same with seahorses just no fuge now. the media basket is pricey but honestly it forces water through the filter so much better and imho its the best upgrade besides lighting for that tank. good luck it was my first tank as well and id bet you'll upgrade in few months so don't blow to much on that thing. lol

What's the difference between the rack thing that comes with the biocube and a media basket? Is a media basket more closed off? I don't really get what the difference is. Thanks.

LegendaryCG · May 23, 2020

Big_Mclargehuge said:
What's the difference between the rack thing that comes with the biocube and a media basket? Is a media basket more closed off? I don't really get what the difference is. Thanks.

Those intank baskets are really well made not cheap plastic. Ultimately, it serves the same purpose but those intank baskets are worth it.

Grimreefer89 · May 23, 2020

yes it is closed off on four sides but the bottom is open. when your filter starts to clog the water level in the media basket will be higher to the point of over flowing (not out of the tank though) and was always my indicator when i NEEDED to change it. heres the link if you want to check it out its pricey but honestly worth it.

Big_Mclargehuge · May 23, 2020

Grimreefer89 said:
yes it is closed off on four sides but the bottom is open. when your filter starts to clog the water level in the media basket will be higher to the point of over flowing (not out of the tank though) and was always my indicator when i NEEDED to change it. heres the link if you want to check it out its pricey but honestly worth it.

I may have filled my tank up incorrectly. I keep reading and seeing peoples pics and the three chambers have different water levels. Mine is the same from the filter area to the rest of the tank. I just fixed it in the display until it was just under the rim. I hope I didn't screw up and fill it too much. Here are some pics.

Grimreefer89 · May 27, 2020

no you didn't screw it up just remember or mark where your water line is so you can add fresh water to it and maintain your salinity. as far as what levels to keep in the chambers i always kept my 2nd chamber half full and the third should be the same as the second. it makes the water actually fall through the filter. BUT this was with the intank media basket. sorry it took so long to get back to you i work a crazy schedule.

Big_Mclargehuge · May 27, 2020

Grimreefer89 said:
no you didn't screw it up just remember or mark where your water line is so you can add fresh water to it and maintain your salinity. as far as what levels to keep in the chambers i always kept my 2nd chamber half full and the third should be the same as the second. it makes the water actually fall through the filter. BUT this was with the intank media basket. sorry it took so long to get back to you i work a crazy schedule.

No problem at all. Thanks for the marking my water level advice I wouldn't have thought about that. I lowered some of the water in the second and third chamber and it's definitely flowing through better. I will probably lower it a little more. Thanks again