Biocube setup of back chambers, HELP

[wince718]

I am starting a 32 gallon biocube. It has been running for about a month. it has been working through its first cycle. I used to have a 200 gallon and 120 gallon tank years ago. I had refugium for both underneath in the stand. A lot has changed and this is a much smaller tank. I need help with how to set up my chambers in the back. (see pictures for what I have now).

Current:
Chamber 1 Pump, heater, media reactor. Chamber 2 stock shelf - bottom bioballs - middle fabric filter, top nothing as of yet. Chamber 3 open at the moment

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Any recommendations on what to put in the chambers and how to set up or DIY them.

 

[Uroplatus]

I am starting a 32 gallon biocube. It has been running for about a month. it has been working through its first cycle. I used to have a 200 gallon and 120 gallon tank years ago. I had refugium for both underneath in the stand. I am concerned that over time I will have issues with such a small tank and not having a refugium to help cycle out the Nitrates and other unwanteds.

Is it a thing to have a separate "refugium tank" that I can use to cycle water change water to and take the cycled water out of the "refugium"?

People turn the big middle chamber into a refugium. I had the original oceanic 29 and I never wanted the hassle of another tank connected to it. Check this out
Amazon product ASIN B07WTQ8CHD

 

[Saltyreef]

I liked running chaeto in the 1st chamber with a similar light above.
It acted as a mechanical filter as well because it would grow so thick it would trap big pieces of detritus :)

Grew chaeto better than any other tanks i had with a fuge in the sump lol

 

[wince718]

People turn the big middle chamber into a refugium. I had the original oceanic 29 and I never wanted the hassle of another tank connected to it. Check this out

Any thoughts on the 9w or 18? I guess I am really open to how to setup. Right now I have the pump, heater, and media reactor in the left chamber ( not sure if that's chamber 1 or 3 haha). In the middle, I would think to run the chaeto refugium. Should I use that whole chamber for that, if not thoughts? I know some use algae scrubbers for ease, I see some DIY videos but not sure. Also, what would I use for the right chamber? Lastly, do I need any filter media, or a spot for Chemi pure blue.... sorry really a newbie, a lot has changed.

There is so much info out there, I love to research but sometimes I get too much info and it gets the best of me!!!

 

[Saltyreef]

I used a 6w jbj nano glo.
I would suspect the lower wattage light will be just fine as it will be pressed against the glass

 

[Saltyreef]

I only would run chemipure if needed....
A sponge was always nice but i had the water overflowing onto the chaeto first.

 

[wince718]

I used a 6w

I liked running chaeto in the 1st chamber with a similar light above.
It acted as a mechanical filter as well because it would grow so thick it would trap big pieces of detritus :)

Grew chaeto better than any other tanks i had with a fuge in the sump lo

I liked running chaeto in the 1st chamber with a similar light above.
It acted as a mechanical filter as well because it would grow so thick it would trap big pieces of detritus :)

Grew chaeto better than any other tanks i had with a fuge in the sump lol

.
I would suspect the lower wattage light will be just fine as it will be pressed against the glass

Thanks, any pics for visual reference

 

[Saltyreef]

Thanks, any pics for visual reference

No it was a decade ago lol.
I think most biocubes nowdays are setup for a fuge already with a clear pane cutout on the back where they want you to put the fuge light.