Dirtys Biocube 32 Build

[dirtyd61]

I broke down my 150g system a few years ago and have just been doing freshwater since then. Recently picked up a 32g Coralife Biocube and plan to do another reef tank. This is where it stands now:

Tank: Coralife LED Biocube 32g
Temp Control: InkBird ITC-308

Chiller: JBJ Artica Nano
Heater: 2 Ehiem Jager 100w​

Skimmer: Aquatic Life 115 (tank lid cut out for skimmer cup)
Circulation: Coralife S1000, Coralife Oceanic w/ball value feed to chiller, 2 Koralia Nanos
Sump: InTank Media Basket & Fuge Basket (Purigen, Chemi Pure Elite, Chaeto)
Lighting: Stock Coralife LED top (have a 150w HQI for the future) JBJ Nano LED fuge light

Fishless cycle with Seachem Stability, dead rock, live rock and water from established tanks occasional feeding for additional ammonia.

Will post pictures tomorrow, tanks ending its cycle now.

 

[dirtyd61]

The tank is reading high in nitrates now so I believe my cycle is coming to an end. Going to begin water changes and retest over the next week or so.

 

[CindyKz]

HI! I am cycling the same (I think) tank...3 chambers right? Can you detail for me where you are putting all this stuff? I'm planning an agressive (ish) fish tank (puffer, hawkfish, dottyback, maybe one more) with softies only so I'll want a skimmer for sure. Heater for sure. The lights are LEDs so I shouldn't need a chiller. I'm trying to figure out what else I'll need to put back there.

 

[dirtyd61]

HI! I am cycling the same (I think) tank...3 chambers right? Can you detail for me where you are putting all this stuff? I'm planning an agressive (ish) fish tank (puffer, hawkfish, dottyback, maybe one more) with softies only so I'll want a skimmer for sure. Heater for sure. The lights are LEDs so I shouldn't need a chiller. I'm trying to figure out what else I'll need to put back there.

Hey Cindy,

Living in Seattle I typically don't need a chiller but my current situation and weeks of 90+ I couldn't get my tank below 82 in the day time. I got it for about a $100 instead of the msrp of around $400 so I didn't feel too bad.

My rear section is getting a little packed but here's the run down.

Chamber 1:

1. aquatic life 115 skimmer (I had to cut the top for this to fit correctly)
2. InkBird temp probe
3. Coralife Oceanic circ pump (feeds my chiller)

Chamber 2:

1. InTank media basket (currently empty but will have Purigen atleast)
2. InTank fuge basket (chaeto with magnetic JBJ LED fuge light)

Chamber 3:

1. Coralife circ pump (stock fuge return)
2. Ehiem Jager 100w heater
3. Return flow from chiller
4. Tunze Osmolator (ATO)

 

[dirtyd61]

 

[dirtyd61]

 

[CindyKz]

Thank you so much for taking the time to add all of that info @dirtyd61! It looks amazing, talk about big things in small packages. I won't need the chiller so hopefully mine won't be as crowded. I don't even know what purigen is used for, I'll have to look it up. I'll have the skimmer and live rock for nutrient control, and the stock sponge for mechanical filter. The cheato is a good idea. I suppose I could stick some carbon back there if it seems necessary - I'm a big fan of simplicity and since I'm only doing leathers and softies it's ok if it runs a little dirty as long as I don't have out of control algae.

What powerheads are you using?

 

[dirtyd61]

I don't even know what purigen is used for, I'll have to look it up.

What powerheads are you using?

Purigen is a water polishing media, additional ammonia/nitrite/nitrate control basically. It can be bleached and reused over and over as well so it says.

Koralia nanos, would like to get ecotechs at some point tho

 

[CindyKz]

Purigen is a water polishing media, additional ammonia/nitrite/nitrate control basically. It can be bleached and reused over and over as well so it says.

Koralia nanos, would like to get ecotechs at some point tho

Thanks, I read up on the purigen and found the same. I am only putting in 3-4 fish, so the LR, water changes, and cheato should cover me there.

I have MP40s in my 75 and LOVE them. I thought about an MP10 for this tank, but I have to keep it a budget build.

 

[dirtyd61]

The stock mounting options on my Aquatic life 115 were not working out for correct water level and tuning so I performed the following mod.

I took the original Coralife media tray and cut it down to act as a shelf for my skimmer, I also cut channels in it to guide my other hoses more cleanly.



This achieved the perfect skimmer height cutting just above the 2nd stock tray. Skimmer is much more tunable now.

I also performed the airline mod to this skimmer for tunability.

 

[dirtyd61]

Pulled the trigger on the RapidLED retro kit for the 32g biocube. Will post pics of install

 

[dirtyd61]

Today's impulse buy

 

[CindyKz]

Today's impulse buy

Sweet!

 

[CindyKz]

Hi again, I bought the same skimmer. Hubs is wondering what you used to cut the hole in your lid? I may do the same thing if I can't figure out anything else. I really appreciate your help! Cindy

ETA how are you liking the MP10? I have 2 MP40s in my 75 gal and LOVE them.

 

[dirtyd61]

Hi again, I bought the same skimmer. Hubs is wondering what you used to cut the hole in your lid? I may do the same thing if I can't figure out anything else. I really appreciate your help! Cindy

ETA how are you liking the MP10? I have 2 MP40s in my 75 gal and LOVE them.

I used a Dremel with a 561 multi purpose cutting bit. You'll need to side the cut a bit it comes out with imperfections. Could probably use a jig saw to. I also didn't use the original mounting and made a shelf, see above.

I like the mp10 besides the price, I had to back the flow way downtown, 25% of total power maybe, cause it will pump way too much water for this size tank.

 

[CindyKz]

I used a Dremel with a 561 multi purpose cutting bit. You'll need to side the cut a bit it comes out with imperfections. Could probably use a jig saw to. I also didn't use the original mounting and made a shelf, see above.

I like the mp10 besides the price, I had to back the flow way downtown, 25% of total power maybe, cause it will pump way too much water for this size tank.

Thanks! We have a dremel, IDK if we have that exact cutting bit but we can get one. I think we could make a shelf out of lighting grate - I made a skimmer stand for my Vertex out of one, among many other things. It is my new duct tape LOL.

I would love an MP10 for this set up but can't part with the $$$. And you are right, it moves a lot of water for this small of a tank. The 2 MP40s in my 75 is overkill. Happy SPS though

 

[Daniel@R2R]

Nice setup! Following along.

 

[dirtyd61]

Got my Nanobox Large Retro kit today with the Bluefish Controller installed:


Working on all the awesome settings on this Bluefish the next couple days.

 

[GaretMac]

Would love to see the new lighting once installed! What all do you have in chamber one? I see the outbound to the chiller and a skimmer? Do you use an ATO?