Biocube 14 questions - Aquarium Advice

laniloo · 01-13-2008, 06:35 PM

Hey Everyone,

I own an Oceanic Biocube 14 Gallon Nano Aquarium, and so far have had little problems with it. However, I've been reading the nano posts, and several people have suggested replacing the bioballs with lr rubble. Is it safe to just switch it up? Or should I introduce them to my tank slowly?

My other question is about ph - currently my ph is at 8.4. Can anyone suggest tips on lowering it a bit?

Thanks so much!

Sadielynn · 01-13-2008, 08:23 PM

If your tank is new you can just switch it out . If it is established take 1/2 the balls out and replace with cured LR rubble ....
As for the PH 8.4 is just fine I would not lower it any , as it lowers naturally with the cycles of your lights

laniloo · 01-13-2008, 09:48 PM

Great! Thank you very much!

**roka64** · 01-14-2008, 01:28 PM

You tank is still in the cycle process, correct? If so, pH and other water parameters will take up to 6 months to stabilize. Sadie is also right, pH fluctuates. It will be lower after lights out and higher after lights on. Your best bet it to measure it around the same time of day.

laniloo · 01-14-2008, 01:36 PM

OK - will do.

Thanks, guys

**lando** · 01-14-2008, 05:57 PM

Welcome to AquariumAdvice.com!!!

:sm ilecolros:
I highly suggest replacing the bioballs, ceramic rings and sponges commonly sold with this type of "all-in-one" system with LR rubble. Like the other have said, if your tank is cycling then go ahead and do it all now...if it has cycled and you have livestock in the tank then remove and replace the media slowly.

My other suggestion would be to add a second small powerhead to the inside of the tank to suppliment the flow created by the return pump. Aim this powerhead so it breaks the surface of the water . This is esspecially important in closed-tops systems. The surface aggitation will promote better gas exhange between the tank and the air.

severum mama · 01-14-2008, 06:13 PM

I'd have to agree with replacing the BioBalls. I just switched my 5.5 gal nano to the BioCue 8 gal last week, and I tossed my Bio Balls right off the bat. If you add cured rubble, you shouldn't have much of a problem- just keep a close eye on perams to be safe. If you don't have cured rubble, you can always just take a hammer to a piece of cured LR and make your own.

laniloo · 01-14-2008, 06:14 PM

Thanks, Lando.

Should I also be aiming the powerhead (that comes with the tank) towards the surface aswell? Right now its aimed straight forward and doesn't break the surface of the water.

laniloo · 01-14-2008, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by severum mama

I'd have to agree with replacing the BioBalls. I just switched my 5.5 gal nano to the BioCue 8 gal last week, and I tossed my Bio Balls right off the bat. If you add cured rubble, you shouldn't have much of a problem- just keep a close eye on perams to be safe. If you don't have cured rubble, you can always just take a hammer to a piece of cured LR and make your own.

Oh good idea! Did you have to make any modifications to your tank? Or did you just simply put the LR rubble in Chamber 2? Also, how high did you fill it up?

Thanks so much!

severum mama · 01-14-2008, 06:17 PM

I aimed my return nozzle toward the surface so I would have some surface agitation. As per lando's advice, I'm now considering adding a small pump into the display part of the tank.

As for the rubble, I had enough from the 5.5 to fill up the 2nd chamber halfway. I have a ton of (dead) rubble so I used it to fill up chamber 2 all the way to the top. It will become live, in time. Other than that, I've made no modifications to the tank.

01-13-2008, 06:35 PM	#1
laniloo Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Redmond, Washington Posts: 28	Biocube 14 questions Hey Everyone, I own an Oceanic Biocube 14 Gallon Nano Aquarium, and so far have had little problems with it. However, I've been reading the nano posts, and several people have suggested replacing the bioballs with lr rubble. Is it safe to just switch it up? Or should I introduce them to my tank slowly? My other question is about ph - currently my ph is at 8.4. Can anyone suggest tips on lowering it a bit? Thanks so much!

01-13-2008, 08:23 PM	#2
Sadielynn Aquarium Advice Addict Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,244	If your tank is new you can just switch it out . If it is established take 1/2 the balls out and replace with cured LR rubble .... As for the PH 8.4 is just fine I would not lower it any , as it lowers naturally with the cycles of your lights __________________ Sadielynn Nanoreefing site 2 nanos 10 gallons

01-14-2008, 01:28 PM	#4
roka64 Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 10,863 Images: 12	You tank is still in the cycle process, correct? If so, pH and other water parameters will take up to 6 months to stabilize. Sadie is also right, pH fluctuates. It will be lower after lights out and higher after lights on. Your best bet it to measure it around the same time of day. __________________ Age is relative, you are only as old as you act....of course, this works in reverse.... Questions loved, heeded advice greatly appreciated! Vote for AA Good reading about: Nitrogen Cycle Fishless Cycling Need more help? Articles Acronym List --Scott

01-14-2008, 05:57 PM	#6
lando Aquarium Advice Addict Community Moderator Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Savage, MN Posts: 7,652 Images: 46	Welcome to AquariumAdvice.com!!!:sm ilecolros: I highly suggest replacing the bioballs, ceramic rings and sponges commonly sold with this type of "all-in-one" system with LR rubble. Like the other have said, if your tank is cycling then go ahead and do it all now...if it has cycled and you have livestock in the tank then remove and replace the media slowly. My other suggestion would be to add a second small powerhead to the inside of the tank to suppliment the flow created by the return pump. Aim this powerhead so it breaks the surface of the water . This is esspecially important in closed-tops systems. The surface aggitation will promote better gas exhange between the tank and the air. __________________ Some people are like slinkies...they serve no real purpose yet can still bring a smile to your face when you push them down the stairs! Have a great day! Brian

01-14-2008, 06:13 PM	#7
severum mama Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,771 Images: 22	I'd have to agree with replacing the BioBalls. I just switched my 5.5 gal nano to the BioCue 8 gal last week, and I tossed my Bio Balls right off the bat. If you add cured rubble, you shouldn't have much of a problem- just keep a close eye on perams to be safe. If you don't have cured rubble, you can always just take a hammer to a piece of cured LR and make your own. __________________ WE CAN STAGE A RUNAWAY GOLF CART MARATHON 5 gallon, 45 gallon, and 55 gallon planted 75 gallon SA/CA cichlids 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube nano reef

01-13-2008, 09:48 PM	#3
laniloo Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Redmond, Washington Posts: 28	Great! Thank you very much!

01-14-2008, 01:36 PM	#5
laniloo Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Redmond, Washington Posts: 28	OK - will do. Thanks, guys

01-14-2008, 06:14 PM	#8
laniloo Aquarium Advice Apprentice Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Redmond, Washington Posts: 28	Thanks, Lando. Should I also be aiming the powerhead (that comes with the tank) towards the surface aswell? Right now its aimed straight forward and doesn't break the surface of the water.

01-14-2008, 06:17 PM	#10
severum mama Aquarium Advice Addict Community Mentor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 2,771 Images: 22	I aimed my return nozzle toward the surface so I would have some surface agitation. As per lando's advice, I'm now considering adding a small pump into the display part of the tank. As for the rubble, I had enough from the 5.5 to fill up the 2nd chamber halfway. I have a ton of (dead) rubble so I used it to fill up chamber 2 all the way to the top. It will become live, in time. Other than that, I've made no modifications to the tank. __________________ WE CAN STAGE A RUNAWAY GOLF CART MARATHON 5 gallon, 45 gallon, and 55 gallon planted 75 gallon SA/CA cichlids 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube nano reef

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