bio cube modifications?

[Cliffz]

Folks,
I understand there are suggested modifications to the Oceanic 14g biocube before setup? Can anyone detail these for me? Heard you have to trim inlets? remove partitions in filter? squeeze in a heater in filter? Which heater is recommended? FOWLR--Thanks

 

[iDream]

there are plenty, but its all about preference, the most common one ive seen is the removal of the bioballs in chamber 2 and putting LR rubble or purigen/chemipure etc. trimming inlets and removing partitions is not necessary at all, unless there is some big modification youre doing. you can place the heater where ever you want to, i had mine in the tank, but i just didnt like seeing it so i moved it in front of the filter cartridge in chamber 1.

i just have a little pre set heater i got from walmart because im cheap, but a 50W heater should be fine, which type is all preference

the only other thing i could think of is lighting mods, but those are costly and useless for a FOWLR unless you plan for a reef down the road

 

[Cliffz]

Thanks---right now its just going to be FOWLR. Hopefully i can get my levels correct and deal with the maintenance a SW tank I understand requires. Any recommendations on where to get RO water? Also--whats in the tank during cycling period? Live rock? thanks

 

[iDream]

LR and sand for the cycle

 

[Cliffz]

live rock and argonite--for cycle--thanks
any recommendations on mixing salt/Walmart distilled water for initial set up?

 

[iDream]

a powerhead, heater, and a bubbler. put em together, get the right salinity, and let it sit overnight(or 24 hrs) in the jug/bucket

 

[ChizerBunoi]

If you decide to add corals then I would recommend putting in another power head inside the tank. A floating magnet is a must have.