Biocube Tips , trials and errors.

[jschulzpt]

What is the purpose of having a small waterfall of water flowing over the bioballs vs. having them completely submerged?

[Loverotties]

Nice Tank!

[Basile]

Originally Posted by jschulzpt

What is the purpose of having a small waterfall of water flowing over the bioballs vs. having them completely submerged?

The bioballs are a medium for bacteria to grow on, some bacteria are aerobic( they need air) some are anaerobic(they don't need air) the fact that the bioball are both in and out of the water provides a spot for both kinds of bacteria to grow. Plus the water is broken down into droplets by the dripping effect ,which helps in your oxygen exchange by spreading the water into smaller droplets.That what is called a wet dry filtration system. If you look at the bioballs they have lots of cranies to provide lots of surface for bacteria to grow on.

[Basile]

Originally Posted by jschulzpt

What is the purpose of having a small waterfall of water flowing over the bioballs vs. having them completely submerged?

The bioballs are a medium for bacteria to grow on, some bacteria are aerobic( they need air) some are anaerobic(they don't need air) the fact that the bioball are both in and out of the water provides a spot for both kinds of bacteria to grow. Plus the water is broken down into droplets by the dripping effect ,which helps in your oxygen exchange by spreading the water into smaller droplets.That what is called a wet dry filtration system. If you look at the bioballs they have lots of cranies to provide lots of surface for bacteria to grow on.

[bumble]

Hey, so I've gota 14G going right now and I'm upkeeping and modding and everything. I just have a few Q's on your tips and tricks

-Made a Refugium in second chamber- Not worth it

Was it only not worth it because of the time/labor/cost/look? Is having it beneficial in your tank?

-changed the return pump to a maxi-jet 900- works better flow

Was it easy?

-removed the sponge from chamber 3- not good

so removing the sponge was NOT a good idea? it would have been better to leave it there.

-removed elbow between pump and return nozel in chamber 3- more flow

noticeable difference?

Thanks

[Basile]

Originally Posted by bumble

Hey, so I've gota 14G going right now and I'm upkeeping and modding and everything. I just have a few Q's on your tips and tricks


Was it only not worth it because of the time/labor/cost/look? Is having it beneficial in your tank?

It was not the cost, and it was fairely easy. Its the difference it made, none no difference at all. You do a fuge to help stabilise the PH of your tank, and remove some nitrates; it did nothing.No difference at all; its too small to contribute to the cube. My observation after 8 months.Get a SR3 skimmer from oceanic, not sure it fit in a 14 G though check the mesurements.


Was it easy?

To change the pump and the elbow? Very easy, you need to buy a bigger tube to insert the one comming out of you pump inside that bigger one who will fit at the place of the elbow. You'll see what i mean when you do it. Not costly at all ; $30 for the pum at an inch of tube.


so removing the sponge was NOT a good idea? it would have been better to leave it there.

The only reason to remove it is because people forget to rinse it most of the time; but if you do your water change every week, you just rinse it at the same time.But some still think its a nitrate trap, your call. If your diligent keep it. Keep all the stuff you remove, you may change your mind along the way. Its better to have your parts in the long run. specially if you want to sell it one day, never know.


noticeable difference?

Yes very much so, much more flow. So its actually the best mods you can make for the amount it cost.

Thanks

[bumble]

Awesome.. Thanks,

Refuge is out. Next purchase is the new return pump. Sweet looking tank BTW, can't wait to get my 14G up to par and also get rid of the xenia's he has running wild in it.

[Basile]

No problem

[fishtank88]

tank is looking pretty good but kinda cramped to me

[CyberSkrimps]

On the CPR SR3 Skimmer.

[orangutan]

the StevieT media rack works great for varied filtering