[taxman0720]

Hello. I just purchased a 29 gallon Coralife Biocube. This will be my first reef tank (I do have a 65 gallon lrfo tank and a 37 gallon seahorse tank). From what I have read, the plastic balls that comes with the tank is not the best media. What suggestions do you have as far as media goes with a wet/dry pump? Also I have been reading alot of books on nano reefs but any other thoughts you may have would be appreciated.

As always thanks for any help. Everytime I post on this site I get great freindly advice.

 

[Regalblue41]

If the media is submerged then it is not a true wet/dry filter,,The W/D filters got a bad reputation because they were so efficient at breaking down waste that the live rock could not keep up with the production of nitrates,,If you would like more surface area for growing bacteria,any coarse ceramic media has a very nice internal and external surface area,will work and is cheap and can be cleaned with bleach if the need ever arises ,,,I would watch out that the media does not restrict the flow of water to much,keep your mechanical filter clean as in every 3-4 days and skimmer running at peak performance,you are going to want to up your current for your guests,,That will get you on the right path,,depending on what you want to keep....Do your homework and see what can be grown under your lights,if you would like to keep something different then you are going to have to modify your lighting,that is were you can get a cashectomy,That is why I was saying you should do research..The main things that will make the biggest difference on your tank is good clean mechanical filter ,properly working protein skimmer ,good circulation,and lighting............Hope that help

 

[taxman0720]

Thanks for the reply. To make sure I understand what u are saying, I should replace the plastic balls with ceramic...correct? As an Fyi I purchased 2 powerheads with a wave maker as well as the protein skimmer that is made for the unit. I am going to use 40 pouncs of live rock and live sand for the aquascape. Right now I have and read 3 books on reef and nano reef aquariums but I know I have more reading to do. I am going to take it slow and easy and hope to get my dream reef.

 

[taxman0720]

Just went online and saw the ceramic rings. Now I see what you are talking about. I will order some today.

 

[PuffyLuv]

It is certainly a personal preference, Taxman...but most reef keepers do not use any type of bio-media due to their increased production of nitrates. I would recommend a nice bag of carbon, maybe a sponge - if you are okay with rinsing it once a week. (The sponge, not the carbon - that should be replaced monthly or bi-monthly depending on the quality of carbon.)

Congrats on your new tank!

 

[taxman0720]

That is what I read about the bio-balls. The way the system works is the first chamber is filled with water and flows to the second chamber which has a carbon filter and under that the bio-balls. The water then goes to the third chamber through a sponge and then is filtered back to the aquarium. Should I use more carbon in the second chamber or just leave it empty?

 

[Regalblue41]

Any area that has flow through it is going to have bacteria grow in it,only the amount of bacteria that is needed for the system is going to grow,many people use canister filter on reef systems,or biostars or other media to grow bacteria in chambers,rock does grow bacteria on it and in it so does sustrate,The main thing is keeping the prefilter clean,and the skimmer working properly,all that junk that is captured or collected will pollute your tank no matter what you are using as a biological filter,I think it is funny,people hear the word wet/dry and they panic and scream murder,but if you said biological filter then that is ok,You say bioball,they crindge,,,If the organic junk is taken out of a system before it has a chance to crystalize and become ammonia,there will not be a problem,..If you look online I can guarentee you you can find a group of people who have modified or souped up that tank,and also on you tube.........Just my two cents......I would not use to much carbon on a fish or reef tank,overuse can have a bad effect on the organisms,some people use it every so often,some use small amounts and change it every month,others even say that carbon is the worse thing to ever put on a tank ,yet the have chemipure on their tank,and brag about how wonderful it works,not realizing that it`s main ingredent is carbon.....To each their own

 

[PuffyLuv]

Taxman, bio-balls and ceramic rings work the same way. Some people just prefer one over the other - though as I said, most reef keepers use neither.

As for carbon, again (this is often the case, forgive me) varied opinions. Most agree a reasonable amount is beneficial.

You can use the extra chamber however you like - some do carbon, a foam block, some phos guard...or even a small refugium. Up to you, and no need to decide right now. Your needs will develop as your tank does. Happy reefing!

 

[LauraL]

If you're going to put live rock in your system, remove the bioballs and forget about the ceramic rings. They do the same thing live rock does, and too much of a good thing is too much.

I have a 29 biocube and a 28 JBJ, both reef setups with live rock. After battle after battle with nasty algae, I got InTank media basket setups for both. They're the bomb (and no, no one's paying me to say so. ) I run Chemipure elite charcoal in the bottom rack, Purigen in the middle rack, and a piece of filter floss at the top of the basket.

I've been running this set up for a year. Great water parameters and minimal algae issues. If you want to run a reef in a BC, it's the only way to go.

InTank Media Baskets

 

[taxman0720]

Thanks guys. I'll just try different things (starting with nothing in the second chamber) and see what works best. I'll keep an eye on all my parameters and keep up with my water changes.

 

[Blownz281]

On my biocube's I had built media racks and just used filter floss on the top rack and sometimes purigen. But I always did water changes once a week. In the 14 I had a 3 bulb 24w PC kit from nanotuners who does not exist anymore. I had a frogspawn,mini carpet, shrooms,Gsp,zoa's an others. GDL.