Thinking of Building a Biocube 14G

**TL1000RSquid** · 03-29-2012, 6:12 PM

I use to use regular IO but started buying the Kent stuff awhile back haven't had any issues with it so far and I have to add less supplements vs the IO.

**xDetroitMetalx** · 03-29-2012, 9:22 PM

So I received the tank and the sand today. Everything came in perfectly, not a dent on the box! I was excited about that. I have her filled up right now and everything running. I haven't put in the sand yet though, figure I'll do that tomorrow. At a glance I'm extremely impressed with these all in one systems. It makes me wonder why I bothered making my own 30 gallon set up they way I did!

The one thing I'm wondering about right now is the middle section. After looking at it why couldn't I just make that into a refuge with a deep sand bed and use one of those magnetic LED light set ups vs a media basket? If I did put some sand in that middle section could the sand somehow get sucked in the pump? Then the first section would be the skimmer and the last it looks like you could throw in the heater or possibly some buffer bags if I felt like it (although I rarely use them).

**TL1000RSquid** · 03-29-2012, 10:10 PM

I've seen them made into fuges before. I think these guys sell a drop in replacment basket and lighting to make a fuge on most model bio and nano's.

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/main.sc

I would use some sort of basket if your going for a sand bed even whether bought or DIY being able to pull it all out easily if needed would make life easier.

**xDetroitMetalx** · 03-30-2012, 12:35 AM

Yeah right, InTank makes the media basket, which I was planning on buying, but when I realized that I could use the area strictly as a refuge I don't think I need the basket. I'm not a fan of filter fibers or buffers so I would need to a basket to easily remove / replace media. Instead I would invest in the LED light to place behind the tank to grow some green.

**greech** · 03-30-2012, 10:27 AM

Fuge yes but I would really consider the negatives of trying to incorprate a deep sand area back there.

**xDetroitMetalx** · 03-30-2012, 5:57 PM

The sand is in the tank! Waiting for it to clear up to aquascape as BRS came.... Soooo much rock..... I could start another 14g tank. I ordered 18 lbs and the box weighed in at 20 lbs. Very nice looking rock, should create a nice cycle. They gave me six nice chunks of rock and I think I can only use 3 or 4 if I'm lucky. The 20lbs of sand I think is perfect for the Shrimp and Goby when they arrive mid summer, should make a very nice home for them. Right now I'm thinking a shrimp goby pair with a pistol will be my main selection and I may leave it at that for fish.

**xDetroitMetalx** · 04-01-2012, 3:42 PM

Technically it's day 4 I suppose. I was expecting to have a heater in the tank already unfortunately the company shipping off of Amazon hasn't even shipped it yet. It's been extremely cold in this area and even with the lights on I doubt the tank has been over 70 degrees. The water is cloudy and I'm not exactly happy with the rock lay out as I'm sure it's producing more dead spots than I want. So far not a smooth start.

**xDetroitMetalx** · 04-01-2012, 11:23 PM

Took all the rock out and broke it into tiny pieces. I tried to aquascape of my original plan and hated it. So I tried another one and hated it. Now I think I have that is unique. Once the water clears up a bit I will finally take a picture, that is, if I don't wake up hating it.