Planted Biocube 8 Journal Pt. 2

Biocube CO2 Diffuser idea

I just had a thought - why not install some kind of diffuser on the return outlet in the biocube - like something that would create a vortex to react the CO2 before discharging the bubble-free water? There are a lot of bubbles in the tank...
 
Planted

(Technically...)

I grew impatient waiting for my plants to arrive (They should be arriving mid-week next week) so I decided to move the GBR into his new home along with an artificial plant to provide him some shelter and some Java Moss.
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This JM has survived unspeakable atrocities and neglect and is still alive - I am interested to see how it responds to the bright light and CO2.

Here is a photo of the fish.
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He is looking a bit emaciated; not loving the flake food. Perhaps I will buy some blackworms.

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Also, I bought this fish as "Apistogramma 'steel blue'", but I am fairly confident it is not that. I think it is a German Blue Ram, what do you think?

(It is not as yellow as it appears in the photo; it is more neutral)
 
Biocube Fan Failure

Disaster! One of the fans in the biocube has experienced a bearing failure and is now making a loud squealing noise - today I plan to disassemble the hood and locate a suitable, hopefully quieter, fan replacement - I think I'll get two, while I'm at it, and replace both.
 
The system supports life.

Here is a photo of the fish posing for the camera, in a better state after a big meal of bloodworms.
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Here is a photo of the java moss pearling exuberantly
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Well, no surprise there. I have a 14g Biocube and after just two weeks, it started making this loud and weird noise. I would start and stop the fan a couple of times and then it would stop. I sent an email to Oceanic and I got 2 new fans by mail. While I was waiting for the fans from them, I had to take the canopy back to the pet store where i bought it because it also had a problem with the led light connector. They finally changed tha canopy. It has now been a month without a problem.

It seems like it is a common problem with Biocube. To be honest, i would not buy another one or suggest Biocube to anyone. Too many problems with fans, led light connector, wet dry slots too large (shrimps are getting in and it is hard to find something to prevent it) and pump lack power.
 
Yeah, I like that it is one-piece glass and that it is a self-contained unit. I think it's great if you like modding things, but for something to buy off the shelf and use as is, I would not recommend it. I feel that it is an overpriced, low quality unit. I like it anyway, though, because it looks good.
 
Planted!

Plants arrived. All in good condition except the bacopa. The aquascape feels a bit stodgy but I think it will look nice once it grows in.
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The plants seem to be settling in. All are pearling, even the glosso. Dosed 0.5mL flourish.

The fans arrived today; I will post a pictorial of installing them later. I bought 2x Evercool 50mm fans. I hope they are quieter than the stock fans.
 
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