8 Gallon Biocube new pics of residents 6-27-12, post 22

[2in10]

I am planning shrimp and dwarf corydoras for this tank. I am thinking either mosses or Crypts and Anubias for plants.



I made a few modifications to the tank. I removed the filtration area in back.



I removed one of the bulb assemblies, including all of the wiring, and the moon lights. I cut out the back to put a external filter, an Aquaclear 30, and bought an air driven internal filter and pirated the foam block from it to prevent the shrimp and fish from getting sucked into the filter.

I intend to use the 2 pieces of wood and the petrified wood in the scape. I will use the substrate that was in the tank before after first giving it a good rinsing. It is substrate from Aquariumplants.com. The dead coral will not be part of the scape. I am not planning on any CO2 at this time.

I suspect this will be a slow build as I intend to wait for the wood to water log.

[2in10]

More pics



I changed my mind on the canopy and have hung it over the tank. The light is about 15" above the gravel.



Here is a crappy look at the hardscape. I have bacterial cloudiness from the wood I believe leaching tannins and the tank cycling. I have the Aquaclear on the right side stuffed with carbon to remove the tannins for now. I have put a Whisper 10 on as the main filtration for the tank. I bought 2 4 1/4 square bathroom tiles for $.16 each at HD to attach to the wood and keep it in place. I am hoping in a couple of days for the water to clear and give a better view of the hardscape.

[Bahugo]

Very cool! I almost bought a biocube when I set up my shrimp tank

[2in10]

Originally Posted by Bahugo

Very cool! I almost bought a biocube when I set up my shrimp tank

Thanks I have had this one for about 4 years.

[Bahugo]

How do you like it?

[2in10]

They are pretty neat. A very nice AIO tank. You only need to add a Heater. Lighting is too strong for a planted tank without good CO2 dosing with the stock 2 bulb PC lighting. Return pump is plenty strong for a planted tank also.

[2in10]

So here is a decent look at the hardscape.

Any suggestions for what moss to add would be greatly appreciated.

[Chaoslord]

Why did you decide to gut it?
I find java moss grows great in my sons 14 biocube. No co2. I only run the one light 24 watt 10k. I do use the 24 watt acintic light but I don't think their is a benefit to the plants. Just brightens the tank. His tank will be 4 years old in july.

[2in10]

I decided to gut it for the additional depth and to allow more planting/scaping options.

Thanks for the info on the moss.

[2in10]

The tenants have moved in.

2 of these guys

They are earning their keep already, clean up the wood and its bacterial mess.

6 of these tiny ones






And this fella who has not eaten any of the algae wafer or touched the wood.

[2in10]

Thinking of moving the Crypts from the 75 and adding Flame moss and Fissidens fontanus.

[2in10]

Changed the wood out since it kept getting a mold or bacterial mat on it to some old root wood I had laying around. I also moved the Crypts from my 75 gallon over.



Added a couple on new residents also. Only have shots of one of the two.





I think I got a little closer than I planned here.

[MaStErFiShKeEps]

What is the name of the fish you added?

[2in10]

I have an Albino Bushynose Pleco and 6 Sparkling Gouramis.

[2in10]

New shot of the tank. Added some moss to the wood. Should be Flame moss and Java moss in my benefactor is right.