[wvfisher]

I am as new as you can get. I am getting ready to buy a 14g bio cube and I need some help with a few things.

First, I am thinking about using macrorocks.com for my live rock. It comes dry and you have to add some lr to get it started. LR in my area costs about $9.00lb. I have heard that buying lr online isn't that great because most of it dies before you can use it. Has anyone used macrorocks? Also I have heard that the BC runs hot so you don't need a heater, is that true? If not, what kind of heater do you use? Does anyone run a protein skimmer in a BC? If so, which one is good and still doesn't cost you an arm and leg? I want to use live sand but I have heard from a couple of people at the LFS that you can use plain argonite and let the lr build it up also. Any comments? I think that is enough questions for now. I am sure I will have more. This is a great site.

[jimw369]

I think that is Marco rock and I have heard nothing but good stuff about it.

For a 14 gal cube just buy 10-20lb bag of LS and avoid any issues. Yes there are alternatives that might save you $15 if you think its worth it.

If you feel you need a skimmer I would not get the fission skimmer which is relatively cheap and for me didnt work worth a ding dong. I threw it out and got a saphire skimmer. Works much better.

My cube runs between 78-81 during this past hot summer. If I leave the little access door open I gain about 1 degree cooler. Put a little fan blowing into the little lid I get another degree drop. I do have a 50 watt heater in there if needed. ( we will see )

Depending on what you want in your cube the pump was less than satisfactory for me and did an upgrade to get a little more flow and water change capacity.

[glampka]

I run 2 cubes - Aquapod 12 & JBJ 12 - don't have a skimmer on either. Most people with cubes maintain water quality through water changes. Suggest you don't use the bioballs that come with the cubes. They'll end up becomig a nitrate problem.
As Jim said, don't waste your money on the Fission.

[wvfisher]

Thanks for input. As for water, since I will only have one tank and my LFS doesn't have RO/DI water for sale what would be you suggestion for my water? I don't think I need to go out and buy a RO/DI filter system. I wish I was still working because we had a 1,500 GPH RO/DI system. Oh well I guess I have to sacrifice something so that I can be retired

[glampka]

Definitely RO/DI water. Products and answers for your water treatment needs. sells a nice little unit called the MightyMite + DI for $99. Many lfs now sell RO/DI water but you never know what the actual quality is & hauling it around is a pain. The filter will pay for itself in a little while.

[swinginbeef]

Originally Posted by wvfisher

Thanks for input. As for water, since I will only have one tank and my LFS doesn't have RO/DI water for sale what would be you suggestion for my water? I don't think I need to go out and buy a RO/DI filter system. I wish I was still working because we had a 1,500 GPH RO/DI system. Oh well I guess I have to sacrifice something so that I can be retired

RO water is probably $0.75 per gallon at most grocery stores. In a 14 gal system, you'd probably only be doing 2 gallon water changes every week or two. Buying a filter will eventually pay for itself. I bought one more for the fact that I wouldn't have to haul water home from the store, but realistically it wouldn't be the end of the world to buy a couple jugs of water every week.

[wvfisher]

I agree, I bought RO water at WalMart today and it was only $.69! I think I can afford that for a while since I am at WalMart at least once a week. I ordered my BC 14g yesterday and it will be here Mon or Tues. I have my SW in a 18 gal rubbermaid container with a Rio 600 and a 75W heater so it will be ready when the tank gets here. I can't wait!!