Advice needed

[jcampbell]

Hey guys,
home from school this weekend and I'm noticing a lot of hair algae growth in my biocube 14. I do water changes when I'm here; however, I feel I need a protein skimmer to help get the rest of the waste out. My parents do not over feed my one fish, so that factor can be ruled out. Does anyone know of a good protein skimmer for this size biocube? I have been looking at the standard biocube skimmers (yes, I know they're crap). I need better filtration in this thing - I feel like those stock filters aren't enough. Maybe I could come up with some type of micron filter pad? I just need some advice, it has been a while since I have worked with a tank this small and compact.
Thanks!

 

[shanepike]

Yesterday I was recommend Purigen for my 30g. Some call it "skimmer in a bag." They said for a small tank, it was just way easier than running a skimmer.

 

[jcampbell]

ShanePike;943959 wrote: Yesterday I was recommend Purigen for my 30g. Some call it "skimmer in a bag." They said for a small tank, it was just way easier than running a skimmer.

Hmm...I've never tried it. I run phos-guard and matrix and I tried chemi-pure with no luck.

 

[raz0945]

Are you doing your weekly water changes? With salt water made with RODI water! At least a change of 20%. This is what it takes for my bio-cube, the smaller the more accumulation of detritus. Also if you are using RODI water what are your TDS at. If you buy the water ask them to check their TDS's. Hope this is helpful! HOLLEY

 

[jcampbell]

Raz0945;943970 wrote: Are you doing your weekly water changes? With salt water made with RODI water! At least a change of 20%. This is what it takes for my bio-cube, the smaller the more accumulation of detritus. Also if you are using RODI water what are your TDS at. If you buy the water ask them to check their TDS's. Hope this is helpful! HOLLEY

I don't do weekly water changes but I make up for the loss when I'm home. I used RODI water, TDS is zero. The hair algae used to just be a minimum. Over the past two weeks, it has gone crazy! I just feel like since I am not there often, a protein skimmer would be beneficial.

 

[jennm]

Hi John

The Tunze 9002 can be modified to use in a 29 Biocube but I think it's too big for a 14. Purigen is probably your better bet - as you said, most skimmers for tiny tanks are junk and don't do what they're needed to do.

Jenn

 

[jc_k]

try lees protein skimmer. I've heard some very good things about theses. And are very cheap. it might be to small but i think they come in dfferent sizes

 

[jcampbell]

JennM;943978 wrote: Hi John

The Tunze 9002 can be modified to use in a 29 Biocube but I think it's too big for a 14. Purigen is probably your better bet - as you said, most skimmers for tiny tanks are junk and don't do what they're needed to do.

Jenn

Hey Jenn! I think I'll give that a try first. Does purigen need to be changed out regularly? And should I continue to use Phos-guard with it?

 

[jcampbell]

JC_k;943985 wrote: try lees protein skimmer. I've heard some very good things about theses. And are very cheap. it might be to small but i think they come in dfferent sizes

I'll take a look. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[jennm]

Purigen should be changed every 4-6 weeks depending on bioload - it comes in a 100 ml bag just like Phosguard and Matrix Carbon.

Purigen *can* be regenerated with bleach, and re-used. There are instructions on the package.

And yes, you can use it in addition to Phosguard - Phosguard is for phosphate/silicate removal and Purigen removes organics.

It's not a substitute for water changes but it might help your nutrient load a bit.

Jenn

 

[jcampbell]

JennM;943991 wrote: Purigen should be changed every 4-6 weeks depending on bioload - it comes in a 100 ml bag just like Phosguard and Matrix Carbon.

Purigen *can* be regenerated with bleach, and re-used. There are instructions on the package.

And yes, you can use it in addition to Phosguard - Phosguard is for phosphate/silicate removal and Purigen removes organics.

It's not a substitute for water changes but it might help your nutrient load a bit.

Jenn

Awesome! I'll definitely give it a try! Thanks so much!

 

[franciscosalazar]

Reduce your photoperiod to at least 4 hours a day.