GHA, phosphate and Biocubes.
I was worried about my phosphate levels 1.0 mg/L and the developing GHA.
Did a 20% water change and added Biocubes. I have had the biocubes for 7 days now and they are turning slightly brown. They apparently only start working after 2 weeks but I have seen threads with daily tests showing some positive results.
Take one:
Add 250 ml biocubes to supplied bag with airline and big white marbles for weight as suggested with the bomb method. I hung this in the front of the tank just to see how it works and I became worried that it won't fit all that well in any of the back chambers of the RSM 250. I have seen some nice tube or reactor type setups from dallasg and others and I thought I would try make one.
Take two:
Tupper ware 500 ml with lid. Drilled the top and bottom and added coarse floss to the top and bottom and then ran the airline from the top through the container and out the bottom. I had predrilled the last 4cm of the airline with a tiny drill bit about 40 times as some of the forums I have read suggested that it would be better than using an airstone that could block. I then closed the tube with a cable tie on the bottom tip and added another at the top to keep the whole thing in place. I had to add more drill holes around the edges to improve air and water flow.
Take 3:
The whole thing looked a bit slap dash and I thought I could do better. I bought 63mm dark blue pvc with end caps. Drilled the end caps extensively, placed the cube with marbles in a bag and in the tube. Ran the airline from the top through the end cap, past the bag and out the bottom as before. No filter floss used as the cubes were in the bag and should not drop out the holes. Worked well and I could actually feel suction at the bottom end cap due to airflow out the top.
I ran it in the front for a day to see how it works and then placed it in the second from the left when viewing from the front chamber where the media rack is.
This caused problems with my ATO float so now my set up from left to right is:
1. No more big black filter sponge, only return pump.
2. Polishing filter half open
3. Only Biocubes DIY
4. Skimmer
5. Heater with original black sponge to make sure clean water reaches pump to chiller
6. Pump to chiller and return, ATO float and thermometer.
ATO is working a lot better.
Should I also remove the last big sponge? I am worried that "gunk" could get into my chiller when I clean the tank. Or is this an unnecessary worry?
Phosphate now between 0.5 mg/L. Don't know if it's the cubes or not, but assuming it is and all is working well.