29 biocube
 

I have two 29 Oceanic BioCubes with mostly coral and a few fish. Lots of snails too. Someone had mentioned that the bio-balls should be removed. If I do this what should I put in there? There has to be something in there. If anybody knows a better way to set these up, I would be glad to hear it. I have lost several fish but the coral seems to do ok. Is it possible to change the lighting in these things too?
Thanks for your input.

nanocustoms.com for modding.
second chamber is good for filling with Live rock rumble

If you do remove your bio balls, do it slowly and not all at once.

yes it would be best to ultimately replace the bioballs with LR rubble over time... preferably a few weeks. maybe a third a week? I like to use pieces of rubble that are arguably golf ball size. make sure you remove the false bottom of the second chamber so there's more space for rubble.

there's a few other simple mods that can be done to improve the saltwater function of the BC.
1st chamber:I removed the stupid carbon filter stock pad and replaced it with a sock full of carbon (easier and cheaper to refill with carbon). I also stick a visitherm stealth heater in there. WIDEN the gap between chamber 1 and 2... do not make it deeper. I used a pair of wire cutters.
2nd: remove false bottom and fill with rubble as above. the bottom piece might stick a little; I had to use a bent coat hanger to get it out.
3rd:replace stock pump with a maxi-jet pump... can't remember which one would be appropriate for a 29g BC.
I also took out the stock flow difuser and tuck in a y-piece and loc line to split the flow. you can vary this piece however you like. I like having one with a narrow diffuser to stir up the surface and the other end pointed at the front of the tank.
unfortunately I can't think of any simple or cheap mods for lighting. nanocustoms and nano-reef.com should have a lot of good ideas though.