Biocube (again)

IndexKey · 07/31/2011, 10:27 AM

Sorry about making another post about this, but I've been thinking hard and wondering if spending $600 on the LED JBJ system is worth it, or if it'd be much cheaper to simply buy myself a 29 gallon and build a tank myself from there. If anyone has any pros or cons to either approach I'd love to here them.

Thanks,

John.

DashTrash400 · 07/31/2011, 11:08 AM

I started a 55 for about $500. I moved to an apartment which had me looking at bio cubes but when I priced them I was like might as well start my 55 it's cheaper so here I am. That price is minus live rock sand and water. That's simply the materials needed to start the tank.

IndexKey · 07/31/2011, 11:14 AM

What kind of lighting did you have? I'd like to keep it under 40 inches length and under 13 inches wide if possible. I could simply purchase another 29 gallon long tank like I have for fresh water.

John

DashTrash400 · 07/31/2011, 11:55 AM

I've got 48in. Aquatic life T-5's 216W with the built in timer.

http://www.petsolutions.com/storefro...putLights.html

I got mine on sale from the same site for 299.00.

IndexKey · 07/31/2011, 11:57 AM

are you running a protein skimmer and sump on your tank as well? and do you know of any 30 inch fixtures that would be good?

John.

DashTrash400 · 07/31/2011, 12:02 PM

I currently do not have a sump on it but do plan on going that route in the future. My skimmer is probably a little on the inadequate size but it was a great price and I was a bit ignorant at first. My skimmer is a coralife 65g. Still breaking it in and cycling my tank so I don't have any real proof as to how great or sucky it is. As far as lights I wanted T-5's just because it cheaper than LED and more efficient and cooler than halides but I'm still new in the hobby but as far as I have read it simply seems light are basically all personal pref.

DashTrash400 · 07/31/2011, 12:04 PM

They sell the same lights I have in 30in. And if you catch it on a sale you might get it for quite a bit cheaper. At very least you can google coupons for the site and save $5. Some experienced reefer would probably be able to give you benefits to each type and which brands to go with and which ones to stay away from.

IndexKey · 07/31/2011, 12:06 PM

I suppose that is the advice I'm looking for now, which 30" fixture to get to support a wide variety of corals and clams and how to get it cheap.

John

DashTrash400 · 07/31/2011, 12:10 PM

Coralife's are on sale but not familiar with how well they perform.
http://www.petsolutions.com/storefro...HOFixture.html

IndexKey · 07/31/2011, 12:19 PM

that'd be a little over 4 watts per gallon, which is a pretty good figure. I'd then need 30 inch stand to keep my tank on and then keep a sump inside of it.

DashTrash400 · 07/31/2011, 12:25 PM

Had mine custom built from a guy my local fish store does business with for $150 and he stained it whatever color I wanted. Done in 4 days that price doesn't include a canopy.

IndexKey · 07/31/2011, 12:30 PM

I'm looking around that same site and they have cheap stands to fit a 29 exactly like I need. I need to make sure Petco is still doing their dollar per gallon deal before I get too carried away, and then i need to check out what it takes to build my own sump.

John

JMurphy97 · 07/31/2011, 12:32 PM

If you catch the petco dollar a gallon sale you can pick up 40 breeders cheap and depending on equipment you use it might be cheaper then the biocube or around the same price but better set-up. I was looking at a biocube but decided on the 40 plan.

jmacc702 · 07/31/2011, 12:48 PM

I had the same debate and opted to go away from the all in one kit. They are convenient but saving up a little more and getting every piece of equipment exactly how you want it means that you will be much happier with the tank in the long run.

IndexKey · 07/31/2011, 10:05 PM

Just for reference and consideration, what kind of corals could be kept in this tank: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...ith-stand.html and could I put anything in their that would host a pair of O. clownfish?

IndexKey · 08/01/2011, 08:09 AM

bump

GoIllini · 08/01/2011, 09:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IndexKey

Just for reference and consideration, what kind of corals could be kept in this tank: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...ith-stand.html and could I put anything in their that would host a pair of O. clownfish?

Mostly soft corals. Sometimes clowns will sort of "host" a soft coral, but the best bet is a Anemone. I would not recommend having one in that small of a tank or with that kind of lighting.

IndexKey · 08/01/2011, 04:19 PM

Okay, would The clowns be too out of place without anything hosting them? I'm thinking lower demand corals will be easier for me to care for on my school schedule. Could I keep zoas and the like?

John

IndexKey · 08/01/2011, 07:35 PM

bump

IndexKey · 08/01/2011, 09:28 PM

Also, will the PC bulbs be strong enough to promote growth in corals?

John

IndexKey · 08/02/2011, 08:25 AM

bump

pete33 · 08/02/2011, 09:27 AM

+1 on 40 breeder. I have a 30 gal 30" aquarium and the lighting fixtures are very limited. 36" is a more common size and it would give you the option of a 5 or 6 lamp unit which should be enough for about anything. Not sure you could clams or SPS corals under a 4 bulb fixture.

IndexKey · 08/02/2011, 09:39 AM

would The clowns be too out of place without anything hosting them? I'm thinking lower demand corals will be easier for me to care for on my school schedule. Could I keep zoas and the like? Also, will the PC bulbs be strong enough to promote growth in corals?

John

IndexKey · 08/02/2011, 09:51 PM

bump

IndexKey · 08/03/2011, 07:58 PM

bump

07/31/2011, 10:27 AM	#1
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	Biocube (again) Sorry about making another post about this, but I've been thinking hard and wondering if spending $600 on the LED JBJ system is worth it, or if it'd be much cheaper to simply buy myself a 29 gallon and build a tank myself from there. If anyone has any pros or cons to either approach I'd love to here them. Thanks, John.

07/31/2011, 11:08 AM	#2
DashTrash400 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alvin TX Posts: 171	I started a 55 for about $500. I moved to an apartment which had me looking at bio cubes but when I priced them I was like might as well start my 55 it's cheaper so here I am. That price is minus live rock sand and water. That's simply the materials needed to start the tank. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 270g inprogress

07/31/2011, 11:55 AM	#4
DashTrash400 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alvin TX Posts: 171	I've got 48in. Aquatic life T-5's 216W with the built in timer. http://www.petsolutions.com/storefro...putLights.html I got mine on sale from the same site for 299.00. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 270g inprogress

07/31/2011, 12:02 PM	#6
DashTrash400 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alvin TX Posts: 171	I currently do not have a sump on it but do plan on going that route in the future. My skimmer is probably a little on the inadequate size but it was a great price and I was a bit ignorant at first. My skimmer is a coralife 65g. Still breaking it in and cycling my tank so I don't have any real proof as to how great or sucky it is. As far as lights I wanted T-5's just because it cheaper than LED and more efficient and cooler than halides but I'm still new in the hobby but as far as I have read it simply seems light are basically all personal pref. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 270g inprogress

07/31/2011, 12:04 PM	#7
DashTrash400 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alvin TX Posts: 171	They sell the same lights I have in 30in. And if you catch it on a sale you might get it for quite a bit cheaper. At very least you can google coupons for the site and save $5. Some experienced reefer would probably be able to give you benefits to each type and which brands to go with and which ones to stay away from. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 270g inprogress

07/31/2011, 11:14 AM	#3
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	What kind of lighting did you have? I'd like to keep it under 40 inches length and under 13 inches wide if possible. I could simply purchase another 29 gallon long tank like I have for fresh water. John

07/31/2011, 11:57 AM	#5
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	are you running a protein skimmer and sump on your tank as well? and do you know of any 30 inch fixtures that would be good? John.

07/31/2011, 12:06 PM	#8
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	I suppose that is the advice I'm looking for now, which 30" fixture to get to support a wide variety of corals and clams and how to get it cheap. John

07/31/2011, 12:10 PM	#9
DashTrash400 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alvin TX Posts: 171	Coralife's are on sale but not familiar with how well they perform. http://www.petsolutions.com/storefro...HOFixture.html __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 270g inprogress

07/31/2011, 12:19 PM	#10
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	that'd be a little over 4 watts per gallon, which is a pretty good figure. I'd then need 30 inch stand to keep my tank on and then keep a sump inside of it.

07/31/2011, 12:25 PM	#11
DashTrash400 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Alvin TX Posts: 171	Had mine custom built from a guy my local fish store does business with for $150 and he stained it whatever color I wanted. Done in 4 days that price doesn't include a canopy. __________________ Mike Current Tank Info: 270g inprogress

07/31/2011, 12:30 PM	#12
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	I'm looking around that same site and they have cheap stands to fit a 29 exactly like I need. I need to make sure Petco is still doing their dollar per gallon deal before I get too carried away, and then i need to check out what it takes to build my own sump. John

07/31/2011, 12:32 PM	#13
JMurphy97 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 397	If you catch the petco dollar a gallon sale you can pick up 40 breeders cheap and depending on equipment you use it might be cheaper then the biocube or around the same price but better set-up. I was looking at a biocube but decided on the 40 plan.

07/31/2011, 12:48 PM	#14
jmacc702 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Currently: Les Sables-d'Olonne, France \| Hometown: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 282	I had the same debate and opted to go away from the all in one kit. They are convenient but saving up a little more and getting every piece of equipment exactly how you want it means that you will be much happier with the tank in the long run.

07/31/2011, 10:05 PM	#15
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	Just for reference and consideration, what kind of corals could be kept in this tank: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/store/...ith-stand.html and could I put anything in their that would host a pair of O. clownfish?

08/01/2011, 08:09 AM	#16
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	bump

08/01/2011, 04:19 PM	#18
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	Okay, would The clowns be too out of place without anything hosting them? I'm thinking lower demand corals will be easier for me to care for on my school schedule. Could I keep zoas and the like? John

08/01/2011, 07:35 PM	#19
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	bump

08/01/2011, 09:28 PM	#20
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	Also, will the PC bulbs be strong enough to promote growth in corals? John

08/02/2011, 08:25 AM	#21
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	bump

08/02/2011, 09:27 AM	#22
pete33 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Granada Hills, CA Posts: 259	+1 on 40 breeder. I have a 30 gal 30" aquarium and the lighting fixtures are very limited. 36" is a more common size and it would give you the option of a 5 or 6 lamp unit which should be enough for about anything. Not sure you could clams or SPS corals under a 4 bulb fixture. __________________ 29 gal. Sea Clear / eshopps sump-overflow-skimmer / Eheim 1250 / Arctica chiller / BRS GFO Reactor / Belize Sun 250 W.

08/02/2011, 09:39 AM	#23
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	would The clowns be too out of place without anything hosting them? I'm thinking lower demand corals will be easier for me to care for on my school schedule. Could I keep zoas and the like? Also, will the PC bulbs be strong enough to promote growth in corals? John

08/02/2011, 09:51 PM	#24
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	bump

08/03/2011, 07:58 PM	#25
IndexKey Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 316	bump

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