Bio-cube

[Reeflover2000]

I am starting a reef tank and have been recommended time after time to the Bio-cube 29 for my first saltwater reef tank. The lowest I have found one is for $240 on Amazon but I was just curious if anyone else has seen one cheaper then that.

[GtiKyle]

You can try checking Craigslist...I see them used for a fraction of new, if that interests you.

[torvall]

Craigslist or a local aquarium club is your best bet on beating online prices. My own personal advice is this - figure out where you want your tank, see what kind of standard stuff would fit there, and find the best fit for you. I love nano tanks, but suggest something with sump.

[tbanks]

Originally Posted by Reeflover2000

I am starting a reef tank and have been recommended time after time to the Bio-cube 29 for my first saltwater reef tank. The lowest I have found one is for $240 on Amazon but I was just curious if anyone else has seen one cheaper then that.

buy used...you will want to make a few mods...

[Biocubehqi]

That is very cheap. I got my hqi for 600 with the stand.

[Sethjamto]

I picked mine up with stand, UV sterilizer, and skimmer for $200 used. I need to upgrade the skimmer and lighting, but its a great start for me and my family! We love it! Only problem now is we want a HUGE tank!! Ha ha ha

[Touring]

I got my bc 29 with stand for a 100$ on Craigslist. There's a 14 with stand going for 50$ right now!!

[firebirdude]

I JUST made this post in a similar topic

Originally Posted by firebirdude

As a 29g Biocube owner of several years, I wouldn't do it again. The super close closed in top leads to temp problems big time. And, as was said, the PC lights aren't really good for anything other than you seeing what's inside. You can't grow much with them. And I can't imagine having the HQI version. Closed lid with the biggest producer of heat in the hobby beaming down on it. The AIO design seemed cool to me at first, until I find myself trying to arrange items/clean back there.

Point being, rather than spend a premium on a tank that needs changes nearly out of the gate, just go the traditional route. Watch for a good deal on a used tank and stand (take your time and pick out a beauty). You'll have more room and have FAR more freedom to do whatever you want in the future. Add whatever piece of equipment you want, instead of limiting yourself to the two manufacturer that make something especially for your size nano tank (skimmer for example). Buy whatever lights you want right out of the gate, instead of paying for the PC lights then dumping them for LEDs. etc etc etc.

Your call. But I wouldn't own a tiny AIO again...

So again, the lights can't grow anything but mushrooms and xenia. And with $240, you could buy a traditional tank twice that size with a stand AND have money left over for some decent lighting. Craigslist is overflowing with deals on tanks. Take your time and don't jump on the first one you visit.

[Reeflover2000]

WOW thank you soooooo much firebirdude I am very happy you told me that. i have saved up about $450 for this build and I would love to buy everything cheaper and I know I can do it now i may even be able to buy a bigger tank and get so more big cool fish. I am pro

[Angel85]

I got mine on clearance for $149 at petsmart but i got lucky. Wasnt planning on getting it for a while at the time but couldnt pass on it. I really like it alot. This is my first saltwater set up and im sure i will upgrade later. But I think the biocube is a nice living room or other room piece. Especially if space is limited.

I do have to say I agree with the heat factor issue though and worry if something happens to the hood, its not like I can go out and buy any hood to replace it. I have to go through the company for a new one pretty much.

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by firebirdude

I JUST made this post in a similar topic


So again, the lights can't grow anything but mushrooms and xenia. And with $240, you could buy a traditional tank twice that size with a stand AND have money left over for some decent lighting. Craigslist is overflowing with deals on tanks. Take your time and don't jump on the first one you visit.

Wrong. This is not true. PC bulbs can grow mostly anything. The problem isnt bulbs, its water husbandry.

Here is a list of everything I had in my Biocube with stock lights.
10 different zoas
3 types of paly
Torch
Frogspawn
Favia
Duncans
Meteror shower
Birsdnest
Blue tort

Now given, the colors for SPS wont be as nice as other lighting choices but they are fine in there. The biggest need for SPS coral is the water. Its gotta be on point and stable and consistant.

You can upgrade your lights but not necessary. You have plenty of corals that will grow in there.

Even a local store to me had a monti that was a foot wide under what? You guessed it. PC bulbs

[firebirdude]

Bro, I was obviously cutting the list short when I said mushrooms and xenia. But you are off your rocker if you think two PC bulbs "can grow mostly anything". I guess everyone on this board has wasted money on halides and T5's. Maybe we should all switch to cheap PC lights?

Lights aside, that's but one of several complaints I had about the BC29. It's an overpriced tight little enclosure that is an ill-conceived design from the start. It looks like it would work out great, until you get into the daily grind and realize all the stupid pitfalls this thing has. As a fellow BC29 owner, I'm sure you've seen all the modifications and specially designed equipment people do to this thing. I spent $200 on a specialty skimmer to fit in the middle chamber, which could never pull anything out darker than a cup of hot tea. Plus, like everything else here, it was a PITA to squeeze in and out of there to clean and it gets in the way while you're trying to work on something else. Or how about the people that scrape off all the black paint on the back, duct tape a CF light bulb fixture to the back, just to grow cheato in the 2nd chamber? Or how about you fighting with 10 power cords every time you want to remove the lid and set it aside for maintenance on something? How about the "media rack" people purchase to run bags of GFO or carbon? How about the enormous list of people modding/adding fans to constantly battle heat? And people PAY MORE for a tank like this??!

Just buy a larger traditional setup for the same price. Give yourself tons more working room and tons of flexibility to do whatever you want down the road. I fought with my BC29 for years. Never again.

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by firebirdude

Bro, I was obviously cutting the list short when I said mushrooms and xenia. But you are off your rocker if you think two PC bulbs "can grow mostly anything". I guess everyone on this board has wasted money on halides and T5's. Maybe we should all switch to cheap PC lights?

No, Im not off my rocker. Im sitting quite nicely on it and its quite comfortable actually with my spiked lemonade lmfao.

Well you are offering advice to the OP, which Im going to assume is a newbie. So you shortening the list doesnt help by just saying mushrooms and xenia. Give the OP some usuable advice.

And btw....yes you can grow pretty much anything under PC bulbs. Here is the different, one the color of SPS and their growth. They will mostly likely be browned out or dull in color and alot slower growth. But in all honesty, light isnt number 1 with SPS. Its water husbandry. Lighting is second.

Yes stuff grows faster under t5, MH, and LEDs but getting someone started, if he wants to go with a biocube, then let him. Dont be one of those people and go, go as big as you can buy. If he is new, let him get what he is comfortable with so they dont waste money. A biocube is a great way to enter the hobby....its what I did and it's a great way to learn water parmeters as it doesnt give much sliding room.

Evidently, your trying to be smart...well it doesnt affect me. But good try.

Again...I will say this, I got a birdsnest that doubled in size in 2 months under PC bulbs. So your trying to tell me it wont grow SPS?

And what is your comment about a monti growing 12+ inches under PC bulbs? I see you have no answer to that either.

[sponger0]

Oh and yes Im aware of all the upgrades....I had a Aquaticlife 115 skimmer, middle chamber was a fuge, media chamber made from egg crate, T5 24" fixture, blah blah blah blah

[Mussin]

I own a 28G Nanocube and love it. It has the "upgraded" 105W white/blue PC light, If you want just softies/LPS this tank will do fine. The hottest it gets is 81deg. The only kind of filtration I do is filter floss in the first basket. Oh and live rock/filter feeders. I am setting up a 90 at the moment but I will most likely put the nano in my sons room.. Awesome starter tank.


Jeremy

[firebirdude]

Ok. You're missing the point completely and taking everything far too personal. I'm done with this thread.

OP, good luck in your en devours and post up pics once you get everything set up.

[sponger0]

Originally Posted by firebirdude

Ok. You're missing the point completely and taking everything far too personal. I'm done with this thread.

OP, good luck in your en devours and post up pics once you get everything set up.

Nope, not missing the point, but your perspective isnt the only one. Toodles

[TjwBlake]

As a BC owner I'm very pleased with it as a starter tank, in fact I am upgrading to a NanoCube HQI 29gallon. It fits my current lifestyle and needs.

I definitely want bigger but if I had to choose between a 29gallon AIO and a 30gallon tank with sump, stand, lighting, etc etc etc i would choose the BC (or similar AIO) again as a starter

It simplifies the process of getting into the hobby and not having to worry about setting up the overflows and return pumps and all that jazz.

For someone new to the hobby, the compacts will grow pretty much anything you are going to start out with, and in such a small tank you aren't likely to do a mixed reef anyway so yes, he can grow "anything" I have mushrooms, frogspawn, trumpet, leathers, zoas and GSP growing very happily in my tank.

To the OP, do not disregard what has been said about the downfalls of the AIO, but don't let that completely turn you off from picking up one at a good deal.. with a little extra time and taking those things into consideration you can have a wonderful tank to get you started on reefing.

[ramdude]

Yeah I don't understand. my friend has a redsea with PC. and he has coral which grows in the tank ?

[sponger0]

As I will re-iterate...there is nothing wrong with starting off with a biocube. But picture speak louder than words

[rovster]

Biocubes are great! Since pics apparently speak louder than words.....

Stock lights, early on, newish tank syndrome. This is a few months in....


Still stock, husbandry improving......GSP and zoos growing...


Still stock.....


Still stock, added more zoo, pocillipora, meteor shower, etc....


Still stock, pocillipora growing, added monti...


Added LED check out mont ant pocci growth with STOCK lights......


Stuff took off after LEDs. Monti was a mistake, LOL! Pocci ran out of room to grow upward. This is a crappy pic and the glass hasn't been cleaned in a week.....


That is not even a current pic. Today the monti is shading the meteor shower, and is growing around both the koralia and the return. Pocci is also much bigger. Chalice has doubled. Hammer is huge.

Bottom line, stock lights will grow many corals. There are better lights, but doesn't mean you can't enjoy a nice reef with stock PCs.....

And yes, the tang is out, and is still alive

[Angel85]

Aw come on, cant we all just get along

Rovster I think your tank is just beautiful. I have this tank and really like it. I hope to get some corals in at some point. This is my first saltwater set up.

How do you get coralline to grow like that? All I can grow is algae!

[rovster]

Honestly, I don't know. I initially had a couple of rocks with coralline to start, so I guess it was a good seed. Coralline grows like mad in my tank. I have a coupl of rocks that are literally solid purple, and I have to dip my power heads every few months because they get caked in it.

I've said before, biocubes are great starter tanks because it's already set up for you. When I got my tank, it was an experiment to see if I could stick with the hobby and get my feet wet cheaply, and with little set-up and maintenance. After over a year, I KNOW what I like and I'm building a custom shallow reef. I don't regret the biocube purchase at all. They also look put together and are slick when you leave the hood on IMHO.

My only issue with the tank is the heat, but it's manageable. Part of the problem is my wifey keeps the house rather warm. Any time my brother in law house sits for us, I have to plug the heater in, LOL!

[Angel85]

Originally Posted by rovster

Honestly, I don't know. I initially had a couple of rocks with coralline to start, so I guess it was a good seed. Coralline grows like mad in my tank. I have a coupl of rocks that are literally solid purple, and I have to dip my power heads every few months because they get caked in it.

I've said before, biocubes are great starter tanks because it's already set up for you. When I got my tank, it was an experiment to see if I could stick with the hobby and get my feet wet cheaply, and with little set-up and maintenance. After over a year, I KNOW what I like and I'm building a custom shallow reef. I don't regret the biocube purchase at all. They also look put together and are slick when you leave the hood on IMHO.

My only issue with the tank is the heat, but it's manageable. Part of the problem is my wifey keeps the house rather warm. Any time my brother in law house sits for us, I have to plug the heater in, LOL!

I wish I had that problem. How long did it take for the coralline to start growing?



"Get your feet wet cheaply" is good advice for a beginner. In general for someone starting out, you dont really want to go and drop a grand or more just to find out it wasnt the right hobby for you.

[Reeflover2000]

well thank you for all you opinions and I am very happy to have all of the input but, I have decided to go with firebirdude's comment and I have moved on from the 29 gallon size and nano tanks all together and am looking to get a 55 gallon tank with a stand. I am excited and the thing that pushed me to change my idea was that I really want a yellow tang and a snowflake moray eel.

P.S. love you guys tanks that posted pictures, BEAUTIFUL!