Update of biocube 29 lighting and filtration

drtimchips · 07/03/2014, 11:24 AM

I'm looking to update/upgrade my system. I have been running my reef tank for just over 1 year on stock lighting, bio balls, stock filter, heater, biocube protein skimmer, stock pump. My levels all stay very stable with 50% water changes using rodi every 4-6 weeks.

Keeping two occelaris clowns, a lawnmower blenny, and a mandarin in addition to pink BTA, bubble coral, frogspawn, Australian elegance, and emerald crab.

Personally I would like a little more pop from the lighting system. Also, I do not want to remove the stock hood with any lighting upgrade.

It seems that I could improve the quality of my system more from the mini-refugium setup I've seen.

If I had to choose one upgrade versus the other immediately, which would you choose and what are your recommendations for both. Keep in mind that costs are a factor, I do not want to spend more than say $400 on both upgrades.

scuzy · 07/03/2014, 11:34 AM

i recently upgraded my lights to a rapidled kit and i love the thing it coast me 150 since i didn't need the leds but the kit with the leds is 220 which is a great upgrade. you can also get a hydor slim skim nano that fits perfect in the biocube 29's compartment.

drtimchips · 07/03/2014, 10:09 PM

Thank you for the advice. I've read about rapidled. Is the dimmer feature a necessity with them?

Haven't heard about hydor slim skim nano. But will check it out.

scuzy · 07/03/2014, 11:03 PM

I got the dimmable version cause I run a apex on my main tank so I just got am extra eb8 and use the apex to control the bio cube

viper12775 · 07/04/2014, 08:06 AM

I upgraded mine with a Steve's led kit for sps I loved it

drtimchips · 07/09/2014, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scuzy

I got the dimmable version cause I run a apex on my main tank so I just got am extra eb8 and use the apex to control the bio cube

I will probably be going with this upgrade then. Thanks for the lowdown on the dimmer.

What is an apex?

scuzy · 07/09/2014, 10:33 PM

Apex is a aquarium controller that controls everything in my 210

07/03/2014, 11:24 AM	#1
drtimchips Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3	Update of biocube 29 lighting and filtration I'm looking to update/upgrade my system. I have been running my reef tank for just over 1 year on stock lighting, bio balls, stock filter, heater, biocube protein skimmer, stock pump. My levels all stay very stable with 50% water changes using rodi every 4-6 weeks. Keeping two occelaris clowns, a lawnmower blenny, and a mandarin in addition to pink BTA, bubble coral, frogspawn, Australian elegance, and emerald crab. Personally I would like a little more pop from the lighting system. Also, I do not want to remove the stock hood with any lighting upgrade. It seems that I could improve the quality of my system more from the mini-refugium setup I've seen. If I had to choose one upgrade versus the other immediately, which would you choose and what are your recommendations for both. Keep in mind that costs are a factor, I do not want to spend more than say $400 on both upgrades.

07/03/2014, 11:34 AM	#2
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	i recently upgraded my lights to a rapidled kit and i love the thing it coast me 150 since i didn't need the leds but the kit with the leds is 220 which is a great upgrade. you can also get a hydor slim skim nano that fits perfect in the biocube 29's compartment.

07/03/2014, 10:09 PM	#3
drtimchips Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 3	Thank you for the advice. I've read about rapidled. Is the dimmer feature a necessity with them? Haven't heard about hydor slim skim nano. But will check it out.

07/03/2014, 11:03 PM	#4
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	I got the dimmable version cause I run a apex on my main tank so I just got am extra eb8 and use the apex to control the bio cube

07/04/2014, 08:06 AM	#5
viper12775 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: clearwater fl Posts: 1,151	I upgraded mine with a Steve's led kit for sps I loved it

07/09/2014, 10:33 PM	#7
scuzy Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 6,499	Apex is a aquarium controller that controls everything in my 210