Bio Cube Owner's Thread - Page 23

KeysKid · 08/04/2011, 01:05 PM

Here is a picture of my 14 Biocube, Lights and pump in the back are stock. Added a Koralia Nano powerhead and also took out the bioballs and added a mediabasket with chemipure and purigen. This tank has been running for about 9 months now and I absolutely love it.

I have 2 clowns, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 small diamond goby and a bunch of corals. Check out my thread to see it from the beginning.

Rhodes19 · 08/04/2011, 03:54 PM

Nice BC 14 Keyskid.

racefan · 08/13/2011, 05:59 PM

I'm thinking of adding a sump to my BC29. I want to drill the back for bulkheads, does anyone know if the rear (outer) wall is glass or plastic?

Rhodes19 · 08/15/2011, 07:34 AM

I believe it's glass. It's glass on my BC 14

Endy0430 · 08/17/2011, 05:23 PM

anybody try this sump on their BC29
Eshopps RS-75 Reef Sump

r_jay · 08/22/2011, 11:04 AM

the Sump looks like the perfect size, except I would want to put it inside the biocube stand and I think the sump is too big for that.

I keep going back to thinking of putting t5's in my 29 biocube hood.
Nanotuner's has a bare-bones 18" retro with 03 bulbs each. I would want to put in 6 bulbs and was told by the guys at NT's it would fit.

My question is "Where are all the biocube owner's with t5's?" Surely not everyone can afford to drop $300-$1,000 on an LED setup for a biocube. what's the word?

Coastie5685 · 08/23/2011, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_jay

the Sump looks like the perfect size, except I would want to put it inside the biocube stand and I think the sump is too big for that.

I keep going back to thinking of putting t5's in my 29 biocube hood.
Nanotuner's has a bare-bones 18" retro with 03 bulbs each. I would want to put in 6 bulbs and was told by the guys at NT's it would fit.

My question is "Where are all the biocube owner's with t5's?" Surely not everyone can afford to drop $300-$1,000 on an LED setup for a biocube. what's the word?

i use to have a 24" t5 fixture with legs sitting over the tank. I like the look of the open top on my tank.

i plan on getting a clamp on HQI like i use to have. but for now using the retro diy pendant.

cheap too probably save money going the hqi route.

Redsox Nation · 08/24/2011, 12:47 PM

I actually have 3 strips of the Ecoxotic Panorama pros LEDs 1-12k, 1-blue, 1-blue/magenta and absolutely love the color spectrum and coral growth so far has been great. Can get the entire setup for a little over $300 or even look at the retrofit led's kit by rapidled's made for the 29g bc specifically and only runs around $225

r_jay · 08/24/2011, 12:48 PM

I had an HQI Viper Pro 2 with the Moonlight LEDs and fan...it was pretty sweet but I did not like the look of the biocube topless. so I went back to the stock lid with PC's. I want to keep SPS but don't think I'm ready for an $$$$$$$ LED setup so I am interested in the retrofit T5's. I may still be interested in LED's but not entirely sold on it yet.

RedStangGA · 08/24/2011, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r_jay

I had an HQI Viper Pro 2 with the Moonlight LEDs and fan...it was pretty sweet but I did not like the look of the biocube topless. so I went back to the stock lid with PC's. I want to keep SPS but don't think I'm ready for an $$$$$$$ LED setup so I am interested in the retrofit T5's. I may still be interested in LED's but not entirely sold on it yet.

The RapidLED kit that RedSox mentioned is not a bad price and is the route I'm going. $225 and never changing bulbs sounds good to me!

jpfishfan09 · 08/24/2011, 10:02 PM

LED's still have a ways to go

Hextall · 08/25/2011, 07:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpfishfan09

LED's still have a ways to go

What do you mean by this? cost, or light provided?

Seems like there's a lot of people with LEDs that have experienced some great coral growth.

RedStangGA · 08/25/2011, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpfishfan09

LED's still have a ways to go

Yes, please expand on your point of view. LED's may not be perfect but especially for DIY's they're a bargain. Reduced heat, long life(many people have had LED's running for a couple years now), reduced energy usage, and sized correctly excellent PAR numbers. This is not to say that they are perfect for every application but for nano's especially they make a ton of sense and for BC's with hoods they're kind of a no brainer.

I absolutely could be missing something though so please explain why you feel that way. We may learn something.

Redsox Nation · 08/25/2011, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedStangGA

Yes, please expand on your point of view. LED's may not be perfect but especially for DIY's they're a bargain. Reduced heat, long life(many people have had LED's running for a couple years now), reduced energy usage, and sized correctly excellent PAR numbers. This is not to say that they are perfect for every application but for nano's especially they make a ton of sense and for BC's with hoods they're kind of a no brainer.

I absolutely could be missing something though so please explain why you feel that way. We may learn something.

+1

I love my LED's!

fender4string · 08/26/2011, 08:56 PM

So I'm wanting a biocube 29 as a means to cure my coral itch (I've currently got an 85 FOWLR that has a little puffer and a flame angel who probably wouldn't be kind to corals) and had been looking into getting the HQI model until I started poking around a few threads and noticed standard cubes outfitted with LED's.

So between the 2 (the HQI and an LED modification) which would you choose? I've heard LED's replicate that famous halide shimmer and are also incredibly inexpensive to run. The energy savings really appeals to me.

If it were to go the LED route, what would be a good fixture for me to buy? I'm completely ignorant of all things lighting (no coral experience to speak of) and wouldn't even know what to look at as far as picking an LED system.

LeslieRN · 08/26/2011, 09:39 PM

Here is my BC29. No real upgrades to speak of yet. Still, it has come a long way since I brought it home 2 months ago.

Let me know what ya think. Always open to suggestions.

RedStangGA · 08/27/2011, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fender4string

So I'm wanting a biocube 29 as a means to cure my coral itch (I've currently got an 85 FOWLR that has a little puffer and a flame angel who probably wouldn't be kind to corals) and had been looking into getting the HQI model until I started poking around a few threads and noticed standard cubes outfitted with LED's.

So between the 2 (the HQI and an LED modification) which would you choose? I've heard LED's replicate that famous halide shimmer and are also incredibly inexpensive to run. The energy savings really appeals to me.

If it were to go the LED route, what would be a good fixture for me to buy? I'm completely ignorant of all things lighting (no coral experience to speak of) and wouldn't even know what to look at as far as picking an LED system.

Look at rapidled.com's retro kit for the biocube 29. There's a couple people who have them already and are happy with them. I'm hoping to get mine soon.

fender4string · 08/27/2011, 11:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedStangGA

Look at rapidled.com's retro kit for the biocube 29. There's a couple people who have them already and are happy with them. I'm hoping to get mine soon.

I checked those out and was also recommended Ecoxotic's Panorama Modules. Both are similarly priced but the Ecoxotics obviously don't require any set-up, other than installation.

Have a lot of you nano guys used the Panorama strips? If so which strips and how many do you run?

I've been recommended a 2:1 ratio of blue to white (the neutrals if I were to go the DIY route) so I was thinking maybe a 12K white/455nm blue combo strip and a strip of the 455nm blue/magenta combo strip of Panoramas. Would this be too blue? I really don't like that overly blue, deep water look.

Or possibly an 8k white strip, 12kwhite/455nm blue, and a strip of 455nm/magenta stunners?

Would either of these combos support SPS and a clam?

RedStangGA · 08/27/2011, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fender4string

I checked those out and was also recommended Ecoxotic's Panorama Modules. Both are similarly priced but the Ecoxotics obviously don't require any set-up, other than installation.

Have a lot of you nano guys used the Panorama strips? If so which strips and how many do you run?

I've been recommended a 2:1 ratio of blue to white (the neutrals if I were to go the DIY route) so I was thinking maybe a 12K white/455nm blue combo strip and a strip of the 455nm blue/magenta combo strip of Panoramas. Would this be too blue? I really don't like that overly blue, deep water look.

Or possibly an 8k white strip, 12kwhite/455nm blue, and a strip of 455nm/magenta stunners?

Would either of these combos support SPS and a clam?

Full disclosure: I don't have experience with either product.

However, while the Panorama strips will probably work they look to be only 1W chips as opposed to the 3W chips that rapidled uses in their kit. I'm not positive but I don't think that the Panorama's are dimmable either.

Another thing. If you are unsure of your color preference with the rapidled kit you can always switch some out down the road not to mention since they're dimmable you can adjust the color according to your preference. The rapidled kit also includes better fans to help keep things cool.

Redsox Nation · 08/28/2011, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedStangGA

Full disclosure: I don't have experience with either product.

However, while the Panorama strips will probably work they look to be only 1W chips as opposed to the 3W chips that rapidled uses in their kit. I'm not positive but I don't think that the Panorama's are dimmable either.

Another thing. If you are unsure of your color preference with the rapidled kit you can always switch some out down the road not to mention since they're dimmable you can adjust the color according to your preference. The rapidled kit also includes better fans to help keep things cool.

This is not completely true, the Panorama PROS have 3w led's and I have 3 strips over my 29g bc and absolutely love them! These strips are not dimmable. I went with 1 12k, 1 blue actinic , and 1 50/50 of blue/magenta and love the color spectrum!

Fender this does not create a too blue affect as I run my 12k withthe 50/50 and then my actinic's by themseleves

RedStangGA · 08/28/2011, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Redsox Nation

This is not completely true, the Panorama PROS have 3w led's and I have 3 strips over my 29g bc and absolutely love them! These strips are not dimmable. I went with 1 12k, 1 blue actinic , and 1 50/50 of blue/magenta and love the color spectrum!

Fender this does not create a too blue affect as I run my 12k withthe 50/50 and then my actinic's by themseleves

Thanks for the clarification! When I looked I only found the 1w models which are probably used mainly to add color I guess.

Hextall · 08/29/2011, 08:33 AM

Redstang,

Seems like you've done a bit of research on the RapidLED kits... do you happen to know if both the whites and blues are dimmable independently? And I assume you that this kit would work with the apex and the vdm modules we'd need... right?

RedStangGA · 08/29/2011, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hextall

Redstang,

Seems like you've done a bit of research on the RapidLED kits... do you happen to know if both the whites and blues are dimmable independently? And I assume you that this kit would work with the apex and the vdm modules we'd need... right?

Yes and yes. If I sell some wheels today I'm ordering today

. Just make sure you get the correct drivers. I believe the ELN-60-48D is the correct model. Also, I'll probably go with 12RB and 8CW.

Hextall · 08/29/2011, 09:13 AM

Why are you mixing it up versus just using what they provide?

RedStangGA · 08/29/2011, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hextall

Why are you mixing it up versus just using what they provide?

Just personal preference. I prefer the more actinic look and it seems most people who get a 50/50 mix end up turning their whites way down. Many go with a 2-1 ratio but I think I'll be happy with a 3-2.

08/17/2011, 05:23 PM	#555
Endy0430 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Miami,FL. Posts: 806	anybody try this sump on their BC29 Eshopps RS-75 Reef Sump __________________ How Can You Help Protect Coral Reefs? Current Tank Info: Red Sea Reefer 250 Reef Octo 110 SSS Apex Controller 2 Hydra's 26

08/22/2011, 11:04 AM	#556
r_jay MARSH member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 184	the Sump looks like the perfect size, except I would want to put it inside the biocube stand and I think the sump is too big for that. I keep going back to thinking of putting t5's in my 29 biocube hood. Nanotuner's has a bare-bones 18" retro with 03 bulbs each. I would want to put in 6 bulbs and was told by the guys at NT's it would fit. My question is "Where are all the biocube owner's with t5's?" Surely not everyone can afford to drop $300-$1,000 on an LED setup for a biocube. what's the word? __________________ I'm doing SCIENCE! Current Tank Info: 65G AGA RR, Nova xtreme pro 36" T5's, Bubble Magus NAC7 (dry in garagetear). 29g Biocube, InTank-Mediabasket+Fuge, mini T5 (refuge light), LEDs! (rapidled kit) MP10

08/24/2011, 12:48 PM	#559
r_jay MARSH member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 184	I had an HQI Viper Pro 2 with the Moonlight LEDs and fan...it was pretty sweet but I did not like the look of the biocube topless. so I went back to the stock lid with PC's. I want to keep SPS but don't think I'm ready for an $$$$$$$ LED setup so I am interested in the retrofit T5's. I may still be interested in LED's but not entirely sold on it yet. __________________ I'm doing SCIENCE! Current Tank Info: 65G AGA RR, Nova xtreme pro 36" T5's, Bubble Magus NAC7 (dry in garagetear). 29g Biocube, InTank-Mediabasket+Fuge, mini T5 (refuge light), LEDs! (rapidled kit) MP10

08/04/2011, 01:05 PM	#551
KeysKid Nano Reefer Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Florida Keys Posts: 333	Here is a picture of my 14 Biocube, Lights and pump in the back are stock. Added a Koralia Nano powerhead and also took out the bioballs and added a mediabasket with chemipure and purigen. This tank has been running for about 9 months now and I absolutely love it. I have 2 clowns, 1 cleaner shrimp, 1 small diamond goby and a bunch of corals. Check out my thread to see it from the beginning.

08/04/2011, 03:54 PM	#552
Rhodes19 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 971	Nice BC 14 Keyskid.

08/13/2011, 05:59 PM	#553
racefan Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 123	I'm thinking of adding a sump to my BC29. I want to drill the back for bulkheads, does anyone know if the rear (outer) wall is glass or plastic?

08/15/2011, 07:34 AM	#554
Rhodes19 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Charleston, SC Posts: 971	I believe it's glass. It's glass on my BC 14

08/24/2011, 12:47 PM	#558
Redsox Nation Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: South Tampa Posts: 421	I actually have 3 strips of the Ecoxotic Panorama pros LEDs 1-12k, 1-blue, 1-blue/magenta and absolutely love the color spectrum and coral growth so far has been great. Can get the entire setup for a little over $300 or even look at the retrofit led's kit by rapidled's made for the 29g bc specifically and only runs around $225

08/24/2011, 10:02 PM	#561
jpfishfan09 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Lincoln, NE Posts: 88	LED's still have a ways to go

08/26/2011, 08:56 PM	#565
fender4string Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Novi, MI Posts: 1,550	So I'm wanting a biocube 29 as a means to cure my coral itch (I've currently got an 85 FOWLR that has a little puffer and a flame angel who probably wouldn't be kind to corals) and had been looking into getting the HQI model until I started poking around a few threads and noticed standard cubes outfitted with LED's. So between the 2 (the HQI and an LED modification) which would you choose? I've heard LED's replicate that famous halide shimmer and are also incredibly inexpensive to run. The energy savings really appeals to me. If it were to go the LED route, what would be a good fixture for me to buy? I'm completely ignorant of all things lighting (no coral experience to speak of) and wouldn't even know what to look at as far as picking an LED system.

08/26/2011, 09:39 PM	#566
LeslieRN Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Millstadt, Illinois Posts: 37	Here is my BC29. No real upgrades to speak of yet. Still, it has come a long way since I brought it home 2 months ago. Let me know what ya think. Always open to suggestions.

08/29/2011, 08:33 AM	#572
Hextall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 327	Redstang, Seems like you've done a bit of research on the RapidLED kits... do you happen to know if both the whites and blues are dimmable independently? And I assume you that this kit would work with the apex and the vdm modules we'd need... right?

08/29/2011, 09:13 AM	#574
Hextall Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Newmarket, NH Posts: 327	Why are you mixing it up versus just using what they provide?