Bio Cube Owner's Thread

r_jay said:
I decided to go with metal halide because after seeing that while t5s save energy they don't last as long and having to buy 4-6 new t5 bulbs every 6-10 months would not be worth the electric savings, plus the light looks less artificial with a Metal Halide and many hobbyists are switching from t5 to Metal Halide and the only ones getting rid of MH are getting LEDs, but even if I get 5 years life out of a 500$ LED retrofit it wouldn't transfer over very well to a bigger setup which I plan on in the next 1-5 years, and if I wait LEDs will be WAY cheaper by then anyway.
Originally I was set on the 150W cause I figured it was enough for the depth of the BC29... but while I was at my LFS I casually asked (not planning on investing 300 on a light for a few more months) and while they didn't have the 150W, they had 1 250W that they offered to sell for the price of the 150W... yeah, I can't pass up 100$ in savings, so I crumbled, and my wife didn't speak to me for a whole 20 minutes (it was great, lol)! Anyway it's a great light and it's nice that it has 2 moonlight LEDs on the arm, that are way brighter than the 3 stock moonlights in the hood. My corals are happy and my GBTA is too, which makes me happy.
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I think that 250w is way to much for the aamount of gallons, 8.6 watts per gallon. Do you have any heat issues?
 
JHall651 said:
Can I get verification from someone that the Rio 6HF fits inside the 3rd chamber just like the stock pump of a Biocube 29g. I also have the Biocube 29 HQI where the stock pump is a 243 gph so I hope it is the same stock pump size as the the original Biocube 29. Anyone???
Click to expand...

Anyone?
 
Bo-D I think your cat would learn it's lesson after one last jump up there, lol! I thought 250 would be too much also but never found anyone with any issues using the current usa 250W Sunpod and those were suspended only 4-6 inches above the water surface, the clamp on at least is about 10 inches above and the built in fan is MORE than enough to keep it cool but as of yet I have not seen my temps go over 80.2, and if I keep the fan on its a stable 79 which is amazing since using the stock hood/lights/fans my temps were always unstable usually getting over 82. now all I have to do is top off more often but thats better than buying a chiller IMO. Really though I think 250W is more than necessary for the BC but I am in for investing in the future for when I get a 50g I could use the same light and supplement it with some powerbrite LEDs and not have to buy a whole new lighting setup.
 
JHall651 said:
Can I get verification from someone that the Rio 6HF fits inside the 3rd chamber just like the stock pump of a Biocube 29g. I also have the Biocube 29 HQI where the stock pump is a 243 gph so I hope it is the same stock pump size as the the original Biocube 29. Anyone???
Click to expand...

Yes the Rio 6hf pump fits. Very popular pump for the BC29

  • 350 gph
  • Connections: 5/8" output
  • Dimensions: 3.9" X 2" X 2.5"
  • Titanium impeller shaft with ceramic bearings
  • Complete with mounting bracket, suction cups, strainer and inlet and outlet adapters
  • Must be fully submersed
  • 120V AC
  • Max head: 6 feet
 
R Jay,

Thanks for sharing your thought process on T5/MH. I've been waffling between the 2 for a while. Good buy and good choice and good planning for the future. :)

JOHN4AVIATION,

Its not so much watts per gallon any more as it is the amount of light penetration. Watts per gallon was based on the old fluorescent (T 12 I think) bulbs and now with the different lighting systems out there for use (each putting out different amount of light per watts) Par at certain depths are a better measurement even thought manufacture res don't list it. :(
 
I got one on order. Because I will have the extra flow I have purchased a Y fitting for the return nozzle and I plan on pointing one down and back so that it puts some flow behind the LR and the other in normal position in and towards the surface. I am going to use the stock pump to mix my saltwater. Seems like a win win situation. I will keep you posted on how it works out.
 
JHall651 said:
I got one on order. Because I will have the extra flow I have purchased a Y fitting for the return nozzle and I plan on pointing one down and back so that it puts some flow behind the LR and the other in normal position in and towards the surface. I am going to use the stock pump to mix my saltwater. Seems like a win win situation. I will keep you posted on how it works out.
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Sweet! I hate paying for shipping so I will check out some LFS' around here.
 
I know I feel the same way. Especially when it comes to something as simple as a power head but with that being said... Good Luck! I had trouble even finding mine online. Every one was sold out. But after I bought mine I did find a few that had gotten a few back in stock. So hopefully you will have some luck. Let me know. If you do you will probable be able to get your before I even get mine. I should be getting mine in the mail thurs. or fri.
 
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Biocube

Biocube

I used to own a biocube 14, it was a descent tank. I removed the stock pump, and re[placed it with a Maxi-Jet 1200 for much needed flow. I removed the media and replaced this compartment with rubble rock. I also had a modifies Sapphire Aquatics Skimmer in there as well. The fans were pretty noisy. from what I recall, but the lighting was sufficient. I kept mainly Hot Zoanthis, and Ricordia in there with some Hammer and torch lps for some movement. Great little tank Altogethr. I'm going to try and find sd card with pics, because it was definateky wortghy of NTOTM!
 
Well here it is- My LED upgrade from nanotuners:
DSC_0916.jpg


DSC_0914.jpg


I'll update you once I get it hooked up to my RKE.
 
Awesome! your's is the first I have seen on a Biocube! Did you send the top in or you install yourself?
 
What I did was pay for a bare hood and have them install it for me. They ripped out the stock PCs and only charged me for the hood its self. I also got the Silent X fans and let me just say that when I first turn them on (no joke) I had to look at them to be sure they were actually on.
 
Bongo Shrimp said:
What I did was pay for a bare hood and have them install it for me. They ripped out the stock PCs and only charged me for the hood its self. I also got the Silent X fans and let me just say that when I first turn them on (no joke) I had to look at them to be sure they were actually on.
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That is pretty sweet! Post some pics soon soon cause I really want to see this hood in action!
 
AAAAAAAAAAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!! seeing that is making me freak out. Mine are still a week away. Probably going to look just about like that. Have you ran them yet? what do you think? :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
Well I don't have a shot of the hood itself running but here's a few shots of the tank with the LEDs running at 60%:
DSC_1027.jpg


DSC_1029.jpg


DSC_1036.jpg


DSC_1039.jpg


I'll take a shot of the actual LEDs running later.
 
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