Bio Cube Owner's Thread

[pennfisherman]

Was up guys,
Redoing my Biocube 14 and just wanna tell you my idea and get feedback.
I am upgrading stock lights to LED from either Rapid LED(The kit for biocube 14) or from Stevesled(also the biocube 14 kit). I like the fact that i can have them do 90% of the work with stevesled since I do know know much about LEDS. also says it comes with a dimmer... anyone use this how is the dimmer?

( http://shop.stevesleds.com/product.sc?productId=79&categoryId=22 )

Then I plan on putting the oceanic skimmer in the first chamber(got it for a steal 10$ at local club) and a media basket in the 2nd chamber, whats the best basket? and what should I put in it?

with all that being said, where do you guys put your heater if you have the media basket and a skimmer...?


Thanks for all your help.
-Matt

 

[saf1]

I have both kits - we have two 29 cubes. One uses Rapid's and the other Steves. Both have dimming options. Steve's comes with potentiometers. You can seem them in the image bottom, between large fan (left bottom) and right bottom fan which you remove.

Out of the two kits Steve's was a bit easier since most of it is pre-assembled. On that tank of ours we also use a Reef Angle and it dims rather well with his custom drivers and power.

Both kits are solid and honestly well worth the money. Too much light in some cases which is why the dimming option is good. Also note that Steve's is a bit more blue by nature. However, he will mix up the ratios if you ask. I make a note because I'm dimming the hell out of the blues. Anyway, only other thing is that Steve's is also cooler than Rapids. This is probably due to the LED type. Cree's, to me, seems like they are hotter compared to the Luxeon/Phillips deals.

Anyway - either way a good choice. Dimming is dome by the potentiometers. Hope this helps.

 

[Grnrado]

My heavily modified 29 bc. Removed back area, drilled with sump and custom stand below. I hope for my tank to mature and look as beautiful as everyone else's tanks.

 

[jpc763]

Here is my Biocube 29 - Steve's LEDs upgrade, Koralia's, MJ 1200 return, InTank baskets.

 

[kingfisher62]

Just thought I would add an updated pic of my 29g biocube. I changed over to 120w dimmable leds about 7 months ago. I was not sure if I liked the lights at first but after a while things did color up nicely.

 

[lil_man72]

very nice, i love the tanks. i've just setup a 29g and will add pics shortly.

 

[ERivera65]

Here are some upgraded shots of my cube. Top removed and LEDs

 

[1Sik1500]

Heres my Biocube i Just set up a week Ago. Has every option Available. Intank baskits, Aquaticlife 115 Skimmer, MJ1200, 3 Panarama LED Strips. Soon to be Steveleds. Also replacing the bearings in the MP10 dryside tonight and will have that on.

 

[csammis]

1Sik1500 is that a 29g or a 14g?

 

[1Sik1500]

1Sik1500 is that a 29g or a 14g?

Its a 29G Oceanic

Heres a few more pictures.

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Here is my modded 29g Biocube. RapidLed, drilled, and run by Apex. It's only about 5 months old so it has a lot of growing to do.

 

[SharkaThon]

Here is my modded 29g Biocube. RapidLed, drilled, and run by Apex. It's only about 5 months old so it has a lot of growing to do.

Can you show what the lid looks like? I want to do something similar but I don't want to remove the lid because I've got two cats and I don't want to have that much evaporation near my computer.

 

[MidMichiganReef]

Can you show what the lid looks like? I want to do something similar but I don't want to remove the lid because I've got two cats and I don't want to have that much evaporation near my computer.

It looks like a normal Biocube hood. You can see my steps in my build thread here:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2257198


If you need a different pic let me know. I have two cats and they are no problem.

 

[sfniners84]

I've had two biocube 29gs for over 3yrs. I still use the filter pads but eventually the stock return pump gets really noisy and dies. Thus you replace it. But until then, it's perfectly fine. Only mods I did (besides lights) are to get rid of the bioballs and use LR. Then I place the filter pad on top of the LR in the second chamber so the water falls onto the filter pad from the first chamber. I also punched out the little plastic piece in the first chamber that is about half way down. That way I can clean the very bottom of the first chamber and I can put the heater in the first chamber.

These two mods were suggested to me by a very helpful person from oceanic tech support.

What do you mean you replaced with LR??? Im new to this and have a stock 29 biocube... I did remove plastic piece in 1st chamber so heater would fit.

 

[saf1]

He problem means in the second chamber he put additional live rock or rubble. Has it is shipped the 2nd chamber is the location for the bio-balls. Since most reef keepers are opposed to using them, and for the most part rightly so, they never see the light of water So now you have this pretty decent size 2nd chamber that is empty and you can do a couple things.

Buy and use a inTank media basket and fuge. Make your own based off any number of interweb posts, add some live rock, or attach a light (water submergible or external) and grow some cheto or other forms of algae.

So my guess is the poster may of had some extra rock laying around and built it in the 2nd chamber to add to the bio diversity and filter. No reason why it wouldn't work but would depends on light and what else is there (pods or other creatures).

 

[saf1]

My heavily modified 29 bc. Removed back area, drilled with sump and custom stand below. I hope for my tank to mature and look as beautiful as everyone else's tanks.

Interesting concept. You just removed the plastic barrier which makes up the wall for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd chambers? Oddly enough I've thought about doing that but mine already has water in it

If that is what you did. I've also heard a few people drilling their tanks to add in a sump but again I'd need to drain the chambers which may be doable safely without making too big of a mess.

 

[mattack]

Hi all have a new biocube 29 setup using 2 chamber as a refugium, first chamber i have the bio cube skimmer and third I have heater and pump. I want to have just a few fish and soft corals Polyps. With the new hood that has the Leds that can be added what do think I should add or would it be best just save the money and get retro for hood? Tank has started first alge bloom. Other question was placement of the powerheads have 2 hydor 425 s ? Thank you for any help for the noob.

 

[ggk1988]

I am rebuilding my BioCube so I have nothing to share at the moment. However, lets see some updates.

 

[ReefNate]

Here is my BioCube been up and running for around 9 months. Its much more grown in now.




Hard to take pictures with my crappy phone

 

[Tahiti]

I like that purple firefish.

Here's my biocube. It's only been up a couple months if that.