BioCube 29g HQI (First Reef)

[siliconinja]

I was originally going to build my own tank but my wife dissuaded me from the idea. Probably rightfully so.

So today I called off a half day of work and drove around and picked up a bunch of stuff I found on craigslist for a good deal. I was able to get a 29 gallon HQI without the stand virtually brand-new for $275. For another $125 I was able to get a stand plus a regular 29 gallon without the hood... I figured down the road when I get a little better at this I'll be able to use the 29 gallon with a LED pendant and I'll probably go rimless.

For now I'm just unpacking and setting up!

I have a lot of ideas that'll start to jott down as we get going but I think I found my very first problem

I plugged everything in the make sure it works, pumps and the fans in the hood spin... But no light! Is there some way to tell if the ballast is on and working? I'm trying to find other ways besides going to spend $80-$90 on a light bulb... If I have to replace the ballast and the bulb I might as well start looking at retrofit kits right away!

 

[siliconinja]

Is the ballast supposed to make some noise? Vibrate? Or heat up?

 

[yesjenks]

Is it a aquaeuro USA tank/hood?

 

[yesjenks]

Could be a many things preventing it from turning on. To start small, is the fuse burnt out?

 

[siliconinja]

Could be a many things preventing it from turning on. To start small, is the fuse burnt out?

The ballast does not seem to have any type of fuse that is accessible externally.. There are some pix:

 

[Gunner2012]

I was originally going to build my own tank but my wife dissuaded me from the idea. Probably rightfully so.

So today I called off a half day of work and drove around and picked up a bunch of stuff I found on craigslist for a good deal. I was able to get a 29 gallon HQI without the stand virtually brand-new for $275. For another $125 I was able to get a stand plus a regular 29 gallon without the hood... I figured down the road when I get a little better at this I'll be able to use the 29 gallon with a LED pendant and I'll probably go rimless.

For now I'm just unpacking and setting up!

I have a lot of ideas that'll start to jott down as we get going but I think I found my very first problem

I plugged everything in the make sure it works, pumps and the fans in the hood spin... But no light! Is there some way to tell if the ballast is on and working? I'm trying to find other ways besides going to spend $80-$90 on a light bulb... If I have to replace the ballast and the bulb I might as well start looking at retrofit kits right away!

I had the HQI I switched to LED. You can get bulbs usually for 35-40 online. Check the fuse. Does the switch on the ballast light up? Honestly the HQI ballast for nanos are junk. My switch on my ballast blew twice in a year. Very fustrating. The 3rd time it went I was done. I have a working hood, ballast parts and a chiller (you will need it for the HQI)for sale. I am located on the westside of Cleveland. PM me if your interested in the chiller, parts and spare HQI hood (I have two spare bulbs too).

 

[siliconinja]

No, the switch does not light up... That would be the indication of working order I was looking for

So after I had the bulb tested at a local lighting shop and it tested to be working, I texted the guy I bought it off of. After some discussion, he said he called the warranty department and they were mailing a replacement on Monday. Not sure if he's honest, but I hope so!



Mainly because I walked into my LFS and saw some of the most AMAZING Bali live rock, completely encrusted in coralline. I couldn't help myself, it was a bit steep at $9/lb, but I have yet to see rock like this anywhere on any website, even those that charge upto $12/lb... I bought 25lbs, and 20lbs of live sand. I can't wait to get setup and running, he is holding my rock in a tank for me until I get a working light for my tank...

 

[siliconinja]

I had the HQI I switched to LED. You can get bulbs usually for 35-40 online. Check the fuse. Does the switch on the ballast light up? Honestly the HQI ballast for nanos are junk. My switch on my ballast blew twice in a year. Very fustrating. The 3rd time it went I was done. I have a working hood, ballast parts and a chiller (you will need it for the HQI)for sale. I am located on the westside of Cleveland. PM me if your interested in the chiller, parts and spare HQI hood (I have two spare bulbs too).

PM Sent

 

[siliconinja]

Could be a many things preventing it from turning on. To start small, is the fuse burnt out?

Because I have today off, I decided to take the ballast apart looking for a fuse. Here is what the internals look like... No fuse!

The green box is the igniter and the white cylinder is a capacitor. There is also a large section the back that seems to be glued in, and upon opening the other side there is nothing as and just cardboard that's glued to the back of whatever's glued in at the back of the ballast.

I have a friend who is an electrician was gonna come over at some point today and help me check out the internals, and I really hope that the guy from craigslist was telling the truth and my new ballast will be shipped out tomorrow. Starting to get impatient! :headwally:

 

[MidMichiganReef]

When buying anything local, whether on Craigslist or a forum, make them show you that it works. A good seller will do this on their own. Even when I meet people to sell at a swap I take a time stamped photo or video of it working that day.

 

[siliconinja]

:headwallblue:

When buying anything local, whether on Craigslist or a forum, make them show you that it works. A good seller will do this on their own. Even when I meet people to sell at a swap I take a time stamped photo or video of it working that day.

A lesson learned the hard, and expensive way :thumbdown

 

[Gunner2012]

Simple test is to click the switch back and forth nothing "audible" comes out of it or if there is no resistance then it is gone. You stated it doesn't illuminate anymore than its fried.

 

[siliconinja]

There is a good amount of resistance and a definite and resounding click into place..

Also, on a side note, to add insult to injury, I just cracked my new iPad 3 screen

 

[yesjenks]

Sorry about the iPad!!!

Do you have a voltage meter? What brand is the hood/ballast?

For some reason I can't see the pictures you posted.

 

[siliconinja]

Sorry about the iPad!!!

Thank you! Luckily it still works

Replacing the glass will be my next DIY project!

 

[siliconinja]

Big Update! The guy from CraigsList came through!

Light is up and working. Tonight's project: Lugging 30 1gal containers of RODI water up two flights of stairs to my apartment

 

[yesjenks]

Awesome!!!

Wow, good luck!

 

[siliconinja]

I finally got to have some fun with my new toy today!

Now that the light works I was good to get setup so I went down to the local fish store and picked up 20lbs of Fiji pink sand and a big bucket of reef crystals, and ran over to Lowe's to pick up some food safe buckets... Picked up 25 gallons of RODI from a different LFS that had a new 5-stage system recently installed.

I also moved the tank over to an opposing corner of the dining area, I didn't want light penetration of becoming a problem from the metal halide because the dining area is open with the main living area where we watch tv. Also the return for the central air was right next to the old spot, as well as the thermostat.

With the tank resting in its final resting place, I used the pump that came with the BC to move all 25 gallons into the tank neatly. Then reconnected the pump and started the water flowing. According to the directions for the reef crystals, it said 1.4 lbs for 5 gallons, so I measured out 7lbs and added it to the tank to let it circulate for a few days and dissolve.

I figure this weekend I'll pull out about 5-8 gallons and add the sand. Let it settle and Sunday I can run down to the LFS down the block and pickup the 30lbs of live rock he is holding for me. Then me and the wife can spend the afternoon aquascaping together. I'll be sure to dial in the salinity just right when adding the water back in.


Things I need to purchase in the near future:
- Light for Fuge
- Possibly a Heater (wife keeps the apartment 72, will be checking temp before adding live rock and sand.. Running the light now to see what the effects are)
- Clean up Crew
- Cheato




Things I'd like to look into:
- Filter Basket
- UV Sterilizer
- Apex Jr
- Powerheads (looking to add Apex controller.. So something that integrates)
- Moonlighting
- Larger Pump
- Better protein skimmer
- Chemi-Pure and Purigen?
- Auto Top Off
- Auto Water Change

Anything I'm missing? Feel free to weigh in on any of these topics.. Trying to make a punch list of things I need to research on Reef Central!

 

[iced98lx]

So, I've been running a 29 gallon bio cube a while. I've eventually ditched the hood and use it as a test bed for my controller and LED pendant, so I waited until your lighting got sorted out to comment...

The inTank media basket is very nice, and I do suggest you get it- I run filterfloss on top and purigen in the 2nd shelf. I didn't feel I got enough flow on the bottom for the Chemi-pure, but ran one bag through anyway. I leave the bottom empty now. I got the whole inTank setup but haven't had the Fuge holder bit in for a while, I use that area as probe holders and will be placing a MJ Pump there for my reactors I just got. I did use the fish guard until I went topless, now it doesn't get used.

I have replaced the return pump with a MJ1200 and use the stock biocube pump for water changes. I tried a rio 6HF but couldn't get it to quiet down enough for me. If you go MJ1200, do a cobalt marine one.

I also added a FloRotator tot he return

Power head wise I'm running two 425gph korilla nano's. I wish I would have gotten the 600gph ones, but I'm not sure if they're as small.

ATO wasn't very important to me when I had the top on: evap was VERY minimal. Not sure if it's different with the HQI - I suppose it does have a big hole in it. Once I took the top off the ATO was REQUIRED in my opinion.

I do not run a skimmer currently, so I can not comment on that.

Hope that helps!

 

[siliconinja]

iced98lx, thanks for your reply! I've definitely done some research in the recent days, i'm thinking of going your route... Starting with the InTank Media Baskets (I'll do the fuge and the basket) and stocking the basket with Filter Floss, then Purigen, then ChemiPure Elite. In the fuge i'll stack some Live Rock i've got in another tank and some Cheato.

In #1 i'll just keep a heater for now, and likely probes down the road when I add an Apex Controller. I'll add a protein skimmer down the road when my bioload gets higher.. Right now considering the Aqualife 115.

I'll definitely go your route and add a MaxiJet 1200 for my main pump, and add a SpinStream or the like to variate the flow. So far, going to wait on Powerheads and see what my budget allows. I'd love a controllable one, but if its just for a small one maybe I'll get a 30-50$ one and use it later for mixing SW.

I would like to add some cheap Moonlight LED Strips for now, and down the road get the Lunar Controller from APEX. ATO will have to wait until after the APEX.

Onto Updates!
My water looked pristine and clear, so I figured i'd make my next setup move. I cut some EggCrate to size in my tank, I think I did a pretty good job on the fit.

Cutting the crate didnt take half as long as cleaning up all the tiny pieces of plastic that flew everywhere. If you have goggles, wear them!

Next I added 20lbs of Fiji Pink Live Sand... I'll wait 24hrs or so for it to settle before deciding if I need more. I'd like a fairly deep sand bed for starfish and the like... Looking forward to an exotic and fun CUC... Emerald Crabs, Lettuce Nudibranches, and havent decided on the shrimp but maybe Camel? Boring stuff like snails too..

Looking forward to the corals, I love alot of LPS is what I"m finding out. Really liking the "Bubble" corals, Hammer Corals, etc... Lots of movement and fun, seem like they're not too bad for starter coral.