Coralife BioCube 29g Build

T

timfederwitz

New member
First off, thanks to everyone on the forum for all of the AMAZING information provided in these forums! I have learned so much already... but still have so many questions.

I purchased a Coralife BioCube 29g from my LFS yesterday. I was pleasantly surprised when I opened it up to see that Coralife seems to have fixed a lot of the things that plagued older versions of this model (like the back wall now coming up to the lid so fish can't jump into the back).

While I am super excited to finally have a tank, I am bummed that I am today in Las Vegas (I live in the Philadelphia area) for the entire week and can't work on my tank. :(

Because I am brand new to marine and reef tanks, I have NO idea what I still need to buy for the tank (other than rock and sand and get the nitrogen cycle going). I would love suggestions on what are the most effective components to add to this tank that my livestock will benefit from.

I already purchased a hydrometer and the 55g bucket of Red Sea Coral Pro Salt. I was planning on using a jug or two of the Nutri-SeaWater, or possibly fill the entire thing with that water (not sure I would need more than 6 jugs since rock and sand will displace a decent amount. I have seen people swear by the stuff, while others say it's a waste. I don't have a lot of space for spare water sitting around for PWCs, and was planning on using these jugs for PWCs (like ReefThuz mentioned in one of his YouTube videos on the BioCube).

Items to add:
- Protein Skimmer -- What model seems to work best and is fairly quiet?
- ATO -- Will I even need this if I have the lid on and do weekly PWCs?
- Heater -- Thinking of using two for redundancy
- Media Basket -- I have seen many mixed points of view on using media in a reef tank. Some swear by it while others say use nothing but live rock and a protein skimmer. I don't know who to believe. :)
- What else will I need?

Thanks for any recommendations! I will try to post pics of the build as I go, but won't have anything for at least a week since I'm not home.
 
One piece of "dream" equipment would be an APEX Neptune Gold System, but there is no way I can spend $800 right now or the foreseeable future.

However, I still need some way to control the lighting and would like to simulate dawn/dusk using the blue LEDs, then actinic, then white, then reverse this at night. I bought a Coralife Digital Power Station (power strip with digital timer built in) for my freshwater tank and it isn't close to being good enough for what I want. Any suggestions around this that aren't crazy expensive?

Is there a way to do a controller like the Neptune on the cheap, or maybe a lower priced starter kit? Mainly looking for switched power control at first.
 
You could pick up a Neptune Apex Jr for around $240 to start and then just add modules/power bars to it.

That's what I did. I have one and added an EB 8 when I needed it (alot sooner than one would think....lol). It will end up being a little more expensive over time due to not getting the larger "kit", but it lets you get in the game and then just expand as needed.
 
Cabo2008 said:
You could pick up a Neptune Apex Jr for around $240 to start and then just add modules/power bars to it.

That's what I did. I have one and added an EB 8 when I needed it (alot sooner than one would think....lol). It will end up being a little more expensive over time due to not getting the larger "kit", but it lets you get in the game and then just expand as needed.
Click to expand...

Great to know!! I didn't realize the Jr could be eventually outfitted to mimic the larger system. That's the approach I would rather take because my wife doesn't seem to care as much when I spend a little here and there, even if in the long run I wind of spending twice as much. So I guess you could say it's the path of least resistance! :lol2:
 
Coralife BioCube 29g Build

I think the protein skimmer is what is keeping me up the most lately.

Aquaticlife 115 - Have heard good and bad things about this one. Some say quiet, some say noisy. Also, mixed reviews on effectiveness.

Tunze 9001 - Again, have seen good and bad reviews. Seems like this will ONLY work in the center chamber, but with the InTank accessories, could still run media or a refugium in the future if I wanted/needed.

Any others that fit and are good and quiet?
 
Any thoughts or comments on using pre-prepared water like the Nutri-SeaWater? Pet I also has 5 gallon jugs of prepared saltwater, but I don't believe it is as beneficial as the Nutri-SeaWater.

IF I am going to fill my tank with this stuff, I'd like to order it so it is at my house when I get back from Vegas.
 
Only problem with the Tunze 9001, you need an ATO. With a skimmer you need to have a constant water level, and the Tunze only fits in the center chamber where the water fluctuates constantly.

I personally have the AL 115, with a couple simple mods its super quiet and very effective. It fits in the first chamber where the water level never fluctuates.
 
homer1475 said:
Only problem with the Tunze 9001, you need an ATO. With a skimmer you need to have a constant water level, and the Tunze only fits in the center chamber where the water fluctuates constantly.

I personally have the AL 115, with a couple simple mods its super quiet and very effective. It fits in the first chamber where the water level never fluctuates.
Click to expand...


Thanks for the info and reply. I was already leaning towards the AL 115, so I think you clinched it for me. ;) It's also a bit less expensive than the 9001, so that's a plus.
 
If you mean Petco water. Its fine while you cycle the tank, I used it. Once you start adding corals and such, it falls very short of their requirements.
 
timfederwitz said:
Thanks for the info and reply. I was already leaning towards the AL 115, so I think you clinched it for me. ;) It's also a bit less expensive than the 9001, so that's a plus.
Click to expand...

The simplest easiest mod to make it quieter, is to take it apart, snap off the elbow where the air intake is, and just replace it with one long piece of air hose. The longer the better. Mine sticks out the back of the hood with a small shutoff valve. I never hear it.
 
After reading a thread on here about Tampa Bay Saltwater and their live rock, I am seriously considering getting "The Package"! Seems like great stuff and just about all I need for a self maintaining system. Not sure how much shipping would be, but the package for a 29 gallon is ~$370.

The claims that you would only need a protein skimmer and PWCs every month or two are very appealing to me. I have seen others post that they have self sustaining systems, so it seems plausible.
 
The package is great to get going and look awesome. If you look in the TBS forum no here there is a package noob thread where the guy got it for a biocube. So if allows you to see it perfectly as it goes to you.

Even with an aquatic life skimmer I still recommend an ATO. You can do very simple ones or spend the money for the tunze which is nearly bullet proof.

You will most likely want to run chemicals still no matter how you go. A simple reactor runing carbon and occasional GFO would solve all of your needs. You can also do bagged media in tank either on a media rack or just in the tank. reactor is best, media rack good, and just bags on bottom is better then nothing.

You didn't mention you got any powerheads. You can swing for the fences and get something like an MP10 or gyre 130 which are probably the top two pumps for the tank. If you want tons of function with less money you could go RW4. There is also a system called the JBWave that adds a ton of functionality to the rw pumps making them closer to a MP or gyre.

In terms of the apex be careful with the jr. It has a limit on the number of modules you can run off of it. I would recommend spending the few extra dollars and get the regular with standard ph probe which comes in around 400 or you can find on here in the sale section frequently for less.

For your lighting you can get timers or get that powerstrip to work. Time the LEDs to come on first, then blues, then whites and reverse. The strip has day/night plugs which you can set the time on to make it work especially if you ave the digital version.

The most important thing is to get yourself an RODI water station. You have no idea how often you need water spur of the moment and the store might not be open. Even if you use it to simply fill up the jugs you have it will make life easier.

Finally get a QT tank. Spend the $20 at petco and get a 10 gal tank and hob filter. QT your fish. QT your fish. FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THINGS HOLY QT YOUR FISH. You will thank me later when you dont have to tear apart your display tank and let it sit fishless for 2.5 months.

Also if you are around Philly (not sure where you are) check out ASR in Frazier, PA. You can thank me later.
 
Dry rock only delays the inevitable of pests unless you go through long qt periods with everything from cuc to fish to corals
 
soulpatch, I actually live in Downingtown and have been to APS in Frazier. Wasn't a very "impressive" shop, but definitely seems less "sales" like, so I figured I'd spend some time there.

Captain Nemo's in Norriton, PA (I think it's now called Natural Pet) has been where I have spent most of my time and where I bought the BioCube. So far I have liked the people and what they have, but they are certainly in it to make money. ;) Nothing wrong with that as I am in Sales myself.

Is there actually a reef community in the area? I haven't been able to track one down to date.

Also, thanks for all the info and recommendations. I noticed the limitations on the Jr and am thinking it won't be good enough long term. However, I could upgrade down the road and use the Jr on my freshwater tank. So we'll see.

For the pumps, I was thinking about the wp10, and maybe even the TWIN package that has two pumps and a dual controller. Any thoughts on that?
 
Asr is all about corals so not large shop footprint but you won't find better livestock in the area.

Nemos is more miss then hit in terms of livestock. Tons of crap in their tanks.

Delaware valley reef club is in the area and has a good number of swaps.

If you are going jabeo pumps then get the newer rw series
 
Last edited:
Really good to know about ASR, and I'm now about to look for the rw. It's information like this that is SO freakin value able to a newb!! Thanks again
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
ATO multiple water jugs
Replies
4
Views
215
WMCWINGS186
W
rpscuba
JBJ RL Nano 20 gal
Replies
7
Views
502
Patrick Seastar
Patrick Seastar
P
DIY Hang on back Sump Tank
Replies
14
Views
497
kharmaguru
kharmaguru
A
Getting back into the hobby... Whre's the live rock?
2
Replies
20
Views
700
alton
alton
yoyoyoo123
Anyone want 10-12 pounds of live rock for free?
Replies
1
Views
176
yoyoyoo123
yoyoyoo123
Back
Top