Coralife BioCube 29g Build
- Thread starter timfederwitz
- Start date
timfederwitz
New member
Chibils
halide loyalist
SC Aquariums does some nice work. They also sell pre-built tanks with nice stands and canopies for good prices (considering it's ultra-clear glass). That said, there's also the Red Sea MAX 250C, which has an enclosed hood to match. It's the same 250 liters/60-something gallons as the REEFER 250, but its an all-in-one which you didn't want. And I don't know how good the protein skimmer (or any of the other equioment) is, although I'm a disciple of the T5 gods and the MAX C-Series has that going for it.
Very glad to see your 'cube still rolling along. Really enjoyed this thread, keep the updates coming.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
Very glad to see your 'cube still rolling along. Really enjoyed this thread, keep the updates coming.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
timfederwitz
New member
Funny you mention the MAX C from Red Sea, because that was my original favorite and what I was going to get, but then my wife said it was too big (at the time"¦ mainly because I already had the 4' FW tank). Then I was introduced to the REEFER series and somehow it seems more modern.
I still like the MAX C, but am still concerned about the AIO. Although, it seems to have more room in the back than my BC, so more options in theory. Also, I could use the chiller hookup for an in stand reactor or even in stand skimmer at some point while maintaining the clean look.
Will have to think through this one a bit. I have an Apex Gold with an extra power bar, so some of the stuff it comes with wouldn't be useful to me.
timfederwitz
New member
Exactly why I was thinking of the REEFER. Although, I was just looking at d2mini's newest build (only just found it) and saw he got an Elos tank and just started to look at those. Very nice. Although, I think I would have to get one custom to put the return on the opposite side of the tank so it's in the corner where no one can see anyway.
Chibils
halide loyalist
ELOS makes very high end equipment, but honestly I think unless you go with the top shelf stuff you're better off getting a custom Starphire tank and custom stand or a pre-built SCA setup and filling it with your own equipment. There are custom builders here in the US who make similar or higher quality stuff. Haven't seen an ELOS in person so this is my opinion, but Reef Savvy and a few others make similar quality tanks with all the good bells and whistles (like super-low profile overflows and phantom bottoms). This would be more of Soulpatch's area of expertise as I don't have the same kind of experience with this as he does. Just what I have seen.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
soulpatch
New member
Prices rise dramatically when you start to get into the custom guys compared to those of Elos and such. I went with SC since my current tank is not my final and I couldn't see spending the coin on reef savvy or reefomania tanks when I would not have it for long.
Tim - Feel free to run ideas by me or we can hit up a local bar to chat for a bit if you wish. I probably have some spare things sitting around to aid in the transfer ro can spout off in depth about my issues and things I would do over. It is really that foot print issue you have that stumps me. It limits production tanks by a lot and for what you are looking for probably drives you more towards custom.
Should also note if you are around in June that Reefapalooza is up in NYC. You could probably snag some manufactorer deals there. It's much smaller then MACNA but I found more deals there then at MACNA...
Tim - Feel free to run ideas by me or we can hit up a local bar to chat for a bit if you wish. I probably have some spare things sitting around to aid in the transfer ro can spout off in depth about my issues and things I would do over. It is really that foot print issue you have that stumps me. It limits production tanks by a lot and for what you are looking for probably drives you more towards custom.
Should also note if you are around in June that Reefapalooza is up in NYC. You could probably snag some manufactorer deals there. It's much smaller then MACNA but I found more deals there then at MACNA...
timfederwitz
New member
The Elos System 100, which is the Diamond Line, would be ~$3,300. The Red Sea REEFER 250 is ~$1,300. I'm honestly not sure that the Elos is worth double the Red Sea, but I haven't seen the Elos in person. I *have* seen the REEFER 250 (at Captain Nemo's... or whatever they call it these days). You say prices climb when you get into custom tanks... are we talking more than the Elos for the size I am looking for?
While price matters, I am more concerned in getting what I want than price, and I'm willing to pay more if I can justify a value in it. But it would be cool to find a killer deal on what I want. In practice, though, this rarely happens for me.
I just looked up Reefapaluza date and I get back that Friday from a week in Vegas. I'm not sure the wife would be too keen on me then heading off to NYC for the day for a reefing conference/show. :lmao:
I went down and measured the area again. The small wall is 21" if I keep the chair rail there, or 22" if I remove the chair rail. It's unfortunately the wife's decision if I remove the chair rail. ;-) The back wall from the corner to the window is ~40", maybe slightly more.
soulpatch
New member
Custom in most cases for what you need would be close to the red sea price (except SC) for the tank. But then you would still need stand, sump, equipment, ect.
To ball park it for you. My 150 was 1800 for the tank, stand, and canopy. Nothing custom about it. My sump, plumbing, skimmer, pumps, and such were an additional say 1000.
I had looked into reef savvy (as you remember as you were there for my initial talks) and I would have been looking at close to 4-5K for the tank and stand.
You also have to account for the plumbing. IE if you do a rear overflow like Reef Savvy typically does or the synergy one then you need to add a couple inches to the back of the tank space for the plumbing. If you do bottom drains then you lose real estate within the tank. With only 20" deep or so i am not sure which is best option. You could probably do a 36x18x22 or something without much issue as that would be thin enough to allow the plumbing on the back side.
And dont go talking about not being lucky with values and such Mr I won an apex gold at MACNA....
To ball park it for you. My 150 was 1800 for the tank, stand, and canopy. Nothing custom about it. My sump, plumbing, skimmer, pumps, and such were an additional say 1000.
I had looked into reef savvy (as you remember as you were there for my initial talks) and I would have been looking at close to 4-5K for the tank and stand.
You also have to account for the plumbing. IE if you do a rear overflow like Reef Savvy typically does or the synergy one then you need to add a couple inches to the back of the tank space for the plumbing. If you do bottom drains then you lose real estate within the tank. With only 20" deep or so i am not sure which is best option. You could probably do a 36x18x22 or something without much issue as that would be thin enough to allow the plumbing on the back side.
And dont go talking about not being lucky with values and such Mr I won an apex gold at MACNA....
timfederwitz
New member
Was looking at some of the tanks on SC's web site. Like the REEFER line, they use a center return, and I think I like the idea of this since I don't need the room off the back of the tank for plumbing, and it only shortens the depth in that center section while opening up deeper on the sides. Plus, my wife likes the idea of things being contained as much as possible and the "workings" being hidden.
As I have been looking around at tank options, I happened upon Artfully Acrylic to look at their ClearView screen lids. They sell drop-off tanks, though not in big sizes as standard. The first time I saw a drop off tank I was amazed, but thought they were kind of out of reach. I don't think I would do one of these drop off tanks in the space I am looking at putting the new tank, but I would love to eventually do one somewhere. Just not sure about an acrylic tank as they can scratch.
And as far as luck, I TOLD you that was the first time I ever won anything decent! LOL
soulpatch
New member
https://************.com/2016/02/29...ncept-aquariums-debuted-by-innovative-marine/
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-G935T using Tapatalk
timfederwitz
New member
Depending on timing of the new tank, I could possibly create a fish room in my basement under the tank. This would open up CRAZY options for me on so many fronts. The only thing is, the location of the tank is against an outside wall, so the wall goes to a footer and that is over cinderblock down in the basement. We are about to replace our flooring with Pergo wood flooring, and I don't think my wife would be keen on running pipes through the floor... but I suppose Pergo is easy'ish to replace if we ever move (just need to buy enough extra sitting around to replace it in case they ever discontinue it) and the benefit to sell her on is reduced water noise.
I also saw on Soulpatch's new thread that the center return is less desirable. But I am very limited on depth from wall to maximum where the tank can come out to. To my mind, because of this, the central return actually means that I can at least have more depth to either side of the return as opposed to leaving room off the back from plumbing, which means the entire length of the tank would be a shallower depth.
Still plenty to think through, and lots more research to do.
The Elos tank has a small return in the back right corner. Something like that on the back left corner would be PERFECT for me.
Also, the more I think through things, I really think I want something with a hood. And reading about others trials and tribulations with stand access, it seems like I might be looking at a custom stand (if I don't do the fish room in the basement).
I also saw on Soulpatch's new thread that the center return is less desirable. But I am very limited on depth from wall to maximum where the tank can come out to. To my mind, because of this, the central return actually means that I can at least have more depth to either side of the return as opposed to leaving room off the back from plumbing, which means the entire length of the tank would be a shallower depth.
Still plenty to think through, and lots more research to do.
The Elos tank has a small return in the back right corner. Something like that on the back left corner would be PERFECT for me.
Also, the more I think through things, I really think I want something with a hood. And reading about others trials and tribulations with stand access, it seems like I might be looking at a custom stand (if I don't do the fish room in the basement).
timfederwitz
New member
Interesting idea, but there is already an HVAC register under the window it is going next to. ;-) But I'll keep it in mind if I decide to go that route.
Rotorocious
New member
Nice tank thread!
I've had my bc29 for about 1.5 years. I'm finally working up to a 90 gallon tank (currently cycling), I had a Ai hydra in the hood of my bc29 so I'm hoping light bleed wont be too bad. Thought about keeping the bc29 for a q/t tank as well, but really need some money to get some bigger equipment.
I've had my bc29 for about 1.5 years. I'm finally working up to a 90 gallon tank (currently cycling), I had a Ai hydra in the hood of my bc29 so I'm hoping light bleed wont be too bad. Thought about keeping the bc29 for a q/t tank as well, but really need some money to get some bigger equipment.
Rotorocious
New member
Coralife BioCube 29g Build
Ya, I'm finding that out. Along with some people selling their dirt cheap stock bc29s really making it hard.
I've got a Ai hydra in the hood of mine, so I'm basically looking to sell it without parting it out, but i may have to. Got alot of upgrades in it :hmm4:
Ya, I'm finding that out. Along with some people selling their dirt cheap stock bc29s really making it hard.
I've got a Ai hydra in the hood of mine, so I'm basically looking to sell it without parting it out, but i may have to. Got alot of upgrades in it :hmm4:
soulpatch
New member
Good luck in your selling but even with that light I wouldn't give you more then 300 for everything. It is the nature of used equipment. You already take a hit of 50% typically and then considering it is a nano you take a further hit.
My tank with well over 3K invested into it only got a few nibbles when I was selling it for 300 or so and that was with a $400 Kessil included that was basically new. I made more parting out 2 pieces from the tank then I made trying to sell the whole thing. It makes much better financial sense to keep it and use it as a QT tank then to try to sell for what really amounts to a couple heaters...
My tank with well over 3K invested into it only got a few nibbles when I was selling it for 300 or so and that was with a $400 Kessil included that was basically new. I made more parting out 2 pieces from the tank then I made trying to sell the whole thing. It makes much better financial sense to keep it and use it as a QT tank then to try to sell for what really amounts to a couple heaters...
