JBJ Nanocube vs. Oceanic Biocube

[Crease123]

First timer here. Debating whether to get the JBJ 28G HQI nanocube or the Oceanic 29G biocube.

Any insights here from the experts? What are the pros/cons of each, and the suitability for a true beginner.

 

[thegrun]

I have a JBJ, I love the tank, but the skimmer is junk (I replaced it with a Tunze DOC 9002) and I needed to add a chiller. Some people have had luck just adding a fan to the rear compartment of the JBJ to keep the temperatures down. Check out the JBJ owners forum under the nano reefs forum, there is plenty of information there. I also added the Nanotuners 36 watt actinic light upgrade, which makes the corals look wonderful, but the lighting was good without it. I believe there is also a Oceanic form there, so you can compare the two.
Good Luck, welcome to RC

 

[Flipper62]

I have the Oceanic BioCube in my office, I love it. The only problem that I had with the BioCube was the fans. After a few months they started to make noise, BUT They replaced them no questions asked. I did replace them again last year to a slightly higer volume fan, but that was my choice, their fans were still ok. I added the Nanotuners light upgrade & I wanted to have larger fans. By the way, I highly recomend doing the Nanotuners light upgrade.

As far as a skimmer, I dont belive you need a skimmer for a nano tank if you do your water changes like you should...every 2 weeks. There is not enough there to skim, the water changes will take care of it.

The only thing that I can say that I dont like about the Oceanic BioCube 29 gallon....is the lid is not on a hinge, NOT sure why but its not. Go to your LFS & lift the lid......if you dont hold on to it, its going on to the floor.

Good Luck

 

[Flipper62]

Thegrun,

I'm using the Aqua Euro USA chiller, EU-CL150. It seems to work pretty good. I'm here in the Chicago area & it gets very hot mid summer. Thats when I use it the most. I always have it hooked up & water going through it, but I only plug it in when it gets hot. The rest of the time in the summer I just use a couple of computer fans. Its more top off water with the fans.

Also if you do get a chiller & the cooling fan is on the bottom, get yourself a crate & sit the chiller on it & put a small fan under it aiming up to keep a good air flow at the chiller fan. Trust me, I blew up the first chiller because the chiller didn't get enough air flow.......hers a pic.

 

[Crease123]

Thanks to both that replied. Still undecided on the issue. Flipper, how much did you spent on the nanotuners light upgrade?

 

[drillsar]

I love the JBJ, I agree you need to update skimmer it's crap, I personally would go with a JBJ over Oceanic

 

[Flipper62]

It was the 50/50 upgrade. It gives you 1 more 10000k & 1 more actinic light. It was a few years ago but I think it was aroung $160.00.

I didn't to the normal install like they shor. If you do it their way, the added lights will come on with the stock 10000k lights.

I went & bought a cord & pulg from home depot and wired it up seperate from the other lights. Now all 3 lights are on their own timmer....this way I have a Day to night affect going.....Like this

8:00am...actinics on
9:30am...50/50 on
10:00am..10000k on

5:00pm...10000 off
5:30pm...50/50 off
6:00pm...actinics off

Moon lights run 24/7

 

[sondaar]

I was aloso looking at the 2 before I got my 90g and I was going to go with the JBJ as I believe they had a better package coming out that included a chiller for around $600.00.

 

[Crease123]

Which goes to the question, do you guys think a JBJ 150W HQI needs a chiller?

 

[Crease123]

Flipper, I'm sorry I'm confused here...are you saying you have 3 bulbs for your lighting?