Oceanic BioCube 8g or JBJ NanoCube 6g?

[ericswoo]

Hi all,

I've been in the saltwater hobby for about 5 years now and currently have a 46 gallon FO bowfront. I am looking to set up a nano for my college apartment desk so the tank has to be relatively small. The two I'm specifically looking at are the Oceanic BioCuge 8 gallon and the JBJ NanoCube 6 Gallon. The best prices I can find for the two are $139.99 and $89.99, the Oceanic being quite a bit more pricey. I was originally looking into getting the NanoCube but I've been reading some reviews and the Oceanic seems to be better built as well as thirty percent larger. Off the bat, are there any suggestions? If anyone has complaints or reccommendations on either of the two, please let me know-I'm in a rut! I am planning to put two false percula clownfish, live rock, live sand, a cleanup crew and possibly an anemone (maybe a sebae or carpet). Also, I've been wondering if there is (if any) a specific type of anemone that is better suited for a nano and has a high chance of housing a pair of false perculas? If not, I am fine with putting in some easy mushrooms. I would be gracious with any advice.

Signed,
A college student who's trying to bring his hobby with him

 

[boyooso]

I don't think any anemone is suited for such a small place..

except maybe aptasia?

I don't mean to pee on your idea, but I wouldn't recommend it.

On the other hand, I just bought a 8g biocube to put some corals in, that are being burned in my 50 g because the bta I've had for a few months... the oceanic 'seemed' the best to me after looking at both.

Good Luck, and enjoy

 

[Laura Senchuk]

I have to agree with what boyooso said. I have the 8 gal bio cube and love it. I also have the biocube 14, a 12 aquapod and a 24 aquapod. The 8 gal has only ricordia and yuma's, a few hermits, snails and a pom pom crab. I don't think I will ever put a fish in this tank, just not enough room IMO If you are set on fish I would go with a larger tank. As for anemones, I just wouldn't even risk it in a nano. I had one a long time ago in a 55 gal and they are a pain. Moving around, killing other corals, more trouble than they are worth to me. If I were you I would look at the 14 bio cube. More room to work with. Good luck.

 

[Laura Senchuk]

Sorry just remembered that you want this on your desk. My 8 gal is on the computer desk and it does work well there. My ric's and yuma's are really bright so it looks great with just them. As for the pom pom crabs when most people buy these for their tanks they put them in and NEVER see them again. Mine on the other hand have no fish to be afraid of. So I see them most of the time waving their little pom's around. It's really cool to watch. If I was going to put in a fish I would maybe choose a small goby. But what is your favorite coral? this might be a chance to have a coral specific tank to enjoy.

 

[Raibaru]

Where can you find the BioCube 8 online? Did a google and only ebays are showing up. Want to get some more specifics on this tank and set it up as a side project with my 36g tank. It will probably start out as a QT but once the 36 starts taking shape I'll probably turn it into a species tank of some sort.

 

[pitbullpooch]

here ya go
http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=oc_biocube_8&Category_Code=

 

[ericswoo]

So, I purchased my biocube 8 yesterday at my LFS! Along with the purchase, I also bought a 100 watt All-Glass Aqaurium heater, 10 llb bag of Nature's Ocean Aragonite Live Sand, and a Coralife digital thermometer, totaling to $210. I can't wait to set it up and start cycling it.
Does anyone know where I could get some good live rock? There are a few LFS around my area that sell but the live rock look like chipped off pieces of sidewalk thrown into the tank. Also, if I start cycling the tank with just live sand and add live rock a few weeks later, the job will still get done right? Seeing that I can't get my hands on any good live rock another option is just cycling the tank with live sand. I've been in and out of forums and supposedly this method is okay. Any thoughts? Also, how long should the lights be turned on for, does 8-10 hours a day sound about right? Let me know what you think.

Much Thanks!

 

[Raibaru]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8149652#post8149652 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by pitbullpooch
here ya go
http://www.aquabuys.com/miva/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=oc_biocube_8&Category_Code=

Yea, still can't find any real info on it. Like its dimensions and what it comes with and such.

I need to set up a QT tank and figure going with one of the all-in-ones would allow me to upgrade my QT to a nice desk tank.

Not sure if I'd be better off with a simple 5.5 or what though.

 

[ericswoo]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8152108#post8152108 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Raibaru
Yea, still can't find any real info on it. Like its dimensions and what it comes with and such.

I need to set up a QT tank and figure going with one of the all-in-ones would allow me to upgrade my QT to a nice desk tank.

Not sure if I'd be better off with a simple 5.5 or what though.

Here:

http://www.elmersaquarium.com/k40ocbiocube.htm

The dimensions are left out but all other info is there. I just typed 'biocube 8 gallon' into google...Hopefully it helps

 

[wawruck]

so what is the smallest tank size you would get for a small reef, that would have 2 clowns, a anemone and possible some frags of zoos.

 

[Raibaru]

If you are looking at these all in one type systems I've seen quite a few articles with 24g aquapods with a clown pair and a BTA. But I wouldn't go much smaller then that. Anemones get quite big.

I have a 36g tank and I'm already trying to figure out how I will manage all these corals and a BTA when the time comes.

 

[saltyVT]

Good choice on the BC, I love mine, but I have really been modding the rear chambers to get the most out of it. I would ditch the bio balls and throw LR rubble in both the first and second chambers. Upgrade the stock pump and lose the filter but that JMO. I have a small clown in mine and seems to be happy. Let see some pic when you get it up and running!!

 

[majestic sea life]

Maybe an M-Tank would be better for you.