Used 29 BioCube Value

[exsequor]

So it's snow here in CO, so I'm trying to figure if it's worth making the 1.5 hour (each way) drive to get a used 29 BioCube. I've wanted a BioCube for a while.

This guy wants $350.00 cash for everything, but that'll include me helping break it down which I'm ok with.

Here's what it includes:
29 Gallon Biocube
Black biocube tank stand
Hydor Koralia circulation pump
Current Orbit Marine Pro programmable LED light with remote
Green Killing Machine UV Sterilizer with Powerhead
Maxijet 1200 powerhead and pump
About 30lbs of live rock
1 - cleaner shrimp
1 - Blue damselfish
1 - Cardinalfish
3 - emerald crabs
1 - conch snail
1 - turbo snail
several hermit crabs and nassarius snails as well as a couple of astria snails.


I've seen pictures and the tank looks clean and nice, and so does the rock. Only issues are some minor scratches from previous owner he said. But that seems to be the case with almost any used BioCube.

So, $350.00 seem like a good deal? To me it does, because just the Orbit LED light alone sells for $269.00 on amazon right now. And the one he has is unopened.

 

[FindingEmily]

If you think it's a good deal (and you do) then go for it. That's what matters.

But to answer your question, yes I think that is a very good price.

 

[saf1]

280 - 300 bucks new. Rough estimate. At least that was the price when I bought two of them a few years back. The are about the same price now.

Here is what I know after owning them:

1. They are about the same price new, not gone up or down really
2. The quality is good (glass, hood, rim, and false wall for overflow)
3. Glass didn't scratch
4. With LED upgrade(s) you can pretty much grow whatever you want
5. Heat was the only issue I really had
6. Lots of modifications available (youtube videos and nano forums)
7. Simple upgrade of return pump provides plenty flow - only 1 small power head otherwise

You are getting a few extras in livestock and a stand. That will put you closer to 400 easy. I don't get the scratch part because I was never able to really scratch mine (glass that is). My real only complaint is nano tanks are a bit more difficult to get water flow due to the cube design, size, and power head placement. I'd probably still have them up and running if my rose bubble tip didn't split and turn into a monster of size. Merged both tanks into a 40 gallon breeder...

 

[exsequor]

Ended up purchasing it, let me try to get the video up.

He included 30 pounds of live rock, but that wasn't enough for me, so I added 35 additional pounds of dry ocean rock. The same atlantic dry ocean rock I put into my 45 gallon reef.

I'm pleased. The scratching is worse then the I thought, but honestly, the light alone was worth $200. Plus this tank is the version with P.C.s AND LED's built in, so I can always buy new bulbs, and use the digital, remote control orbit LED over a different tank, and still have plenty of light with the "stock" lighting in the BioCube to do soft coral.

This tank is easy to get the flow/flow rate down so far compared to the fluval spec v. Then again, the largest reef I've ever had is my current 45 gallon (36.75x13x24") that has 70 gallons total water capacity with filtration/skimmer/uv. And I know a lot of folks consider a 45 gallon reef, to be a nano reef (I personally don't yet) but I suppose if I had all large tanks I might.

Here's a pic of the tank 30 mins after setting up in its new house. Will post up actual pics / video soon.