Equipment for biocube

[arthurk0722]

As i continue breaking down my 75 gallon I'm starting the process of getting everything needed to setup my biocube 29. But a few questions:

Is the lighting that comes in the hood good enough for growing corals?
Or would it be a better idea to upgrade the lighting to something else and not bother having the hood on top of the tank? I was thinking of purchasing the radion XR15w Pro lights?

And for a protein skimmer:
i know that the biocube comes with its own protein skimmer, but i would rather get a better one, but it has to fit in one of the chamber of the tank? Any recommendations? i don't want a HOB skimmer.

Thanks for your help!!

 

[jvu61]

I would think you would need a par meter to see if the light is good enough unless it is a light that the mfg clearly states is good for growing corals. that's just mho of course

 

[fredro]

Depends on which corals you're keeping. If you're thinking of sps in the future, the Radion XR15 is a fantastic option and what Id go with if it were me. I base this on the Ecotech Cistomer Support, product quality and the ease of use and versatility of the EcoSmart website/software. As for a skimmer, i really like the CAD Lights Nano. This video will likely show you some great options and let you know what you're dealing with before would buy. GOOD LUCK!
http://youtu.be/xuNPIxYkAww
My 2?.

 

[Jlavine]

The CPR SR3 skimmer fits in chamber 2 and works great!

 

[arthurk0722]

Depends on which corals you're keeping. If you're thinking of sps in the future, the Radion XR15 is a fantastic option and what Id go with if it were me. I base this on the Ecotech Cistomer Support, product quality and the ease of use and versatility of the EcoSmart website/software. As for a skimmer, i really like the CAD Lights Nano. This video will likely show you some great options and let you know what you're dealing with before would buy. GOOD LUCK!
http://youtu.be/xuNPIxYkAww
My 2?.

Thanks for the video!! that was a lot of help, appreciate it. I plan on keeping a mixed reef but mainly lps and a few sps. That's why I don't know if the lights from the hood of the biocube are good enough for corals to thrive or is it better to upgrade them?

 

[arthurk0722]

The CPR SR3 skimmer fits in chamber 2 and works great!

Really? thats great i will look into it. Do you have a biocube?

 

[Jlavine]

I have a nova extreme pro t5 fixture for sale that fit my biocube for 2 years. PM me. With the right t5s it will grow what you want. Good start for $50

Example.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1731797

 

[Jlavine]

Yes you can pm me for biocube info

 

[fredro]

Thanks for the video!! that was a lot of help, appreciate it. I plan on keeping a mixed reef but mainly lps and a few sps. That's why I don't know if the lights from the hood of the biocube are good enough for corals to thrive or is it better to upgrade them?

It sounds to me that if you're already thinking outside the box, literally, then you're gonna wind up modifying and upgrading in the near future. If you're gonna do it, do it right the first time. You're better off to get a light that you turn down a little, than to have to upgrade a second time. The stock hood offers functions the extent of are, ON and OFF. You're likely going to upgrade eventually, so you may as well do it right the first time. I would suggest, again, the XR15 or a Kessil 150 or 160. Again, just my opinion, but you're gonna kick yourself if you buy something next month and then realize that it's not enough when you're expanding further into the hobby next year. Save up for the good stuff. Quality goes a long way and get the products that will be upgradable and universal when you buy an Apex and wanna have sps corals and clams in the future Remember, you can always turn it down, but the stock hood clicking on and off is gonna get old when you wanna be having sunrise and sunsets in a few months. Good luck.

 

[Jlavine]

Got your PM, I'll respond tomorrow.


In general, this is what I have and recommend. You can find everything on this forum for reasonable used prices. And most of the items you can use in a larger tank if you upgrade. I agree that it's better to just buy the good stuff now vs buying something you'll just replace again soon.


Radion Gen 1
Vortech MP 10
heater in chamber 1 with floor removed
chemipure elite chamber 1
filter floss between chamber 1 and 2
CPR SLR 3 skimmer in chamber 2
Maxijet 1200 in chamber 3 for return
Tunze nano ATO
BRS 1.1ml dosing pumps

 

[arthurk0722]

It sounds to me that if you're already thinking outside the box, literally, then you're gonna wind up modifying and upgrading in the near future. If you're gonna do it, do it right the first time. You're better off to get a light that you turn down a little, than to have to upgrade a second time. The stock hood offers functions the extent of are, ON and OFF. You're likely going to upgrade eventually, so you may as well do it right the first time. I would suggest, again, the XR15 or a Kessil 150 or 160. Again, just my opinion, but you're gonna kick yourself if you buy something next month and then realize that it's not enough when you're expanding further into the hobby next year. Save up for the good stuff. Quality goes a long way and get the products that will be upgradable and universal when you buy an Apex and wanna have sps corals and clams in the future Remember, you can always turn it down, but the stock hood clicking on and off is gonna get old when you wanna be having sunrise and sunsets in a few months. Good luck.

Yeah i guess it's better off to just do it right the first time and upgrade the lighting. Would it be better to get LED's (radian xr15w or some sort of t5 fixture?

 

[arthurk0722]

Got your PM, I'll respond tomorrow.


In general, this is what I have and recommend. You can find everything on this forum for reasonable used prices. And most of the items you can use in a larger tank if you upgrade. I agree that it's better to just buy the good stuff now vs buying something you'll just replace again soon.


Radion Gen 1
Vortech MP 10
heater in chamber 1 with floor removed
chemipure elite chamber 1
filter floss between chamber 1 and 2
CPR SLR 3 skimmer in chamber 2
Maxijet 1200 in chamber 3 for return
Tunze nano ATO
BRS 1.1ml dosing pumps

My chamber 1 (if i were looking at tank is to the left) has the return nozzle on that side so have to put my return pump in that chamber. Is the filter floss the place were the "sponge" would go? Because i have a sponge thats currently in chamber 1 (where the return pump goes) so i would guess that i replace the sponge with the filter floss? And I'm not too familiar with chemipure elite? On drfostersmith's website it states " 5 oz Chemi-Pure or 6.5 oz Chemi-Pure Elite treats up to 20 gallons; 10 oz Chemi-Pure or 11.74 oz Chemi-Pure Elite unit treats up to 40 gallons. Each extra large 40 oz Grande or 46.96 Grande Elite nylon bags treat 175-200 gallons. Remains active 4-6 months." So i would buy the 11.74 oz? or buy the smaller one? Is it better to have a bigger one or stick to the one that's closest to my tank size?
Appreciate the help!!