Using Stock BioCube 29 or BioCube 29HQI

Discussion in 'Fish Tank Brands and Kits' started by AZBioCube29, Apr 15, 2012.

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  1. AZBioCube29

    AZBioCube29 Plankton

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2012
    Messages:
    6
    I am looking to start a new tank. Thinking about BioCube 29 or BioCube 29HQI. Does anyone have any experience using either of this tanks with the stock equipment? I've had numerous suggestions to upgrade them, but really want to know if anyone has had any success using either "as is". Is there a heat issue with either tank running stock lighting? What are your recommendations for stocking the tank? Anyone using the BioCube Protein Skimmer?
     
    AZBioCube29, Apr 15, 2012
    AZBioCube29, Apr 15, 2012
    #1

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  2. elwolfe

    elwolfe Coral Banded Shrimp

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2011
    Messages:
    398
    Location:
    Castle Rock,Colorado
    We have a standard BC29 and used it completely stock for ~9 months before modding it pretty substantially. We have 4 fish in it and several assorted soft/LPS colonies (see sig for complete stock list). Basically the system works pretty well as-is, but the stock PC lights are a bit underwhelming. Recent mods include:

    -Ecoxotic Panorama Pro LED modules x3
    -Tunze protein skimmer
    -Intank media basket (Purigen + Chemipure + some left over bioballs) I have a fuge light for it but I'm hesitant to put it in for heat reasons since the temp runs right around 79 as is.
    -DIY ATO

    Member Biocube has a heavily modded BC29 as well and has a really good thread on modding it. I certainly used it for reference...
     
    elwolfe, Apr 30, 2012
    elwolfe, Apr 30, 2012
    #2
    1 person likes this.
  3. Biocube

    Biocube Giant Squid

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    Feb 17, 2011
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    3,499
    Location:
    Northern, IL
    From what I have experienced the standard BC will have heat issues in the summer time, I don't have any experience with the HQI version. I am going to assume if you get the HQI and upgrade the return pump you should be okay in the summer. Hopefully someone can chime in about the HQI.

    I picked the standard BC because I knew I was going to change out my lights and mod it, to me thats the best part of this hobby. If you want good growth and the ability to support a vast amount of corals without modding then pick the HQI.


    P.S.
    Thanks elwolfe for the kind words.
     
    Biocube, Apr 30, 2012
    Biocube, Apr 30, 2012
    #3
  4. cheesyguy

    cheesyguy Spanish Shawl Nudibranch

    Joined:
    Mar 16, 2010
    Messages:
    84
    I was in the market for a BC29, what kind of heat issues do you mean? with stock lights?
     
    cheesyguy, May 5, 2012
    cheesyguy, May 5, 2012
    #4
  5. Biocube

    Biocube Giant Squid

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    Location:
    Northern, IL
    My stock BC would hit 81 by noon with stock lights installed, now that I have LED I am only ay 77.8 all day.

    I still have fans installed that turn on when the water hits 78.2 but it only kicked on when the apartment was at 78.0.
     
    Biocube, May 5, 2012
    Biocube, May 5, 2012
    #5
  6. Chuyr

    Chuyr Astrea Snail

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    May 14, 2012
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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    How much was the lighting? i am also intrested in getting a 29g biocube but trying to do as much research as possible.
     
    Chuyr, Jul 3, 2012
    Chuyr, Jul 3, 2012
    #6

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  7. 1.0reef

    1.0reef Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Mar 2, 2011
    Messages:
    3,615
    Location:
    Orinda, Bay Area, CA
    It depends what LED light you want. Four large options are...
    Kessil a150/a350
    AI Nano (Usually Blue)
    Ecoxotic Panorama PRO's and Stunner LED strips
    DIY LED kits
    HTH
     
    1.0reef, Jul 3, 2012
    1.0reef, Jul 3, 2012
    #7
  8. Biocube

    Biocube Giant Squid

    Joined:
    Feb 17, 2011
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    Location:
    Northern, IL

    I did the RapidLED kit (DIY) and it set me back only 275.00
    Solderless Biocube 29 Dimmable Retrofit Kit - Rapid LED

    I have added a lot more to my light, I think total I am sitting at 600 total, but I have gone a little overboard.
     
    Biocube, Jul 3, 2012
    Biocube, Jul 3, 2012
    #8
  9. Chuyr

    Chuyr Astrea Snail

    Joined:
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    Location:
    Houston, TX
    sweet but its an awwsome set up. non the less i wanted a biocube but didnt know if the hqi would be worth it.
     
    Chuyr, Jul 4, 2012
    Chuyr, Jul 4, 2012
    #9