Anybody growing good coral in a LED biocube 32?

[jasonrusso]

I'm looking into getting into the nano-reef game. I am going back and forth on models and I found a smoking deal on a new LED biocube 32. Does anyone have one of these and if so, how are the corals growing?

Whenever I build anything I try to future proof it so the last thing I want to do is to have to buy another light because I can't grow SPS, clams, etc.

I'd rather buy a old used biocube or red sea 130 and the retrofit Steve's Leds if that is the case.

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

The LED lighting in that tank will support some soft corals and low light LPS but I don't believe it is anywhere near the right spectrum and intensity for SPS corals.

 

[keddre]

I thought about getting one once but the man at the lfs advised me that I would need to up the lighting to get good coral growth past softies.

 

[jasonrusso]

The LED lighting in that tank will support some soft corals and low light LPS but I don't believe it is anywhere near the right spectrum and intensity for SPS corals.

So would the Steve Leds be a better option?

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

So would the Steve Leds be a better option?

Maybe, I'm not familiar with that product but if it does what it claims then it's probably a better option by a good amount.

 

[jasonrusso]

Maybe, I'm not familiar with that product but if it does what it claims then it's probably a better option by a good amount.

http://www.stevesleds.com/Biocube-32-LED-Turbo-Upgrade-System-Plug-and-Play_p_332.html

 

[nautical_nathaniel]

http://www.stevesleds.com/Biocube-32-LED-Turbo-Upgrade-System-Plug-and-Play_p_332.html

That's what I was looking at, the website only offers claims that it can grow SPS but doesn't back it up par values or spectrum analysis, so I can't be sure that it works. Stuff like "Outputs more than enough PAR to blast and potentially kill most corals" is not a very factual statement and can be used to describe a ton of lights in the market, in fact I've seen it used to describe other popular budget retrofits and light fixtures like SB Reef Lights.

However, this video on youtube looks promising, the corals in it all look happy and healthy:

 

[Alexx17]

I have the biocube 32. And I went to a different lfs for the people from other forums. The lady said it was a $300 light panel and it could anything..

 

[Alexx17]

I have the biocube 32. And I went to a different lfs for the people from other forums. The lady said it was a $300 light panel and it could anything..

I have a family member to the brain Coral(starts with a F)in the middle level of my tank and it’s been in for around 24 hours it’s doing fine..?

 

[Circa916]

The led on that tank wont grow sps, the whites are ridiculously bright too. Its cheaper and gives you more options to remove the hood and add an AI Prime which will grow whatever youd like. That's the route I went and it was the best decision I made for the tank.... so far lol

 

[jasonrusso]

I have a family member to the brain Coral(starts with a F)in the middle level of my tank and it’s been in for around 24 hours it’s doing fine..?

24 hours? That doesn't seem like long enough to make a determination

 

[jasonrusso]

The led on that tank wont grow sps, the whites are ridiculously bright too. Its cheaper and gives you more options to remove the hood and add an AI Prime which will grow whatever youd like. That's the route I went and it was the best decision I made for the tank.... so far lol

So you just have an open top? I need a top to keep my cats out. The cube with stand isn't that tall.

 

[jasonrusso]

What about the stock lights on a Red Sea 130? Would a LED replacement be necessary on that as well? It comes with T5s or CFL depending on the version.

I'd prefer Leds due to less heat, no changes, and more efficient

 

[Darin]

I have Biocube 29 I added Truelumen pros. The kit is pretty inexpensive and will fit under the stock hood. I use the Pro ramp timer.

 

[jasonrusso]

I have Biocube 29 I added Truelumen pros. The kit is pretty inexpensive and will fit under the stock hood. I use the Pro ramp timer.

Do you have a link to the kit? It looks like it grows pretty well. Those are SPS at the bottom of the picture? Forgive my ignorance, I'm still learning.

 

[Darin]

Do you have a link to the kit? It looks like it grows pretty well. Those are SPS at the bottom of the picture? Forgive my ignorance, I'm still learning.

Current USA Truelumen 12-Inch Dual Nano LED Striplight Kit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008DGCQK0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_Ae57zb8H6V3R2

 

[Darin]

He's link to my cube.
https://www.reef2reef.com/index.php?threads/236996/

 

[Circa916]

So you just have an open top? I need a top to keep my cats out. The cube with stand isn't that tall.

yes mine is completely open top. I believe BRS has a kit to make a custom mesh lid if you were to remove the hood entirely. Idk how persistent your cats are but that is an option as well. Not the best picture but heres an idea what it would look like without the hood

 

[Maximus52]

I’m using the stock LEDs and have euphyllia and trumpets growing, a Birdsnest and Acro top and center slowly growing, and a Chalice coral that’s tripled in size over a couple months. I think using a high quality salt like coral pro with weekly WC, and dosing to keep kH and Ca levels stable helps big time.

 

[Katrina71]

I have Biocube 29 I added Truelumen pros. The kit is pretty inexpensive and will fit under the stock hood. I use the Pro ramp timer.

Any negatives? My son is getting the new 32 for Christmas.