Looking for tank input

[Lovge]

Ive been looking into regulations for where i live and they have aquarium size regulations . This being said i have started checking into a 29g biocube for my first setup. Anyone have any experience with these? What are pros and cons and do they do a good job sustaining a good enviroment?

Thanks

 

[Pkunk35]

Hi Lovge,

There are lots of pros and cons for the biocubes but I think in general they can work very well! It is a more of a "all in one" type system so modifications to the system from a equipment point of view are a bit more of a hassle with the biocubes. Personally I am more in favor of a normal 29 gal tank but I have seen some awesome biocube setups.

It may be easier to answer your question if you posted what kind of tank you were thinking of creating? People could chime in on your setup ideas.

GL with the tank!

 

[Lovge]

Im looking to keep some zoas and things in that nature. Been really interested in anenomes with a cool clown pair too

 

[Ryan2112]

I loved my biocube 29 but ran out of room so i upgraded to a 75 gallon. I had to do little mods to get the tank temp down and make it possible to keep sps coral. that being said if your tank cap is closer to 30 gallons id go with a standerd 29 gallon tank a biocube 29 is not a 29 gallon tank more around 24/26 gallons. then you add your rock sand etc your down to 20/22 gallons. id shop craigslist also no need to spend 500+ on a biocube. and any time i get to show off my old biocube i do so heres a video of my old biocube. Biocube 29 Cree LED - YouTube

 

[Lovge]

Wow that is ALOT of life in a smaller tank!!!! Thank u for that. I think that would keep me happy for a while

 

[Ryan2112]

Wow that is ALOT of life in a smaller tank!!!! Thank u for that. I think that would keep me happy for a while

thanks that was my first saltwater tank and only had it for 1 year. that video was the 1 year mark right before it all went into the 75 gallon.

 

[Lovge]

lol because of regulations I would most likely be staying with that size tank for quite some time... now with the biocubes, would I need to put a skimmer in? I noticed that they sell an aftermarket skimmer for the cubes. I thought that the cubes were all inclusive. Am I missing something?

 

[WillKatt]

What regulations are you referring to? Do they have laws where you live pertaining to the size of tank you can have?

I guess my first question for you is are you new to the hobby? If so and you do go with a tank this size I would definitely start with some easier things such a softies and maybe some common zoas or palys. Some of the high end zoas can be very difficult to care for and the smaller the tank the more difficult it can be as its not as forgiving to little mistakes that would not effect a large tank the same way.

I started with a 28g nanocube which is basically just a different flavor of a 29g biocube. It was my very first tank and I struggled with it for awhile. Its doing really well now but having it to do all over again. I wouldn't buy an all in one system. I would just find a similarly sized tank with the dimensions I like and it drill for an internal overflow and have a very small sump 10-20g below. In my opinion having a little sump would have made things allot better for running a small skimmer, auto topoff, as well as running different filters and what not..

Don't get me wrong the all in one systems can be great there are several folks here that have amazing all in one systems but most have been modified in some way. I have tried many of the after market skimmers and have not been thrilled with any of the ones that can fit in the back chamber. I hear some good things about the HOB type however those take more room and are a little unsightly in my opinion.

 

[ahtatt]

i started out with a 14g biocube and had it for over a year. I really liked it.
The only downside i can think of thats really just my preference is the lights that come with it. the pc just were enough for me at the time, untill i started getting more into the sps plating corals, and some lps. it kept anemones really well, and all of my soft corals did awesome.