32 Gallon Biocube

Steve Maxwell · Dec 31, 2016

Hello,

I'm thinking about adding another "smallish" tank to my set up (currently have an older 29G Biocube that I've modified with Steve's LEDs + a skimmer) and I just saw that Coralife now makes a 32G Biocube w/ LEDs. Does anybody have one of these/know anybody that has one and can share their honest review of them? I see Amazon has the 32G & stand for $419. Are there better options in this price range? Thinking about possibly transferring my existing livestock/corals into the new tank and use the older one for seahorses...but not quite sure.
Thanks!

Scurvy · Dec 31, 2016

I fired mine up around thanksgiving. They still run warm but no longer have a backside filtration cover to open and release heat. Just the feed door.
Made the same In Tank basket mods as most. They just started shipping for the 32 this week however you could mod your 29 setup and make it work.
Upgraded it to a Steves LED as max par on the stock setup was in the mid/upper 50's from what I've read.
So going from your 29 to the 32 is really just getting you 2" of additional height. I think but am not positive that your existing Steves unit would fit the hood.

If I had a do over I'd probably get the Red Sea nano w/ AI light that just came out as I've spent as much or more modifying the BC.

Scurvy · Dec 31, 2016

Also the stock fan runs kinda loud, ok if it's not ina bedroom as mine is. The Steves fan is about the same.

Ridem32 · Dec 31, 2016

Thinking about buying the BC32 also

Ridem32 · Dec 31, 2016

The Red Sea nano is $800 without light. And it's only 21 gallon

Ridem32 · Jan 1, 2017

Found the Red Sea nano with AI light $600.

Steve Maxwell · Jan 1, 2017

Ridem32 said:
Found the Red Sea nano with AI light $600.

Yeah...but too small :(

October Sky · Jan 19, 2017

I currently have a Oceanic Biocube 29 (the first model), with Intank media rack/fuge and a 115 Skimmer (aquaticlife?). I just stopped by the LFS and they have the new Biocube 32 LED for $129.99. They apparently purchased too many and need to clear the space.

At this point, I'm trying to talk myself out of it. I've had my eye on going bigger with a 40 breeder/sump, and I like the horizontal more than vertical, but this is almost too cheap to pass up. I would move everything over, which would basically launch it day one. I'm on stock lights, I hate taking off the top to do maintenance (the Oceanic doesn't have hinges), I bought it used and the prior owner scratched the glass to the point of annoyance, and the outside is equally dull, with scuffs/paint marks from the prior owner. My stand will apparently fit the new tank as it's the same footprint.

But to answer your original question, if you were in Upstate, NY, and getting it for this price, I'd say jump on it. Since you're not, I'd say shop craigslist. We have one locally with the Rapid LED upgrade for $275 with stand. That's a $200+ light. I've seen others with lesser lights for less money, and stock versions for well under $200. Occasionally you get a $400 listing with livestock, but they run cheap on the used market. If I went with a 40 breeder, I'd list mine for $200 with stand (with media basket, upgraded pumps, newer lamps, etc). I just don't think it's worth any more than that, and wouldn't' want it taking up space.