32g Zombie BioCube

[dirtyd61]

I had this tank running for years, back in the late 2010s. Sat for about 7 years, and now it’s back! Like a zombie. Took a crack at creating my own stand cause the Coralife one is cheesy imo.

Coralife 32g Biocube (Tank started 6/28/26)

• Lighting
  • VipraSpectra v165
    • 10 White LEDs swapped
    • Power Supplies relocated
    • Diffuser and shades added
  • Tunze Eco Chic Refugium LED
  • RETIRED: NanoBox Retro LED upgrade w/Bluefish controller
  • RETIRED: JBJ Refugium Mini Light
• Filtration
  • 40ish lbs. of rock (Mix of Fiji and Hawaii I have saved for years)
  • Aquatic Life 115 Mini in-tank Skimmer (modified air intake regulation)
  • Hygger 5w in-line UV Sterilizer
  • InTank 3 chamber rack and refugium
    • Filter floss/Ceramics
    • Chaeto in refug
• Circulation
  • 2x Vortech MP10mQD
    • 3D print Nem guard
  • Sicce 1.5 return pump
  • Retired: IceCap Gyre 1k
  • Retired: Coralife return pump
• Heat
  • Cobalt NeoTherm 300w twin on InkBird controller
• Accessories
  • Tunze 3155 ATO
    • Trigger Systems 5g reservoir
  • PlexiFlow Customer top with evap cover
  • 3D print rear chamber cover
  • Rid-Volt titanium grounding rod

CURRENT TANK (8/18/26):





STARTING PHOTOS:

 

[dirtyd61]

Tank cycle started on 6/28/26. Fishless cycle with MicroBacter7 and Fritz Fishless Fuel ammonia additive.

 

[JumboShrimp]

It will be fun to follow your progress.

 

[jaymer]

Can you send pics once you setup the intank fuge? I currently have one but only has a bag of crushed rock. I would like to do chateo but not sure how

 

[dirtyd61]

Can you send pics once you setup the intank fuge? I currently have one but only has a bag of crushed rock. I would like to do chateo but not sure how

This is a representation of how I have mine configured.

 

[kevgib67]

You’re off to a great start! I just took mine down after over 4 years when I upgraded. Great tanks!

 

[dirtyd61]

You’re off to a great start! I just took mine down after over 4 years when I upgraded. Great tanks!

I went a bit the other direction ha, had a 90g display with a 50g sump. Ill probably go back up in the future at some point and keep both going.

 

[kevgib67]

I went a bit the other direction ha, had a 90g display with a 50g sump. I’ll probably go back up in the future at some point and keep both going.

I first started out in the mid nineties and had tanks running for 16 years and went up and down and down .

 

[Liebfinehomes]

Excited to see it come back to life! Following along

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Following along!

 

[dirtyd61]

Tweaked my rocks a bit and moved both pumps higher on the walls. Increased both flow rates (1200 gph total) and switched to random/reef surge with night time flow reduction to 600gph.

Dosing Ammonia to 2ppm daily, barely reading nitrates yet, although I am seeing about 1.5ppm ammonia reduction over night. Water is clearing up quite a bit.

 

[dirtyd61]

My older Nanobox Retro Kit has some loose solder connections so going to clean that up while testing the modules.

 

[dirtyd61]

Ammonia went to 0-0.25ppm this morning. Nitrites pinned the test. Cycle process going into day 8!

 

[Schlagerdogin]

Looks good!

 

[DerekCaudill]

Looks great!! Just started mine up a lil bit ago. Following along.

 

[dirtyd61]

Decided I’m going to go with a custom lid and probably a Vipraspectra light. Came up with a mount idea to work with my stand and busted out the welder and tools.

Plate will mount to the back side of cabinet directly into the 2x4, I sunk 5 rivnuts (two for height, 2 for arm support,1 for the light fixture mount I don’t have yet), and the lower square tube allows for height adjustment in 1” increments.

 

[whalewhalewhale]

BioCubes are always fun.

I personally ended up ditching the lid because it was hard for me to keep the temp below 82 with it on.

Best of luck!

 

[DerekCaudill]

BioCubes are always fun.

I personally ended up ditching the lid because it was hard for me to keep the temp below 82 with it on.

Best of luck!

I added a 3d printed fan mount to the back of my hood with a 20x40mm pc fan connected to an inkbird controller. I live in SW FL and that little fan keeps the temps in check. Inkbird activates the fan at 81 degrees and it brings it down to 80 within a few hours. Its also worth mentioning I also have two 21led reef bars under the hood as well. Helps a ton with condensation under the hood too. Upgrading the fan to a Noctura fan (triple the CFM and much quieter than the amazon fan) this week. Cant wait to see what it can do.

 

[dirtyd61]

I added a 3d printed fan mount to the back of my hood with a 20x40mm pc fan connected to an inkbird controller. I live in SW FL and that little fan keeps the temps in check. Inkbird activates the fan at 81 degrees and it brings it down to 80 within a few hours. Its also worth mentioning I also have two 21led reef bars under the hood as well. Helps a ton with condensation under the hood too. Upgrading the fan to a Noctura fan (triple the CFM and much quieter than the amazon fan) this week. Cant wait to see what it can do.

Ive got an InkBird on mine as well, good idea to use the cooling side for a fan. I used to run a chiller on this tank but my new house has AC so upper tank temps are no longer a worry here.

Yea the stock lid gathers a good amount of condensation, looking forward to trying the custom lid/stand alone light path.

 

[dirtyd61]

Snagged a sweet little 10g with LED lid and HOB filter for free today! QT system to back up the biocube is all set up.