BioCube 32 LED Build

[Scott1071]

Hi All,

Thought I would get a jump start on my Biocube 32 build thread. I just purchased it yesterday, it's still in the box, but soon it will be out and the fun will begin. I just placed an order for some things I will need for it which I will list, and also will list things that I still want to get for it. I plan on getting the wood tomorrow to make a simple stand for it which my Step-Father and brother are going to help me with. I am excited to get back into the hobby, getting this reef tank up and running.
To start I will be keeping everything stock on the tank and in the near future plan on making some upgrades to it. ie: Lights, return pump, Filter Basket, ETC.

As I said I have the tank already which I will post a picture of, but the list following is what I order today:
Refractometer (bought on amazon)
Bio-Spira (instand Ocean) (I know there is a lot of debate on using this to kick start the tank and have it cycle faster, but hey why not give it a try)
AquaMaxx LIve Rock 10# (Macro Rocks brand from MarineDepot) (will be adding about 5# of live rock to this from a Local LFS)
CaribSea Arga-Alive Special Grade Reef Sand (From MarineDepot)
Innovaative Marine DYI Auqa Gadget Self-Leveling Aquarium Mat 24x24 (from MarineDepot-I may not need this but it is to put on top of the wood stand. I think it will be a plus to have)
Finnex HMA-S 100 Watt Titanium Heater with controller (From MarineDepot-This is only to start off with and to use as a back up in the tank)

This is what I will be ordering in about 2 weeks:
1oz Bottle of BRS Extra Thick Gel Super Glue (this will be for gluing the rock work together and also in the future for gluing frags to the rock work)
Test Kit (any suggestions on which are the best would be welcome)
Salt Mix (suggestions welcomed on what would be best for mixed Reef mainly Montis, Favias, Chalice, Acans, Hammer, Trumpet these will be added later but best to start with one salt and stick with it)
Colbalt Neo Therm Submersible Heater 150 Watt (this will be the main heater the one I listed before will be the backup)
InkBird ITC-308 Digital Temperature Controller 2 Stage outlet Thermostat Heating and Cooling (this is to run the heater and a fan which I will list the one I want later)
Filters and Media ETC (suggestion on what is the best ie: Chemipure, Bioballs, etc. Pros and Cons on this subject)

This is what I will order in a few months to do the upgrades on the tank:
Sicce 1.5 Pump (will replace the stock pump)
IceCap 2K Gyre Flow Pump with Dual Pump WiFI Controller (for water movement)
AI Prime or Zetlight UFO Or Kessil A160WE Tuna Blue Light (I will be removing the lid because I know the stock lights will not support the corals I want. I have not decided on which light I will get and Suggestions are welcome on this as well)
Tunze Comline DOC 9001 Protein Skimmer
Intank Media Basket and Fuge Basket


I will make updates with pictures when things start arriving and I start the process of setting the tank up. I am looking forward to the advice and suggestion on what is the best as I stated in my Meet and Greet Thread it has been 10 years since I had a salt water tank and things have changed since then. Thank you in advance for your input.

Happy Reefing to All :):)

 

[diverjm]

Very exciting! I too am setting up a Biocube in the near future.

 

[Scott1071]

Very exciting! I too am setting up a Biocube in the near future.

It is very exciting to get back into the hobby. I look forward to seeing your build as well. I went with the Biocube because of the space I have avaiable and that it is an AIO tank and for the cost.

 

[diverjm]

It is very exciting to get back into the hobby. I look forward to seeing your build as well. I went with the Biocube because of the space I have avaiable and that it is an AIO tank and for the cost.

I chose the Biocube based on the same reasons. At first I planned on doing a softie tank with the stock lighting but the mod bug bit me. I’m waiting on my new lights to arrive. I went with 2 kessil A160WE’s. I’m hoping it will allow me to grow some lps and maybe some less demanding sps.

 

[Scott1071]

I chose the Biocube based on the same reasons. At first I planned on doing a softie tank with the stock lighting but the mod bug bit me. I’m waiting on my new lights to arrive. I went with 2 kessil A160WE’s. I’m hoping it will allow me to grow some lps and maybe some less demanding sps.

From what I have researched the Kessil A160WE's you should be able to grow Lps and Sps in the Biocube 32 with no problems. I have read that if you put the Sps towards the top they should grow fine as long as all Parameters are in order. It is why the 3 lights I have listed I chose because form the research I have done they will support Lps and Sps. Maybe some of the more seasoned reefers can chime in on this to validate what I have read.

 

[Scott1071]

A little update to my build. I got the stand built the other night it is made out of 2x4's, 2x6's and 1/4" plywood on the top. It is solid and sturdy, I stat on it for 30 mins last night to make sure it was strong lol. I do believe it is going to work good and cost was only about $40 to make. (Pics attached)

Recieved in the mail yesterday:
Bio-Spira
Ammonia Alert Badge
Refractometer
(Pic attached)

Will be getting from ups tomorrow:
From Marine Depot:
10lbs AquaMaxx Dry Live Rock by Marco Rocks
Innovative Marine DIY Aqua Gadget Self leveling mat 24x24 for top of stand
HMA-S 100w Titaninum heater with guard and sleek analog controller Finnex (this is only a starting heater, it will be upgraded to a Colbalt in due time and this will remain as my back up)
Arga-Alive Special Reef Grade Live Sand 20lbs

From BRS:
5lbs Reef Saver Shelf Dry Live Rock by Marco Rocks
4lbs Reef Saver Dry Live Rock by Marco Rocks
BRS Extra Thick Super Glue (for aquascaping)

Then on Friday Red Sea Salt Mix 55 gal from Marine Depot

I will post pics of it all when it gets here tomorrow I should be able to start setting the tank up this weekend since I will have all the basics I need. I will be sure to share pics of the process and my Aquascape ideas. All input and ideas to help me are welcome.

 

[Cooper32803]

Nice stand! I’m just getting back in the hobby and I am in the process of getting my 29 gallon Biocube back in working order. I built a stand for the tank as well but I may have overthought it too much lol

 

[Scott1071]

Nice stand! I’m just getting back in the hobby and I am in the process of getting my 29 gallon Biocube back in working order. I built a stand for the tank as well but I may have overthought it too much lol

Thank You!! I started to over think it as well but then got my mind in order. I said to myself it doesn't have to be anything that elaborate at all, and much less than buying the stand for the Biocube 32 at $189 for sure. I just wanted something sturdy and that would hold the tank. I can always get some material and thumbtack it to the outside of the stand so I can use underneath for storage. I am so glad I went with the AIO tank much more cost effective to start out with. I will up grade the pump, lights, media baskets etc. at a later date but to start the stock tank will be fine for me.

 

[Cooper32803]

That was how I started when I started the tank years ago. Well I actually never ran the stock media, I went for the inTank media baskets/refugium right away. I just replaced the hood of mine with the new LED hood but I have plans of getting some kind of lid and an AI Prime HD (cuz I want an anemone some day and I know the stock LED wouldn’t be strong enough for that).

 

[Scott1071]

That was how I started when I started the tank years ago. Well I actually never ran the stock media, I went for the inTank media baskets/refugium right away. I just replaced the hood of mine with the new LED hood but I have plans of getting some kind of lid and an AI Prime HD (cuz I want an anemone some day and I know the stock LED wouldn’t be strong enough for that).

That is what I am going to do is get the InTank Media and Fuge baskets as soon as I can it wont be hard to take out the stock basket when I get them ordered and they arrive. I want to replace the hood with an AI Prime or a Zetlight UFO haven't made the decision yet. I will need to replace it because I want some Montis, Chalices, Favia, Acans and others tbd. I know there are many things I will have to upgrade on it when I start getting corals. I know the stock lights can support some of these if they are higher up In the tank but I want to be sure that I can support all of that in the tank so hence the light upgrade.

 

[Scott1071]

Forgot to mention in last reply I am also considering the Kessil 160WE for a lighting option just have to decide on which I want. They are all about the same cost factor but the Kessil has some other add-ons that will up the price about $100 to $150 and just trying to deiced if that would be worth it or not. I need to do more research on it and get more opinions of which will be best suited for the Corals.

 

[jk_s124]

Welcome fellow biocuber! I have a 29 gallon biocube and have had great success with two kessil a160 we’s. I think two provide just enough to keep some sps, but having two fixtures does well for eliminating shaded areas. Following along and good luck!

 

[Scott1071]

Welcome fellow biocuber! I have a 29 gallon biocube and have had great success with two kessil a160 we’s. I think two provide just enough to keep some sps, but having two fixtures does well for eliminating shaded areas. Following along and good luck!

Thank you!! That is one of the lights I hust posted here that I forgot about the Kessil 160WE. I have been reading that 2 would be better so that is why I am debating on it or not. Did you buy the controller with it as well??

 

[jk_s124]

The controller is almost a necessity if you don’t have an apex with these lights. Two is also necessary if you want sps. One would do just fine for lps and softies.

 

[Scott1071]

The controller is almost a necessity if you don’t have an apex with these lights. Two is also necessary if you want sps. One would do just fine for lps and softies.

Awesome thank you so much for the input. I thought maybe you would have to have the controller so you can set up the light schedule. Maybe do one with the controller and get some LPS then when I get the second one add the SPS to the tank after. I will have to consider it, I have read good reviews on them so that might be my choice.

 

[jk_s124]

Awesome thank you so much for the input. I thought maybe you would have to have the controller so you can set up the light schedule. Maybe do one with the controller and get some LPS then when I get the second one add the SPS to the tank after. I will have to consider it, I have read good reviews on them so that might be my choice.

Yeah that’s almost exactly the route I took. Had one 160 with a controller and had some lps and softies that were doing great. Added sps twice and they didn’t make it. Installed the second 160 and now my sps are doing well.

 

[Hemmdog]

My biocube ran with one 360we for over a year, it wasn’t enough for sps, I upgraded to the newer 360X, that’s when my growth really picked up.
my biocube ended up randomly leaking from the bottom so I had to set up a new tank(40b) in record time.

p.s. superglue won’t hold rocks together, you want epoxy.

 

[Scott1071]

Well I got my rock today took the Biocube 32 out of the box, and did my Aquascape (only took my 3 hours to decide what I wanted to do lol. (See the pics) Tomorrow the Salt Mix should be here so I can get the sand that came today in and fill it up with water and get it cycling. Will post pics when it is filled.
There are a lot of swim throughs and hiding places in the rock work, plus a lot of places to put corals.

 

[Scott1071]

I got it filled with saltwater, bio-spira going to just let it run for a few days so it will clear up. I will wait a few days and see what the parameters are and maybe by next Sunday get a couple of clown fish to put in it. So happy to have it filled and running. :):):):):)

 

[Scott1071]

Well in less thank 24 hours I have a clear tank, I remember when I had my 75 gal years ago it took days for it to clear.