coralife biocube replacement canopy

[fish n chips]

so i've been strongly considering getting this biocube replacement canopy:

https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-LED-BioCube-Replacement-Canopy/dp/B01M1N43UI

i'm wondering if it will be enough for most corals. i know practically nothing about lighting. and before anyone mentions, yes i have looked into and considered doing something custom. this would mean i'd have to either cut a hole in the hood for the light fixture or get rid of it entirely, which is the last thing i want to do in a house with cats. this seems to be the best bang for your buck with a hood still intact.

specs:

View attachment 636865

 

[glb]

Unless they’ve changed it, I’m not sure those LED’s are dimmable, which could be a problem. Hopefully someone with that cover will chime in.

 

[JoshH]

Custom doesn't require altering or removing the lid. Both nanobox and Steve's LEDS make retrofit LED upgrade kits for the biocubes you can install your self and don't alter the appearance of the hood. I don't own a biocube but have heard the LED version doesn't support much corals.

 

[glb]

Custom doesn't require altering or removing the lid. Both nanobox and Steve's LEDS make retrofit LED upgrade kits for the biocubes you can install your self and don't alter the appearance of the hood. I don't own a biocube but have heard the LED version doesn't support much corals.

I have a 12g nanocube with Steve’s LED’s. It provides plenty of light for corals.

 

[JoshH]

I have a 12g nanocube with Steve’s LED’s. It provides plenty of light for corals.

I was referring to the biocube LEDs being inadequate for corals myself. I've read plenty of great reviews on the Steve's LEDS and have considered them for my RSM C130. Glad to see another happy customer of his, makes me feel better about my idea of going with his setup:):)

 

[fish n chips]

Unless they’ve changed it, I’m not sure those LED’s are dimmable, which could be a problem. Hopefully someone with that cover will chime in.

i skimmed over the user manual for it and it doesn't look like there's any dimming features, although there are different "modes" and a timer function:

also, reading some of the reviews reveals that it is good for soft corals and some lps, which is understandable.

 

[Pongo]

I've owned a BioCube 29. I did a Steve's LED conversion. Only alteration to the hood was a little Dremel work on the inside.
It will grow anything you want.
I sold it to a friend's son. He has SPS, LPS all doing well.

With the new LED hood you get an average PAR of 53 at 12" depth.
Not enough in my opinion.

 

[fish n chips]

I've owned a BioCube 29. I did a Steve's LED conversion. Only alteration to the hood was a little Dremel work on the inside.

is there a good installation guide out there i can bookmark?

 

[Pongo]

There is a youtube video of the installation.
It's not great but helps. I didn't mangle the air vents like he did.

I think it ships with an instruction sheet also.
I added the Bluefish controller for controlling dimming, intensity and spectrum.

 

[Postullio]

I recently got the Steve's LED for my biocube 32. Much better than the option u r looking at. And the hurricane x controller it comes with is great. I would recommend upgrading the iridescent option if u order it, which replaces royal blues with hyper violets

 

[fish n chips]

I would recommend upgrading the iridescent option if u order it, which replaces royal blues with hyper violets

doesn't look like that's an option for the 29g but thank you!

 

[Postullio]

O bummer. Well still a great upgrade

 

[BioBill]

I have a 32 led cube. I would definitely get the steve's kit. I will probably be changing mine out after the christmas bills are paid. The stock hood has grown a pipe organ, hammer, and red cap monti very well though. All at the middle 3rd of the tank. Couple zoas seem healthy but haven't really spread much.

 

[yankeeboy]

so i've been strongly considering getting this biocube replacement canopy:

https://www.amazon.com/Coralife-LED-BioCube-Replacement-Canopy/dp/B01M1N43UI

i'm wondering if it will be enough for most corals. i know practically nothing about lighting. and before anyone mentions, yes i have looked into and considered doing something custom. this would mean i'd have to either cut a hole in the hood for the light fixture or get rid of it entirely, which is the last thing i want to do in a house with cats. this seems to be the best bang for your buck with a hood still intact.

specs:

View attachment 636865

I have the 32g Steve’s LED installed, with the Iridescence Booster since early December - it was a piece of cake and it has really helped with growth.

Before:

After

I’m moving in 4 weeks, and it’s easier for me to have a new tank setup at my new home, and sell everything I have once the fish and corals are moved. If you are interested, I’d swap canopies, or sell you the canopy with the LED already installed with the HurricaneX controller and Temperature probe for a good deal. I’m in Jersey. PM me if interested