Looking for tank suggestions! 32 Biocube or keep looking?

[miltonkl]

Hey all! Looking to get back into the hobby after a hiatus. Sold all of my tanks and equipment last time around so starting from scratch.

I just picked up a Biocube 32 with stock LED lid this weekend as part of a bundle. It came with an RODI unit which I needed to buy anyways and so I basically looked at it as buying the RODI and getting a free tank, as I hadn't been considering a biocube previously. For some reason I never loved the curved glass or the lid; however, built in lights is nothing to scoff at. It's definitely a nicer looking tank than I was expecting.

I was planning to keep things simple this time around and before finding this bundle was looking at maybe trying to find an IM 25 Lagoon or similar AIO. Maybe even a simple 20 long or at most a 40 breeder.

Looking for some opinions from those experienced with biocubes and other similar sized tanks. Here are my option as I see them:

1) Keep the Biocube as is. It's drilled with an eShops overflow and has a brand new IceCap sump that fits inside the stand it came with. Stand isn't in perfect shape but is totally usable. There was no plumbing with it, so I'd have to figure out plumbing it and cutting the necessary holes in the stand. I'd probably just do a short bit of PVC out of the overflow with a with a ball valve and then a barb and silicone tubing for now. I've done PVC on a bigger tank and didn't think It was worth the extra hassle and expense and I'm again looking for simple for now.

2) Keep the Biocube but take off the overflow and buy a new bulkhead that I can just cap for now. This leaves the option for a sump later but otherwise reverts it back to a normal biocube. The overflow was installed in the return pump chamber so this seems like an easy plug. I'd keep the overflow box but probably try to sell the sump for $100 or something.

3) Flip the whole tank/sump combo to recoup most of my original cost and basically get a super cheap RODI and go back to watching the market for another used system like I had been previously looking for.

 

[Fish Fan]

@kevgib67 has (or had) a Biocube 32, maybe he would have some insight for you

Good luck whichever way you go!

 

[kevgib67]

I had a Biocube 32g for over four years, great tank. I kept it pretty much stock except for some light and filter modifications. Lights were purely for my preference, I had no problem growing everything with the stock lights. Here’s a link to my build thread to give you some ideas and learn from my mistakes. I’m always available for questions.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/biocube-32g-build.906813/

 

[ChrisPchef]

Hey all! Looking to get back into the hobby after a hiatus. Sold all of my tanks and equipment last time around so starting from scratch.

I just picked up a Biocube 32 with stock LED lid this weekend as part of a bundle. It came with an RODI unit which I needed to buy anyways and so I basically looked at it as buying the RODI and getting a free tank, as I hadn't been considering a biocube previously. For some reason I never loved the curved glass or the lid; however, built in lights is nothing to scoff at. It's definitely a nicer looking tank than I was expecting.

I was planning to keep things simple this time around and before finding this bundle was looking at maybe trying to find an IM 25 Lagoon or similar AIO. Maybe even a simple 20 long or at most a 40 breeder.

Looking for some opinions from those experienced with biocubes and other similar sized tanks. Here are my option as I see them:

1) Keep the Biocube as is. It's drilled with an eShops overflow and has a brand new IceCap sump that fits inside the stand it came with. Stand isn't in perfect shape but is totally usable. There was no plumbing with it, so I'd have to figure out plumbing it and cutting the necessary holes in the stand. I'd probably just do a short bit of PVC out of the overflow with a with a ball valve and then a barb and silicone tubing for now. I've done PVC on a bigger tank and didn't think It was worth the extra hassle and expense and I'm again looking for simple for now.

2) Keep the Biocube but take off the overflow and buy a new bulkhead that I can just cap for now. This leaves the option for a sump later but otherwise reverts it back to a normal biocube. The overflow was installed in the return pump chamber so this seems like an easy plug. I'd keep the overflow box but probably try to sell the sump for $100 or something.

3) Flip the whole tank/sump combo to recoup most of my original cost and basically get a super cheap RODI and go back to watching the market for another used system like I had been previously looking for.

All I have done is removed the lid, I haven't run any filtration in over 5 years in the back chamber.
AI 32 HD way turned down, Nero 3 powerhead and heater and that is all.

Rodi is a waste of money I wouldn't bother setting it up... laughably enough my town is known for "some of the worst tap water in America that you should not drink without boiling" in 3 states I've never experienced an issue using tap water.

Been here, four other towns in the state. As well as two other states in the wise words of Jake Adams "RODI unit? So you strip everything out of the water just so that you can add it again when dosing...?"

I've been keeping Nanos about 20 years now between lots of moves for work and living within major cities (size restricting.) I would either go with option 2 or 3 from your writing.

 

[JTP424]

I had a modified biocube up and running for a few years. Solid and bullet proof IMO. I
I'm a huge fan of the WB line though, a 25 peninsula would be pretty :D

 

[miltonkl]

All I have done is removed the lid, I haven't run any filtration in over 5 years in the back chamber.
AI 32 HD way turned down, Nero 3 powerhead and heater and that is all.

Rodi is a waste of money I wouldn't bother setting it up... laughably enough my town is known for "some of the worst tap water in America that you should not drink without boiling" in 3 states I've never experienced an issue using tap water.

Been here, four other towns in the state. As well as two other states in the wise words of Jake Adams "RODI unit? So you strip everything out of the water just so that you can add it again when dosing...?"

I've been keeping Nanos about 20 years now between lots of moves for work and living within major cities (size restricting.) I would either go with option 2 or 3 from your writing.

Lots of good looking corals! I had no idea Jake used tap water. I'll have to look more into that. My cities water report shows copper ranges from 0.05 to 0.49 which sounds too high for inverts. Perhaps one day I'll try mixing up a batch with tap and setting up a small tank on the side to test out it does compared to RODI base.

I still haven't gotten around to setting it up, as I'm trying to catch deals for everything I need and am not in a rush. I need a good heater and would like a better return pump (the flow out of this Sicce 1.5 felt a bit low when I was just water testing it), and a pump for the mixing station. I did pick up some rock that I have sitting in bleach for a few more days and then can start scaping.

I decided to just use the biocube and took off the overflow and installed a bulkhead and a plug for now. If I ever want to in the future, I can just drain the water a bit and put the overflow back on, but I feel like if I ever get to that point I'd be wanting a bigger tank anyways.

I'm still watching for other tanks to pop up just because I really like Innovative Marine and am a sucker for a deal, but the Biocube looks pretty nice and should be plenty for my current needs. I'm even thinking of grabbing a smaller used Biocube 19 to set up as a glofish tank for my kids that want some of those.

 

[ChrisPchef]

Lots of good looking corals! I had no idea Jake used tap water. I'll have to look more into that. My cities water report shows copper ranges from 0.05 to 0.49 which sounds too high for inverts. Perhaps one day I'll try mixing up a batch with tap and setting up a small tank on the side to test out it does compared to RODI base.

I still haven't gotten around to setting it up, as I'm trying to catch deals for everything I need and am not in a rush. I need a good heater and would like a better return pump (the flow out of this Sicce 1.5 felt a bit low when I was just water testing it), and a pump for the mixing station. I did pick up some rock that I have sitting in bleach for a few more days and then can start scaping.

I decided to just use the biocube and took off the overflow and installed a bulkhead and a plug for now. If I ever want to in the future, I can just drain the water a bit and put the overflow back on, but I feel like if I ever get to that point I'd be wanting a bigger tank anyways.

I'm still watching for other tanks to pop up just because I really like Innovative Marine and am a sucker for a deal, but the Biocube looks pretty nice and should be plenty for my current needs. I'm even thinking of grabbing a smaller used Biocube 19 to set up as a glofish tank for my kids that want some of those.

Thanks! It has gone through many iterations throughout the years. Jaketalks about it in one of his Reef Therapy podcasts, I'll have to try and find it for you. He talks about the irony of removing everything from your water with a RODI, only to test your water and add it back. Not only pointless, but expensive!

I think you're going to like the 32 a lot, a great way to get everything started and transition into a bigger system. For me that is eventually the goal down the road. In the past I had a 12 gal cube then a 15 (I believe it was 15) but great way to transition into bigger tank. The 32hd is overkill for a light but I figured when it's time to upgrade I won't need another light. I'll be able to move it over and turn it up.

I'm sure you'll find some good deals! The local club seems to have died and are filled with "leaving the hobby" or "breaking down tank" posts. Covid was the boom and now you can find many unwanted good quality equipment.

 

[exnisstech]

Rodi is a waste of money I wouldn't bother setting it up.

This is not good advice. Some tap water can be used but water quality varies between all municipalities. As the OP mentioned their water contains copper which can kill coral and inverts. To each his own I suppose, but just because something works for one person doesn't mean it will work for everyone. I use RO and have a tee before the di resin which goes to a sink faucet. Fish get 0 TDS and we get drinking water that doesn't taste like chlorine.