Oceanic Biocube 29g lighting question

[Katmandu]

Ran into an issue with my reef tank set up and thought you guys may be able to help.

I purchased an Oceanic Biocube 29g on Craigslist last week for $175. I thought I was getting a great deal, but didn’t know enough yet or was just too excited to realize how poor the hood/lighting situation was.

One of the fluorescent bulbs is out and one of the blue moonlight LEDs has burned out as well. I’m also seeing no activity from the fans, so I have to assume they are both out as well.

My overall goal with this tank is to test the waters and if I like it, invest in a much larger set up once we move into our new home(about a year from now). I want to have some clownfish, a goby and some crabs. I was planning on just having softy corals so that I wouldn’t have to upgrade the lights.

Given that I’m planning on moving to a nicer set up in a year, I’m trying to keep my investment in the tank itself pretty low, as I know how abysmal the resale value on these guys are(at least in my area).

What would be the most cost efficient way for me to have enough lighting to raise some softy corals?

Should I just replace the missing fluorescent bulb and order some computer fans to go in the hood?

Could I just remove the lighting from the hood and add some led strip lights?

Thanks everyone!

 

[Eagle_Steve]

There are a few options. I have a 14g one that I bought for a nightstand tank. The bulbs were out and so were the fans. I had only planned for zoas and a small goby, so went with a light from Amazon that fit in the small hood. On another one I helped a friend fix, we modified the lid to hold a cheap amazon wattshine led light. The light fit in the watertight cover with a few mods to the hood and the power cord routed out of the same spot the other power cords did.

With you only wanting soft corals you do not need a ton of light. Best thing is to measure the space you have in the hood under the watertight cover, and look for a light that will fit. Remember, you can take all of the other stuff out, including the fans if the light has it's own fans. You may have to cut the top of the hood, or not. I just know there are a ton of cheap options out there.

 

[Eagle_Steve]

Ohh and welcome to R2R. Little late catching that. Glad to have ya here.

 

[Katrina71]

I have an oceanic 29. You can get replacement fans on eBay. Not expensive. Replace the bulb. Don't worry about the moonlight. You can buy replacements though.

 

[Katrina71]

Those lights will handle anything. Just keep in mind some have luck with btas and some don't. Not a concern for you for about a year. I would stick with easy sps like bird'snest.

 

[Katrina71]

Don't invest a lot of money in this tank. You'll want to upgrade.

 

[lion king]

I really enjoyed my Biocube's, and the stock lighting is much maligned but can produce a nice reef of softies and even lps corals. The least expensive and easiest thing to do do is just replace all the bulbs with new and replace the fans. If you want to do more, search "biocube lighting" and you will find many resources as to how to replace and which products to use. That's how I got back into reefing, I started with bc14 then got a bc29 before I combined them into a 90g.Here' a couple of pics of my biocubes 14 and 29 with stock lighting.

 

[Katmandu]

Hey Everyone,

I appreciate all of the input! After looking around, to get the current set up running it would cost about $90.
$50 - 2 fluorescent bulb replacements
$40 - 2 fan replacements

Given the price I think it makes sense to just replace the lighting entirely. I’ve researched some DIY retrofits and have narrowed it down to two options. Would option #1 provide enough light to raise some softies? Perhaps SPS as well? If not, does anyone see any issues with Option #2? I’m leaning towards option #2 just so I can grow everything and the sunrise/sunset functionality would be great.

Option #1:
https://www.amazon.com/HIPARGERO-LE...=gateway&sprefix=macegrow+&sr=8-2-spons&psc=1

Option #2: https://www.amazon.com/Macegrow-Aqu...1562788343&s=gateway&sprefix=macegrow+&sr=8-3

Thanks again for your help everyone!