All in one BioCube vs Traditional?

[Chandler221]

I currently have a 10 gallon nano tank and want to upgrade it to a 25-45 gallon.

 

I been looking at the Biocube 29 lately and it seems to good to be true.

 

Has anyone had any issues with this tank?

 

I am worried that if something malfunctions with the lamp, I cant replace it.

 

How well do the lamps grow coral?

 

[chicagoreef]

Look around this site - many people on here have JBJ/Oceanic/Coralife 29 gallon cube. Most people on here seem to replace the lights within the hood or simply get rid of the hood and mount lights above the tank.

 

There are also a lot of third party add ons and potential modifications - its a big active community and a very popular option. Some people say once you do all the modifications, you might as well have gone with a traditional tank and a sump. You should also be able to get a used one relatively easy through craigslist or your local reefing forum.

[kimberbee]

I just set up a BioCube 29 Monday and am liking it so far because it's so contained and I am a beginner with minimal space.

 

However, I was able to buy one (tank, stand, rocks, and sand) for very cheap from a friend of a friend for $100.

 

After only 3 days I decided to get some new LED lighting, but mostly because I didn't want to keep replacing the CFLs, one of which was already out. That was also cheap, because my BF got them at a discount from where he works.

 

Basically, I think a BioCube is good to get start, but it's definitely for a beginner. As someone who didn't know diddly a few months ago, I probably would have bought an all in one system and stuck with it. But I agree with chicagoreef above - The more I find out about upgrades and modifications the happier I am that I got such a deal. I would be pretty upset if I had spent the money for a new BioCube only to spend more money to make changes (not that I would have had to).

 

Hopefully someone with a little more experience than my 4 days will weigh in...

[chicagoreef]

Yeah - I think if a person were to buy a biocube from a LFS and never find a place like nano-reef, they would never realize all the potential modifications and be pretty happy, except always wondering why its so hard to keep the tank cool.

 

My local Petco has a display biocube and it always looks great and was one of the reasons I thought to get a salt water tank. For a new person, 29g of water seems huge and the all in one concept is very clean and appealing since who wants plumbing and wires and who knows what hanging out everywhere or the threat of a flooded floor. However, its tough to do much with the rear chambers - they are small and also take up precious display space and I don't know if the dimensions of the tank itself is all that ideal.

 

With that said - if you can get one at a decent price, then its a great way to start. Maybe that will be your only tank or maybe you realize you have more disposal income than you thought and don't mind doing water changes and actually have some skill in plumbing (how is it that everyone seems to know woodworking and plumbing and programming and chemistry and can work in wood, glass, and acrylic and has a garage or basement filled with tools and heck has a garage or basement and a spare room to store everything and manufacture water?)