29 vs. 34

[charred salad]

Do you think the 34 Gallon Red Sea Max is a better deal than the 29 Gallon Biocube, or Vice Versa?
Just wondering...
Oh and can you back up your answer? thanks

 

[rtspeed]

there real is no difference beside for a skimmer and 5 gallons. You could buy a skimmer and save yourself alot.

 

[babyjeep21]

I just can't see spending that kind of money on a Red Sea MAX. Personally, I love my biocube. But if you have the money to toss into something like a Red Sea product, you might as well go big. But, I'd do that with something other than the Red Sea MAX.
Then again, I'm dying for the day when we buy a house so we can use the custom made 60 gallon saltwater tank that we inherited from my fiance's aunt/cousin/person... So I may not be the right person to ask, since I'm just waiting around to start something bigger.

 

[charred salad]

I never really got what was so special about it either...Ok...well i guess the 29 is a better deal...and whoever buys it will save like $700 for 5 gallons less.

 

[oceansidefish]

IMO you could save even more and do your own set up

 

[spanko]

I have the biocube and have had to add to it to get it where I want it, the biggest cost in the lighting and skimmer. I do love the tank though I may have gone with the red sea had it been out when I bought the biocube.
Biocube -72 watts of PC lighting.
Red Sea - 110 watts T-5
Biocube - No skimmer
Red Sea - Skimmer included
Biocube - 29 gallons
Red Sea - 34 gallons
Biocube - No light timer
Red Sea - Light timer included
Biocube - no pwer center
Red Sea - power center included
Biocube - Circulation pump one at 243 gph
Red Sea - Circulation pump tow at 145 gph
Biocube - no heater
Red Sea - Heater included
Biocube - Hood not hinged
Red Sea - Hood hinged and able to be held open
Biocube - About $300
Red Sea - About $800
Hope that helps

 

[nereef]

the biocube 29 doesn't have a hinge on the lid? the 8 and 14 do.

 

[spanko]

Yeah I know. For some unknown reason they did not put one on the 29. I always hated that. I finally took mine off and got a 150 watt Sunpod and made a cover from some 3/8" pond netting and screen frame to keep the fishy's in the tank.

 

[nereef]

that is weard. that would make the tank quite a bit tougher to work on.
the biocube still sounds like more bang for your buck. although 72 watts of pc isn't that much for 29. you would be able to keep softies, but even lps might have to be higher in the tank. the $300 doesn't include the stand does it?

 

[rtspeed]

Iv personally have many lps corals in my tank and they are doing great, I also have had some sps corals but i don't recommoned this as it is a tiresome job to keep them going under this weak light but i have had the work and thrive in the bc 29.
Here is a tank front shot, hope you like !

 

[spanko]

No not the stand. About $125 so a total of $425 for the biocube and $800 for the red sea max.
Stock lights allowed me to keep softies and LPS.

 

[nereef]

very nice tanks, rtspeed and spanko! obviously softies and lps thrive under the biocube's light.
so it would be my opinion, since it would be very troublesome to keep sps in that small of a system anyway, that the biocube would be a better choice.