biocube or not to biocube.

nvmywrx

nvmywrx

Member
I am going to start up a tank and it looks like my best option is the biocube 29 gallon.
but my question is, they say the stock lighting will not allow me to have anemones and I am looking to put some in my tank. Is if fairly cheap to upgrade the lights on the biocube or Would it be cheaper to piece together a tank rather than buy a kit? The only reason I dont want to do that, would be because I feel like as a beginner I may miss something.
any input. I am not going to make any purchases before I am 100% sure of my decision.
thanks for all the help I hope I enjoy my stay here on this board!
 
gio28

gio28

Active Member
i wish i got a bigger tank than my 36 gallon as my first tank. IMO i think you should go as big as you can if space isn't an issue. smaller tanks are harder to maintain so bigger is better. i dont think you will miss anything as a beginner if you go bigger and piece a tank together. i find a bunch of stuff on craigslist for real cheap and im glad i didnt go with biocube..i saved money and have more options ,in a way, than a biocube would. lots of people have biocubes though and like them. if you want a smaller tank then go with a biocube cause its a kit. if you want larger then piece one together...you get to keep a wider variety of fish and more of them. just my two cents...
 
fishtaco

fishtaco

Active Member
For myself, I am very glad I got a couple nano's to start into saltwater with. The biggest advantage for me has been the built-in filtration system, small amount of water needed for changes and the small amount of maintenance time needed to keep both my tanks happy and healthy. Now that I have had some success, when the time comes for a larger tank I am confident that I will be successful with no costly mistakes or frustrations.
Fishtaco
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
nothing wrong with the biocube but if I wanted a covered nano I'd just start with a nano that would support what I wanted from the get go such as JBJ nano MH nano cube. the halide upgrades (nano tuners) is quite expensive for the biocube and you'd have to be pretty handy to rig something yourself with adequate cooling. if you want an open top nano however the biocube is as good as any. simply slide the pins out that hold the top on and toss the lid then you can hang, clamp or mount any light you want. the all in ones definately simplify the equipment list.
 
king_neptune

king_neptune

Active Member
it should be noted that these Nano tanks get hot with MH lights.
The covers allow poor ventilation.
That said, I'm not trying to bash them. I actually have a JBH29 myself that I am in the process of setting up.
They are great tanks, that allow you a lot of options for upgrades/mods ect. And the more you read and learn, the more you will understand what I am talking about.
Another option to go is look on Craigslist. $300-500 will get you a totaly stocked 50-75gal system. Gear,lights,fish everything. Keep your eyes open, you will be able to spot a good deal or not within a week or two.
But IMO that sort of takes the fun out of it. This is an adventure, and starting from scratch is the way to go.
 
fretfreak13

fretfreak13

Active Member
Just throwing this out there, but is a 29 too small for an anenome? I was told it was and that it would take over my tank, stinging everything. Any input?
 
stanlalee

stanlalee

Active Member
well thats true but the bubble tip isn't an aggressive stinger and it could be in there a pretty long time beforeyou have to worry. forget about a sebae or long tenticle. the bubble tip is about the oly hosting anemone I'd attempt in one. By the time you have to worry hopefully it will split a small one and you can make a little change on the extra large one. they tend to stay more compact under high light as well. I would say 29g is right on the borderline of to or not to.
 
nvmywrx

nvmywrx

Member
thanks for all the input and I totally know what you are talking about king neptune thats why I am doing it , it is an adventure and I am a hands on type of person that would like to piece something together rather than just buy a kit. I just dont want to buy the wrong things. That is why I am not rushing the process and just reading and looking.
I will have to check out craigs list also.
I would love to have more than a 29 gallon and I do have the space to do it.
 
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