Michaelwb's 8gallon biocube build!!!(pics)

michaelwb

Member
So this is my first true nano, I bought this biocube 8 used from a LFS for 40 dollars with a burnt out ballast but that didn't matter it was destined to be replaced anyways, the tank was in excellent condition. I got the stand from target it's originally for wine rack it was 120 dollars I got it for 32 dollars on clearance, and it's a perfect fit and looks very nice.
Mods so far
Hydor FLO
mini jet 606
Mods to be done soon

Fuge and fuge light.
adding two more lights
2x18 watt one 10,000k and one actinic
and ordering a pony 118 to replace the broken ballast all together totaling 72 watts of pc
here's some pictures from the first day it was up today (10/2/08)




 
awesome idea on the stand. I have a biocube 8g myself, good to see another here in the forums... :)
good luck with the tank
 

whisk

Active Member
best of luck to you. Keep an eye on the temp, especially since it's near the window. If its stable throughout the day and overnight, youre good to go
 

michaelwb

Member
i don't think the window will be too big of a concern, it's a side window on a house so the sun never hit's it so i should be fine, if it becomes a problem i'll definitely move it
has anyone else noticed that the mini jet 606 has a kind of loud humming noise.
 

michaelwb

Member
Updates, I have ordered the lights I only ordered the 2x18 retrofit one 10,000k and one actinic of now, so i am at 54 watts for roughly 7 gallons of actual usable area, I will eventually add one more light either 13w or another 18 watt if i can fit either. day 3 of cycling. More updates to come after installs.
 

michaelwb

Member
hahah! that's awesome smallfry, it was between the one one i got and the one you have, both were super nice, i just went with the black, matched better.
fcatch76 the measurements on the 8 are 12 by 12 the stand is 13 by 14.5 you can knock off the top wood parts and just put the cube right on top if it fits! oh by the way fcatch you're tank is starting to look amazing! same goes for you nano-newb!!
 

fcatch76

Member
Originally Posted by michaelwb
http:///forum/post/2826985
hahah! that's awesome smallfry, it was between the one one i got and the one you have, both were super nice, i just went with the black, matched better.
fcatch76 the measurements on the 8 are 12 by 12 the stand is 13 by 14.5 you can knock off the top wood parts and just put the cube right on top if it fits! oh by the way fcatch you're tank is starting to look amazing! same goes for you nano-newb!!
thx Michael, for the info and compliment!
I have to get some pics of the 14, there have been many chnages and additions. The 29 is going strong, but I have been neglecting it since the 14.
 

smallfry

Member
Originally Posted by michaelwb
http:///forum/post/2826985
hahah! that's awesome smallfry, it was between the one one i got and the one you have, both were super nice, i just went with the black, matched better.
fcatch76 the measurements on the 8 are 12 by 12 the stand is 13 by 14.5 you can knock off the top wood parts and just put the cube right on top if it fits! oh by the way fcatch you're tank is starting to look amazing! same goes for you nano-newb!!
They didnt have the black on @ my target or I would have got that one.
 

michaelwb

Member
alright just a little bit of an update started installing the lights and got a little too tired, so tomorrow I will finish the installation here's where i'm at so far, I went and bought a new fan also a regular pc fan.
oh just wanted to share some pictures of my other project too, i know it's not a nano but that's where all my lil corals will go once they grow to big for the nano



 

whisk

Active Member
does the hood now have two fans or did you replace the stock fan with a new one? was it easy to do?
 

michaelwb

Member
i don't know what i'm going to do with the fan yet! ii'm going to try and put the computer fan in there, hopefully i can make it fit, if not i'm going to put 2 stock size fans back in, but i'll have to order two new ones since they make some awesome ticking noises and don't even spin anymore.overall i would rate this mod a difficulty level of like 5 out of 10 it's really easy for the most part, just takes time to set up ballast and even more time to figure out where you're going to shove everything.
 

whisk

Active Member
Originally Posted by michaelwb
http:///forum/post/2834853
i don't know what i'm going to do with the fan yet! ii'm going to try and put the computer fan in there, hopefully i can make it fit, if not i'm going to put 2 stock size fans back in, but i'll have to order two new ones since they make some awesome ticking noises and don't even spin anymore.overall i would rate this mod a difficulty level of like 5 out of 10 it's really easy for the most part, just takes time to set up ballast and even more time to figure out where you're going to shove everything.
i was thinking about replacing the stock fans with some quieter ones one day. Seems like it would be an easy swap, but looks like they hot glued the fan power plug to the board.
 

michaelwb

Member
The fans weren't glued on mine they were just regular two pin plugs on the circuit board. It wouldnt be that hard to change the fans if you needed IMO.
I'm up to 18wattx3 so 54 watts 18 watt 10k and 36 watts actinic, I just hope heat doesn't become an issue, if not i may shove one more bulb in there maybe a 13watt 10k or something.
 

michaelwb

Member
updates! just got about 5 pounds of live rock! a few more pounds next week, but here's the shots
that is a dead coral attached to a rock, i'm going glue frags onto it, I thought it looked cool, a little shelf coming out of the side.
and yes I know it's unstable, i just wanted to get them in there so they didn't have to sit all night, I will cut some rock to support the back of the top shelf




 
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