What size biocube to get?

luvmybizz

luvmybizz

Member
Starting out a biocube tank(new to saltwater, thought this might be the easiest way to start), and was just wondering wat size everyone recomends. Now i like reef tanks and wat not but didn't know if the size mattered?I also heard the more water the easier to take care of? Please let me know thanks!
 
matt b

matt b

Active Member
Originally Posted by luvmybizz
Starting out a biocube tank(new to saltwater, thought this might be the easiest way to start), and was just wondering wat size everyone recomends. Now i like reef tanks and wat not but didn't know if the size mattered?I also heard the more water the easier to take care of? Please let me know thanks!
the more water the better it will make the tank more stable. so go as big as you can. and for corals you can do alot of cool stuff with stock biocube! so just get a big as you can..
 
nwdyr

nwdyr

Active Member
I have a 24gal jbj nano and love it! Allot of people will tell you to "up-grade this" and "alter that" IMO they (the co. that builds them) know more than we do. Mine is "stock" and doing well. The only up-grade worth the money is MH lighting,but that is only needed if you are doing certain corals,you'r lfs can tell you which ones. There is a large variaty of corals and inverts. that can thrive in the compact floresent lights that come stock with most nano tanks
 
gregghia

gregghia

Member
Cubes are great and alot of fun but yes the less water the more challenging the parameters might be to keep in line.
Its whats right for you and what you potentially want months down the road. I wound up doing a nano as a side project after my 75gal maxed out. It was just as rewarding. You can do alot of modifications but most of the nanos are great right out of the box. The only thing I do not like about the nano is the viewing due to the smaller size and the rounded corners is too distorted for my liking.
The great things about nanos though are you can put one in some really cool places due to its size, the evaporation rate or lack of is great which means less water, and most of all is you don't need alot to make them look full and gorgeous. Looking back I love my 75gal but the money I have spent I could have some world class nanos.
For me with my large tank I learned more about plumbing, electrical, diy stuff etc. With the nano I learned more about the water parameters and attention to detail in the display.
 
luvmybizz

luvmybizz

Member
THanks to all and i have decided to go with a 29 gallon biocube...my lfs is selling one for $275 brand new and I figure this sounds like a good price??? Thanks for all the info and btw the tank looks great so far!
 
new2salt1

new2salt1

Member
Originally Posted by nwdyr
I have a 24gal jbj nano and love it! Allot of people will tell you to "up-grade this" and "alter that" IMO they (the co. that builds them) know more than we do. Mine is "stock" and doing well. The only up-grade worth the money is MH lighting,but that is only needed if you are doing certain corals,you'r lfs can tell you which ones. There is a large variaty of corals and inverts. that can thrive in the compact floresent lights that come stock with most nano tanks

Yes, like this person said. The manaufacturers know more than us, and your LFS' word is gold.
Which is exactly why the manufacturers use bio balls (a reef detriment, not a reef benefit), use pumps that provide about 1/4 of the necessary flow, use lighting that can house only select coral, use ballasts that burn out in 6 months, and use fans that couldn't cool a hot tomale...
Uhh yea, dont listen to people who tell you to bowdown to the LFS and Manufacturers.
Continue to ask questions and if the person giving you advice has 20 posts and their tank looks like they dropped live rock and clownfish in a bucket...well...u get the point...
 
saltwaternewb

saltwaternewb

Member
Originally Posted by luvmybizz
Starting out a biocube tank(new to saltwater, thought this might be the easiest way to start)
The opposite believe it or not is true. A larger tank is more forgiving of mistakes. Now that is not to say that you can't or shouldn't go nano or slightly larger. Just make sure you read as much as you can and ask lots of questions and be certain that you are comfortable before diving in. This is an expensive hobby and mistakes can be costly not to mention lives are in your hands. Becareful to listening to you LFS. They are there to sell you stuff, sometimes whether you need it or not or whether it is the best thing for you or not. Hopefully you have a decent shop that is there to help you and is truly concerned about the success of your tank. When in doubt, come here and ask.
As far as the 29 gallon tank, what is included for the price? That seems high for just a tank and I assume a stand. Check you local trader papers or craigs list or even

[hr]
because you can get great deals. I paid $50 for a 29 gallon tank, stand, lid and lights. This was a FW setup but still a nice price.
 
saltwaternewb

saltwaternewb

Member
Originally Posted by New2Salt1
Yes, like this person said. The manaufacturers know more than us, and your LFS' word is gold.
Which is exactly why the manufacturers use bio balls (a reef detriment, not a reef benefit), use pumps that provide about 1/4 of the necessary flow, use lighting that can house only select coral, use ballasts that burn out in 6 months, and use fans that couldn't cool a hot tomale...
Uhh yea, dont listen to people who tell you to bowdown to the LFS and Manufacturers.
Continue to ask questions and if the person giving you advice has 20 posts and their tank looks like they dropped live rock and clownfish in a bucket...well...u get the point...

I agree. Be cautious with what the LFS tells you. Some are good, some not so good. Research as much as you can about the questions you have. The search function can be your best friend.
And no, manufacturers do not always know best. Do the products they put out work? Usually. As well as they should? Not so often. That is why people up grade and modify and DIY because we have to make up for manufacturer's short comings.
 
luvmybizz

luvmybizz

Member
Expensive? I guess i need to do alittle more looking around if $275 is expensive for a 29 g biocube...the store i was looking at had a competitor about 5 miles down the road that was selling the tank for $375. And BOTH OF THESE are priced as "TANK ONLY". I have googled to see how many actuall lfs there are around besides ***** and all that bull, and only 2 have came up which are the two i went shopping around at...
 
phils29bcinwa

phils29bcinwa

Member
275 is a good price for the biocube 29, I work at my LFS and he sells them for 295 and is making only 10% mark up, I have one and it is a great nano tank, I am running my with the stock lights, stock pump. The only upgrades I have done is adding the Koralia Nano pump on the opposite side as the stock return and the Oceanic Nano Skimmer which sells for about 35 dollars and is worth every bit. Good Luck in your choice. Check for my post and look at my pics.
 
nano reefer

nano reefer

Active Member
some people say bigger is better, and that you have to go with a 29 gal. I disagree. I think that having a smaller tank like a 14 is much more fun. They are easy to fill with corals (time and money wise) and you can do amazing things with a 14. I have 2 clowns, a yasha goby, a pistol shrimp, skunk shrimp, peeppermint shrimp, and loads of awesome corals. If i had a 29 my tank would look empty. I say 14gal. I also got mine for 150 bucks and it came with 10 lbs of coralline loaded LR
 
poop_head

poop_head

Member
I disagree I hated my 10 gal cause I had NO ROOM for anything. It got filled with just a few things. I wanted more room so for christmas I got a 24 gal, which I love compared to my tiny crampt 10 gal. I also got my 24 gal for like $200 with a free stand.
 
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