Another 32 Gallon Biocube Lighting Question

[Ober_Reef]

Hello Everyone,

I‘m finally getting kicked out of my upstairs office and being forced into the basement. My second born child is 8 months old now and the transition of my office to his bedroom is a bit over due. In this switch I am moving down into our basement office area and I have an old biocube 32 from years back that has been sitting down there and waiting for me set up with my transition to the basement(my wife thinks of it as something to help me cope with the loss of a window outside). I would love to hear biocube 32 user recommendations for lighting. When I had the tank set up many years ago(maybe like 8-10 years back when I was around 21) the options were basically stock and a Steve’s LEDs lighting kit, I would like to hear everyone’s recommendation for a simple set up lighting option. I’m between removing the hood and keeping it and plan to to purchase a unit that fits in the hood or would attach to an arm of some kind.

Thanks for any input !

 

[Spare time]

I'd keep the stock lights or remove the hood (I like no hood + mesh top) to better help with pH/oxygen. However, evaporation is not a concern for me as it might be for you.

 

[Bpb]

Budget?

 

[Coralreefer1]

I removed the cover of my Biocube and replaced it with an LED hang on fixture so I had more flexibility in what I could keep like Tridacna Clams and more demanding SPS’ and Anemones.
good luck

 

[GrizFyrFyter]

I have a 29g biocube. I replaced the stock lighting with the smallest fixture from Current USA. It fits inside the clear shield great. It's not an outstanding light by any means (I have the blue/white version) but there are full spectrum versions and it has a built in controller with remote for making a lighting schedule.

Easily grows softies and LPS for about $100

 

[Ober_Reef]

I'd keep the stock lights or remove the hood (I like no hood + mesh top) to better help with pH/oxygen. However, evaporation is not a concern for me as it might be for you.

Yeah the stock lights no longer work, I did some sort of LED combo when I last had it up and running and that no longer works as well.

 

[Ober_Reef]

Budget?

I don’t necessarily have one but I have put a lot of money into my 90 gallon this year so I don’t plan to go to crazy. I would like something that doesn’t necessarily limit me on what type of corals it can’t grow.

 

[pecan2phat]

With all the money that I've spent on retrofitting Biocube lighting with LEDs, my suggestion would be just to remove the top and mount one of the many choices of fixtures that are out there. What we always forget about is the excessive amount of heat trapped causing these type of tanks to run in the 80's unless aided with some type of auxiliary fan and condensation every time you lift the hood.

 

[Bpb]

I wouldn’t mess with the retrofit stuff. Seems to be a lot of complaints. I’d probably get an ai prime or hydra 32

 

[Spare time]

Yeah the stock lights no longer work, I did some sort of LED combo when I last had it up and running and that no longer works as well.

I misread and thought it was the stock led's my bad.

 

[Spare time]

With all the money that I've spent on retrofitting Biocube lighting with LEDs, my suggestion would be just to remove the top and mount one of the many choices of fixtures that are out there. What we always forget about is the excessive amount of heat trapped causing these type of tanks to run in the 80's unless aided with some type of auxiliary fan and condensation every time you lift the hood.

My Fluval evo had some serious heat issues at one point. I was new and panicked so I put an ice pack in to cool it down back to 80 or 78 haha. Everything was fine though

 

[Gorillareefer]

I took the hood off mine and installed a kessil a360x, best decision I’ve made on the tank.

 

[Tankkeepers]

I have the stock 32 biocube leds with the day night and color channels and it grows soft LPS and some sps just fine look at my build thread for proof I would recommend it to anyone as I should fit no problem

 

[Tankkeepers]

Good luck

 

[Ober_Reef]

I took the hood off mine and installed a kessil a360x, best decision I’ve made on the tank.

Awesome, definitely looks like you aren’t limited in your coral selection with that light!

 

[Gorillareefer]

Awesome, definitely looks like you aren’t limited in your coral selection with that light!

Definitely not. I have a variety of everything in there.

 

[jrmrleb]

I have the stock 32 biocube leds with the day night and color channels and it grows soft LPS and some sps just fine look at my build thread for proof I would recommend it to anyone as I should fit no problem

I need some help with this as well… I was thinking of upgrading my stock lights to Steve’s… but good grief they are expensive.. would absolutely appreciate it if you could help me with my stock hood if u have any secrets u would like to share with me. ?

 

[jaymondjedrie]

Hello Everyone,

Speed Test​

I‘m finally getting kicked out of my upstairs office and being forced into the basement. My second born child is 8 months old now and the transition of my office to his bedroom is a bit over due. In this switch I am moving down into our basement office area and I have an old biocube 32 from years back that has been sitting down there and waiting for me set up with my transition to the basement(my wife thinks of it as something to help me cope with the loss of a window outside). I would love to hear biocube 32 user recommendations for lighting. When I had the tank set up many years ago(maybe like 8-10 years back when I was around 21) the options were basically stock and a Steve’s LEDs lighting kit, I would like to hear everyone’s recommendation for a simple set up lighting option. I’m between removing the hood and keeping it and plan to to purchase a unit that fits in the hood or would attach to an arm of some kind.

Thanks for any input !

just fine look

 

[Katrina71]

+1 for Steve's LED

 

[saltyfins]

Hello Everyone,

I‘m finally getting kicked out of my upstairs office and being forced into the basement. My second born child is 8 months old now and the transition of my office to his bedroom is a bit over due. In this switch I am moving down into our basement office area and I have an old biocube 32 from years back that has been sitting down there and waiting for me set up with my transition to the basement(my wife thinks of it as something to help me cope with the loss of a window outside). I would love to hear biocube 32 user recommendations for lighting. When I had the tank set up many years ago(maybe like 8-10 years back when I was around 21) the options were basically stock and a Steve’s LEDs lighting kit, I would like to hear everyone’s recommendation for a simple set up lighting option. I’m between removing the hood and keeping it and plan to to purchase a unit that fits in the hood or would attach to an arm of some kind.

Thanks for any input !

I use Steve's lights, and I absolutely LOVE THEM