BioCube 32 G or Peninsula AIO 20 G

[Manojkumar]

Hi All,
I am planning to get a new saltwater aquarium. Can you please suggest which is better ? BioCube 32 Gallon or Peninsula AIO 20 Gallon.
Thanks.

 

[xxkenny90xx]

Bigger is better imo!

 

[jtp7004ft]

I agree, bigger is better.
I'm happy with my 32 bio! It will be a gateway into a bigger tank though...... In time.

 

[Manojkumar]

I agree, bigger is better.
I'm happy with my 32 bio! It will be a gateway into a bigger tank though...... In time.

Thank you for the response. Is there a room to add ATO, Heater and Desktop skimmer in BioCube 32 Gallon?

 

[jtp7004ft]

The ATO I don't use. Yes to the others.

 

[Manojkumar]

The ATO I don't use. Yes to the others.

Hi.. can u pls tell wat heater & skimmer u use and in which chamber u placed both.
TIA.

 

[350DRVR]

Hi All,
I am planning to get a new saltwater aquarium. Can you please suggest which is better ? BioCube 32 Gallon or Peninsula AIO 20 Gallon.
Thanks.

I just got back into the hobby after a ten year break. I had a 120 mixed reef and also a 32 BioCube. I just started a WaterBox 25 Peninsula about two weeks ago. They both have pluses and minuse. the BioCube has a matching stand the WaterBox I have doesn’t. It just happens to fix perfectly on a room devider we have.
the BioCube had a lid with lighting which also helps keep a clean look and keeps the jumpers in the 25 Peninsula I’ll have to order a custom lid.
I do prefer the look of the peninsula and once our remodel is completed we are looking at a larger Peninsula for the downstair.

Glass is much easier to cleans and keep clean. My BioCube had some scratches over time.
Either choice you enjoy.

 

[Brady4000]

Hi.. can u pls tell wat heater & skimmer u use and in which chamber u placed both.
TIA.

Chamber 1: heater and skimmer
Chamber 2:filter floss, media and Refug
Chamber 3:UV, ATO, and Pump

hopes this helps, this is my setup on the Biocube 32

 

[mistergray]

Chamber 1: heater and skimmer
Chamber 2:filter floss, media and Refug
Chamber 3:UV, ATO, and Pump

hopes this helps, this is my setup on the Biocube 32

Do you mind sharing a picture of this? I'm considering buying the biocube 32 soon after all my saltwater tank research. What things do you have to buy day 1? OR basically, what does the biocube not have that I'll need immediately. Hopefully I'm asking the right question.

 

[Brady4000]

Do you mind sharing a picture of this? I'm considering buying the biocube 32 soon after all my saltwater tank research. What things do you have to buy day 1? OR basically, what does the biocube not have that I'll need immediately. Hopefully I'm asking the right question.

Sure take a look at my build thread. Click the banner next to my name.

edit:I have a video in there or you might find helpful

 

[Brady4000]

I ended up taking out my skimmer. One I didn’t need it due to having a Refug in such a small tank. Two it doesn’t work well with InTank set ups, Microbubbles leak into the main display. I contacted Coral life this is a common issue.

you could have it for free if you’re in Southern California, Temecula area.

 

[mistergray]

Sure take a look at my build thread. Click the banner next to my name.

edit:I have a video in there or you might find helpful

Awesome! I'm checking it out now. There's so much to learn. I know this is wishful thinking, but I hoped the tank would have everything I needed. I know.....I sound crazy. Lol!

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

As a Biocube owner, I would say the Biocube is pretty amazing. It definitely has its pluses and minuses like previously said. I would say there are more pluses than minuses though.

Pluses:
Pretty much all set up for you except for some basic things (ie heating, biological and chemical filtration. comes with one monthly replaceable mechanical filter)
Able to be modified easily
Awesome design
8x turnover rate

Minuses:
Quite a few modifications are going to be needed. inTank has a lot of good options for modifications.
Stand is ugly IMO and there’s not really any options for other stands besides DIY
Lights may not be strong enough for SPS, but softies and LPS should be fine.

I bought my Biocube from marineandreef.com in a bundle that I’ll link below. Highly recommend buying one of these two bundles if you get a Biocube. It’ll save you hundreds I promise.

Bundle with stand:

Coralife Size 32 LED BioCube Aquarium Deluxe Reef Package

Coralife Size 32 LED BioCube Aquarium Deluxe Reef Package

www.marineandreef.com

Bundle without stand (I bought this one):

Coralife Size 32 LED BioCube Aquarium Deluxe Reef Package WITHOUT Stand

The Coralife Size 32 LED BioCube Aquarium Deluxe Reef Package combines everything you will need to get your BioCube started. NO Stand.

www.marineandreef.com

Stability will be better in the Biocube because there will be less fluctuations in parameters. Bigger is better for reef tanks.

I hope my input helps. I’ll be happy to assist you with concerns.

 

[OrangeCountyReefer]

Don't get a biocube, I don't care what anyone says don't do it.

 

[Ocean’s Piece]

Don't get a biocube, I don't care what anyone says don't do it.

Have you ever had one? Or the peninsula? Just want to understand why you don’t like them.

 

[Manojkumar]

I have few questions about the nitrogen cycle and I am planning to get Dr.Tim's One & Only Live Nitrifying bacteria and ammonium chloride for the cycle. I understand that for first 24 hrs we should not run any filtration or skimmer. So from when I should run the filtration ? Can you please explain on the process.. as i am starting new tank I dont want to make any mistake that might affect the cycle

 

[Manojkumar]

Don't get a biocube, I don't care what anyone says don't do it.

Can you please tell why, so it will be helpful as we are in initial stage and we can look for alternatives.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

I have a biocube 32 and wouldn’t go for any other tank of the same size. The stock lights will grow literally anything I throw in there. After a brief break in period my biocube skimmer no longer produces those micro bubbles. I’m currently growing tons of softies and LPS and everything is doing fine at the one year mark. Coralife customer service is literally the best customer service in reefing. My old biocube cracked due to an unforeseen issue. They sent me a new one two day shipped with no questions. I bought a used biocube 16 that needed new fans and they shipped me two fans for free even though the tank is used. They’re the best customer service I’ve ever worked with.

 

[Zoa_Fanatic]

Can you please tell why, so it will be helpful as we are in initial stage and we can look for alternatives.

Most people who say this have never owned a biocube

 

[OrangeCountyReefer]

Can you please tell why, so it will be helpful as we are in initial stage and we can look for alternatives.

Many alterations will have to made in order to upgrade it. Getting a skimmer in it is a struggle, you will inevitably remove the lid to upgrade the light and add other mechanical filtertration. You have to make alterations to add a media basket. It has low resolution glass which is bowed so your pictures don't look good. I can go on and on, I have 4 tanks and one is biocube which I have had running for a long time and I can't wait to get rid of it. You can easily get a Innovative marine AIO tank and have a much more painless experience. People who have a biocubes will try to defend it but I really wish someone told me this before I bought my first tank so I didn't get it.