BioCube + AI Nano Sol x 2 = Heat?

[Jmifland]

I recently purchased a Coralife BioCube 29 that I am going to be using to replace my 40B with 20H sump. The current display tank has two AI Nano Sol LED light fixtures and I was thinking about using them under the hood of the Coralife BioCube 29. I will also be replacing the stock fan and putting in the following fan set to help remove heat from the hood.

60mm Vantec Stealth Fan Kit - Rapid LED

I was going to drill a total of four holes through the hood and put in four bolts to suspend the AI Nano Sol fixtures so that none of the sides are touching anything. I was thinking that the built-in heatsink and fan plus the two extra 60mm fans pulling air out of the hood would be enough to remove any heat issues. I also wouldn't be using full intensity since the lights will be close to the water an I don't want to nuke any corals.

Do you think that I would have any issues with heat even with the current plan? Should I switch one of the fans to pull cool our from the outside and then the other to pull out from within the hood. I would like to avoid selling these to replace with a retro-fit kit as I really like these lights. I also don't want to remove the hood as I really like the look.

All suggestions are welcome!

 

[Jmifland]

Bump?

 

[KoleTang]

Why would you go from a 40breeder w/ sump to a biocube? I hated my biocube's filtration system. To make it have a good filter you will most likely need an aquamaxx HOB skimmer or an aqua c remora HOB skimmer.

You don't need two Sols over a biocube. Heat may not be the issue. The issue will be your corals being burned up.

Mounting the fixture in the hood is not a good way to use the sols because they would be 1.5"-2" off the water, where AI recommends 8"-12" off the water. Even if you dim the lights to 20% or less to not burn the corals, you will have coverage issues because they are so close to the water.

This is why people DIY Leds into their biocubes. The DIY kits a specifically designed to not burn the corals that close to the water and to have enough coverage for the tank.

You could get rid off the canopy, but then you would have the black rim. If you don't like the black rim, you could remove it, but it is borderline dangerous because biocubes are built with the bare minimum thickness of glass to support their 29 gallons of water. Without the rim you would be really pushing it and could have a disaster waiting to happen.

This is why I do not like the biocube because you have to bend over backwards and fork over a lot of money to get the only equipment that works for it. And the equipment is mediocre at best.

 

[Jmifland]

I don't have time to deal with the 40B anymore and I like the look of the BioCube. I already have the filtration settled, I have done extensive research and don't see any issue with this aquarium if treated correctly.

inTank Media Basket (Purigen and Chemi-Pure Elite)
Tunze 9002 Protein Skimmer

I also have a 150 Phosban Reactor that I can work into the back if needed but I don't think I'll have any problems. I used to have an AI Nano Sol over a Fluval Edge and I never once burned out a coral. I would go sell below 20% as even that is too high at that close. I have already put one into the hood and seen the coverage and it looks like it would be fine with two mounted within the hood.

I will probably go with stevesleds since you can dim them down below 15% unlike the rapidled version. I just didn't want to worry about selling two used AI Nano Sols.

 

[KoleTang]

Oh I did not see Nano Sols. So sorry.

Does the tunze fit in the back? I was under the impression that it did not.

 

[Jmifland]

Yes, the Tunze 9002 fits in the the second chamber with the inTank Media Basket.

This is a video straight from inTank's website that shows it fits.

BioCube 29 Filtration Upgrades by inTank - Installation - YouTube

I also already have the controller for the two AI Nano Sols and I know how to use them and would prefer to stick with them as I know they are keeping my corals alive and healthy. I am also moving into a new apartment that doesn't have a den but instead has a much larger living room and this aquarium will be in the corner of the room between the two couches. It is simple and elegant looking and I really needed to downsize with my current schedule.

Should I go ahead with the installation and purchase a small temperature probe from Home Depot and check what sort of temperatures I am reaching within the hood? I assume it would also be smart to fill the aquarium with fresh water and see what sort of heat it puts into the aquarium water itself. All this work is leaning me towards a retro-fit kit since I know they work.