Hello everyone! I am looking at getting a saltwater aquarium and I'm thinking about going with a package starter kit. The follow link has everything that it comes with and I was wondering what your opinions are on this. Should I get just the tank and get a different skimmer or should I get that and other stuff? All recommonedations are helpful. Thank you!
Coralife Biocube 32G Complete Package, any recommendations?
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pdt7361
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I used to run a Biocube and loved it. You didn't include a link, so we can't see which skimmer you are referring to. Assuming it is the small coralife or aquaticlife, then it usually works well and did for me.
I like that the new ones come with the LED hood, but if you are going to want many corals, you could still have to change them out....they are low wattage and in my opinion, they include too much red.
What kind of additional flow and potentially filtration (in chamber 2) are you looking to do?
I like that the new ones come with the LED hood, but if you are going to want many corals, you could still have to change them out....they are low wattage and in my opinion, they include too much red.
What kind of additional flow and potentially filtration (in chamber 2) are you looking to do?
I’m sorry about not posting the link!
https://www.marineandreef.com/Coralife_BioCube_Size_32_COMPLETE_REEF_PACKAGE_p/res95666.htm
Also, I’m also not sure about what additional flow/filtration I could do. I saw that people were talking about the different chambers and they were adding some different things; could you explain that a little? And what lighting would you recommend? I plan on having corals and anemones once I get the tank established enough. 6 months is what I usually see people saying to wait on for corals, but why can’t I after all of the cycles go through?
https://www.marineandreef.com/Coralife_BioCube_Size_32_COMPLETE_REEF_PACKAGE_p/res95666.htm
Also, I’m also not sure about what additional flow/filtration I could do. I saw that people were talking about the different chambers and they were adding some different things; could you explain that a little? And what lighting would you recommend? I plan on having corals and anemones once I get the tank established enough. 6 months is what I usually see people saying to wait on for corals, but why can’t I after all of the cycles go through?
Pntbll687
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Coralife is a good brand.
The basic biocube is a great place to start. And that package seems to be a decent price, and includes what you need to start.
You don't have to wait 6 months for corals, they can be added after the cycle, but t only add a few small frags your ok with losing in case something goes wrong. Anemone you should wait and establish the tank and make sure you have stable parameters.
I didn't see any details on the light for the tank. Double check to see if they are strong enough to support the corals you want.
As for extra flow, one power head should be good. You can always upgrade the pump and do dual returns in the tank for even more flow.
The basic biocube is a great place to start. And that package seems to be a decent price, and includes what you need to start.
You don't have to wait 6 months for corals, they can be added after the cycle, but t only add a few small frags your ok with losing in case something goes wrong. Anemone you should wait and establish the tank and make sure you have stable parameters.
I didn't see any details on the light for the tank. Double check to see if they are strong enough to support the corals you want.
As for extra flow, one power head should be good. You can always upgrade the pump and do dual returns in the tank for even more flow.
Krzydmnd
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Hi! I run a biocube 32 and can provide you with some feedback.
The kit you're looking at isn't necessarily a bad deal but here are a few things to consider...
1. The biocube stand is poor quality for something designed to hold so much weight. I had to reinforce mine with a bunch of L and corner brackets and others have constructed a new back panel our of wood instead of the flimsy cardboard that comes with it.
2. A skimmer isn't really necessary for such a small tank as long as you are diligent with weekly water changes. And the one in the kit is very low quality and a hassle to use.
3. If you want to get serious about coral then you're going to want to upgrade the lighting. The stock lights are fine for fish and Hardy soft coral but not ideal for much more than that. I upgraded to Steve's LED kit and can say with confidence that it is the single best upgrade I have made to my tank. It's expensive at $300 but you would not regret it.
4. The stock media rack is certainly acceptable however a better option is the InTank media basket for around $60.
5. The stock setup would also benefit from more flow via powerheads. They can range from $25 to $200 depending on brand and features. I'd recommend at least one cheap one to start with. I eventually got an MP10 and can day that it is the second best upgrade I made to my tank.
There are still various items that you'll need to get a tank up and running and that kit includes some very basic options that could be upgraded easily for a few more $$ (like a salinity refractometer vs. That floating version in the kit).
This all said, It would definitely get you started if that is the top end of your budget for now!
Feel free to PM me with any pre or post purchase questions if you end up with the Biocube!
Here is mine at the six month mark... I am successfuly growing LPS and various SPS including acropora and I absolutely love this tank after the upgrades I have made.
So I was getting that package because it had a lot of the basics. Do you think it would be beneficial to buy all of it individually then or get started with that and stick with very easy-to-care for, hardy, corals until I get a nicer lighting setup. Also, I will have to get the power head for it. The stand I was already going to put a back piece that is all wood to make it more sturdy.
pdt7361
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As mentioned above, you don't have to wait 6 months for corals - just the anemone. Depending upon type of coral, you'll definitely want to look at a different lighting option. There are LOTS of ways people have modified their BioCubes to upgrade the lighting - Steve's LEDs, cutting a whole in the top and mounting an AI Prime, taking the top off to do open with a Kessil or Radion - really the options are endless. As you can see in my pics below, I opted for a DYI method and re-did the lighting myself.
For the stand - while the flimsy back to the stand isn't ideal, the stand itself is more than enough to support the BC. It actually takes very little wood to support hundreds and hundreds of pounds - but if you want to add a couple of L brackets for piece of mind, then that is cheap enough to do.
For the skimmer - it seems to be really hit and miss on what people think about the BioCube skimmers. Even with small weekly water changes, I still think it is a good thing to have - mine pulls out plenty of thick, nasty sh** so it is worth every dollar. The challenge is to just get it dialed in correctly. Here are a couple pics from my BC.
John3
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I have the older 29g version and the only thing I use at this point is the actual tank. I removed the hood for a Radion light. I use a aqua max skimmer. I swapped out the return pump for a higher rated one. I added 2 smaller power heads. I do use the stand which I think was ok quality. I don’t use any of the filtration stuff that came with the tank, just some filter floss and the skimmer.
Personally I like the tank but would rather pick out the other stuff on my own. While the stock stuff and coralline stuff is ok you will find your going to upgrade it.
Also I think a good skimmer makes all the difference. My corals didn’t start to really thrive until I got a good skimmer.
Personally I like the tank but would rather pick out the other stuff on my own. While the stock stuff and coralline stuff is ok you will find your going to upgrade it.
Also I think a good skimmer makes all the difference. My corals didn’t start to really thrive until I got a good skimmer.
To PDT, I will definitely look at different lighting options. I also really like your setup, what type of powerheads do you have? I haven't looked any yet but I need to.
To John, I've been considering a different protein skimmer so I will look into the aqua max skimmer as well. John, do you still do small weekly water changes or what does your water change routine look like?
To John, I've been considering a different protein skimmer so I will look into the aqua max skimmer as well. John, do you still do small weekly water changes or what does your water change routine look like?
John3
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I change 4g a week. I do need to dose alk to keep it stable between changes. The aquamax ws1 fits fine in the middle chamber but I don’t know if it fits with the hood. I am really impressed with it, it’s built really well and works. I had a hydor slimskim and IMO it was junk. Here are some pics under blue and white. Some of the corals are “laying around” a bit waiting for final placement.
I could probably dose calcium and get away with longer water change periods but I figure it’s 4g and it adds some piece of mind doing them every week.
I could probably dose calcium and get away with longer water change periods but I figure it’s 4g and it adds some piece of mind doing them every week.
LanM
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I think you can find better pricing if yoy shop around. foster&smith just had the intermediate (better led's than the one in your link), with stand for $311 shipped. The rest of the stuff on that list can be had for about 140 bucks, but I'd take the aqualife 115 over the coralife skimmer. I compared them running in person yesterday.
Jeff_Toronto
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Doing again I would skip the skimmer on the 32. I have the coralife and fits fine on the 32 in the heater chamber with a Cobalt slim heater. Çheck the skimmer you get to make sure fits in whatever chamber you are going to put it in. Coralife can be frustration. Finnicky on getting airflow just right and swapped out stock air adjuster for something with better control. Also the capacity sucks in a small skimmer and find I spend most of the time emptying it out so have it connected to controller and don't run 24x7. Also being an air stone driven skimmer having to clean and replace airstone a pain. I'd say skip the skimmer on this tank. Personal opinion
Jeff_Toronto
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But LOVE my biocube 32
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Keep in mind that many people upgrade in the saltwater hobby due to limited stock options. Personally I would go as cheap as possible on this build since you will want to save the really big $ for a large setup later down the road. Unless of course you are really limited on space.
ArifTurzo
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1. How many power heads I will need? I have a small one now. 425 gpm
2. Dosage: do I need to dose ak and calcium? Then how much.
My setup.
1. Basic rerun pump
2. Coralife skimmer and heater in the first chamber.
3. 2nd chamber has two media basket. First basket has filter pads, blue chemipure, and stone cubes. Second chamber has the refugeum with chateo algae and the light on the back wall.
4. The third chamber has the coralife UV staralizer with the return pum connected.
Pntbll687
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Looking good!
I would keep going with what you have for a while before going for sps.
Let the system mature, become established, and see how the coral you have grow.
This will give you plenty of time to research lights for sps and what variety you want to stock.
You could go with T5's or LED, or maybe even a combo.
Depending on the light, you may have to remove the lid.
I just started keeping sps last year, it's not as complicated as some people make it out to be. I started with some plating montipora and a single bird's nest frag. The montipora grows much faster, and is pretty cool to see the changes.
Just take your time to plan things out. Making hasty decisions rarely turns out the way we want.
I would keep going with what you have for a while before going for sps.
Let the system mature, become established, and see how the coral you have grow.
This will give you plenty of time to research lights for sps and what variety you want to stock.
You could go with T5's or LED, or maybe even a combo.
Depending on the light, you may have to remove the lid.
I just started keeping sps last year, it's not as complicated as some people make it out to be. I started with some plating montipora and a single bird's nest frag. The montipora grows much faster, and is pretty cool to see the changes.
Just take your time to plan things out. Making hasty decisions rarely turns out the way we want.
J_serrano92
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I decided to go with the new biocube 32g for my first tank. I also bought the all in one kit package from marineandreef.com
1. The coral life skimmer sucks. It fills up with water everyday. I might go buy a new skimmer after this post. I decided to just not even use it as it is such a hassle.
2. I bought the inTank media basket. It’s really overpriced since it’s just plastic , but I do recommend the purchase. Keeps everything nice and tight. I am using floss, the carbon package which comes with the bundle, and phos guard.
3.With the kit from Marine and reef, I received the Akamai WiFi power head. Man I had some issues with connectivity but once I figured it out by reading other r2r forum posts it works great. Still trying to figure out where exactly to put it. I feel like my 2 little clowns get wrecked by it + the return pump might be too much for them and my alveopora. (I would love suggestions on this)
4.The ATO system that comes in the package works really good, but might be unnecessary as we have a closed off hood.
5. I am really learning the hard way to do more research on the coral and their needs. Too bad the guys at my LFS didn’t tell me to slow my roll with buying my coral, I spend like $200-$300 per a trip to the store. Plus I ended up on World wide corals after a few drinks and next thing I knew I bought $600 worth of coral from all different spectrums SPS,LPS and softies. I have only had 1 casualty so far.
6.Does anyone else thing glueing coral is a act of god? I ended up cracking multiple monti’s, breaking the aquascape, glue everywhere. Sometimes I rather just keep them on their frag chips.
7. Been looking at new lights but my tank is still young probably only 3 months now, should I hold off on investing in new lights?Leaning towards Steve led since I can keep the hood on.(I like the hood, so the lights don’t light up my whole living room, as I think they would if I used a overhead kessil), plus I have a dog and I don’t want hair in the tank. Any recommendations on this would be great!
8. Learned that I should feed my coral. Just bought some nano reef roids, decided to try broadcast feed since it’s much easier, only used it for a week, hopefully I see some changes.
9. dang I wish I had a unlimited amount of money cuz I really enjoy this hobby and non stop learning...I still don’t know crap! Haha. Just going through trial and error at the moment.
1. The coral life skimmer sucks. It fills up with water everyday. I might go buy a new skimmer after this post. I decided to just not even use it as it is such a hassle.
2. I bought the inTank media basket. It’s really overpriced since it’s just plastic , but I do recommend the purchase. Keeps everything nice and tight. I am using floss, the carbon package which comes with the bundle, and phos guard.
3.With the kit from Marine and reef, I received the Akamai WiFi power head. Man I had some issues with connectivity but once I figured it out by reading other r2r forum posts it works great. Still trying to figure out where exactly to put it. I feel like my 2 little clowns get wrecked by it + the return pump might be too much for them and my alveopora. (I would love suggestions on this)
4.The ATO system that comes in the package works really good, but might be unnecessary as we have a closed off hood.
5. I am really learning the hard way to do more research on the coral and their needs. Too bad the guys at my LFS didn’t tell me to slow my roll with buying my coral, I spend like $200-$300 per a trip to the store. Plus I ended up on World wide corals after a few drinks and next thing I knew I bought $600 worth of coral from all different spectrums SPS,LPS and softies. I have only had 1 casualty so far.
6.Does anyone else thing glueing coral is a act of god? I ended up cracking multiple monti’s, breaking the aquascape, glue everywhere. Sometimes I rather just keep them on their frag chips.
7. Been looking at new lights but my tank is still young probably only 3 months now, should I hold off on investing in new lights?Leaning towards Steve led since I can keep the hood on.(I like the hood, so the lights don’t light up my whole living room, as I think they would if I used a overhead kessil), plus I have a dog and I don’t want hair in the tank. Any recommendations on this would be great!
8. Learned that I should feed my coral. Just bought some nano reef roids, decided to try broadcast feed since it’s much easier, only used it for a week, hopefully I see some changes.
9. dang I wish I had a unlimited amount of money cuz I really enjoy this hobby and non stop learning...I still don’t know crap! Haha. Just going through trial and error at the moment.
J_serrano92
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J_serrano92
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100% go with steve’s. i did and i’m so glad. it won’t evaporate much so an ato isn’t really necessary. i love my bc32.
