Help with Biocube 29 lighting upgrade

Mombo · May 12, 2017

So I have been reading about lighting upgrades that still allow me to utilize the lid of my first salt water tank the Biocube 29. Two of them I feel like I have narrowed it down to are these two.

Has anyone used either of these? Pro and Cons? Will one work better for me then the other. Will one work best for harder coral? Not much of a price difference. Although it looks like the Nanobox one would be easier to install....

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/NanoBox-Large-LED-Retrofit-Kit-PLUS-NB57343.htm

http://www.rapidled.com/copy-of-oceanic-biocube-29-dimmable-retrofit-aurora-puck-kit/

I am very new to salt water so I am not sure what I am looking for out of my lights and what is important to look at in the led ones. I am just barely about to put water in my first tank. So this is on my upgrade list in about 3 months but I am trying to learn as much as possible before I get one.

Of course if I missed one I should be considering please link it to me.

Chris8232 · May 12, 2017

http://www.stevesleds.com/Biocube-29-LED-System--Plug-and-Play_p_298.html

Mombo · May 13, 2017

I like that one as well. Although more expensive then the Nanobox one. Looks like its better built then the rapidled one likely. One thing I do like about the Nanobox one is that it includes the blue fish controller in its price vs having to pay an extra 60 to get it on the Steves one. Although maybe the hurricane controller it comes with naturally is sufficient. I assume it allows it to be dimmed down to where it needs to be.

Both seem to use Luxeon leds though. Nano has 2 less.

Anyone have any experience with any of these?

Chris8232 · May 13, 2017

I have Steve's on a 32 with the blue fish. Was very easy to install. You can dim two cannels, blues and mix of whites,red,green from 0-101% although it's not necessary to exceed 80% of both channels . I had my tank packed with Sps softy's Lps. I ended upgrading transferring every thing but the sand to a 60 cube,sump, with Hydra 26s.There is so many more options when you have a sump and for me a lot less frustrated to work on. Currently have the 32 set up with blues at 75% white mix at 55% with caribsea branch rock, lta,BTA, carpet,2clowns,yellow fin Wrasse,mp10, rio6,hydro ps,mini max with Bio ful,Marine pure. Chemi-pure. Runs 78°-80° anemones are healthy and growing.

Mombo · May 13, 2017

How long should the lights be running each day? I think I've narrowed it down to the Steve's or Nanobox set now.

Seems like they are pretty close in quality. Steve's seems to have a bit more power and the Nanobox seems to have the better controller built in.

One thing I'm thinking about though is I don't have a great temp probe. The Steve's kit has an option to add a temp probe to the light kit. So that's of interest.

Chris8232 · May 14, 2017

Idk about Steve's temp probe. I have a digital off of Amazon. Cheep I think two for $10. I have a tried-and-true 12" Laboratory thermometer I check for accuracy on all my tanks and water change temps. Far as light schedule you might want to keep around six hours after you cycle. Till you get stable nitrates and posphates other wise you might be fighting frustrating algae outbreaks. I have good flow run mine between 9-7 hours depending on my work schedule.

Reeferguy365 · May 14, 2017

Whatever you end up doing will be better than stock lighting but if you don't mind seeing a little box on top I would just cut a hole in the top of the lid and put a sb reef light on. That's what I did it's a lot cheaper. And works great.

Mombo · May 14, 2017

What does sb stand for? Or a link to the one you are using would be fine.

Reeferguy365 · May 14, 2017

https://sbreeflights.com/

Reeferguy365 · May 14, 2017

Reeferguy365 · May 14, 2017

That's the light that I'm using works great really strong tho so run at 10% for like a month then you can go stronger in the blues. The great thing about it is if you decide to go to a bigger tank you can use the light on the new tank it's rated for a much bigger tank then the bio cube. It has 3 watt LEDs or another really cool light is the orbit Marine LED it works great for the BioCube only a little cutting needed just take the two bulbs out cut the clear glass section that covered the two bulbs and it fits right in and it has a ramp up timer it's not that expensive either just not nearly as strong as the sb light

Scurvy · May 14, 2017

I have the Steves Kit in my 32 w/Bluefish. Very easy install but If i had to order again today i would not get Bluefish. I think the hurricane controller would be more than sufficient.

Im growing a little bit of everything in mine. Montis, Acros and softies all doing great but ive killed a few LPS. IDK, Maybe too much light?

Not the best images. Wifis down and cant manipulate color with Bluefish. Not sure thats an issue with the Hurricane.

Reeferguy365 · May 14, 2017

Bunnee911 · May 16, 2017

I used Prospectrum in California. Check eBay. I'm happy with them and everything is looking great. Got them just after the first of the year.

Holy_makerel · May 16, 2017

Reefguy420 said:

This has been working very well for me, except i got the wifi version. I removed the lid and had a glass top cut. I leave the back compartments open. I grow sps, lps, and zoas/shrooms no problem.

smokin'reefer · May 16, 2017

I did the Steve's on my cube. I did the diy kit and it was tricky. They don't give you 1.2.3. Directions. Your pulling different directions from all kinds of places to do it. It was a challenge even with an led nerd helping me. He swaps leds on gaming consoles and pretty much puts leds on anything and everything and we still struggled. We did get it done and had a great sense of accomplishment afterwards but the 3 or 4 hr job turned into 2 full days.
I got the typhoons controller and no problems with it after I figured out how to program.
If I had it to do over, I would leave it stock or remove the lid and do like some of the previous posters.
Just my .02.

Chris8232 · May 16, 2017

smokin'reefer said:
I did the Steve's on my cube. I did the diy kit and it was tricky. They don't give you 1.2.3. Directions. Your pulling different directions from all kinds of places to do it. It was a challenge even with an led nerd helping me. He swaps leds on gaming consoles and pretty much puts leds on anything and everything and we still struggled. We did get it done and had a great sense of accomplishment afterwards but the 3 or 4 hr job turned into 2 full days.
I got the typhoons controller and no problems with it after I figured out how to program.
If I had it to do over, I would leave it stock or remove the lid and do like some of the previous posters.
Just my .02.

+1 Knowing what I know now. Leave it as is. It is what it is. Or remove the lid save for later. Get a screen cover. Utilize HOB equipment. I would have never invested so much into cramming a light into the hood.

Mombo · May 17, 2017

I think I am leaning towards doing the sbreeflight sprite instead of the 16. Cheap and will do everything ill throw at it. Just dremel a hole in the lid and pop it in which will keep the wife happy.

Mombo · Jul 14, 2017

I got the top of my tank cut up and added the sprite to it. Now I have added some coral and making my way through the uglies. I posted an updated thread yesterday.

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/my-first-tank-progress-and-coral-questions.314855/

ctrimpey · Jun 17, 2020

Bunnee911 said:
I used Prospectrum in California. Check eBay. I'm happy with them and everything is looking great. Got them just after the first of the year.

Little late on this thread, but I am considering upgrading with ProSpectrum. What Wattage did you go for, do you have any pics? How are the lights run once installed, just with a normal on/off switch or something more in depth?