Is the Buocube stock too much?!?

legacy2mj · Jan 1, 2015

I have a coralife 29 gallon Buocube. I have always heard of a lot of people doing lighting upgrades because the stock isn't great. I don't have many issues with my corals but there are a few that are having issues. I keep a close eye on my water so that never becomes the issue. My lobo is completely bleached so I moved it lower and it doesn't really seem to be getting any better... And my large frogspawn still looks decently healthy, but it's green and purple (tips) have really reduced in color... Almost starting to look tan... I have read it may be too much light.... Has anybody had any experience with biocubes? Maybe I need to consider new lighting? I'm not sure

duke4130 · Jan 4, 2015

Most stock lighting on AIO systems is said to be "OK" for corals, not the best. Most beginner type coral do ok but others such as your lobo may not like the stock lighting. I had a Red Sea Max 130 and ran it with out the lid and used different lighting utilizing a behind tank hanging kit. Probably the best thing to do

saltyphish · Jan 4, 2015

I swapeed my stock lights out with the rapidled retro kit!

legacy2mj · Jan 8, 2015

saltyphish said:
I swapeed my stock lights out with the rapidled retro kit!

I really want a retro kit. I just dont want to have to fight much to install it. I dont know how hard they are to install. From the pictures online it looks like quite the project.

Rjramos · Jan 8, 2015

legacy2mj said:
I really want a retro kit. I just dont want to have to fight much to install it. I dont know how hard they are to install. From the pictures online it looks like quite the project.

I have a 29 biocube right now with stock Power compacts. Everything is doing alright but more light would be better. I'm about to upgrade to the RapidLED. They have one that requires no welding and installation seems pretty straight forward.

ImageUploadedByREEF2REEF1420776918.341463.jpg

legacy2mj · Jan 9, 2015

Biocube 29 LED Light System - Extreme SPS! - Steve's LEDs, discount DIY LED supplies

this one really doesnt seem bad at all. it comes assembled and you can choose the combination you want. Does anybody have any experience with this?

legacy2mj · Jan 9, 2015

Rjramos said:
I have a 29 biocube right now with stock Power compacts. Everything is doing alright but more light would be better. I'm about to upgrade to the RapidLED. They have one that requires no welding and installation seems pretty straight forward.

what is that your using to stick your frag plugs down with?

saltyphish · Jan 9, 2015

They charge extra for that option and it is only 90% complete. You would still need to gut the hood and mount the unit. IMO the retro kit install was pretty simple but I am a DIY/ electrician/ jack of all trades. It is a shame you don't live near me I would gladly help you with the conversion. As it is to simplify the install with the rapidled kit you can get solderless leds and connections so you don't need to worry about soldering. I found the instructions very detailed with pictures making it easy to follow. I can not elaborate much on the Steve's kit since I went with the rapid. Not knocking the other brand just chose the rapidled kit. Both have great reviews. I can help walk you through it if you decide to go with the rapidled kit. Good luck.

legacy2mj said:
Biocube 29 LED Light System - Extreme SPS! - Steve's LEDs, discount DIY LED supplies

this one really doesnt seem bad at all. it comes assembled and you can choose the combination you want. Does anybody have any experience with this?

legacy2mj · Jan 9, 2015

saltyphish said:
They charge extra for that option and it is only 90% complete. You would still need to gut the hood and mount the unit. IMO the retro kit install was pretty simple but I am a DIY/ electrician/ jack of all trades. It is a shame you don't live near me I would gladly help you with the conversion. As it is to simplify the install with the rapidled kit you can get solderless leds and connections so you don't need to worry about soldering. I found the instructions very detailed with pictures making it easy to follow. I can not elaborate much on the Steve's kit since I went with the rapid. Not knocking the other brand just chose the rapidled kit. Both have great reviews. I can help walk you through it if you decide to go with the rapidled kit. Good luck.

I looked at the rapid LEDs too.. basically I was just looking for the most simple install and a great lighting system. if it has a pretty easy to follow set of instructions then im not worried about it too much. I saw on the rapid LEDs it would require a reef dimmer, thats not included? Also, the options to choose between such as driver type looks a bit confusing as to I have no idea what that does.

saltyphish · Jan 9, 2015

Not sure if you have a coralife, or a oceanic biocube. If its new then most likely a coralife anyways this set right here has everything you need I recommend choosing the the storm controller with the kit then you have to use the meanwell drivers but they are nice because you can get the ones with the board where you just push the drivers in the socket. Coralife Biocube 29 Dimmable Retrofit Kit - Rapid LED also here is the same kit but with the solderless connections http://www.rapidled.com/solderless-coralife-biocube-29-dimmable-retrofit-kit/.

legacy2mj said:
I looked at the rapid LEDs too.. basically I was just looking for the most simple install and a great lighting system. if it has a pretty easy to follow set of instructions then im not worried about it too much. I saw on the rapid LEDs it would require a reef dimmer, thats not included? Also, the options to choose between such as driver type looks a bit confusing as to I have no idea what that does.

legacy2mj · Jan 9, 2015

saltyphish said:
Not sure if you have a coralife, or a oceanic biocube. If its new then most likely a coralife anyways this set right here has everything you need I recommend choosing the the storm controller with the kit then you have to use the meanwell drivers but they are nice because you can get the ones with the board where you just push the drivers in the socket. Coralife Biocube 29 Dimmable Retrofit Kit - Rapid LED also here is the same kit but with the solderless connections http://www.rapidled.com/solderless-coralife-biocube-29-dimmable-retrofit-kit/.

I do have a coralife. that was the same one I was looking at. Its pretty simple to install? Whats the difference between the storm and the storm X?

saltyphish · Jan 9, 2015

more channels, more levels of dimming, and the back light shuts off. Doubt you need all of that, but you know better

legacy2mj · Jan 11, 2015

saltyphish said:
more channels, more levels of dimming, and the back light shuts off. Doubt you need all of that, but you know better

Ok quick question. I'm looking to place my order for the LED dimmable retrofit kit... My 2 questions are
1) driver type
- D (1-10V analog)
- P (PWM)
- LDD-H-4 + LDD H drivers + SE 350-48 power supply

I have no idea which of the above to choose...

And, is the full spectrum light combo better for coral growth and health then the standard combo?

saltyphish · Jan 11, 2015

Depends on a few factors. Are you using a controller for the lights ex. Apex, or the Storm Controller they offer?

legacy2mj · Jan 11, 2015

saltyphish said:
Depends on a few factors. Are you using a controller for the lights ex. Apex, or the Storm Controller they offer?

Storm

saltyphish · Jan 11, 2015

That one, it comes with a board with 4 sockets to plug the drivers in instead of having to run power to each individual driver.

saltyphish · Jan 11, 2015

sorry LDD-H-4 + LDD H drivers + SE 350-48 power supply

legacy2mj · Jan 11, 2015

saltyphish said:
sorry LDD-H-4 + LDD H drivers + SE 350-48 power supply

So the LDD with the storm will be good? Will this come with everything I need for a complete install. It mentions a potentiometer or reef controller.... Will I need to get one of these also?

saltyphish · Jan 11, 2015

The storm controller is the potentiometer/light controller. The meanwell ldd drivers are the only ones that work with the storm. The D (1-10V analog) drivers are used for the apex controller I believe. The kit comes with everything you need, but I would add some extra wire.

Rjramos · Jan 31, 2015

saltyphish said:
The storm controller is the potentiometer/light controller. The meanwell ldd drivers are the only ones that work with the storm. The D (1-10V analog) drivers are used for the apex controller I believe. The kit comes with everything you need, but I would add some extra wire.

Hey hope all is well! I finally installed the rapidLED in my biocube29! Been running them for about 2 weeks now with awesome results...some of the corals that weren't doing so good with PC's have taken off! I went with same as you, storm controller with LDD drivers. I wanted to ask you, how are you programming your storm? Are you using the Latitude/longitude and offset feature which automatically adjust sunrise/sunset to your location? With ohio coordinates, or perhaps some tropical location coordinates, so they stay on longer? Also, from 0-254 I believe it is, How high are you setting your whites/blues? Have you placed a PAR meter in your tank to measure? Curious to know if running full power would be too much on a biocube 29?