JBJ vs Biocube

[Tippfish]

I know this is the JBJ form, but I will throw it out there. My 12 yr old son wants to spend some paper route money and get a nano. Some zoas and a couple of softies maybe 2 clowns. What are pros and cons of JBJ vs Coralife? He wants 28-30 gal range.

We would appreciate all comments.

And... If anyone has a Nano cube or Biocube in good condition they don't need anymore, let us know.

Thanks

 

[ajones2n]

Jbj 30 rimless

 

[Tippfish]

No more opinions/ comments??? Bump

 

[saltyphish]

I own a 29 biocube love it! But, wish I had bought something else. If you don't need to do much upgrading then sure why not. But if you plan on upgrading the lights and such go a different direction imo. Naturally, I had to do the upgrades and for the money spent could have got more for less. For me it was a way back into the hobby without upsetting the wife too much.

 

[glb]

I have a jbj 12g nano and love it. You can upgrade the cube systems with new lights, filtration, etc. when I get a bigger tank I'll use this as my quarantine tank. I mounted the lid above the tank to make more room for equipment.

 

[Hellsinki]

for a kid, the biocube might be a good turn-key solution. I'd scour craigslist for a killer deal.

 

[Lonely reefer's]

Biocube open top is nice too

 

[Tippfish]

Great looking cube! Really shows the potential. Is that a kessil above? My boy's cube could double as Dad's frag tank [emoji6]

 

[Tippfish]

Thanks for all of the feedback everyone

 

[Lonely reefer's]

Yes sir kessil w350
Tunze ATo & tunze nano skimmer at rear compart

 

[Tippfish]

How do you like that skimmer?

 

[Lonely reefer's]

It alright with low bio load
I do 5g water change every week
Therefore the skimmer not pickup much waste
For the skimmer to work properly,the water level has to be consistent ATO is a must

 

[Tippfish]

Thanks for the feedback

 

[softy]

I have the JBJ 12g and the 28g nano cubes... I really like them. I have never owned a BioCube, so i cannot attest to the quality or layout of those. I have loved my JBJ and it has done really well for zoas and some other like condition corals with minimal upgrades. I recommend purchasing the inTank media basket for it. Great product and the design forces the water through your media.

Here are a couple pics of my 12g. My 28 is still cycling.

 

[redfishbluefish]

I can't compare the two because I only own a JBJ 28.....and here are my comments about the JBJ:

1. I don't like the stock stand. When using a MAG float to clean the glass, the stand sways back and forth. Doesn't seem very stable.

2. Prefer the LED lights. Otherwise you'll need a chiller to keep the tank cool.

 

[diablomaster9045]

Over my experiance, I have had a JBJ 24, BC 29, BC 14, and a BC 8. The JBJ was ok cept the pump kept failing. The 29g biocube I bought used and worked for about 3 years and then the front pane cracked. The 14g biocube I have been using for 6 years now and still works great. Did an LED retro on the 14 biocube. And the 8g I took down a year ago but still works. Had it for 8 years now.

 

[Up2no6ood]

Look for something used! They are both great tanks! Save your coin for livestock.

 

[glb]

I have the JBJ 12g and the 28g nano cubes... I really like them. I have never owned a BioCube, so i cannot attest to the quality or layout of those. I have loved my JBJ and it has done really well for zoas and some other like condition corals with minimal upgrades. I recommend purchasing the inTank media basket for it. Great product and the design forces the water through your media.

Here are a couple pics of my 12g. My 28 is still cycling.

Beautiful tank!

 

[JUSTINSREEF]

Biocube open top is nice too
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That is nice I need to get that light

 

[JerryO]

My first Cube was a 24g JBJ with power compacts. I then purchased the JBJ 28g LED Pro and love it. The nice part about the 28g LED is the rear filter chamber is not closed off by the hood, so a lot of possiblities for various types of HOB filtration options. Also has a chamber for the heater. An Aquamaxx HOB Skimmer fits great, but had to make a slight modification to allow the hood to open properly, just had to cut the overflow tube about 1/2 inch from the base of the skimmer, and works great. I also found a guy in Colorado that sells individual LED Diodes in various colors and was able to solder on a mixture that creates a great spectrum. SPS, Clams and BTA's grow like crazy now.