Replacement light suggestions for Biocube 32

[.-=Jord=-.]

I'm looking into upgrading my biocube 32 lights and would like suggestions. Currently looking into Steve's Leds or Hydra 26. I would like to keep the current lid but I am open to modifying it. Possibly open to removing the lid.

Let me know your thought and experiences. Thanks

 

[Flexin]

Is this the 32 led bio cube? Did something happen to the stock lights?

 

[.-=Jord=-.]

Is this the 32 led bio cube? Did something happen to the stock lights?

Yes it comes with leds but they aren't very good for coral growth in my opinion. So I was looking for something with more par and more controllable.

 

[JoshH]

Steves LEDs and nanobox are the most common ones. A Hydra 26 would be good as well, but probably not inside the hood. I would suggest if you wanted to go in hood route Steve's LEDs will give you the best spread.

 

[Bob2bob Verified Admin]

Nanobox used to do Biocube mods. I use RapidLed Corona's but you might have to take the lid off. Rapid also has a bunch of DIY stuff to add on. You can email them and they are really responsive.

Both are controllable with wifi and apps. I've used both.

 

[Scurvy]

Very happy with my Steves kit if you plan to keep the hood. My only gripe is heat. The tank will get up over 81 degrees if I dont intervene amd prop open the hood with a small fan.

Thats not the lights fault though and more the design of the hood. If you go topless your options are endless.
You could also modify the hood to accept any LED if you have the right tools and some DIY skills. This is an old one i looked at when i was in your shoes.

 

[Flexin]

I always hear people say they don’t grow corals well, however, it’s normally because they have a newer tank. I happen to gently disagree with the assessment that the stock lights don’t work well. Just sharing since you asked for opinions. Personally, in addition to the lights working well, I like the clean look of the cube. Removing the top looks to unfinished JMO. Again, just sharing with what you can do with the stock lights.

 

[.-=Jord=-.]

I always hear people say they don’t grow corals well, however, it’s normally because they have a newer tank. I happen to gently disagree with the assessment that the stock lights don’t work well. Just sharing since you asked for opinions. Personally, in addition to the lights working well, I like the clean look of the cube. Removing the top looks to unfinished JMO. Again, just sharing with what you can do with the stock lights.

The stock lights have done ok for my lps but my sps not so much.

 

[Flexin]

How old is your tank? What are the water parameters?

 

[Flexin]

SPS are unforgiving. I have them at the top, mid and bottom of the tank. Respectfully, it is not the light.

It depends on what you have in the tank that may give the SPS a hard time in addition to water quality. I’m no SPS expert, I just do my bi weekly water changes, change media and stir up the sand. No dosing besides performing water changes. You may want to, if you don’t already, monitor water parameters more closely to target your challenge. Also, some corals may grow in your tank and others won’t, meaning some sps may and other sps may not. Someone with a 10 year tank once told me that. Montis grow like a week in my tank, I’ve taken out huge frags since this tank has been running 2/2017. Now hammers, can’t get them to grow in my tank. So, I found so many other things that do

 

[.-=Jord=-.]

SPS are unforgiving. I have them at the top, mid and bottom of the tank. Respectfully, it is not the light.

It depends on what you have in the tank that may give the SPS a hard time in addition to water quality. I’m no SPS expert, I just do my bi weekly water changes, change media and stir up the sand. No dosing besides performing water changes. You may want to, if you don’t already, monitor water parameters more closely to target your challenge. Also, some corals may grow in your tank and others won’t, meaning some sps may and other sps may not. Someone with a 10 year tank once told me that. Montis grow like a week in my tank, I’ve taken out huge frags since this tank has been running 2/2017. Now hammers, can’t get them to grow in my tank. So, I found so many other things that do

Well I know that according to coralife the max par that this unit will put out is 80. Definently not enough in my opinion. As far as my water perimeters go they are spot on, not the issues. What I'm looking for is alternative lighting with more par and controllable and peoples experience or suggestions.

 

[Flexin]

Seems to be enough. But, ok.. have fun..

 

[BantyRooster97]

I have a biocube 32 with the RapidLED upgrade & it grows everything & super easy to work with.

 

[DesertReefT4r]

80 Par is not enough for most sps.

I can remember when you had 1 choice of lighting in a BioCube and NanoCube, PC/Power compact, that was it. Then the 150w HQI model was released. DIY LED and some LED retro kits became popular.

 

[jisc]

I always hear people say they don’t grow corals well, however, it’s normally because they have a newer tank. I happen to gently disagree with the assessment that the stock lights don’t work well. Just sharing since you asked for opinions. Personally, in addition to the lights working well, I like the clean look of the cube. Removing the top looks to unfinished JMO. Again, just sharing with what you can do with the stock lights.

What’s your light schedule?

 

[Flexin]

@jisc i will get that schedule for you tomorrow. More than happy to share

I may simply have to add in my tag line “It’s not the light”...

 

[jisc]

Thanks. I’ve played around w my stock led schedule and curios to see yours. I’ve been running the whites for 4 hours, channel 2 blues for 10 hrs. Considered Steve’s upgrade but held off so far.
Share your other secret too. Ha!

Like the look of hood and have 3 young kids. Nerf darts would get in there without it

 

[Michael Llabona]

I have 2 ai primes on mine. It just finished cycling. I plan on still using my hood. I will basically cut a large hole into the hood. I also plan on modifying a mesh top where I cut the large hole. It will probably look similar to the hqi models but with mesh and with leds. If it looks like **** I may just go without the lid. I like the ai line. Nice and easy to customize. I will be setting up a clown and nem only tank. I Luckily already had the lights around. BTW at 75% blues and 30% white and 0% on green and red I was getting in the mid 200s at the top of my Rock work. 5in or so below surface. Im sure the Hydra will be similar. I'm sure if I ramped it up I would get in the 400s. I agree that although lighting is important for SPS. A mature tank/rock is most important for corals. Since I'm doing a nem tank I only wanted 100-300 par.

 

[Flexin]

@jisc

My Schedule:
Channel 1: 12pm on, 5pm off
Channel 2: 9:30am on, 8:30pm off
Channel 3: 9:15am on, 10:45ppm off

My Nitrates are between 10 and 16. I had to move one SPS down to the bottom because it was bleaching at the top and it was happy there. The other encrusting one at the top seemed to love it there (that one was a leftover after someone fragged it and was flat initially). It grew from there. And the monti in the middle was two small pieces and simply grew huge. I was taking chunks back to the store for credit. I use RODI, instant ocean (I change to salinity about four months ago). bi weekly water changes, no dosing. The tank is a year and 4 months old this June. My second tank has nitrates stuck at 0 and for me, everything is growing slow. Hope this helps, but I'm not endorsing the salts, just sharing what I've been using.

 

[Fir3ant]

@jisc

My Schedule:
Channel 1: 12pm on, 5pm off
Channel 2: 9:30am on, 8:30pm off
Channel 3: 9:15am on, 10:45ppm off

My Nitrates are between 10 and 16. I had to move one SPS down to the bottom because it was bleaching at the top and it was happy there. The other encrusting one at the top seemed to love it there (that one was a leftover after someone fragged it and was flat initially). It grew from there. And the monti in the middle was two small pieces and simply grew huge. I was taking chunks back to the store for credit. I use RODI, instant ocean (I change to salinity about four months ago). bi weekly water changes, no dosing. The tank is a year and 4 months old this June. My second tank has nitrates stuck at 0 and for me, everything is growing slow. Hope this helps, but I'm not endorsing the salts, just sharing what I've been using.

Did u see lots of growth with this light schedule? I slowly got mine there to what You have yours..