Buy a new tank or stick with the biocube?

GabeB · 07/19/2017, 12:59 PM

I ran a biocube for around 5ish years before just taking it down. It had its highs and lows and I want to put a tank back into action. I still have the biocube.. Should I use it or would you recommend buying a new larger tank and run a dedicated sump and the whole shebang. How would work load compare and how much harder/easier could I expect it to be. Any other comments would be nice as well! Thank you! Also if I went with a new tank what size would be recommended?

soulpatch · 07/19/2017, 01:06 PM

depends on what you want to do. You can have a nice small reef in a BC. I did for over a year till I upgraded to my 150. I like the added size for more corals and fish options and a sump is nice to have to hide equipment and add more stuff. That said there was a joy with the nano being so easy to maintain. water changes, feeding, and at the end some very light dosing. The 150 has a lot more going on and is significantly more expensive to run with pumps, lighting, salt usage, and the like. I wouldn't go back now but might set up a small nano in a hallway to bring back the low maintenance tank and perhaps have it be coral only...

Bill Nye · 07/19/2017, 02:02 PM

If you have room for a sump I think it would be a huge improvement. I kept AIO nanos for years growing up but once I set up a tank with a sump I would never go back.

Valentini89 · 07/19/2017, 02:38 PM

I would set up a new tank (have a nano now, saving for a 150g) so I know where you're coming from.. you could set up the BC and keep it as a quarantine, hospital tank, etc for your new tank.

GabeB · 07/20/2017, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soulpatch

depends on what you want to do. You can have a nice small reef in a BC. I did for over a year till I upgraded to my 150. I like the added size for more corals and fish options and a sump is nice to have to hide equipment and add more stuff. That said there was a joy with the nano being so easy to maintain. water changes, feeding, and at the end some very light dosing. The 150 has a lot more going on and is significantly more expensive to run with pumps, lighting, salt usage, and the like. I wouldn't go back now but might set up a small nano in a hallway to bring back the low maintenance tank and perhaps have it be coral only...

Maybe I'll set up the biocube and maybe look into a 150 for later.

JonCubb · 07/20/2017, 10:30 AM

I have a BC29 running now, and I'm planning a 120g, might get it going hopefully in a couple years. At that time, I will probably use the BC29 as a temporary frag tank or QT tank.

Valentini89 · 07/20/2017, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JonCubb

I have a BC29 running now, and I'm planning a 120g, might get it going hopefully in a couple years. At that time, I will probably use the BC29 as a temporary frag tank or QT tank.

Once I get my 150 up and running my 26 g will be a good q tank.

moondoggy4 · 07/20/2017, 07:15 PM

L X W X H =$$$

A great size to start with is a 40 breeder from Petco and a 20 L from Petco. Watch the MarineDepot video on there project tank. As a tank gets wider you need more lights, probably the most expensive part of the hobby.

Cubes are nice but the sumps are a PITA so building a rectangle stand with a larger sump and a cube on top is very nice.

07/19/2017, 12:59 PM	#1
GabeB Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: California Posts: 22	Buy a new tank or stick with the biocube? I ran a biocube for around 5ish years before just taking it down. It had its highs and lows and I want to put a tank back into action. I still have the biocube.. Should I use it or would you recommend buying a new larger tank and run a dedicated sump and the whole shebang. How would work load compare and how much harder/easier could I expect it to be. Any other comments would be nice as well! Thank you! Also if I went with a new tank what size would be recommended?

07/19/2017, 01:06 PM	#2
soulpatch Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Downingtown, PA Posts: 4,017	depends on what you want to do. You can have a nice small reef in a BC. I did for over a year till I upgraded to my 150. I like the added size for more corals and fish options and a sump is nice to have to hide equipment and add more stuff. That said there was a joy with the nano being so easy to maintain. water changes, feeding, and at the end some very light dosing. The 150 has a lot more going on and is significantly more expensive to run with pumps, lighting, salt usage, and the like. I wouldn't go back now but might set up a small nano in a hallway to bring back the low maintenance tank and perhaps have it be coral only... __________________ 150 SC tank build: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2550948 Some have bar tabs. I have a coral tab at my LFS. Life goals.

07/19/2017, 02:38 PM	#4
Valentini89 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Bay county, Fl Posts: 624	I would set up a new tank (have a nano now, saving for a 150g) so I know where you're coming from.. you could set up the BC and keep it as a quarantine, hospital tank, etc for your new tank. __________________ I have 1 1/2 years experience in this hobby. Take my advice with that in mind. Current Tank Info: 26g bowfront QT tank, -- 150g tall = http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2671045

07/19/2017, 02:02 PM	#3
Bill Nye Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: RI Posts: 627	If you have room for a sump I think it would be a huge improvement. I kept AIO nanos for years growing up but once I set up a tank with a sump I would never go back.

07/20/2017, 10:30 AM	#6
JonCubb Registered Member Join Date: May 2013 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 60	I have a BC29 running now, and I'm planning a 120g, might get it going hopefully in a couple years. At that time, I will probably use the BC29 as a temporary frag tank or QT tank.

07/20/2017, 07:15 PM	#8
moondoggy4 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: menifee So cal Posts: 11,042	L X W X H =$$$ A great size to start with is a 40 breeder from Petco and a 20 L from Petco. Watch the MarineDepot video on there project tank. As a tank gets wider you need more lights, probably the most expensive part of the hobby. Cubes are nice but the sumps are a PITA so building a rectangle stand with a larger sump and a cube on top is very nice.