getting a BioCube aquarium?
so im getting a BioCube 14 in the next week and i plan on doiing nano reef type setup with live sand and live rock and coral and fish and inverts. So i was wondering if there was any neccesary extras i need for my future setup. I need to get the biocube protein skimmer right? and i would need a heater right? Dont BioCubes have departments for certain stuff like so you can customize it?
also do you think a piece of Ikea furniture will hold it? the piece is a ‘bookshelf’ but its horizontal and it just has squares where you would put books right now i have probably 20lbs of stuff on it and its fine and its seems sturdy i mean i weigh about 100lbs and i can apply my body weight and some pressure and it seems fine. because i know the tank will weigh up to around 150 lbs.
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I do have a BioCube 14 gallon right now, and even though I used it for Freshwater, I would not recommend it.
I found it a huge mistake by me because longer tanks are always better, so a cube is never really the smartest shape to go with, and it is always WAY too expensive for what it is. Or at least for Freshwater it’s not worth it.
Since I’ve never done Saltwater, I’m not too familiar with prices of lighting and other things, but the BioCube does have good lighting for most corals, so if that would pay off the difference from a normal tank and buying new lighting, then I guess it’s worth it.
Yes, you will need to get the BioCube protein skimmer, and a heater. They do have a 3 stage filter setup in the inside-back, which are customizable. The main thing to change for a saltwater setup that I would do is change the 2nd stage of bio-balls to live rock. Live rock filters much better then the bio-balls, and you could also top off the rock with a few of the balls.
As for the table, I’m really not too sure. If you look on their website, it normally says the maximum weight. Personally I was looking at IKEA for a table for one of my tanks, and none were strong enough. As you said, the water makes it very heavy, and I don’t think it would be worth the risk. They make an actual stand made for the 14 gallon BioCube that it looks good with, and obviously holds in well. It’s also pretty cheap.
So, If you the price is worth it, then go for it. Just, never get one for Freshwater.
I’m actually selling mine, and I’d offer it, but I don’t know if I’d have it ready by next week.
Good Luck.
possibly a heater, depending on the ambient temp of the room it’ll go in…
the biocube skimmer are a total POS that i wouldn’t waste 10 dollars on, get an AquaC Remora nano if anything, or a Prizm skimmer
the compartments they are talking about is a 3 stage filter, basically a wet/dry or sump filter.. you shouldn’t really go messing with it as that’ll probably void the warranty.. but you can substitue the foam pad for ammonia chips, activated carbon, nitrate/phosphate spong, etc..
nvm.. it’s from ikea.. it wont work…
since this is your first SW tank (im assuming) go with the 29 gallon if at all possible, it’ll be much easier to maintain
Haha the tank will get more than 150lbs i say somewher around 200-300 for a nano 14. BioCubes I don’t like not enough surface for the size but they can be good if carefully monitored. You don’t really need protien skimmer i’ve run tanks without it but it’ll help i say save your money and get a cheap one. 20lb of sand and 25lb of live rocks. Get something more stable and sturdy to put your tank on. IKEA haha no way buy a aquarium stand. Look around online you’ll find things for biocube I think they got add on protein skimmer and heater somewhere.