biocube mods - LED upgrade

[bradn88]

anyone have experience with biocube mods? I think I'm going to set up my 14 gallon again and am looking to change the lighting as well as add a larger pump.

[joel1234567]

I don't but I've been thinking about setting one up.
Some links:
http://nanocustoms.com/ lots of good lighting mods
http://shop.mediabaskets.com/ I just found this site recently, it has some interesting filtration mods and other things

[rev138]

I've hacked my BC14 quite a bit. I haven't messed with the lighting, but I did replace the stock pump with an Microjet 1200 and a Hydor Flo.

[The Saltwater Kid]

I've done a lot of mods to my BC29, first step was removing all the shelves and bio-balls from the middle chamber, next step was cutting the wall between the 1st and 2nd chamber and make the opening wider to increase flow and next I replaced the stock pump with a MaxiJet 1200 (although if I had it to do over again I would have used a Rio HyperFlow 6HF as its more powerful 350gph vs. 290gph and it uses less energy 10watts vs. 20watts which reduces the heat inside the aquarium). I did widen the walls of the middle chamber to accomodate a Tunze DOC 9002 skimmer which of course won't do you any good with a BC14 but the other mods you could do. Definitely upgrade the lighting by either going topless and getting a clamp on MH (my wife has a K2 150w Viper HQI on hers) or I'd go with the Nanocustoms LED mod made for the BC14 (and not have to worry about replacing any bulbs for oh say the next 5+ years as well as use 1/8th the amount of energy of a MH). I also scraped the black paint off the back of my wifes tank that covered the middle chamber and mounted a light and made it into a mini refugium with some live rubble rock and some chaeto but in retrospect I think I'd try and fit a skimmer in there (NOT the Oceanic skimmer...that things crap) as I think you'd see more benefits from that than the refugium in such a small tank. Good luck and happy modding .

[bradn88]

any trouble fitting that RIO in the left chamber? wonder if it would fit ok in a 14... i'll have to measure and check it out... I have been looking at those LED mods on nanocustoms, this looks sweet, but I'm not sure I'm ready to drop $300 on lights: http://www.nanotuners.com/product_info. ... cts_id=620

is that the one you were referencing?

[The Saltwater Kid]

Yup, that's the one! I know it seems like a lot of money but it'll more than pay for itself in 3 or 4 years by saving you so much money on bulbs and energy and your corals will LOVE it!!! That light mod would allow you to keep whatever coral type you'd like. As for the Rio 6HF...not sure if it'd fit in the BC14 or not...I actually went with the MaxiJet 1200 but wished I had gone with the Rio, I believe they're about the same footprint.

[bradn88]

I'm assuming that price is just for the parts and not for simply a new hood? looks like that pump is 2", which would fit perfectly into the chamber.

[The Saltwater Kid]

I would assume that it includes all of the lights, heat sinks, reflectors etc. They are easy to do...my wife and I installed one of their kits in my BC29 hood before I decided to go topless with a MH and if the both of us can insdtall one of their kits...anyone can .

[bradn88]

installed the LED kit today from nanocustoms, similar to this one: http://www.nanocustoms.com/product_info.php?products_id=210&osCsid=ia261cs3kjjhpscpie8t33h7f4

I opted for the variable output for each set of lights (white/blue checkerboard, three strips of six) as well as the fan - easy install and looks great. I'm only running the lights on six watts for now, which is extremely bright! I'll see how things go... the tank has finished cycling and it's housing a few crabs and snails.

[The Saltwater Kid]

JEALOUS ...lol, j/k...you must post pics when everything is up and running good. I think you made a very wise choice going with the LED mod...wish I could afford LED's .

[joel1234567]

You'll have to keep us posted on your results. I've got 24W over my 20g frag tank and it is working good, corals are growing and look well, but it seems to be growing hair algae like mad on rocks and glass. I can't tell if it's something to do with the spectrum or maybe it's just because I don't have much for a cleanup crew in there other than a few snails. Still tweaking. Let us know how your setup works out.

[bradn88]

funny you should say that joel... just got back from vacation and have a HUGE red hair algae outbreak.... lights have been running for two weeks now....

[joel1234567]

Doh- that doesn't sound good.

Mine was green threads. I added a few turbo grazers last week and now it's about 90% algae-free and looking much better. I think at least part of my prob was just that the tank the LED lights were over had no cleanup crew.

[The Saltwater Kid]

Anytime you change lighting you'll most likely experience an algae outbreak. A good clean up crew and water changes should take care of it shortly though .