Best ways to upgrade biocube lighting?

[Pazzoman]

Hey Everyone,


Trying not to spend a fortune on a 29 gallon biocube tank. Heard members having great success with retrofits leds that cost upwards 400-500 dollars. I don't want to take off the hood as it make the tank look very sleek and awesome lol.
Is there any way I can add more lights that comes with the biocube or replace with something stronger but not cost a fortune? Looking to try to keep hardy spa corals like birds nest/montipora.


Thanks

 

[BuGG]

Look into ecoxotic panorama pros. I am slowly gathering these lights for my 14 gal biocube.

 

[Pazzoman]

Hmm i will take a look, do you think it will be able to grow more of a variety of corals such as sps? Most importantly will it be able to be houses inside of the hood? Thanks

 

[BuGG]

I think so. But i'm not sure what light combination you need for your tank though to grow sps successfully.

Yes the lights will replace the stock PC lighting on the biocube.

 

[Pazzoman]

Ok I will take a look thought it was one of the kinds of leds that can be added along wight he power compacts.

 

[BuGG]

Check out Ecoxotic's reply to this question:
https://ecoxotic.zendesk.com/entries/20697226-Lights-for-14g-biocube

 

[Pazzoman]

Very interesting read, Im actually looking at a bunch of forums that talked about this and there seems to be success using them. Also like the reply from Ecoxotic:

"If you want no limit of what corals you can keep and what to keep clams - we would recommend using two of our Panorama Pro Modules - 1x12K/445nm Combo and 1x445nm Blue LED strip."

The only thing is that this was three years ago hopefully the leds are still the same. Also I guess three would be needed since I will be working with a 29 gallon biocube. Have you found any place that sells them cheap? Also Im not sure which to get, think there was something like "2.0" and "4.0" models.

 

[Popan]

Steves leds. I got em and theyre awesome. Great growth and colors.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Reefs

 

[BuGG]

Yup, stevesled and rapidled both have upgrades too. They sell an inexpensive kit that you can solder yourself. They also have a solderless kit which is maybe 90% done and a little more expensive.

 

[Pazzoman]

Was trying to avoid that route as they seem to cost a fortune lol but if they indeed work great enough to have clams and spa I may consider it. I have a feeling they are going to be a pain to install it.

I will take a look at the pan aroma leds if they cost to the point where its only $50-$100 off from one of the steves leds or the other one I will look into it

 

[Pazzoman]

Actually doesn't seem as worse as I thought. $250 to put together steve's leds myself. $350 to have them do it. I wish I could do it myself, however I don't trust myself to put it together lol.

Which is better lol:

Rapid Led seems cheaper by more than $100 unless I did something wrong

http://www.rapidled.com/solderless-biocube-29-dimmable-retrofit-kit/

Something about stoves led make me feel more secure even tho it will cost $353

http://shop.stevesleds.com/Biocube-29-LED-Light-System-Extreme-SPS-BC29RF.htm

 

[Popan]

I spent like 580 on mine but that was because I got the moonlight and typhoon control with box, extra driver and a 6ft extension for the control plus its dimmable. Its def worth the money. Go for steves instead. Better than rapid, not imo because ive never used rapid leds but in a lot of other people. I researched first to make sure steves was the way to go.

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Reefs