suggestions for biocube tanks

anyone have experience with RedSea Max or any other all-in-one setups?

 

I never had one but will give you a bump.

 

*looks over* theres a 14gal oceanic biocube sitting right next to me at the moment. been up since sept 09, has ~20 different kinds of corals in it, a clown fish, watchmen goby, 5 hermits, 15 dwarf ceriths, 10 astreas, and a fuzzy chiton (main algae grazer)

the thing works great. ripped and replaced the fans so far in the hood. still using the stock PC lighting. new bulbs every 6months. running an in-tank (trademark) center 3 compartment acrylic rack that has a light on a 12/12 timer with chaeto, graciliria, and the third compartment has a bag of carbon and a bag of purigen (i think still running purigen not sure, its not exactly my tank).

i think they're pricey from some places, but if you get the right deal they're totally worth it.

 

I have biocube 29. Its great piece of starter tank, but Biocube stock lighting willl not give you enough power to grow Hard corals, but yes its a good tank, i had it been setted up since 09 july. Not a good tank if you want big fish like tangs or angel fish, or lion fish.

 

I have the 29 gal biocube as well and I've done quite a few mods to get it the way I want it. IMO, I would've gone with a 29 gal long tank and set it all up myself rather than buying an all-in-one system.

 

I also have a 14g oceanic biocube that has been running since Oct. 08.

I love it- I have a large variety of LPS and softie corals. I have tried to keep SPS, and at times they have flourished and grown but they all kick the bucket eventually so I've decided to stick with the LPS corals. I think is due to fluctuations in the water because the water volume is so small.

In terms of livestock, I have rose bubble tip anemones (split from the original that I got almost a year ago), 2 clowns, a 6 line wrasse, a skunk cleaner shrimp, a few crabs and some turbo snails which do a good job with the algae.

I have upgraded the fans, installed an additional 50/50 PC light, upgraded the pump, have a nano koralia power head, and just have filter floss, a chemipure bag (carbon + other stuff to get ride of phosphates) and bioballs in the back area (I rinse about 20% of these with salt water every water change). I find that my tank does the best when I do a water change once every one or two weeks.

Personally, I think that a tank with a larger volume of water (i.e., 40 or 50g) is a better starter tank, but if you're willing to do the maintenance work and do the research, the nano tanks rock. I agree with bje- the biocubes can be pricey but I got a great deal on mine used.