Mattias' BioCube 29 *New Angel!*

Quick question: the compact fluorescent bulbs in the hood haven't been replaced in 9 months, will I be ok with putting some hardy corals like shrooms and zoas in there or do they NEED to be replaced?

 

I think I'll do the led upgrade in September of '12 for my birthday. Which kit do you guy recomend? Could I keep sps?

 

Hey you said the upgrade would be too much...Here is a good option for about 100$ PAR30 Reef Lamp Kit by BoostLED You may not have SPS on the edges, but for sofites and SPS in the middle you'd be gold. Plus you could remove the hood for better gas exchange and not have to replace the bulbs. You'd make up the cost in bulb replacement after about a year depending on bulb quality.
For a bit more expense, a better option if you want more light loving corals:
Kessil A150W Special Blend LED Aquarium Light
And probably the best option for about 30$ more than the last one. This has full touch controls and color adjustability.
AI Nano LED review: good things can exist in small packages
AI Nano Sol LED light gets a hands on demonstration of the touch controls

 

Thanks! I'm looking for something to fit inside the hood because I'll have some carpet surfers in my tank. Also I'd like too keep evaporation minimal. Thanks for the links though!

 

Maybe I could DIY something to go along with my pcs....

 

It would be difficult to install something inside the hood, plus you would be facing difficulties keeping the pH with no gas exchange.

If your keeping SPS and LPS i would recommend maximum evaporation to replace freshwater with kalkwasser mix.

you can dump the hood and put a glass / acrylic cover if you want minimum evaporation.

^ ^
Just opinions,,

 

I see. Will I be ok with just the stock lights and the hood? Do I HAVE to replace the hood/lights? Also, should I be roping off with kalkwasser?

 

I'm not an expert but you would be okay with stock lights and the hood but at 9+ months you should replace bulbs.

Kalkwasser is needed if your water changes is not enough to maintain proper calcium for stony corals.

As for keeping SPS under PCs, i have never tried it but some have been successful and some got bleached corals, while some had surviving corals but with bad brownish color, some low light demanding such as montipora sp. and digitata sp. can thrive on the top of the rock and replace bulbs more often.

I would say you just keep softies and LPS for now and upgrade lighting when you enter the SPS keeping at 6 months to 1 year, unless you're not into keeping SPS.

If you decide to move on to LEDs, you will realize how it will take alot off your back from replacing bulbs to dealing with heat and electricity, plus keep anything that catches your eye from SPS!

 

Cool! I think I'll do this in about 8 months. http://shop.stevesleds.com/Biocube-29-Gallon-LED-retrofit-kit-Biocube-29-Gallon-retrofit-kit.htm

 

Would be a Great upgrade.

Any updates on the rock work?