Biocube 14 upgrade question.

[stickx911]

I just bought a 14g biocube off craigslist. It was a steal, and a good intro back into saltwater for me. I paid 299 for tank, stand, chemicals, lr, fish, sand, upgrades and all....so I was happy with it.

However; he included an incomplete upgrade/project that I am curious and clueless about. Its another PC bulb and ballast. Its the same size bulb, and I do not know much more than that. Could it be a higher wattage bulb? It is an atinic bulb according to the packaging, but I do not know much more than that.

Once the tank calms down and I clear some of the nuisance algae I'll post some pictures and a more "here's what I got" thread.

 

[dakota9]

an actinic upgrade isn't really much of an upgrade. 50/50 bulbs or 10K would be a better choice

look into some entry level LEDs for a nice upgrade

Edit: an actinic upgrade isn't really much of an upgrade. 50/50 bulbs or 10K would be a better choice

look into some entry level LEDs for a nice upgrade

 

[db366]

There used to be a site that sold upgrade kits and had videos on how to install them. The owner of the site went to work for JBJ and had to take down all this stuff, I just tried searching out the videos and they are all gone. Basically you open the hood and squeeze a third PC bulb in there. I am sure if you do some google searches you will find atleast some pictures of others upgrades.

 

[stickx911]

any reason I couldn't keep decent zoa's and maybe some lps (toward the top) with the two bulbs? or am I gonna be stuck with all low end things?

 

[dakota9]

how many watts do you have???

is it the 48 watt version?

 

[stickx911]

yea, 2 24w bulbs

 

[jennm]

You can keep most softies and LPS in there as it is. Unless you want to keep SPS or a clam (not recommended), you're fine with the stock lighting.

Panorama Pro LED will work in there too - I have an original 12-watt Panorama in my 12g Aquapod and it grows stuff like crazy. The new Pro is 19 watts I think.

Jenn

 

[stickx911]

sweet. thanks for the info! Now to get everything settled and get some pictures up.

 

[dakota9]

if you stick with compact florescent, try this;

instead of running 24watts actinic (which does little for the tank) and 24 watts 10k, run one 10k bulb and one 50/50 bulb, this gives you thirty six watts of usable white light and 12 watts of blue actinic to make it look nice..... i did this and was able to keep all sorts of lps and an rbtA it really works well.

 

[wally]

I've got 2 blue stunner strips and 1 50/50 panorama. They work great.

Also, inTank makes and sells upgraded for the 14g. I've got their media basket which allows a fuge in chamber 2. http://www.mediabaskets.com/">http://www.mediabaskets.com/</a>


Wally