Halcon
New member
Thought I would share my progress on my Biocube 29G HQI build. I'm taking it pretty slow, due to work but also to do it right. Purchased the cube about two weeks ago. Last weekend I added about two inches of live sand and 10lbs of live rock just to start the cycle. This weekend I'm picking up an additional 20lbs of live rock from a friend that has decided to break down his system to go back to FW.
I'm not sure I like the skimmer that comes with the biocube, I guess you get what you pay for so that may change. I did buy a refugium light online that I'll add this weekend too with some macroalgae and LR. The moonlight was a simple $8 four blue LED light I picked up and was able to hide under the hood. Nice cheap mod
One of the pictures is only a few hours after putting in sand and water so it is still cloudy, but now it is clear.
Couple of questions I have are:
1. Not sure I like the blue tint of the 150W 14K MH bulb that came with the unit. I thought 14K had a fair amount of blue in it, but I'm no expert. With that said after some research it seems folks recommend the Phoenix 14K 150W MH. Anyone use it and is it far better than the one that came with. The only con I saw is some folks say that it is not UV protected, thoughts? It does seem dumb to buy a new lamp after only a few days (don't tell my wife).
2. Any with the Biocube HQI, do you leave the glass top on. Heat isn't an issue, tank is staying pretty much at 80 +/- 1 and the heater keeps it there at night.
Thanks in advance. Sorry for the bad pictures just took them with my cell for now. Still have a lot of LR to add and scape so will send more pictures next week after the pickup.
Don
I'm not sure I like the skimmer that comes with the biocube, I guess you get what you pay for so that may change. I did buy a refugium light online that I'll add this weekend too with some macroalgae and LR. The moonlight was a simple $8 four blue LED light I picked up and was able to hide under the hood. Nice cheap mod

One of the pictures is only a few hours after putting in sand and water so it is still cloudy, but now it is clear.
Couple of questions I have are:
1. Not sure I like the blue tint of the 150W 14K MH bulb that came with the unit. I thought 14K had a fair amount of blue in it, but I'm no expert. With that said after some research it seems folks recommend the Phoenix 14K 150W MH. Anyone use it and is it far better than the one that came with. The only con I saw is some folks say that it is not UV protected, thoughts? It does seem dumb to buy a new lamp after only a few days (don't tell my wife).

2. Any with the Biocube HQI, do you leave the glass top on. Heat isn't an issue, tank is staying pretty much at 80 +/- 1 and the heater keeps it there at night.
Thanks in advance. Sorry for the bad pictures just took them with my cell for now. Still have a lot of LR to add and scape so will send more pictures next week after the pickup.
Don