My 29 gallon BioCube reef!

[Finnster]

Just writing a thread about my 29 gallon BioCube! Pictures will probably come tomorrow (2/29/16). For now just a stocking list.

Fish:
Banngai Cardinalfish x2
Ocellaris Clownfish x2 (one regular, one misbar)
Blue Fin Watchman Goby x1

Inverts:
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs x3?
Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crabs x4?
White Bubble Tip Anemone x1
Assorted Snails x8?
-The next guys are ones I want to get-
Peppermint Shrimp x3
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp x2
Candy Cane Pistol Shrimp x1
Pom Pom Crab x2

Corals (none now, waiting a few months):
SPSes and maybe a poylp

Thanks for reading,
Finnster

 

[Finnster]

Some pictures

 

[Sniperhank]

Is that an anemone in the last picture? It looks like it is in really rough shape...

 

[Finnster]

Yeah :/ just put it in yesterday. Clownfish started hosting in it 15 minutes ago, and it's starting to perk up.

 

[Sniperhank]

I'm not worries about 'perking up', there is pretty heavy bleaching going on. I'd be concerned that your lighting isn't enough to support an anemone.

 

[Finnster]

Oh? It was like that when I got it (dumb I know), I have the T5 lights that are built in to the BioCube so I assume my lights are fine. Let me go check on it.

 

[Finnster]

It's starting to turn green-ish on the tips of the bulbs. Should I try to move it to a location with brighter light? It will probably walk back but is it worth a shot?

 

[Sniperhank]

Don't try to move it. Damaging the foot will lead to death. Tell us about your lights.

 

[Finnster]

Okay good to know, the lights are the standard lights you get with a BioCube. I would be led to believe they are T5, as they sell T5 replacement bulbs at my LFS.

 

[Sniperhank]

Well most likely the standard lights aren't enough to support the intense lighting needs of an anemone.

 

[Finnster]

Okay then, probably going to get some T5 bulbs later today.

 

[Sniperhank]

Even T5...anemone require intense lighting that require T5HO bulbs.

 

[bribo12]

I believe the bio cube runs power compacts but I'm not 100% on that.

Edit- they're compact fluorescents
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[PB_Smith]

Hold on.
How old is the tank and the bulbs? If they are new, no reason to replace them.
There should be a 10,000 K and an actinic blue bulb, double tube, compact fluorescents, correct? Those bulbs are 36 watts each, so they are definitely enough for any soft coral and maybe a few LPS, but not sure about the anemone.
Compact Fluorescent Aquarium Lighting: Coralife BioCube Compact Fluorescent Replacement Bulbs
If the bulbs are old and in need of replacement, consider getting an LED retrofit for it instead or if the bulbs are new you could add some LED lights to it to increase the lighting.
I imagine the stock lights are good for soft corals, but probably not for the anemone.

Do a google search for LED retrofit for a biocube 29.
https://www.google.com/#q=led+retrofit+for+biocube+29
Coralife sells add-on LEDS for them as well, but they are just accent /moonlights.
BioCube | Coralife Marine & Freshwater Aquarium Supplies

 

[Finnster]

Yeah, the aquarium is new. Yes you are correct on the lights in it. I don't want the anemone to die, and I am not looking to retrofit the hood. Someone please explain why I can't buy a T5HO bulb, do I need a custom bulb?

 

[Sniperhank]

Ho stands for high output. It is a totally different unit than a normal t5 that may even use a ballast to increase the power through the bulbs.


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[Finnster]

Yes, but can I just switch out the bulbs or do I need to retrofit it?

 

[Sniperhank]

You'd need t5ho unit to get the use out of the bulbs.

 

[Finnster]

Darn, any other type of bulb I can try?

 

[Finnster]

Stocking Update! (Anemone returned to store)

Fish:
Banngai Cardinalfish x2
Ocellaris Clownfish x2 (one regular, one misbar)
Blue Fin Watchman Goby x1

Inverts:
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp x2
Pom Pom Crab x2
Peppermint Shrimp x3
Pistol Shrimp x1
Porcelain Crab x1
Scarlet Reef Hermit Crabs x3
Dwarf Red Tip Hermit Crabs x4
Yellow Tip Hermit Crabs x3
Mexican Turbo Snail x3
Super Tongan Nassarius Snail x2
Cerith Snails x4