|
|
Have a question?
It's Free!
|
|
| General Reef Discussion In this forum we discuss issues related to keeping marine and reef aquariums in a friendly flame-free environment. |
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
01-14-2009, 04:36 PM
|
#1
|
|
To Boldly Reef ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 1,583
Reviews: 63
|
BioCube Lighting Upgrade
Has anyone bought and used this mod from Nanotuners for their BioCube29 (or any other all in one tanks for that matter)? It allows for the addition of a 150W HQI Ushio MH and two 35 PC. Apparently you can mod the stock hood so that this will fit in the existing hood under the stock splash guard. Anyone have any experience with them?
Here's a link
http://www.nanotuners.com/product_in...roducts_id=392
|
|
|
|
Registered Members don't see these ads. Register now it's free!
|
__________________
They have two settings .... stun and kill ... It'd be best not to confuse them!
|
|
|
|
01-14-2009, 05:16 PM
|
#2
|
|
Keeper of the Water Box
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 132
|
Bump, id like 2 know this as well, might be better than putting in a third light and some cold cathodes, which was my original plan.
__________________
Cheers, Frank 
|
|
|
|
|
01-14-2009, 05:22 PM
|
#3
|
|
I've got the REEF rash!
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 34,178
|
That looks cool!
__________________
|
|
|
|
|
01-14-2009, 07:04 PM
|
#4
|
|
Shark
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: 20 minutes North of Cheese Steaks and Pretzels
Posts: 3,191
Reviews: 28
|
Yeh I'd like to see that hood after the retro . Looks like a chiller would be needed after that light set-up ?
|
|
|
|
|
01-14-2009, 07:08 PM
|
#5
|
|
spaceman spiff
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: south of Dimples
Posts: 10,638
Reviews: 72
|
I've not personal experience, but I've heard good things of those nanotuners options.
|
|
|
|
|
01-14-2009, 09:01 PM
|
#6
|
|
To Boldly Reef ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 1,583
Reviews: 63
|
I need to make some lighting repairs to my BioCube hood and I have been thinking about adding a MH retro. I already did the 4.36 DIY upgrade for my BioCube and two of the bulbs have stopped working. I have found several people that have this mod having the same trouble and it seems to trace back to the stock ballasts wearing out and needing to be replaced. At the moment, my tank runs 80 - 81 degrees with the PC 4.36 upgrade so I figured there might be a heat issue with the HQI's. The kit comes with the option of buying fan upgrades, however the product info specifically saya that they recommend you run the fans 24/7 or at least 2-3 hours after the HQI goes off for proper cooling.
I've been toying with just adding the 70W HQI, but when I saw the 150W was on sale for less than the 70W kit I really have been giving it another look today, I'm just worried about over heating a tank this size and needing to add a chiller.
__________________
They have two settings .... stun and kill ... It'd be best not to confuse them!
|
|
|
|
|
01-14-2009, 09:03 PM
|
#7
|
|
Mommy Mod
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: down the street and around the corner from Dimples
Posts: 5,291
Reviews: 4
|
howdy stranger!
no help from me other than I have wondered the same thing myself for my sons tank. Will you share what you find with us here in trt land  |
|
|
|
|
01-14-2009, 10:03 PM
|
#8
|
|
To Boldly Reef ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 1,583
Reviews: 63
|
Quote:
howdy stranger!
no help from me other than I have wondered the same thing myself for my sons tank. Will you share what you find with us here in trt land
|
Howdy there yourself. Good to hear from you Amy, hope all is well with you and yours.
I'll will share any and all knowlegde I gain ...
__________________
They have two settings .... stun and kill ... It'd be best not to confuse them!
|
|
|
|
|
01-14-2009, 10:09 PM
|
#9
|
|
To Boldly Reef ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 1,583
Reviews: 63
|
I can't help but assume that a 150W HQI over one of these cubes, even the BC29 which we all know isn't really a full 29 gallons of water, is going to generate alot of heat. I also bothers me that the mod recommends that you make sure and change the fans every 6-8 months. Are we talking fire hazard if you don't. I'm not sure what the fans cost, but that might turn into a PITA if you have to pull your hood off and disassemble it to replace fans every 6 months.
I think that I might opt to stick with the 4.36 upgrade that I have as I found this option to the continually burning out ballast problem associated with the stock and replacement Oceanic ballasts for this setup ... http://www.nanotuners.com/product_in...roducts_id=543
this looks like an upgrade of the Oceanic ballasts.
__________________
They have two settings .... stun and kill ... It'd be best not to confuse them!
|
|
|
|
|
01-15-2009, 01:27 AM
|
#10
|
|
Big Fishy
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: NC
Posts: 812
Reviews: 1
|
I have no experience with those paticular kits, but have had great experiences with nanotuners.
The fan replacement schedule is more of a precaution than anything. Even the stock fans on my aquapod seem prone to failure quite often. It is not expensive to replace them nor is it difficult or time consuming. I prefer to just always keep a spare on hand for when one fails. Takes me about 10 min at the most to replace the fan.
|
|
|
|
|
01-15-2009, 01:31 AM
|
#11
|
|
The hammer is my...coral
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: aurora, colorado
Posts: 1,476
Reviews: 2
|
i wanna know to!
|
|
|
|
|
01-15-2009, 11:58 AM
|
#12
|
|
To Boldly Reef ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 1,583
Reviews: 63
|
Bump
__________________
They have two settings .... stun and kill ... It'd be best not to confuse them!
|
|
|
|
|
01-15-2009, 12:01 PM
|
#13
|
|
To Boldly Reef ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 1,583
Reviews: 63
|
I'm thinking that if my cube is running a temp of 80 right now with four 36W PC's, then a 150W HQI and two 36W PC would probably run the temp up to 84-85. Definitely requiring a chiller. I've been reading the fan specs and I just don't see those two puney canopy fans (suped up or regular) being enough air flow to keep this size tank from overheating.
Anyone with a different opinion?
__________________
They have two settings .... stun and kill ... It'd be best not to confuse them!
|
|
|
|
|
01-15-2009, 02:59 PM
|
#14
|
|
The hammer is my...coral
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: aurora, colorado
Posts: 1,476
Reviews: 2
|
i have 14 gallons and it barely runs at 75 half the time.
i have a heater so during the night it doesnt get to cold but it does remain a little chilly
|
|
|
|
|
01-15-2009, 03:42 PM
|
#15
|
|
To Boldly Reef ...
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Maryville, TN
Posts: 1,583
Reviews: 63
|
Quote:
i have 14 gallons and it barely runs at 75 half the time.
i have a heater so during the night it doesnt get to cold but it does remain a little chilly
|
Do have an HQI lighting mod over that tank? or any of the lighting mods for the BC? Or is that what your temp is with the stock lighting?
__________________
They have two settings .... stun and kill ... It'd be best not to confuse them!
|
|
|
|
|
