Edit & Warning for those just starting out in Marine: I'm an experienced hobbyist. I have 23 years in Freshwater systems and Planted tanks. I can go at a faster pace than the average hobbyist starting in Marine. I also use unorthodox methods. DO NOT stock the way I stock, especially with regard to pacing and choice. I have the know-how and the heavy maintenance regimen to maintain a system like this. On the other hand, I will tell you to go very slowly with regard to stocking and setup. Thank you and enjoy this journal.
One of my favorite aspects of the hobby is the friends you make along the way. When I started out last June, while I did a lot of reading on my own, it was awesome to be able to bounce ideas off people. One of first the people who helped me out a lot is a member here, Monochrome5, though I know him primarily from another forum. A marine biologist with a lot of insight into how Marine systems work. I owe him a lot in this hobby. Very helpful and we've sent each other a bunch of equipment in the last months.
He's moving to another state and he can't take all of his tanks.
I was actually in the process of planning to convert my ADA planted tank into a Marine when he suggested that I consider purchasing his Oceanic biocube. Seeing that the cost of upgrading the ADA would be significantly more, and would leave me unsatisfied, I took up his offer. Tank's shipping on Monday and I'm super excited. You have no idea. 
You ask? Why is L soooooo excited about a Oceanic biocube??? It's an all in one with stock light, stock filtration, and so on, right? It's a relatively common system, right?Well, this one's different... It's really best if I quote Monochrome on this one. I'm still wrapping my head around all the mods he's made to this puppy.
So basically, with that lighting, I can pretty much do whatever I want. It's actually enough lighting to grow sps in a 40-60g tank, but they are dimable so I'm using them in the biocube.
I don't know really what my plans are for this system yet. I ordered
-chemi-pure elite
-purigen
-20lb bag of Aragolive pink figi sand. A bit different sand than what I used in my other systems. I'll have leftovers. I tend to like some substrate since I never know if I'm going to keep a goby or not
Livestock, no clue. Barring the CUC, I don't really want to keep the same things I currently have. I'd like to avoid mushrooms, nps, and the current zoathid varieties that I have unless I find that they look epic under the lights. I'd like to try Duncans, plate corals, and possibly acans. For fish, maybe a fire fish and then something else with different habits.
Thanks for looking. I'm so excited.
L
One of my favorite aspects of the hobby is the friends you make along the way. When I started out last June, while I did a lot of reading on my own, it was awesome to be able to bounce ideas off people. One of first the people who helped me out a lot is a member here, Monochrome5, though I know him primarily from another forum. A marine biologist with a lot of insight into how Marine systems work. I owe him a lot in this hobby. Very helpful and we've sent each other a bunch of equipment in the last months.
He's moving to another state and he can't take all of his tanks.
I was actually in the process of planning to convert my ADA planted tank into a Marine when he suggested that I consider purchasing his Oceanic biocube. Seeing that the cost of upgrading the ADA would be significantly more, and would leave me unsatisfied, I took up his offer. Tank's shipping on Monday and I'm super excited. You have no idea. You ask? Why is L soooooo excited about a Oceanic biocube??? It's an all in one with stock light, stock filtration, and so on, right? It's a relatively common system, right?Well, this one's different... It's really best if I quote Monochrome on this one. I'm still wrapping my head around all the mods he's made to this puppy.
Oceanic BioCube 8 Gallon
Upgraded return pump - changed the stock 106gph Oceanic pump to a Mini-Jet 606 (adjustable from 82-153gph)
Upgraded Return nozzle - Hydor FLO rotating return (also have the stock one somewhere)
inTank BC8 laser cut media rack - THE BEST upgrade for any all-in-one. Holds filter floss on top, then purigen (or chemipure if you want), then chaeto. Has the water flow director, too. Check it out here - http/shop.mediabaskets.com/BioCube-8-Media-Basket-BC8MR.htm
2x 10W submersible halogens - To light the refugium. More than enough light to grow chaeto. Just zip-tie them to the rack and go.
inTank fish saver - No more fish jumping into the rear chambers!! see it here - http
Custom made NanoBox 18x Rebel LED fixture - the meat and potatoes of this tank. This thing is a gem. Custom made by Dave Fason, owner of NanoBox LED. 18x Rebel LEDs built into a custom heatsink mounted in the hood. Custom fan mounts and new fans as well to cool it, though it produces virtually no heat (high quality heat sink). 12x Royal Blue and 6x Natural White. One bank of RB and the bank of white are both fully dimable. Other bank of RB are on/off only, though this will change soon. Second gen controller is coming out soon and Dave will include a FREE upgrade. The controller is sick. Plugs into a comp via USB. EVERYTHING can be set. This thing can imitate thunder storms (lightning is sweet), cloud cover, the arc of the sun, sunrise/set, EVERYTHING. You can even set it to thunderstorm or be cloudy on different days/times/whatever. It makes one sick, natural feeling reef. Dave is the man with LEDs (just check nano-reef). He's more than happy to help. The current controller doesn't have a housing, but the next gen one will. Both have LED screens and everything to check settings. http
Coralife Digital Time Station power strip - not the best, but hey - it works. http
A few extra goodies - Two Little Fishes Nono-Mag (love), magnetic thermometer, anything random I find that may be useful.
So basically, with that lighting, I can pretty much do whatever I want. It's actually enough lighting to grow sps in a 40-60g tank, but they are dimable so I'm using them in the biocube.
I don't know really what my plans are for this system yet. I ordered
-chemi-pure elite
-purigen
-20lb bag of Aragolive pink figi sand. A bit different sand than what I used in my other systems. I'll have leftovers. I tend to like some substrate since I never know if I'm going to keep a goby or not
Livestock, no clue. Barring the CUC, I don't really want to keep the same things I currently have. I'd like to avoid mushrooms, nps, and the current zoathid varieties that I have unless I find that they look epic under the lights. I'd like to try Duncans, plate corals, and possibly acans. For fish, maybe a fire fish and then something else with different habits.
Thanks for looking. I'm so excited.
L
The 36g is the back-breaking one because it's bigger and is an oddly shaped tank. My picos are easy to change in contrast, they just require more frequent water changes. I've had as many as 7 FW tanks running at the same time, so, I'm not phased yet. You just have to premix the salt and you are good to go. 
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Go check it out. 
