Coralife BioCube Aquarium Review: The 16 And 32-Gallon BioCube Fish Tanks

The Biocube Fish Tank really is one of the best starter fish tanks you can buy.

While most people seem to purchase it for use as a saltwater aquarium, it makes a great freshwater tank as well. It comes in two sizes, 16 gallons or 32 gallons.

The Biocube looks amazing once the set-up has been completed. With a sleek black cover and frame, rimless front, and LED lighting, your coral and livestock will be displayed in all their vibrancy.

Biocube Fish Tank

Biocube 16-Gal Aquarium

  • Smaller 16-gallon aquarium - salt or fresh water
  • 16.75 x 15 x 17.5 inches, 35 lbs
  • 24-hour timer includes auto 30-min sunrise/sunset and 60-min moonrise/moonset functions
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Biocube 32-Gal Aquarium

  • Larger 32-gallon aquarium - salt or fresh water
  • 27.5 x 25.5 x 27 inches, 62 lbs
  • Can also be purchased with a specially designed stand
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Fluval Sea 13.5-Gal Evo XII

  • A smaller 13.5 gallon alternative
  • 14000 K reef capable LED lighting
  • 3-stage filtration: mechanical, chemical, biological media
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*Compare prices between retailers to find the best price on the Biocube Aquarium.

The tank setup comes in two sizes – either 16 or 32 gallons.

Biocube 16 Dimensions: 16.75 x 15 x 17.5 inches (35 lbs)

Biocube 32 Dimensions: 27.5 x 25.5 x 27 inches (62 lbs)

Either of these size options makes for an awesome starter freshwater or saltwater tank that can house a variety of fish.

Many people start off with a Biocube for their first saltwater tank, but many experienced fish keepers also pick them up. They don’t take up a whole lot of room so they’re popular kits for apartments and other small living arrangements.

Both the 32-gallon and 16-gallon Biocube tank can be purchased with a stand, so if you don’t have something else prepared, it’s well worth it.

The stands can also be bought separately from the tank here on Petco if you change your mind later and want to get one.

Biocube Features

This video gives a good run-down on some of the unique features of the BioCube tank.

These features include:

  • Dimensions: 20.2 long x 21.9 wide x 21.5 high
  • Weight: approx. 50 pounds
  • LED lighting – designed for a saltwater tank
  • Hinged fish tank cover – makes maintaining water temperature much easier
  • A hidden filtration system built into the back of the unit – can be customized

The LED lighting included with this starter fish tank is one of the best selling points.

LED lighting is one of the best systems for a saltwater tank, encouraging strong growth of both hard and soft corals, and bringing out the colors of your fish.

The lighting is set to a 24-hour timer and automatically shifts to replicate natural sun and moon cycles.

Bright white LEDs light up the tank during the day and change to blue for the night. What’s even better is that there is automatic lighting to replicate the sunrise and sunset, and the moonrise and moonset.

There is also a setting for color-enhancing LEDs. These are a combination of red, green, and blue LED lights.

The BioCube kit includes:

  • The tank and cover
  • Pump
  • Filter and cartridge
  • LED lighting

Does not include:

  • A tank heater
  • Coral, rock, or decorations
  • Fish and fish food
  • Media for the filter

See the full range of Coralife products that are compatible with the Biocube.

This includes skimmers, bio balls, filter bags and cartridges, cleaning magnets, and much more.

Coralife supplies basically all that you need for setting this tank up – you just need to sort out the fish!

BioCube Pros And Cons

best price coralife biocube 16 32
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This is one of the best starter aquariums for both saltwater OR freshwater fish.

BioCube has its own phone or email support, but there are also Facebook groups, such as this Saltwater Aquarium group, where you can go for quick help.

Biocube Pros:

  • Fast, easy set up
  • Filter and pump hidden from view
  • Basics to get started are included
  • Rimless front for unobstructed views
  • 24 hour timer and real light simulation good for coral

Biocube Cons:

  • Max size only 32 gallons
  • Some areas of Biocube difficult to clean
  • Skimmer for saltwater use not included

Biocube Fish Tank Review

One of the best places you can go for honest reviews (including criticisms and negative experiences) is the Amazon Biocube reviews page.

Those reviews are very details and often include pictures and videos.

The video review above shows the Bio Cube Aquarium when stocked with fish.

It’s possible to house a range of saltwater fish and coral in the BioCube Tank – they have plenty of space to play.

Overall, the BioCube 16 and 32 are both very well reviewed and it has a great star rating. The two different size options are good, and the dimensions mean they can slip into most homes.

With all of the helpful videos on YouTube, setting up the BioCube tank is also pretty easy.

It depends a bit on the amount of experience you have with aquariums, but most people shouldn’t have any trouble following the instructions and getting a good result.

BioCube 32 Alternative

biocube fish tank 16 32

This Fluval Tank is an alternative to the Biocube Aquarium.

It’s also a 32-gallon saltwater aquarium but has slightly different dimensions. It’s quite a bit wider than the BioCube tank.

Fluval is also a well-respected brand, but the Fluval Sea Flex Saltwater Aquarium Kit that we’re featuring here doesn’t have the best reviews.

Some people have had problems with the lighting, filters, and heater.

Coralife Biocube

The Coralife Biocube is a great way to get started with saltwater aquariums.

Thousands of people have purchased this saltwater setup and it is sold by the best retailers. You can trust the brand and know you will find support when you need it.

If you’d like to go larger, check out these 55-gallon or 75-gallon aquariums. Or, if you’d only like a small freshwater tank, consider the Marineland Portrait 5-gallon Tank.

 

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