Nano Cube Advice

bennyd · 10-07-2008, 08:33 PM

Hello all, I am currently in the market for a nano cube. I know everyone says bigger is better. Well, I am four foot tall. Bigger in my case is not better and I've already gone this route, currently having a 120g tank that is for sale/trade in the Dry Goods for Sale/Trade forum. I also have a 55g tank setup for sale but is currently in use.

I am stuck trying to make the decision, now I don't have much money to play with which I was I am looking to sell my 120g and my 55g. I would like to get a nano cube. My problem is... Which one.... There are so many options. I know I want to be able to keep everything that I can in the tank, all the types of corals so I am thinking the JBJ 28g HQI system. or the RSM. Though the RSM is very expensive for me.

There are so many mixed opinions out there, I need to get one I guess that works the best out of the box and will require the least amount of mods to run the best?

BigAl07 · 10-07-2008, 08:45 PM

Hello again Benny

Keep in mind that any "All-In-One" (AIO) tank is a box of calculated compromises. You may be better off getting a "Cube" type of tank from a TANK company and make your own kit. You'll get more BANG for your buck and not have to deal with "compromises".

You know what my vote is for an AIO Factory system so I wont waste your time repeating that

good luck buddy!!

madcaptains · 10-07-2008, 09:42 PM

I think like BigAl07. All in one kit can be a pain and I am sure it will be cheaper to make your own kit. I made my reef tank with an old Hagen 25 gallon. All I needed is a protein skimmer, a lamp, a heater and a few power head. Easy and cheap.

Good luck!

chrome91 · 10-08-2008, 12:17 AM

i see premade cubes as a pain too, its hard to upgrade.

your best bet is to do what a guy on another forum im on did, he found a acrylic worker and did some internet work for the guy in exchange for the guy building him a 31g acrylic tank. he bought a T-5 light, skimmer, etc. and voila, instant tank. try to find a acrylic maker

http://www.cshm.org/images/fraley/31gupdate9.jpg

another thing you can do is go to a glass shop and make your own tank, i made my own 15g cube out of glass for $45

bennyd · 10-08-2008, 01:48 AM

If I can sell my 120g setup. I may just convert my 55g to salt water, though it's still a little large. It'd be nice to have a bigger tank. Lighting is just SOO expensive. I have been trying to find some in-tank filtration systems sorta like the ones used in a nano cube, any ideas on those?

BigAl07 · 10-08-2008, 08:12 AM

Ben I'm not a fan of the "In-tank" filtration systems. The truth to the matter is that many people (me included) empty out ALL of the back compartments of filter media totally. In my back compartments are: Return Pump, Heater and water. That's it!

With a Reef Tank your Live Rock and Live Sand are your biological filtration and a skimmer is your mechanical filtration. This leaves you with more $$$ for lights and skimmer :d

ReefSki · 10-08-2008, 09:56 AM

bennyd-

I have had a RSM, Nano Cube, and currently own a 30 gallon Finnex. My opinion out of the three is you get the best bang for your buck from the Finnex. The Finnex tank gives you an added refugium, and is much more thought out when compared to the other options out there.

Check out the following link, they are offering free shipping and I think if you google coupon codes you can save an additional 5%- 30 gal. M-Tank w/ Protein Skimmer & RefugiumNo Light Fixture - AquaCave

Good luck with your decision.

bennyd · 10-08-2008, 10:06 PM

Oh wow, thank you very much that Finnex is more of what I was looking for! I wanted a fuge! I think what I am going to do is just try to find a 28g JBJ nano cube without the hood and buy a light bar for it. I think I can save some money that way. The Finnex is really what I want but still a little pricey to me for not having any lights.

I just don't know what I am going to do. I have medical conditions and stuff that limit me from using the 2 tanks that I currently own. So I REALLY need to get those sold first. I have a 120g and also a 55g, both freshwater setups, I already have the 120g listed in the dry goods forum.

10-07-2008, 08:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
bennyd Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 247 View Gallery Karma Komment	Nano Cube Advice Hello all, I am currently in the market for a nano cube. I know everyone says bigger is better. Well, I am four foot tall. Bigger in my case is not better and I've already gone this route, currently having a 120g tank that is for sale/trade in the Dry Goods for Sale/Trade forum. I also have a 55g tank setup for sale but is currently in use. I am stuck trying to make the decision, now I don't have much money to play with which I was I am looking to sell my 120g and my 55g. I would like to get a nano cube. My problem is... Which one.... There are so many options. I know I want to be able to keep everything that I can in the tank, all the types of corals so I am thinking the JBJ 28g HQI system. or the RSM. Though the RSM is very expensive for me. There are so many mixed opinions out there, I need to get one I guess that works the best out of the box and will require the least amount of mods to run the best?

10-07-2008, 08:45 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Nerd :) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 24,152 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nano Cube Advice Hello again Benny Keep in mind that any "All-In-One" (AIO) tank is a box of calculated compromises. You may be better off getting a "Cube" type of tank from a TANK company and make your own kit. You'll get more BANG for your buck and not have to deal with "compromises". You know what my vote is for an AIO Factory system so I wont waste your time repeating that good luck buddy!! __________________ > > > >Read ME < < < < when you're in need of answers or help with your tank. *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!! Big Al's 10g.... BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle.... Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef.... DIY LED Fixture - Allens OFFICE 12g by chipmunkofdoom2

10-07-2008, 09:42 PM	#3 (permalink)
madcaptains Tubeworm Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 28 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Nano Cube Advice I think like BigAl07. All in one kit can be a pain and I am sure it will be cheaper to make your own kit. I made my reef tank with an old Hagen 25 gallon. All I needed is a protein skimmer, a lamp, a heater and a few power head. Easy and cheap. Good luck!

10-08-2008, 12:17 AM	#4 (permalink)
chrome91 Achilles Tang Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: edmonton, alberta, canada Posts: 821 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nano Cube Advice i see premade cubes as a pain too, its hard to upgrade. your best bet is to do what a guy on another forum im on did, he found a acrylic worker and did some internet work for the guy in exchange for the guy building him a 31g acrylic tank. he bought a T-5 light, skimmer, etc. and voila, instant tank. try to find a acrylic maker http://www.cshm.org/images/fraley/31gupdate9.jpg another thing you can do is go to a glass shop and make your own tank, i made my own 15g cube out of glass for $45 __________________ 650- SA tank 125g- reef, 150lbs LR, 250w MH/2x65w PC, 150w MH, 15g sump 90g- SA tank 10g cube- 3 firebelly toads

10-08-2008, 01:48 AM	#5 (permalink)
bennyd Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 247 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Nano Cube Advice If I can sell my 120g setup. I may just convert my 55g to salt water, though it's still a little large. It'd be nice to have a bigger tank. Lighting is just SOO expensive. I have been trying to find some in-tank filtration systems sorta like the ones used in a nano cube, any ideas on those?

10-08-2008, 08:12 AM	#6 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Nerd :) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 24,152 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Nano Cube Advice Ben I'm not a fan of the "In-tank" filtration systems. The truth to the matter is that many people (me included) empty out ALL of the back compartments of filter media totally. In my back compartments are: Return Pump, Heater and water. That's it! With a Reef Tank your Live Rock and Live Sand are your biological filtration and a skimmer is your mechanical filtration. This leaves you with more $$$ for lights and skimmer :d __________________ > > > >Read ME < < < < when you're in need of answers or help with your tank. *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!! Big Al's 10g.... BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle.... Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef.... DIY LED Fixture - Allens OFFICE 12g by chipmunkofdoom2

10-08-2008, 09:56 AM	#7 (permalink)
ReefSki Midas Blenny Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: MA Posts: 89 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Nano Cube Advice bennyd- I have had a RSM, Nano Cube, and currently own a 30 gallon Finnex. My opinion out of the three is you get the best bang for your buck from the Finnex. The Finnex tank gives you an added refugium, and is much more thought out when compared to the other options out there. Check out the following link, they are offering free shipping and I think if you google coupon codes you can save an additional 5%- 30 gal. M-Tank w/ Protein Skimmer & RefugiumNo Light Fixture - AquaCave Good luck with your decision. __________________ Current Setup: 58 gallon Oceanic in the planning stages

10-08-2008, 10:06 PM	#8 (permalink)
bennyd Pistol Shrimp Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 247 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Nano Cube Advice Oh wow, thank you very much that Finnex is more of what I was looking for! I wanted a fuge! I think what I am going to do is just try to find a 28g JBJ nano cube without the hood and buy a light bar for it. I think I can save some money that way. The Finnex is really what I want but still a little pricey to me for not having any lights. I just don't know what I am going to do. I have medical conditions and stuff that limit me from using the 2 tanks that I currently own. So I REALLY need to get those sold first. I have a 120g and also a 55g, both freshwater setups, I already have the 120g listed in the dry goods forum.

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