Which system is REALLY The best...

SaltwaterGeek · 12-26-2007, 07:45 AM

There are so many versions of the nano tank these days. All of which work well, but my question is which version / company is truly the best overall?

If money isn't really an issue, which nano has the best filtration, lighting and overall quality... and why?

Thanks in advance for all your imput.

Chris

lcstorc · 12-26-2007, 07:59 AM

I vote for build your own. They all have strenghts and weaknesses. If you build your own you can do it to your specs and get the best of all worlds.

BigAl07 · 12-26-2007, 09:55 AM

I've done it both ways and honestly I feel if you have the time and knowledge you get more for less by doing it yourself. With that said, I believe if I were doing it over again and wanted an All-In-One I'd probably go for the Red Sea Max 34g system. It's initially rather pricey but once you see all the features it has it's really a good price. By the time you get another All-In-One and upgrade it to include all the things RSM has you'd have more money invested. Another think I am interested in seeing first hand is the JBJ 24g Nano with HQI. That looks like a SWEET set-up but I haven't seen one first hand.

how's that for answering without really answering your question

Royalscott · 12-26-2007, 10:12 AM

I am very happy so far with our 29 gl Biocube.

michael_cb_125 · 12-26-2007, 10:19 AM

I have had a 12 gallon Aquapod, and a 24 gallon aquapod. I was not very pleased with them. IMO you have o do some many upgrades to them, that they are not really READY TO RUN tanks.
I would build your own. You can customized filtration, lighting, and flow to how ever you want it. In the long run I believe that you will be much happier if you build your own.
~Michael

Witfull · 12-26-2007, 10:19 AM

im partial to the AGA 210....its a nano compared to the Pacific~

framerguy · 12-26-2007, 10:35 AM

Ah Witful... you're so witty!

SaltwaterGeek · 01-01-2008, 12:03 PM

I must agree that building your own would be the way to go, but I'm wondering more about the ready to go ones. I guess to narrow my question... Which of the ready to go nanos have the best out of the box filtration system? Does anyone have any feedback on the RED SEA MAX?

Thanks,
Chris

JT101 · 01-05-2008, 10:47 PM

If I had to do it all over again, I would not get the AquaPod 24 and get the Red Sea Max instead.

AquaPods are not really "reef ready". They have sucky lighting (my enclosed hood only has 64W PC). The RSM seems to have a lot more from the get-go.

DaveK · 01-05-2008, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LivingTheDream

... All of which work well, but my question is which version / company is truly the best overall?...

As you can see from the previous posts, there are a lot of "correct" answers. Witfull has a point about a large tank being a nano compared to the ocean.

There is no truly "best choice". It's what the best choice for you is.

Now if money is truly no object, then I'd go for a much larger tank. There is just so much more you can do with it. A typical nano, anything under about 40 gal, is going to have limitations as to what you can keep. Not that a nano can't be a real gem, it's just not cost effective to place a lot of high end equipment on one.

Generally I think the best overall chance for success is a tank in the 70 to 125 gal range. As pointed out DIY projects can get you exactly what you want at a big cost saving. Just be sure you know what you are doing, or be prepared to rebuild it several time in the learning process.

Rcpilot · 01-08-2008, 08:20 PM

30g high AGA tank and stand -- $50 on Craigs List
144w 24" T5 light w/ remote control -- $260 at Catlina
CPR HOB refugium with built in skimmer -- $200 at Ginas Aquarium Supply
CPR 24w PC refugium light and leg kit -- $70 at Ginas Aquarium Supply
2 MJ1200 powerheads -- $30 FosterSmith
Visi-Therm 100w heater -- $15 at FosterSmith
Couple cheap powerheads -- $20 at FosterSmith

About $650 +/-

Does it work? OH YEAH!!

What do the BioCube and Aquapod units cost for a 30g size?

SaltwaterGeek · 01-08-2008, 08:35 PM

Since the origination of this thread, I have been doing a lot of soul searching of where I would personally want to take this hobby. I already have a nice Nano set up, and I think purchasing another one would be like putting a band-aid on a sucking chest wound.

Below is the direction I want to go:
Need Some Advice On Filtration & Other Components.

althea2you · 01-10-2008, 12:52 AM

never mind.. ignore me..

zy112 · 01-10-2008, 12:59 AM

I'm setting up a 29 and I'm going with a regular AGA from the LFS. I can just do more with it and not have a bunch of stuff I'll end up throwing out. I'm putting my own fuge on it, my own lighting and skimmer as well. Just seemed to work better for me.

12-26-2007, 07:45 AM	#1 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Which system is REALLY The best... There are so many versions of the nano tank these days. All of which work well, but my question is which version / company is truly the best overall? If money isn't really an issue, which nano has the best filtration, lighting and overall quality... and why? Thanks in advance for all your imput. Chris

12-26-2007, 07:59 AM	#2 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 18,459 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... I vote for build your own. They all have strenghts and weaknesses. If you build your own you can do it to your specs and get the best of all worlds. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back.

12-26-2007, 09:55 AM	#3 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 10,619 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... I've done it both ways and honestly I feel if you have the time and knowledge you get more for less by doing it yourself. With that said, I believe if I were doing it over again and wanted an All-In-One I'd probably go for the Red Sea Max 34g system. It's initially rather pricey but once you see all the features it has it's really a good price. By the time you get another All-In-One and upgrade it to include all the things RSM has you'd have more money invested. Another think I am interested in seeing first hand is the JBJ 24g Nano with HQI. That looks like a SWEET set-up but I haven't seen one first hand. how's that for answering without really answering your question __________________ Allen Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) with a SW set up there is one basic fundamental rule that we ALL should follow *When in doubt... wait it out. This means take it slow and let the tank "develop" and don't rush it. Time is your friend Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef Reef Balls & Cakes Debt Free & Change your Family Tree!!

12-26-2007, 10:12 AM	#4 (permalink)
Royalscott Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Louisiana Posts: 745 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... I am very happy so far with our 29 gl Biocube. __________________ Janetta & Scott 29 Gallon Bio Cube & 14 Gallon Bio Cube The Nano Club Wear Gloves

12-26-2007, 10:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
michael_cb_125 Manta Ray Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Charlotte,NC Posts: 3,219 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... I have had a 12 gallon Aquapod, and a 24 gallon aquapod. I was not very pleased with them. IMO you have o do some many upgrades to them, that they are not really READY TO RUN tanks. I would build your own. You can customized filtration, lighting, and flow to how ever you want it. In the long run I believe that you will be much happier if you build your own. ~Michael __________________ 240 Gallon MIXED REEF SUPER TANK Well at least thats what I want it to be 240 Gallon Custom Made Starphire Tank Life Reef Custom Sump,Life Reef Skimmer, Little Giant Return, 2 1200gph Koralias, 2 1580 GPH Tunze Turbelles, 1 Vortec, 72" Solaris I series, PM Kalk Reactor, Custom Made Fug, way to many more things to list Jose say hello to your NEW LITTLE FRIEND!!!!!!!!

12-26-2007, 10:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
framerguy Manta Ray Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Mount Airy, Ga Posts: 3,326 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... Ah Witful... you're so witty! __________________ ___________________________________ Greg All time fav quote: "Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy."-Guillaume Apollinaire "Being happy can be as easy as deciding to be!"-Greg Kimsey (framerguy) Still Workin' on it! 390gDT built in wall, Gargantuan DIY Beckett Skimmer, 150g sump, Sequence Hammerhead closed loop, 75 gallon seagrass/mineral mud refugium, 55 gallon crushed coral/live rock refugium, 30 gallon DSB/ cheatomorpha refugium, algae turf scrubber, DIY calcium reactor, DIY kalkwasser mixer, DIY light system w/4x 250MH & 4x54w T5, etc, etc, etc... chronicles-akwareum (\___/) This is Bunny. (=O.o=) Copy and paste him into your signature (")__(") to help him gain world domination

01-01-2008, 12:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... I must agree that building your own would be the way to go, but I'm wondering more about the ready to go ones. I guess to narrow my question... Which of the ready to go nanos have the best out of the box filtration system? Does anyone have any feedback on the RED SEA MAX? Thanks, Chris

01-05-2008, 10:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
JT101 Neon dottyback Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Hicksville NY Posts: 605 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... If I had to do it all over again, I would not get the AquaPod 24 and get the Red Sea Max instead. AquaPods are not really "reef ready". They have sucky lighting (my enclosed hood only has 64W PC). The RSM seems to have a lot more from the get-go.

01-08-2008, 08:20 PM	#11 (permalink)
Rcpilot Has been struck by the ban stick Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Arvada, CO. Posts: 297 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... 30g high AGA tank and stand -- $50 on Craigs List 144w 24" T5 light w/ remote control -- $260 at Catlina CPR HOB refugium with built in skimmer -- $200 at Ginas Aquarium Supply CPR 24w PC refugium light and leg kit -- $70 at Ginas Aquarium Supply 2 MJ1200 powerheads -- $30 FosterSmith Visi-Therm 100w heater -- $15 at FosterSmith Couple cheap powerheads -- $20 at FosterSmith About $650 +/- Does it work? OH YEAH!! What do the BioCube and Aquapod units cost for a 30g size?

01-08-2008, 08:35 PM	#12 (permalink)
SaltwaterGeek Scopas Tang Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 401 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... Since the origination of this thread, I have been doing a lot of soul searching of where I would personally want to take this hobby. I already have a nice Nano set up, and I think purchasing another one would be like putting a band-aid on a sucking chest wound. Below is the direction I want to go: Need Some Advice On Filtration & Other Components.

01-10-2008, 12:52 AM	#13 (permalink)
althea2you Padawan Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 1,426 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... never mind.. ignore me.. __________________ ~Sarah~ How people treat you is their karma; how you react is yours. ~Wayne Dyer 28g Nano The 90 Gallon

01-10-2008, 12:59 AM	#14 (permalink)
zy112 Harlequin Tuskfish Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: IN Posts: 984 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Which system is REALLY The best... I'm setting up a 29 and I'm going with a regular AGA from the LFS. I can just do more with it and not have a bunch of stuff I'll end up throwing out. I'm putting my own fuge on it, my own lighting and skimmer as well. Just seemed to work better for me. __________________ Zach

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)