Nano-cubes?

[~Erik3.8.07~]

So in a couple months im gonna try and start my first nano reef. I was debating weather to turn my 10g into one or buy one of those 12g nano cubes. So i have some questions.

*Does anyone have any experience with nano cubes and would you recommend them?
*Are they worth the money?
*Any known problems with them?
*What type of lights would i need to get for the 10g if i use that?
*What would you use, the 10g or the nano cube? (money not being the factor)
*Any suggestions/advice?

sorry its alot of questions, but just looking for straight forward answers, thx guys :)

[A340]

This is the same dilema I had over the last few months (do a search in this forum and you'll find my thread with some useful info in it).

I ended up buying an Oceanic BioCube29 eventhough I was only looking at the 14g.

The All In One systems are a great basic system to get you going, plus they look expensive to a novice onlooker. I say they are basic, because there is a world of upgrades that you can do to these systems to help you customize them and achieve what it is you're looking for. You can upgrade the lighting, add protein skimmers, refugiums and all kinds of neat stuff. Of course, this all costs money which brings you back to the little 10g tank which lets you buy all this stuff and customize it from the beginning and in the long run, be cheaper.

So, it's really hard to say which road is better. I went for the BioCube because I like the idea of an all in one system that is customizable. I'm not going to have a bunch of equipment taking away from the beauty of the tank.

Anyway, look for the thread that I mentioned earlier. Lot's of good links and info in that.

Also, check this one out ..

[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

[~Erik3.8.07~]

ok thx, patrick, i found your thread.

If i went with using my 10g i'm guessing the biggest problem would be getting proper lighting. I know i'll need a lot and will probably get 6-7w/g, but what i dont know is do i need special lights? or do fluorescent lights work?

[A340]

ok thx, patrick, i found your thread.

If i went with using my 10g i'm guessing the biggest problem would be getting proper lighting. I know i'll need a lot and will probably get 6-7w/g, but what i dont know is do i need special lights? or do fluorescent lights work?
Well, lighting is the tricky part. I would think (and I'm not 100% on this), but I would think the only way to get 6-7w of lighting on a 10g tank is with Metal Metal Halide lighting, I couldn't imagine being able to find CF even VHO flourescent bulbs that are small enough to fit a 10g and provide you with 60-70w of ligthing.

Like I said, I could be wrong on that one.

[cocoa_pleco]

theres a easier way to get 5w/g

here PJ's has those VHO fluorescent fixtures. the one that fits a 20g is 50w, and dual bulb, so you could have a actinic too. it comes with hanging cords so it will fit a 10g if you hang it

unless the nanocube has good lighting i dont recommend them

[~Erik3.8.07~]

hmmm i guess i'll just have to go and look and see whats available, theres a fish shop i know that specializes in saltwater, it's a little ways out but worth the trip.

[stunner]

I have 4 PC's with incandescent type screw in bases over my 10 gallon. They're coralife 50/50 20watt; gives me 80watts. I mounted them in the center of the tank and they point outwards....The ones in the bottom of the pic are a little too close to the wall for my liking, but oh well.

[zackish]

I went with a regular 10 gallon tank for my nano reef. I love it and I think a 10 gallon is better because you can upgrade easier. I went with a really big 24" PC on my 10 gallon. I could have gone much smaller but I have a variety more of corals I can keep.
I agree that the cubes look nicer and will support most easy corals so that isn't a bad idea either.

[cocoa_pleco]

so i think the general consensus really is if you want some basic corals and dont plan on upgrading, get a nanocube (unless its a high light nanocube, where you dont need upgrading) and if you want to upgrade, go with a standard tank.

[coachfraley]

Nice custom hood stunner! If you could find some kind of reflector, I bet it would make a big difference!

[A340]

I have 4 PC's with incandescent type screw in bases over my 10 gallon. They're coralife 50/50 20watt; gives me 80watts. I mounted them in the center of the tank and they point outwards....The ones in the bottom of the pic are a little too close to the wall for my liking, but oh well.
I didn't know that the Coralife Mini CF's came in 20w. Good find!

I agree with Cocoa, if you want to start out basic, a Nanocube could be the way to go, but if you want lots of room to upgrade and customize, the 10g may be the way to go.

[~Erik3.8.07~]

ok thx guys, i think im just gonna have to do some research on corals and see whats low light and whats high light. I'm just lookin for some nice colorful corals and the kind of thing you can see rockin back n forth in the current of the water.

btw, nice light system stunner

[cocoa_pleco]

awesome light stunner!

like coach said, you should get a reflector for even more light directly hitting the tank. i think a mirror on the roof of the fixture would work

[stunner]

I think it's time to visit the thrift store and pick up a used mirror then haha. Then a glass cutter from home depot and I should be good to go.

[tmartini]

There is a heckuva deal going at Dr Fosters right now:

12 gallon aquapod + 70w HQI Sunpod $174 normally $329
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Here is a link to a board with folks who have already bought one to give you some ideas:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

:c12:

[squirt_12]

There is a heckuva deal going at Dr Fosters right now:

12 gallon aquapod + 70w HQI Sunpod $174 normally $329
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Here is a link to a board with folks who have already bought one to give you some ideas:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

:c12:
wow...thats really nice.

[elGatoNegro63]

There is a heckuva deal going at Dr Fosters right now:

12 gallon aquapod + 70w HQI Sunpod $174 normally $329
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]


Here is a link to a board with folks who have already bought one to give you some ideas:
[Only Registered Users Can See Links.]

:c12:

That is some awesum information. I have bookmarked both sites, and will go back when I have the funds to get my first marine tank. For me, it looks like that is where I will need to start...with an all in one setup. I have no experience, and almost no knowledge concerning a marine setup. They are so beautiful, and I hope to get one soon. I was actually eyeballing the 24g tank as I think bigger is better...especially when it comes to evaporation. I didn't see any kind of glass on the top, to limit the evaporation. I will have to contact the company to find out more about their product.

[tmartini]

It does come with a glass top, which is nice.

I'm just starting on the marine side, and it is daunting. There are a lot of different schools of thought about it. It's also very expensive of course.

I've been researching it for quite a while and saved up a budget of a 1000 bucks. I ended up going for my "dream reef tank"-- a standard 20 long glass aquarium. It's brand new. I just put my live rock in yesterday to start my cycle. It's really exciting!!! I think I did blow my budget though already and I don't have any thing but rocks.. haha.

If I would have seen this deal though before I starting buying my pieces it would have been very tempting.