Need new 15-20g recommendations

[slinky]

I have a 10g All-Glass hex which has served its purpose for a few months. Got it pretty cheap and wasn't sure I would be able to keep my fish but now I realize I can and will. They are great to have around. :) I have a medium sized apartment and also don't have the luxury nor care to lug 5 gallons or more every week in and out of my living room. It's a chore but it's the limit I'll do.

The challenge is that I realize the hex tanks are great but mostly wasted space. Most of the fish never go more than half to 3/4 of the way up, although they do surface at times. Don't laugh but I thought it would be useful to have a "half duplex" tank where you could buy like a half hex plastic that could be mounted with suction cups in the middle area to create another "false bottom" area and see if it provides more "aquatic real estate." The hex is a real space saver but almost all these 15-20g tanks that aren't a pure rectangle are very tall. I saw a beautiful 16g but the guy in the store pointed out it's really a 10g with a bow front and other than the extra fraction of bowing, the rest is made up in height.

The 20g hex tanks would be perfect except they are also too high and would rather have shaved off the extra 4 inches off the top for a lower tank and less water to lug around. I also would like to get a stand that isn't your typical wire frame one that looks only good on your outdoor porch but not in a living room. Ideal is a drawer to put your fish stuff in. :)

Right now I have 1 platy and 1 gold molly (who enjoy hanging out together), 3 Julii cories and 3 (perhaps only 2) bumblebee gobies, who are small fish. Getting 7 fish in the 10g isn't horrible and with #8 it is a bit of a tight squeeze although they all get along. Would prefer something large enough but can't find enough choices that are within a reasonable price point (they start running up to over $500 for something small once you are away from the standard ones I saw.) Am curious to know what others use.

The nano stuff has just a great name (throw nano on it and there is your branding) but the cube ones seem to run hot, require a fan, special filters and parts, and also may be higher than I thought. Wondering what your experience is.

[A340]

NanoCube/BioCubes/Aquapods and various other names are usually used for setting up nano-reef tanks. Reef tanks require more intense lighting than a standard freshwater tank which is why they have the cooling fans. They can be used for freshwater, however, it would be recommended to switch the light bulbs to ones more suited for freshwater fish and plants. If they don't offer this from the manufacturer, you'll have to buy them seperatly.

Big Al's Online has some fairly cheap if you're interested ...
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Other than that, what I think you're after is a tank that's 15-20g in size, not a standard rectangle, not too tall and not a lot of wasted space. Correct?

To be honest, I can't really think of anything off the top of my head. But if you do have a tall tank, you can fill it up by buying fish for various layers, such as bottom dwellers, mid level fish such as platy's, angels and top level fish such as killifish or a betta.

[slinky]

A340 - You got it right, I'm looking at a square, low hex or something that is space efficient. The explanation for the pods/cubes fans now makes sense and it would seem that they aren't ideal for freshwater. Has anyone used the nano-cube here? I'd like to know that if I change the light, like you recommend, that there is sufficient ventilation to cool down the tank on its own. Also need to know if using autofeeders would be problematic.

One more item - if I choose to go to a 24gallon, I'm worried about the huge maintenance difference. Right now changing water once a week isn't such a big deal with a 10 gallon. But with a 24 it seems to be a MAJOR chore, especially if you are using the bucket system. But from the way I'm looking at it, if I put in a deep strata with lots of gravel I'll be able to raise the lower end of a tall tank and make a 24 gallon into more of a 20 gallon. The height of the nanos isn't that bad (19.75 v. 17.5) although at that height it's practically the same as the hex I saw in the store!

That said, should I get an All-Glass aquarium with the appropriate light and hood? I think I'll have to buy all the extras but at least I know the hood is designed to have the right air and filtration. With the nanos it looks like it's all built in and you have to buy all your parts directly from them. If you need filters you can't go to a retail store and pick them up. I couldn't find many reviews that would help someone out in this respect.

Regarding layering, the problem with getting a betta is that most of these tanks have filters that dump the water in on top much too quickly. The air pump also makes the top very active. I've noticed that bettas really don't like this kind of environment and will actually hide further down in the corners of the tank. The killifish sounds like a great suggestion (and beautiful!) However they too require live food and wonder how easy they will be to care for over the long haul. The bumblebees I have will supposedly eat flakes if they need to if I have to take a few day road trip.

Thanks much for your help!

[slinky]

Wow - doing some research online shows the Nano cubes got nailed as being pretty to look at but poorly designed. One review says the fist jump over an inner wall to the filter area. Several others said the top is very cheap. When it comes right down to it, the height is only .25" less than the 20 gallon hex. While it's 4 gallons more width-wise perhaps it's just not worth the hassle. The all glass aquarium has good space for all your stuff. It's probably a better bet than the 16 gallon that is really a tall 10 gallon with a bow. Why can't this be simple??? Perhaps it's time I go into aquarium design, lol.

[A340]

In regards to the NanoCubes, some of us do have them. I have the Oceanic BioCube29 that will become a nano reef shortly. Rue has the Red Sea Max and I believe Bill M has an AquaPod. Each brand has their pros and cons, but they all serve their purposes. They do have their design flaws, as you mentioned, you did some research (good to see, research is very important) and some, as you said, make it possible for fish to jump into the filter area. Other's have had issues with the light systems, filter systems and cracks in the glass. Most of these issues have been resolved or quick fixes are offered.

Here is a great site on them ...

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As you can see, there are lots of upgrades and modifications for them but be warned, it can get pricey.

In regards to a 24g being more maintanence than a 10g with water changes. Not really, if you have a 5g bucket and do around a 50% water change per week, that's only 3 return trips between the tank and sink. I doubt that little bit of excercise won't kill you ... :ezpi_wink1: . Presently I have 2 x 10g and a 29g set up and do all my weekly water changes by bucket and have no problem doing so. However, if you do feel that it is too much work for you, you can look at buying a Python. Basically, it's a gravel vacum that has a very long hose. It hooks directly up to your faucett and drains the old tank water directly into your sink. When you want to add the fresh water in, just turn on your faucett and it flows directly into your tank (make sure you add a good tap water conditioner) completely eliminating the bucket. They cost anywhere between $25 and upwards.

Buying a basic aquarium, you are much more flexible when it comes to customizing it in regards to lighting, canopies/covers, filters and heaters. But the nano cubes are just as upgradable albeit it costs more. I wish I could give you a suggestion on what kind of tank you may like, but I couldn't tell you because there are so many of them from short to tall, long to short and skinny to fat and everything in between.

In regards to Killifish, they are a very low maintanence fish, I have a Golden Wonder and he's grown quite a bit and his colours are amazing despite him eating only flake and pellet food.

[slinky]

Thanks for the advice and the great link to the nano store! I've got a choice I think and I won't go with the nanocube. There is a great deal for the 24 gallon with stand for like $270 but I think I'm going to pass and maybe get a local bowed 26 gallon with a very nice looking stand for $150. The only problems are that (a) it's a floor model and the hood hinge is broken so it can be taken off and on and doesn't swivel. It's not a big deal considering the superb condition of the rest and price. I just think that (b) it is way too big. :( 26 gallons is also VERY heavy! Being in an apartment building, you always wonder about the floor. ;)

The other option is to see if I can bargain them down on the 16 gallon bowed (tall) or the 20 gallon but I don't think that's happening. Regardless, both are around $250 with stand. While the nano-cube comes with a lot of extra stuff I can see it being a major PITA in having to pay to get all the special accessories. I am sure it does look very nice :) but when I saw the height, it too is almost 20".

The Killifish sounds like a great idea and I saw some gorgeous ones at Dr. Fosters and I'm going to look at other places that may have them. They aren't in your local pet store here. Perhaps they are further downtown in another area, we'll see. In the 16 or the 20 I'm guessing I can get 2 more cories (Sterbais are gorgeous) to go with the Julii, I have the molly and platy (that's 7), have 2 bumblebee gobies (3 if the other guy makes it) and adding 2 killifish would be nice.That makes it 9 or 10 fish. I might get 2 otos for algae since they are tiny and that's a really nice setup. :)

[A340]

A 26g tank only ways about 250 pounds, maybe even less (1g of water weighs 8.33lbs) so unless you're apartment building is in very bad shape, it shouldn't be a problem at all. At least you're cautious, that's a good thing.

Just take your time, shop around in stores and online, look at tanks that catch your eye and go from there. You never know what you'll find!

[slinky]

A 26g tank only ways about 250 pounds, maybe even less (1g of water weighs 8.33lbs) so unless you're apartment building is in very bad shape, it shouldn't be a problem at all. At least you're cautious, that's a good thing.

Just take your time, shop around in stores and online, look at tanks that catch your eye and go from there. You never know what you'll find!
Much appreciated! But where I live, you can only really get around by foot and very few places stock aquariums because the real estate doesn't justify the investment. I miss the days of having been able to drive to the mall and find endless stores and have potential bargain finds like you are talking about!!!

[A340]

Much appreciated! But where I live, you can only really get around by foot and very few places stock aquariums because the real estate doesn't justify the investment. I miss the days of having been able to drive to the mall and find endless stores and have potential bargain finds like you are talking about!!!
That would suck. Have you looked online at all? Where abouts are you located? US, Canada, Europe? If you're in Canada, there are a couple of good sites I can link. As well as if you're in the US, there are many great online stores that we can link for you as well. And if you're in the EU, Zoo Zajac from Germany is the site to look at.