Help a newbie with opinions of nano systems?

I

isuchopper

AC Members
Dec 19, 2004
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Chicago
Hi folks-

I'm getting back into fish after a few years off, so I suppose I'm not a true newbie, but I would still appreciate any help you'll offer. I'm looking to buy a small (~10-20 gal) tank and I would love some input on a few of the systems I'm looking at.

I would like a self-contained system for asthetic reasons, but I'm willing to start with just a tank. A few of my front runners are:

JBJ Nanocube
AquaCube
Eclipse (or knock-off)
Quantum Aquarium (on Drs. Foster and Smith's site)
GlassCages acrylic cubes, etc...

I would love to hear people's opinions on any of these systems that they have experience with. In case is helps, I've listed some of my criteria/preferences

Here are my criteria:
1. Cube or hex. Just love 'em.
2. Capacity over 7 gallons. Even up to the Nanocube 24 would be fun.
3. Price under $160. Preferably under $100 though...

Preferences:
1. Viewable from all sides, although a JBJ Nanocube would probably be fine
2. Built-in filtration and lighting would be nice for a small, compact package.
3. Overall, an easy to maintain system is better as I have limited free time at this point. Don't worry, I know 'easy' is a relative term here.

Plans:
1. Low tech, likely no heat.
2. Plants, fish (likely Whiteclouds- love 'em), and (hopefully) invertabrates.
3. This will be a decorative piece, so I'm going to try to limit amount of 'stuff' attached via cord or hose. I also need it somewhat mobile as I'm in school and moving is a fact of life.

Thanks for all the help.

Mike
 
Plants:

Crypts- great slow growing and low light plants
Java Moss- can take standard flourecents
Java Fern - Best attached to a piece of driftwood or stone. -It makes a very beautiful centerpiece for a small aquarium
Hornwort for larger tanks - It'll grow very quickly and help suppress bga (blue green algae)

Your idea of white clouds and maybe ghost shrimp or something sounds like a great idea!
 
Ahhhhhhhhhhh a newbie with a clue! What a refreshing concept.

Yes, with your plans, I think any of the "self contained" aquarium units would be a great idea. Of course, I would advise you to go with the largest tank you can afford or find and stock it accordingly. If you are planning on White Clouds and Shrimp, you should have no problems that I can forsee.

Just do your research on cycling and such BEFORE adding fish and stock the #'s of fish according to whatever size you happen to get.

And I will also second the post on the Java Ferns. Find you a small sized piece of driftwood and attach a nice piece of Java to it......if you can't find a piece of wood to suit your tastes or your tank you can also plant it directly into your substrate. If you are going that route, I would advise you to go with a Flourite substrate or an equivelant. You can find suitable substrates available for home outdoor ponds at your local garden center or Lowes or Home Depot and save $$ as apposed to buying actual Florite form the LFS.
 
I've got the 12 gallon nano tank ( which holds about 9 gallons of water). Love it. That said. Mine is one of the older ones wthout the cooling fans in the top . In the summer here (thumb of Michigan) the tank gets very warm (over 80). Because of the lighting, this tank grows plants very well despite my heat problem. I have ottos and zebra botia in mine so have to heat it (winter with the light out cause drop in temperature, especially in this size tank). It has a nice bit of current and the filter system seems to work well. If you could get something like this in a 20 long, I think it would be great for white clouds. And with the filter running along the entire back of the tank, it would have one hell of a filter as well. The curved sides give you 3 clear veiwing sides with no cords or filters in sight- everything is hidden in the back. These tanks are a little pricey, although with everything included except the heater it may work out, but in my experience well worth it.
 
Thanks!

Folks-

Thanks for all the replies. I seems like a Nanocube might be the way to go. I'm heading out right now to see what the LFS has in stock.

Fishpoor-
You said that your Nanocube grows plants very well. Is that with only the 24 Watts of light?

Thanks.

Mike
 
Yes. I checked and it says 24 watts. No CO2, no flourite, and no plant additives. I have an anubias (nana or bartelli) a crypt (red) of some kind, a lacy leaf that I don't remember what is, and a moss ball. Severly pruned / thinned about 2 months ago and need to start over again. Of course it also grows algae in abundance. I've got 2 ottos that pretty well kept it clear.
 
Thanks again

Folks-

Thanks again for the advice. I picked up a 12 G NanoCube this weekend and am pretty pleased. I'll post some photos if it develops into anything interesting.

mike
 
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