Nano Cube and freshwater community?

[Alestro Bakai]

I've been looking at the Nano Cube series to start another freshwater
community. I just really like the design and that everything's in one
neat package.

Everywhere I look though, people only use them for Marine Setups.
Has anyone ever used them as a freshwater tank?

[ggrowney]

I am using one right now for a freshwater planted tank. I got it as a gift for a reef and I got turned off by the freakish amount of work a reef involves. I really like the tank, but would not recommend buying one. Please note that there is like no support for the system, the manual is one page of crap, and no one on this board or any other that I can find has used it for a freshwater tank. It has some design flaws and I think I will not use it again (I will buy a more typical tank with more filter - add on - flexibility next time). It will work if you are experienced. If you want my specific complaints, let me know.

[fishpoor]

I have used mine for freshwater for a couple of years. THINK REAL HARD before you get one. With the lighting, its a great plant tank, but unless you are into constant maintenance the filter sucks. This is also the first time in 30 years ( omg i'm old) i've had to change a ballast. All i keep in mine right now is a zebra loach and an otto, and I put a hob filter on the front
You get absolutely no instruction with the setup and there is as previously stated, no support. The bulbs, at least in my area are $27, and I've gone through 2 and now the ballast. But it does grow plants well.

[Alestro Bakai]

Wow, thanks for your insight. Absolutely, I'd be interested to hear what your
specific complaints are, because I've been eyeing that nano everytime I
visit my LFS. Email or post, either way would be fine!

[ggrowney]

I second fishpoor's comment about the filter. ALso, the tank specs say wet-dry filter and it comes with ceramic rings and bio-balls but there is no way to keep water in the display section without totally submerging the back sump. Whether this is right or not, who knows, there is no manual and nothing on-line to give you direction either way. I have established a cycle, but have experienced extremely cloudy water for 5+ weeks. I think it has to do with the poor design of the filter.

My tank came with a one page- 2 sided- photocopied set of directions that are virtually useless.

One of my cooling fans is incredibly noisy when it starts up. The tank has only been in use for 6 weeks. Am I going to work on the hood - I'm a newbie, don't really want to.

I also hung a hob on from time to time because the filter will take the better part of a day to handle a disturbance of plant matter, etc.

The other thing is that no-one else (virtually has one) in the freshwater world to ask questions of. I think you might be OK if you are an experienced hand, but I would not recommend one as a beginner.