Bio cube or nano cube good for a beginner?

In my very limited experience, if you can find one that's already up and going, it's easier than trying to set one up from scratch.
 
You'll get alot of response saying that a bigger tank is better for a beginner. This is true, but it doesn't mean that you can't start off with a small tank. It'll be up to you in the end.

If you go with a bigger tank you will have more water to play with and more time to correct any problems with your tank. This will help you since you are a beginner. Water quality can drop and disease can spread rapidly in small tanks and unless you are equipped (with both knowledge and equipment) you could possible lose the tank.

If you decide to get a small tank, at least make sure that you know what you are getting into. If you are comfortable with you knowledge base, by all means get a small tank. Chances are you'll want a bigger one eventually anyways. :)
 
I started with a BioCube 14 this time around after having a 55 gallon about 10 years ago. One is really no harder than the other to me. I am one of those people that like to test and do water changes though, so I may not be the best example of the norm. A smaller tank can go "bad" quicker than a larger tank, but I figure if you keep an eye on either ones parameters on a regular basis that you'll know when a problem is going ot occur before it does.
 
well i was planning on geting like a 14g biocube but a 24 nano cube isnt out of the question either i am just wondering if its better because it has most of the things you need built in to one
 
also im going to have FOWLR tank so i wonder if i need all the equipment that comes with the bio cube
my plan is to have a FOWLR between 15 and 25 gallons
with maybe some shrooms
a skunk cleaner shrimp
assorted clean up crew
a false percula clown
firefish
watchman goby
and a featherduster
 
Well, it's really up to you. While a smaller tank may present a more difficult challenge, it's certainly not impossible if you are diligent with maintenance. I have seen many nano tanks beautifully maintained even in such a small space. With a larger setup, you're going to have more stability (again, with constant maintenance) than a smaller size, and it gives you more room for live rock and corals later on; it also gives the fish some more room.

As far as needing all the equipment from the biocube, i would keep most of it (a list would be good to see). The lighting is not as crucial in this stage, though it does help with corraline algae growth. If you grow corals later on, you are most likely going to need a update for some serious lights.

Good luck, and post pics!

*Also, any idea what you are doing for clean up crew yet? I would suggest no sea cucumbers, nudibranches (seaslugs, or sea slugs), or sea stars; as they do well in larger tanks, but will quickly starve and die in small tanks like a 15 or 25 gallon. Snails and hermits work well, and some crabs will work, like emerald greens, but with the hermits and crabs, individual temperment may vary.
 
blackwolfXKAV said:
Well, it's really up to you. While a smaller tank may present a more difficult challenge, it's certainly not impossible if you are diligent with maintenance. I have seen many nano tanks beautifully maintained even in such a small space. With a larger setup, you're going to have more stability (again, with constant maintenance) than a smaller size, and it gives you more room for live rock and corals later on; it also gives the fish some more room.

As far as needing all the equipment from the biocube, i would keep most of it (a list would be good to see). The lighting is not as crucial in this stage, though it does help with corraline algae growth. If you grow corals later on, you are most likely going to need a update for some serious lights.

Good luck, and post pics!

*Also, any idea what you are doing for clean up crew yet? I would suggest no sea cucumbers, nudibranches (seaslugs, or sea slugs), or sea stars; as they do well in larger tanks, but will quickly starve and die in small tanks like a 15 or 25 gallon. Snails and hermits work well, and some crabs will work, like emerald greens, but with the hermits and crabs, individual temperment may vary.
Click to expand...
yea for clean up crew i was thinking like
2 blue leg hermits
2 red leg hermits
couple of turbo snails and some other snails as well
and one emerald green crab which i think are really cool
 
i have not purchased a bio cube or nano cube yet that is what this thread is for when i decide on the tank and size i will certainly make a log and have pics for people to see i am reading a few books on sw tanks right now originally i was going to get a freshwater tank but then i decided that there is not much more work for sw tanks and in some cases they can be easier and also the coral and live rock is way more interesting than your basic freshwater animals
 
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