I'm really going to do it this time... maybe

OgreMkV

OgreMkV

Father of Earth's Next Emperor
Apr 26, 2007
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Port Arthur, TX
ogremkv.wordpress.com
Well, here I go again. The second half of our income tax return is here and with Uncle Sam's "generous" return of part of our money, I figured I'd try the salt tank again. My wife has graciously allowed me to do this... the fact that I let her stay at home and pay for her Masters while I go to work everyday might have something to do with it...

Maybe when we move in a few years, I can seriously upgrade.

Opinions please.

I would like to purchase one of these two tank systems (yeah, I know, the hard core among you shudder).

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+13976&pcatid=13976
Aquapod 24 gallon
Surface skimming filtration system, 1-32W square pin Dual Daylight 10000°K/6700°K Daylight bulb, 1-32W square pin Dual Actinic 460nm/420nm Actinic bulb, 2 blue LED lights, cooling fan, mechanical sponge filter, 290 gph submersible pump with flat nozzle, and complete instructions.

OR

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+10677&pcatid=10677
NanoCube 24 gallon
two 36-watt 50/50 compact fluorescent lamps offering 72 total watts or 3 watts of lighting per gallon
Fan-cooled aquarium canopy extends the life of bulbs and ballast. 3-stage mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration

I can add a fission nano skimmer to either for $30 if needed.
I can replace lamps as needed as well. That's not a huge ordeal.
Additional Powerheads are not a big deal either. Like the Koralia Nano.


My Stocking Plan
I plan to order live rock and such from Tampa Bay.

As far as inverts, a few cleaner shrimp of some kind and the appropriate cleanup crew.

MAYBE a soft coral or polyps. I want a reef, but I know these systems can't handle large hard corals.

My preferred stock would be maybe three small fish. I would like a black clown, maybe a neon goby. I would really like a Mandarin, but that's a more complex thing and I can survive without it. Perhaps a small reef safe wrasse. These are pick and choose, not an all-of-the-above thing.

SO given that info, which tank system would you choose?
 
I'lll let someone that knows more about the systems answer which of the two. I've heard better things about other nano skimmers and seeing that you can easily do without one I'd probably wait for Euro-Reefs to come out. And love the Koralias I think you'll be happy. You're looking to have a light bioload, a good thing of course, you have a few other options as well if you're interested although the marine inverts can be where the real fun is I've found.
 
I had a Red Sea Max, and I found that not being able to be flexible with the all-in-ones was a huge detriment. Have you considered, just getting a 29g and doing a T5 or CF retrofit kit in the canopy instead? It should be about the same price, it would be a little more work, but you would have an easier time with your corals. You could even add a small sump to improve water quality, and expand your skimmer options.

If it's out of the question, I prefer the Nanocube of the two options you have here. Also check out Nanotuners for some improved nano options.
 
OgreMkV said:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+10677&pcatid=10677
NanoCube 24 gallon
two 36-watt 50/50 compact fluorescent lamps offering 72 total watts or 3 watts of lighting per gallon
Fan-cooled aquarium canopy extends the life of bulbs and ballast. 3-stage mechanical, chemical, and biological filtration

I can add a fission nano skimmer to either for $30 if needed.
I can replace lamps as needed as well. That's not a huge ordeal.
Additional Powerheads are not a big deal either. Like the Koralia Nano.


My Stocking Plan
I plan to order live rock and such from Tampa Bay.

As far as inverts, a few cleaner shrimp of some kind and the appropriate cleanup crew.

MAYBE a soft coral or polyps. I want a reef, but I know these systems can't handle large hard corals.

My preferred stock would be maybe three small fish. I would like a black clown, maybe a neon goby. I would really like a Mandarin, but that's a more complex thing and I can survive without it. Perhaps a small reef safe wrasse. These are pick and choose, not an all-of-the-above thing.

SO given that info, which tank system would you choose?
Click to expand...


I would go with that, its a good tank in my opinion...add the skimmer, slack hand full of extra power on the lighting, powerhead....sorted.. !!!
 
My dad has the nanocube and really likes it. He used to have a huge reef tank many years ago and this was his start back into the hobby. He did have to upgrade lights and filters which makes me wonder about why one would bother to get an all-in-one when you are going to replace parts. His is a reef aquarium and has great corals in it as well as two to three small fish. It looks gorgeous. I considered getting an all in one myself but ended up going with a 25 gallon tank and adding exactly the equipment I wanted. I will finish the set up, including great rock and sand for a little less than a grand.
 
I thought about doing it myself, but I like the neatness of the system tank. I think I'll order that $200 24g nano cube.

Question:
The tank comes with 2 50/50 (10k/actinic) 36W PC lights. Assuming I want to keep mushrooms and some polyps, are these sufficient?
 
I would think so. LPS and SPS will not be doable though.
 
What about this product? The Finnex M-20 tank? It has a built in refugium, so I don't have to take up display space in the tank with that. I know a place that has them for less than $250 US.

http://www.finnex.net/itemdetail.php?id=37
 
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