Still researching nano

[Thunderkat]

I still want to set up a nano tank but I have been reading up on them and looking around and messing with my 10 gallon that I have been holding my extra live rock in.

I have found two tanks that I like and want to know what everybody thinks, my main concern is lighting and surface skum. My little 10 gallon tank is doing fine but has surface skum on it, all I have to do is let a little air go through my powerhead and it clears it right up but I do not want ANY splashing or bubbles popping making a mess with the salt creep.

The critters I want in my tank will be bubble coral, pom pom xenia, and other misc softies or possible more LPS. I decided against clams and SPS in a nano as my main has halides and if I wanted clams or SPS I could stick them in my main tank. Oh, and I don't want fish but I am thinking about a small tiger cowrie and other snails, no hermits.

With all that in mind I have found two tanks that I like. One I have to buy an additional attachment to make an overflow to clean the surface AND buy a skimmer. Both will need a small powerhead added for flow.

Tank 1: Click here (http://nanotuners.nanocustoms.com/nanotuners/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=155&osCsid=c 676a85b84ccdbfe16d2de668c50f4c1)

Tank 2: Click here (http://nanotuners.nanocustoms.com/nanotuners/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=135&osCsid=c 676a85b84ccdbfe16d2de668c50f4c1)

I am not getting the metal halide versions if I can get away with it because I plan on putting bubble coral into it along with xenia, neither of which require (and I think bubbles hate lots of light) lots of light. I kind of like the first tank better due to the way it is set up, looks very well thought out, I can't see much on the second tank due to the picture just showing the front. The first one is acrylic and I am worried it will get scratched when I move to Okinawa (want to buy the stuff before I go over just in case these places don't ship over there and moving my stuff will be free for me).

[Thunderkat]

Oh, and the one that has the skimmer sold seperately uses suction cups to hold the skimmer in place, everybody knows those don't work, would have to silicon it in place.

[weizer896]

I have an Aquapod 24g and I love it. The only problem i'm having is the temp fluxuating between 76-82 degrees. Maybe that's normal. I love the lunar lights too.

[Thunderkat]

Sweet, could you post pics? I want to see the filters, hood, and general lay out. I like how the aquapod looks and the fact that it is glass (less scratch resistant) but like I said the other one seems very well laid out. I am not saying the aquapod is not, I just haven't seen any pictures of it other than the one front picture. How do the lights it comes with on the base model work with softies?

[weizer896]

I have only zoos,ric,and mushrooms in mine...and 2 sun corals. I will pm you some pics of the set-up,lights filter,switches and all if you want.


Anita

[cpreefguy]

I really like the 20g M-tank. They seem to be good tanks, check nano-reef.com if you havnt already, tons of nano info on there

[gbluntzer]

I two have a AquaPod Nano 24.
Pros
Good looking design.
Lights are relatively high wattage.
It has seprate power cords for each type of light (white, attinic, moon). This allows timers on each light
It has an internal fan.
It has a cool little kick stand feature that allows you to propt open the lid wide for when you want to get your hands wet :)

Cons
I have to keep my lid propt open a bit because the tank gets to hot. about 81 degrees. I also have a fan blowing on it to keep the temp down.
The internal fan is really noisey.
The internal fan is only attached to the white light. So if you want to set your lights on a timer and phase them on and off. the fan will only cool the one light.
To replace lights you have to unscrew about 10 screws.

If i had to do it all over again. I would probably just buy seperate parts. I think this summer its gonna get way to hot for even the extra fan to cool. Also I need to get a skimmer but have heard bad things about the little add on one.

Just my 2 cents.


weizer896 did you leave any of the little flow gates in? Im not sure what im supposed to do with those. If i leave them in. Not enought water gets to the pump. Also are you using the bio balls and charcol?

[Thunderkat]

I guess you are not alone with the temperature issue on that nano tank. Here is a good inexpensive and easily hidden chiller for your nano (http://nanotuners.nanocustoms.com/nanotuners/product_info.php?cPath=34&products_id=79&osCsid=c6 76a85b84ccdbfe16d2de668c50f4c1).

I have been reading on them but it is mostly what vendors have to say so it all seems one sided (duh) and it is good to hear from fellow enthusiasts. I think after all I have seen I will buy that finnex M version. It just looks so dang hot with the blue bottom. :lol

[Thunderkat]

I just ordered the Finnex M tank, it will take about 6 or 7 business days for it to make it to me. When I get it set up I will post some pics. I got the big tanks down finally so I feel like I am ready for the challenge of a nano tank. :lol

[weizer896]

I left the flow gates in and I use the bio balls, I also put some cheato in there too.