Thinking about 30g Finnex tank.

[Iplantz]

Well im working and saving up for a new nano. I have never had a reef aquarium before, but have a fish\invert mix 55g tank currently. I have read and reread everything I can find in dozens of books and fourms so I prepared to start my tank up. I am very aware of the water quality you must keep as well as the proper element levels. I know how to setup my tank, the problem is I have to save a bundle first.

Anyway for my first tank I was think of going with the following:

Finnex 30g Glass tank
1-2 Koralia #1s or Nanos

The problem I have had so far is finding a lighting system. I can't find too much on Finnex lighting so i don't know if I want them or not.

The Finnex 30g tank only shipped is 324.95
With 250w Mh and 2x24w T-5s its 699.95
With 150w Mh and 2x24w T-5s its 634.95

I am looking for an atleast 150 watt metal halide fixture with ballast new online. Any suggestions for a place to buy and a type? I would also like it to be under 310$ shipped, otherwise I will just order it with lights. I don't really want a clip on but if I end up getting one it be ok.

[JLiu]

The Finnex lighting system is very nice and the 150 worked great for growth and coloration on the M-Tank the only problem I see with the finnex light is that the legs that they use for the HQI setups are made from a coated metal (will rust). Called Ken up and asked why not plastic and they had tried plastic but they weren't strong enough.

[ErikH]

I would go with the Finnex light as it also has two T5s. Most people run their T5s longer than their halides, so it's something to think about. The other thing is, you may find a light online for that price, but then you have to worry about mounting etc. I highly doubt you will find a new, all-in-one fixture for that cost, shipped or not. Finnex makes a nice tank though!
Also, look around online for mods, there may be some groups of Finnex owners that can lead you down the right path. Some people by specific tanks for the modification possibilities.

[dustint21]

That is alot of money for a little tank! I really want one but i dont have want to have to put a chiller and all of that on it cause the light is boiling the water! good luck with whatever you decide!

[JLiu]

There isn't much you can do as far as mod's other than upgrade the main pump or the skimmer, but why bother unless it goes out it works just fine. Kinda the reason why I picked up a Finnex M-tank just plug it in and go. You can get the Finnex 30 gal glass M-tank with 150w HQI lighting for $550 shipped.

[ACE]

There isn't much you can do as far as mod's other than upgrade the main pump or the skimmer, but why bother unless it goes out it works just fine. Kinda the reason why I picked up a Finnex M-tank just plug it in and go. You can get the Finnex 30 gal glass M-tank with 150w HQI lighting for $550 shipped.


Really? Where? All I have seen online are 650 +- with the 150MH light.

[JLiu]

PM sent of the company selling Finnex M-tank at the price that I've listed. I'm not sure I can tell of the company publicly or not so I sent you a PM. If you didn't get it please let me know and I'll resend it.

[glennr1978]

Depending on what you want to keep you might want to reconsider the pumps you are planning to use. I just set up (yesterday) a 30g Oceanic cube that will be SPS dominant. I'm running a mag9.5 on a closed loop and 2 koralia #1's. I'm kinda disappointed in the koralias, they don't move much water at all. I also have a 40g breeder that is SPS dominant and I have 2 modded Tunze nanostream 6025's in it. The Tunze pumps are waaaaay better than the koralias in my opinion.

As far as your lighting dilemma, same as above, it depends on what you want to keep. The 150 will be fine for most corals, and maaaybe clams too. I would think you would only need the 250 if you want to keep corals that require extremely high light. If that's the case generally those guys require some serious water movement as well. So once again you would have to re-think your options for powerheads. HTH, -Glenn

[ACE]

PM sent of the company selling Finnex M-tank at the price that I've listed. I'm not sure I can tell of the company publicly or not so I sent you a PM. If you didn't get it please let me know and I'll resend it.

Got it, Thanks

[JLiu]

As far as pumps are concerned I ran 2 Koralia #2 and 2 Koralia Nano's but that's me I've kept everything in there alive from clam's to acro's to softies and fish too. I tried a Koralia #3 and it seemed a bit too strong of a current. Can probably do 2 Koralia #2's and 1 Koralia #1.

[coraline79]

I'm kinda disappointed in the koralias, they don't move much water at all. I also have a 40g breeder that is SPS dominant and I have 2 modded Tunze nanostream 6025's in it. The Tunze pumps are waaaaay better than the koralias in my opinion.

I have koralia 2's, 3's and 4's and they will blow a snail right off the glass. I run 1 Korallia 2 in a 30 long tank along with the return, and it is like a typhoon in there.

You could replace a Korallia 5-10 times for the price of tunze equipment. I am sure they are nice, but the prices are insane.

[RayAllen]

I agree that koralias do push a lot of water. What makes them diffrent is how they push the water in random direction therefor it may seem like there is little flow if you put you hand directly in front of it. If you put on the attachment that comes with them you will notice how strong they really are because it shoots a straight stream of water like a tunze. Hydor Koralias are one of the hottest products on the markets right now for a good reason; lots of flow for a great price and built well.

And I do use them myself I have a number three in my 39g and it really kicks up some good turbulence.

[glennr1978]

I noticed all of you guys that like the koralias are using #2's and up. I only have experience with the #1's and the OP states that he wants to run a #1 and a couple of nano's. I really don't think that would be enough for anything more than a few softies, and that's about it.

[RayAllen]

I noticed all of you guys that like the koralias are using #2's and up. I only have experience with the #1's and the OP states that he wants to run a #1 and a couple of nano's. I really don't think that would be enough for anything more than a few softies, and that's about it.

That is true, valid point. I would recommend at least running Koralia 2's in the 30g for better flow. Im running a 3 and am about to add a 2 which is in a 39g.

[tony]

i ran two #3s in my 30 cube for over a year with no problems

i now have two #2s in the same tank also with no problems

[ErikH]

I have 3 #4s in my 75!!!! :)
I get CRAZY flow with only two on. Dusk and Dawn all three are on at the same time which is 3600 gph plus my return. I love them.

Tunze makes a great product, but like the octopus of skimmers, Koralia is best for a ROAB.

[JLiu]

As far as pumps are concerned I ran 2 Koralia #2 and 2 Koralia Nano's but that's me I've kept everything in there alive from clam's to acro's to softies and fish too. I tried a Koralia #3 and it seemed a bit too strong of a current. Can probably do 2 Koralia #2's and 1 Koralia #1.

Having owned the tank that OP was looking at getting is the reason I've recommended what mentioned before.

[Iplantz]

Well im not sure but I think Im going to have to cast my vote with 2 #2 Koralias and a Koralia nano (or maybe accually use the reg return).

[Iplantz]

Jliu, was this a good tank for your? What was its flaws in your opinion? If any? This is my first nano, do you think it will work? I have had 1 coral reef setup before, so I know how to keep, but does it present more of a challenge?

[Iplantz]

Has anyone ever got the version with the T-5s? Are they of any quality? I have lights for the tank already, but the version with T-5s is only like 50$ more, and I could use some good lights for my hopefully in line frag tank. Does anyone know if the Finnex can handle an extra 20g of water or should I get a small filter for the added 20g?

[JLiu]

I personally really like this tank and the way it was setup compared to all of the other AIO's out on the market. I've researched just about every AIO and asked tons of questions of others for 8 months before my purchase. If you want something you can modify and change around do this and that to it. Another tank would be a better choice, if you pretty much want a plug and play tank the Finnex M-tank was my choice. In the past the only problem I had with the system was it was difficult to dig a fish out if it got into the back chambers, but that problem could easily be rectified by jamming a sponge on the return side top and making sure there is something to keep fish from entering the other side if they end up jumping to the back chambers (usually a sponge).

[Iplantz]

Ok thanks, but isn't the 30g finnex tank the same exact thing, just made of glass instead of acylic? Im going to make a few mods to this tank, but nothing that involves drilling or the glass

[JLiu]

Yes, its the same tank.