Newb looking for guidance

[Jaire]

Hello all -

I have recently become interested in the cube aquariums. My boyfriend has a 55 gal tank with a 25 gal sump and we enjoy it very much, but each time we go to the aquarium stores, I find myself drawn to the cubes. I just love the way they look and the fact that they are relatively small.

So, now I am looking for advice/guidance/suggestions on what to purchase, how to set up, etc. :confused:

Seems that the nano cubes vary from regular tanks, so we want to be sure and do it right!!

Thanks in advance for any help!

[Big_Pun]

they are cool little aquariums i like all 4 of mine, what size are you getting, i will have a 12g jbj for sale soon real cheap, its a lil old but ill leave the live sand and some snails prob, what kinda coral do you want in it and fish, and if your goin to buy a new there alot of diff cubes just depends on your budget and what style you like

[jpond83]

i would recommend at least a 20g. smaller tanks leave less room for error.

[cbianco]

Welcome to MAAST!


...just depends on your budget and what style you like.

We don't need no stinkin' budget!

Actually, yeah it depends on your budget, sorry. :)

All in ones are great! They have clean lines and include everything you need in the box.

Unfortunately, they leave little/limited room for expansion and aftermarket upgrades can be more expensive than a traditional tank.

I have a Finnex tank. It shares the clean lines of an all in one and leaves room to upgrade. If you desire, you can click on the link in my signature to see the progression, from tank to corals.

Maybe you can give a bit more info on what you plan to keep and an idea of a budget.

Christopher

[Big_Pun]

i would recommend at least a 20g. smaller tanks leave less room for error.
yea the smaller cubes require more "tuning" water evaps fast and things can go bad fast on the small cubes so if you dont have the time to keep an eye on things get a larger tank, also ive found water changes are key in these tanks once a week is great so a ro/di would be great and you can use it for the 55g also

[Jaire]

I have been looking at the 12gal and 22gal cubes. The ones that they have in River City Aquatics here in Austin are beautiful...the coral is amazing!! I want to start of with coral/live rock and build from there. Probably put a little clown in but am not focused or thinking about fish just yet.

As for budget...well, like anyone I don't want to spend boat loads of money. I figure that if I can keep the total purchase/initial set up cost under $500 that would be great!!! I have found a couple of CAD cubes online that range from $169 (12gal) to $219 (22gal) and include lights and a sump. Not sure what else I need to purchase and what can be used from our existing tank.

[Jaire]

[quote=cbianco;678463]Welcome to MAAST!



All in ones are great! They have clean lines and include everything you need in the box.

Thank you!! Any particular brand or site to look for the all in ones?

[cbianco]

...total purchase/initial set up cost under $500...

http://www.finnex.net/gra/popup/P18_37_mtank2102.jpg

http://www.finnex.net/gra/popup/P18_37_mt2102-.jpg

Finnex 20 gallon with built in refugium, refugium lighting and PCL.

$274.95 @ OceanReeflections.com


Thank you!! Any particular brand or site to look for the all in ones?

IMO, in order...

Finnex
CAD Lights
JBJ Lighting
All others.

No flaming please. :shades:

Christopher

[cbianco]

or

http://www.cadlights.com/images/22g%20SO%20profile.jpg

http://www.cadlights.com/images/22G%20back%20.jpg

CAD Lights 22 gallon with refugium and T5.

$219.00 @ cadlights.com

Christopher

[Jaire]

http://nanocube.org/images/nano-cube.jpg (http://nanocube.org/24-gallon-nano-cube-deluxe)

So, I like the look of these - with the black trim and all...lid optional. Any pros/cons to these?

[Jaire]

CAD Lights 22 gallon with refugium and T5.

This is actually the one I looked at yesterday - What else would I need to buy (equipment wise) to go with? A skimmer?

[cbianco]

So, I like the look of these - with the black trim and all...lid optional. Any pros/cons to these?

In a previous reefing life, I had a 24 gallon JBJ NC. Heat was always an issue. I was not happy with the PCL; Can't keep many desired colored corals under PCL.

JMO.


CAD Lights 22 gallon with refugium and T5.

This is actually the one I looked at yesterday - What else would I need to buy (equipment wise) to go with? A skimmer?

Skimmer most definitely. Some run their tank on regular water changes but I have had much better results with one than without. You can't beat a good skimmer.

I have and recommend the following...

AquaC Remora with Maxi-jet 1200.

http://www.reefgeek.com/reefgeek/3308/image.jpg

$163.00 @ reefgeek.com

Christopher

[Big_Pun]

if you do weekly water changes you dont need a skimmer imo and from what ive been told by the seasoned vetrans on this forum. get good lights, you will end up wanting better lights eventually, the pic you showed is like the 12g i first got. dont use the bioballs, live rock rubble

[Jaire]

In a previous reefing life, I had a 24 gallon JBJ NC. Heat was always an issue. I was not happy with the PCL; Can't keep many desired colored corals under PCL.

JMO.

My bf said the same about the lights creating too much heat...dang it!! I just really like the look of the black trim all around it. Maybe I could find one without the top and have lights set up higher above it? One can hope!



I have and recommend the following...

What size cube do you use this skimmer for? Or does it matter?

[cbianco]

if you do weekly water changes you don't need a skimmer imo...

WCs get old after a while. Most people I talk to, sooner or later, end up lapsing.


...from what ive been told by the seasoned vetrans on this forum...

Typically, that piece of advice is regarding additives, in which I agree. Only hardcore nanos need additives.


...get good lights, you will end up wanting better lights eventually, the pic you showed is like the 12g i first got. dont use the bioballs, live rock rubble

I agree! Upgrading is only a matter of when not if. Live rock in the rear of an all-in-one provides new places for critters to live and a safe haven from fish and other critters.


My bf said the same about the lights creating too much heat...dang it!! I just really like the look of the black trim all around it. Maybe I could find one without the top and have lights set up higher above it? One can hope!

What size cube do you use this skimmer for? Or does it matter?

I have my Remora on a 30 gallon Finnex tank.

Christopher

[recoiljpr]

My bf said the same about the lights creating too much heat...dang it!! I just really like the look of the black trim all around it. Maybe I could find one without the top and have lights set up higher above it? One can hope!
What size cube do you use this skimmer for? Or does it matter?

I can only speak for the biocbue, but it looks almost identical to yours. With the stock fans and lights (36W X 2) my temps were running around 80.5 degrees after my lights had been on for 9+ hours. This weekend, I upgraded the stock lights and fans with a DIY kit from nanotuners.com and my temps so far now are hovering around 79.5 or so. Even though I added an additional 2 lights (total of 144W) because of the upgraded fans my temps have lowered. So at least with the cubes, if you have temp problems you can upgrade fans, etc.

[Jaire]

I can only speak for the biocbue, but it looks almost identical to yours. With the stock fans and lights (36W X 2) my temps were running around 80.5 degrees after my lights had been on for 9+ hours. This weekend, I upgraded the stock lights and fans with a DIY kit from nanotuners.com and my temps so far now are hovering around 79.5 or so. Even though I added an additional 2 lights (total of 144W) because of the upgraded fans my temps have lowered. So at least with the cubes, if you have temp problems you can upgrade fans, etc.

That is good info to have, thank you!!