AIO Aquarium Economics - I just don't get it!

[Perched Urchin]

I hope someone can make this clear for me.

I have kept many different types of FW set ups over the years - cichlids (both African and South American), tropicals, local species, but haven't had a set-up in my home, as "the boss" wasn't too excited about my hobby. Now, however, I have the okay to put together a "reasonable sized" set up and I am diving into nano reef. I will be starting from scratch, as after a number of moves, my 33L tank cracked (maybe just broke out of heartbreak from lack of use) and the 40 hex acrylic was always a huge pain to clean and the hood died.

I went to the LFS looking for general starting point info on new tanks and was introduced to the Oceanic BioCube and the JBJ Nano Cube. The guy was really selling me on the economics of buying an AIO since I am starting from bare tank, and I have to say I like the looks of the 28/29 gal ones.

This is where I am getting confused. As the AIO idea was new to me, I have been reading all the reviews, forum posts, blogs, etc. I can find talking about them and a recurring theme in the "cons" of these tanks is that they are pricey. However, no matter where I look (LFS or web retailers) I can't come close to putting together a similar system for anywhere close to the price (I have found both the 29 BioCube and the 28 NanoCube many places for $250-$300 including any tax and/or delivery).

If someone can tell me how to get a 25-30 gal tank including power heads, wet/dry filter, adequate (maybe even "good" if you go with CF-Quad or HQI) lighting in a hood/canopy and even a wave maker for this price range, I would be grateful. Also, the deep (front to back) design of the tanks seems to be something that would drive up the price on a component-built set up.

Any responses would be appreciated! I just want to make sure that I get the best bang for my buck and don't end up sorry if I go with the AIO.

 

[flare1185]

Try craigslist I find some cheap tanks from time to time my 75 gl right now was used bought it for 600$ came with coralife MH light sump and skimmer with about 80lb of life rock and a few frags of corals. I also didnt have to wait for the tank to cycle to ad more fish and corals. That my opinion is the best bang for my bucks. Good luck with your search.

 

[Shane Hoffman]

Even with those AIO tanks you will find yourself purchasing additional powerheads and possibly wanting to upgrade the commonly "weak" return pump and lighting some of them have. Also if you get a AIO tank that has halide lighting you may need a chiller. What ever your budget is dont be surprised if you end up spending 1.5 or 2x that.

To set up a 30 gallon for 300 you will have to buy all used equipment which is what I prefer to do. Those 50 dollar koralia 3s are often sold used for 15 or 20 bucks. Most used equipment is half price or less even if it only haqs a couple months use. Also dont buy a wet dry, instead find a small 10 to 30 gallon tank used to use as a sump.......

 

[reefer321]

+1 on the craigslist. I see AIO all the time fully stocked with a stand, live rock and coral for under 300 on the 29g. Which is what you would pay new for just the tank set up not including the stand.

 

[bianjd]

I would look for used equip. I purchased a 120 gal. with everything but water and live stock for $1000 and new would of cost me $3k and I also helped the guy that i got it off of and any questions it was no problem he had the answer because he ran the system and had good info what worked and didnt best way to go is used IMO

 

[BASA]

Craigslist and your local Reef Club are your best bets for finding a good deal on used equipment. There is always someone upgrading or getting out of the hobby.

I just started cycling my first reef tank I bought most everything through craigslist, reefcentral and o-r-c-a.com

I WISH I had been a little more patient and bought a complete system someone was getting rid of, I could have saved even more money and did a lot less running around town. (and out of town)

 

[sedor]

I actually started with a 14G Biocube and it was a great learning experience! They can be nice little tanks, but its hard to "expand" and once you get into this hobby, you'll get the itch too. For me it was just a little cramped. Your limited to about 3 fish, there really isn't a good skimmer you can run on it, the lighting is usually weak (although JBJ comes with a setup that has a halide bulb in it. You would probably have to mod the tank a bit to avoid overheating). Overall its a great startup kit and I wish I would have kept mine because now that I have a bigger tank I think it would be fun to have a little nano at the office or something. I would go for it, but be prepared to want more. If you go for something a little larger like say a 40 breeder and part it together yourself you will probably spend a little more in the beginning, but you won't want to upgrade so quickly. Then again, I already want to upgrade my 72 to a 120 and its been running less than a year!

 

[Chiefsurfer]

What I get out of hearing people discuss the "cube" AIO's is that they do a number of things OK, but nothing great. That is my experience with anything that is set-up as a multifunction unit. They are never really GREAT at anything, but they are good/OK at a lot of things. If you want really good stuff, IMO, do a self-set-up. You can find an almost square tank and set up your own AIO if you wish, and use the equipment you want.

The largest expense in setting up a stand-alone tank(non-AIO) is the lighting. To get a good fixture could easily push you right over $300 to begin with. Add a tank, skimmer, powerheads, heaters, etc. you're WAAAAY over that budget. Initial cost of an AIO is far less, but I think starting a slightly bigger(heard a LOT of good stuff for a 40 breeder for a smaller tank) will be better in the end. You can find a good T5 fixture for 200-300, although may have to switch out the bulbs(the bulbs are generic and usually not great). So I would think that you could do a complete set-up(should you NOT use a sump) for about $500, and it should be all pretty good stuff, with little custimization needed. If you want anything more than soft corals, I would not reccomend CF lighting.

 

[Perched Urchin]

Thanks for the responses. I guess I wasn't completely clear that my budget isn't necessarily the $300 mark, but I was just trying to figure out how people were saying that the cubes were "pricey" when buying new comparable components would add up to so much more.

Of course, in all my research, I am already "growing" my setup - I saw a really good looking 45g square tank (I have always liked deeper tanks and this would use standard 24" T5s for lighting) that has me thinking about what I could do with that. A 28g or 29g cube may just not be enough...

 

[Chiefsurfer]

just something I have learned through here, and the last 7 weeks of setting up my 20g tank. It's NEVER enough.

 

[thegrun]

I've easly got $1,500.00 in my JBJ 28 HQI Nano (most likely more, I just can't bring myself to add up all the costs). I would find a local reefer who is getting out of the hobby or upsizing and buy used equipment if you want to save some money. We have a local RC forum here in So Cal and you can pick up some fully loaded systems for 1/4 or less of what you would pay for them new. There is a complete 125 gallon system (lights, skimmer, sump, pumps etc.) for sale right now for $600.

 

[theyammieguy]

I love my jbj

 

[Perched Urchin]

I love my jbj

Hey theyammieguy,
Is your jbj the one that has like 200 bristle worms? (I was reading in the nano forum last night and saw that thread). I thought that was a bigger tank.
I can't let my wife see that - it would creep her out so much that she would never let me set up a marine tank!

 

[theyammieguy]

Lol, yup thats mine.
Heres the thread. http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1738847
Most people claim that an infest like that is caused by over feeding but I was maybe only feeding once a week for the last year or so. I have restocked my tank but left the bristle worms alone.
Not sure what it is but they don't bother my hands. I'm always grabbing ahold of one by accident and they don't hurt me. Might be because I'm a diesel mechanic and my hands are all tore up.
Oh and besides on turbo snail, a couple bumble bee and nasarius snails and an emerald crab, the BW's are my only CUC. No shrimp or hermits in my tank.

 

[nikon187]

I think most people would call them expensive because of the lack of things they come with. Most all in ones lack proper water flow, adequate space for a fuge, strong lighting ( aside from the solana and JBJ HQI) and usuable space. You will fill it up pretty quick. That being said they are allright starter tanks and they do look nice.

 

[mudskipper1]

+1 on the 40breeder, gives you a large footprint, lots of lighting options, some forgiveness when it comes to newbie mistakes that are inevitable...for everyone. I loved it as my first reef.

The aio systems just didn't offer enough flexibilty or opportunity for upgrade in the future for me. Basically, very little could ever be transferred to a future system, and you would likely start nodding it right off the bat to the specific things you need.