All-in-One advice needed

[Yankel]

Hi,
I am interested in getting my first "all-in-one" cube aquarium.
Is it possible to set up a "fish only live rock" type of set-up in a cube? Is this done often?
If this sort of tank is a good idea then what is the best choice cube for a newbie to have the best chance of success? I need an "all-inone" cube for space reasons. I can get a 24 or 29 or 32 gal size.
BC or Nano or RSM or whatever....?
Thanks in advance for your help.

Yankel

 

[Illuminati]

If you want a fish only don't go with the RSM, the main cost in that is tied up in the lighting which corals appreciate but doesn't do squat for fish.

Just get a basic nanocube or aquapod, the biocube holds just about the same amount of water as the others (29 is a designation, not the gallons it actually holds).

 

[ghostman]

Colinadam has some great avice. I know that it is true, but it always cracks me up to read the 29 is a reference, not the total gallons. Thats great marketing.

 

[Yankel]

To have such a tank wouldn't I need to have a system with a protien skimmer?
I am not the best "do-it-yourselfer" and, as such, I would want to get a system that had everything I need from the get go, equipment-wise.
Would that mean that I should get a customized Nano or something that already has a protien skimmer as part of the system?
Thanks

 

[shag26272]

if you do a water change about once a week you will be fine without the skimmer, I wouldnt waste my time trying to get one to work on your Nano

 

[Illuminati]

I think the vast majority of All In One owners don't use a skimmer. Shag was right on, weekly water changes will be enough plus the liverock is the biggest part of the filtration process. You can also add chemical media to the back chambers, products like chemi-pure and purigen help keep nitrates down and improves water quality. Info on those 2 products can be found on Dr. Foster and Smith's website.

 

[sperry]

Weekly water changes, chemi-pure and purigen. I like this advice. Having said that I do all the above (well I get lazy with the water changes sometimes) and use a Sapphire NanoSkimmer. But I have a tendency to over feed and as I said I get lazy occasionally. Do you have to have a skimmer? No If you really want one the Sapphire NanoSkimmer will fit in the NC12, 24, Bio29 and AquaPod24 with no DIY mods. Do a search for them, there are several threads. You can get them at NanoTuners Not trying to get into the To Skim or Not To Skim debate, just letting you know your options.