All-in-ones?

kevin95695

kevin95695

Member of the Registry
I really like the look of all-in-ones... I'm a minimalist that appreciates clean lines in my equipment. I want attention drawn in the tank, not to the tank.

Anyway, I plan to buy an all-in-one cube type nano setup. I'd like to max my water capacity for stability and reefscape real estate. I'm leaning towards a 24-34g size. (Does that still count as 'nano'?). I'd like to get the beefiest, most adaptable lighting I can afford so that I can keep my options open for future stocking. I also would like as many components as I can get built into the OEM design. I'm considering starting out a reef with live sand, live rock, softies and zoanthids to start and maybe someday further diversify if my system, skills, and marriage can handle it.

So far I've browsed Aquapods, Nanocubes, Biocubes, modded boxes (at nanotuners etc.) and the Red Sea MAX (which I'm leaning towards).

Anybody gone through this process recently with some info on their conclusions?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:
I have a 24 gallon Nanocube and I think it's one of the best ways to enter the hobby (Not to mention the look of them over the rectangle tanks).

I got a plain Nanocube DX to start with. Now that I have had it going for about 8 months it's time to replace the lights and I ordered a new hood at nanotuners.com (I ordered the 108W version). I hope to get it installed this week so I'll know more then.

If you want to see a good thread about starting a nano check out:

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=999069
 
Thanks!

I knew/know nothing about the JBJ 28 other than the link... When is it due?

Also, thanks colinadam. That is some mighty thread. I'm on page 3 of 17 (so far) but I wanted to thank you for pointing me to it... It seems as though slukach has many questions I might otherwise ask and for the sake of the other participants, it might be good for me to get to pg17 before I post again in the nano forum!
 
Here is my 2 cents, on all-in-ones.

1) Auqapod - Limited to 2 chambers in back (24G Model)
2) JBJ - No personal info
3) Red Sea - Pricey
4) Finnex M-Tank - minimal rear chambers, rain trays.
5) Cadlights - extremely limited equipment space.

They all lack in lighting, unless you re-invest in upgrades.

All the "All-in-ones", in my opinion have a drawback or three. Mainly they are very limiting to equipment, e.g. pumps, skimmers, etc....and do not provide adequate refugiums if that is what you want. They are all small and don't provide adequate swim territory for fish, for the most part.

That being said. As my M-tank is maturing and growing out frags, I am working on an all-in-one 40 Breeder.

The false walls, baffles, refugium chambers, multiple returns, etc...are all extremely simple DIY and extremely cheap. The roughest part for a person with little to no tools is routering out the surface skimmer portion of the false wall.

Might not be considered a nano anymore.

I would pass on them all.

Were I to do it again, I would duplicate one of the 10G (all-in-one designs) on these forums, learn my lessons, and then design the tank size I felt most comfortable with. 30 breeders, 40 breeders have the depth to provide a false wall section and still provde significant space for aquascaping and fish swimming.
 
Still waiting on Red Sea's 34. What's the deal w/the 28G? I mean when will it hit stores so I can poke at it? Same question with the Red Sea 34... I even called them.

The $600 price for the Red Sea 34 isn't too bad really, if you price all the components individually. Not a steal, but not bad.

(so far I'm up to pg13 on the thread colinadam pointed me to).

All things considered, I'm going with an all-in-one option for my first reef. I think it is the one option my wife will find aesthetically acceptable as 'furniture' in our living space, which is where it will be and who will have to look at it more than I.

I was leaning to the Red Sea 34, but the JBJ 28 is dead sexy! When does it hit?

Thanks again.

-Kevin
 
A quote from JBJ in regards to the release date and price of the NC 28:

Quote: "the new 28g Nano Cube HQI will be available in stores between March - April. The MSRP has not been determined yet, we will update our website by next week."

My guess is somewhere in the $400-$600 range.
 
"My guess is somewhere in the $400-$600 range."

Yeah, I think it may be $600+ with all the new things that will come with it (skimmer, wavemaker, MH lights, dual pumps & new chamber design).

Either way to rich for my blood :)
 
I'd wind up putting at least $600 into a project box anyway. As long as the components are quality and would otherwise cost more to cobble together myself (with boxes, wires and plumbing pokin' out) I might as well start off with a solid kit. I would only hope they would be able to price in their economy of scale and offer the unit at a price around 20-25% less than it would cost me to patch one together. In my case, if they could do that I'd be all itchy about it. Your results may vary. Ask your doctor if all-in-ones are right for you.

I've called Red Sea directly and got the run-around. They say they've shipped to Drs F.S. and Central Pet, but I hung up, called both and they say they're still waiting... As of the beginning of the week the customer service rep at Drs FS said there were 8 customers with orders on backorder and anyone ordering after that would get in line on the seniority list. So what the heck, if I have to wait until March/April for the MAX 34, I could just as easily hold out for the JBJ 28. All-in-all I'd trade 6g of capacity for some of the 28's sweet OEM features.
 
I'm up to pg14 of the thread you pointed me at... That slukach is no slacker. If he's an attorney I wanna find out how I can get him on retainer! Actually, I don't often need legal services, but if I did I'm certain this guy does his homework. And colinadam you are one heck of a contributor to this community.
 
Glad you like the thread :)

You'll have to join it when you decide what your going to do, it's always fun to see other peoples builds.
 
Oddly, I was leaning toward the Red Sea nanos as well. Love that JBJ above. Curious though, does the Nano Cube line have one with a protien skimmer already?
 
I just finished browsing nano-reef.com and the "all-in-one" forum threads there seemed to have negatives about Red Sea MAX and JBJ's forthcoming 28g w/150w metal halide...

I've decided to start with an all-in-one and these are the two systems I am considering for my first reef setup and obviously would like to get to the point that I'm comfortable with my final choice.

I realize that anytime a kit is offered there will be those who are 'anti-' but at some point we all have to realize that if we're buying a kit we'll be settling on something, right?

JBJ criticisms seem to be mostly about relative quality of each component. But DANG! They're gonna put a wavemaker, AND a 150w metal halide in it! Plus it'll have a bowed front.

The Red Sea MAX claims dual chamber-to-tank pumps, plus 34g capacity!

Uggghhh.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

W
Height of lights
Replies
8
Views
575
WMCWINGS186
W
B
Getting back into reefs after a decade away.. Questions
Replies
3
Views
408
Dustin07
D
rpscuba
JBJ RL Nano 20 gal
Replies
7
Views
701
Patrick Seastar
Patrick Seastar
Guygettnby
How old of a tank to buy?
Replies
8
Views
520
griss
griss
K
upgrading tank and need more info
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
wvned
wvned
Back
Top