Has anyone bought one of these?

[jeffbrig]

Costco is currently offering a 12g "reef" nano setup for $99 on their website. The brand name given is Vision Cube, but it looks remarkably similar to an aquapod. They're a bit vague on specific details for the equipment, though.

Listed in the features:
-12 Gallon glass tank
-Energy efficient high output T-5 lighting provides better tank visibility
-Moon light feature for coral spawning, breeding and night feeding
-Lighting is hidden under canopy
-Submersible circulating pump - circulates 9 times per hour
-3 stage filtration system
-Carbon pillow and filter pads included
-Flip top canopy for easy feeding and maintenance
-Dimensions: 15" H x 14" W x 16" L
-Empty weight: 26 lbs.
-Filled weight: 96 lbs.


We're thinking about getting one...price sounds good, almost too good. Might go ahead and order, we can always return it if it's not what we expect.

Has anyone investigated this in more detail?

 

[Cshradr7]

costco cube on the left, nanocube on the right - yeah i'd say they look pretty close. if you get one i'd like to see how you like it.

 

[slowECUdiver]

i think Aquatraders.com was selling the same thing. i'd be worry about quality control on such a cheap product. last thing you need is 12 gallons of Salt water flooding your floor...

 

[slowECUdiver]

oops..double post...

oops..double post...

sorry...double posted...

 

[R33f]

You guys know what... the Costco Cube look indentical to the Cube Master that is available on Ebay.

I do have a 12g cube master myself. Quality wise is so-and-so comparable to a Nanocube. Haven't seen a aquapod myself so I can't make the judgement. It was describle to have 5 mil thick glass so I am hoping there won't be a crack issue like the NC.

There were no fans so heat will be a issue and the lighting isn't that great. I end up adding fans and 70w mh setup with a nanocube 2x24watts ballast to bring it up to par.

 

[anarchtech]

The Biocube 14 is under $200 on Ebay. It has some pretty good lighting, filtration and fans.

 

[chocodile]

the hood on the Costco tank looks a lot different than an aquapod.

 

[GobyJohnKenobi]

Anyone ever wonder what happened to all those thinner glass tanks that were left after everyone switched to thicker glass?

Just asking.

 

[OoNickoC]

well, 6 are in my customers houses/offices......and going on 2 years. The costco cube cannot support many corals with the lighting, which is very poorly wired. I would with the nanocube, you can pick up the basic model for under $100.

 

[vanna101]

Dr.foster and Smith Offers the standard JBJ Nano Cube for 89.99 to Reef Central members. That might be a better choice if you want to keep more corals.

 

[jewtball]

i think they are all the same coming in from the same manufacturer in china. you can name it anything pods, cubes, vision, master, costco whatever but they just all look like the same stuff. i dont think any of these companies actually "MAKE" any of the nano's they sell.

 

[Agu]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8568141#post8568141 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jewtball
i think they are all the same coming in from the same manufacturer in china. you can name it anything pods, cubes, vision, master, costco whatever but they just all look like the same stuff. i dont think any of these companies actually "MAKE" any of the nano's they sell.

Probably true but I doubt they're all built to the same specifications. When a supplier competes on price alone sometimes quality has to be compromised.

 

[spyderman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8564901#post8564901 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by OoNickoC
well, 6 are in my customers houses/offices......and going on 2 years. The costco cube cannot support many corals with the lighting, which is very poorly wired. I would with the nanocube, you can pick up the basic model for under $100.

What is the wattage on the lighting...I thought t-5's were pretty good??

 

[spyderman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8566608#post8566608 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by vanna101
Dr.foster and Smith Offers the standard JBJ Nano Cube for 89.99 to Reef Central members. That might be a better choice if you want to keep more corals.

Vanna,

How do you access the discounted pricing on Fosters/smith

I've bought from them before

 

[Buster4900]

Access DR. F&S site through the sponsor tab at the top of the page.

 

[jeffbrig]

More details on the Costco nano: No fans, and there are 3 x 8w T5 bulbs. I'm trying to find out what kind of bulbs - and whether they have the proper spectrum for a reef. I tend to like the possibility of T5 lighting, you could easily retrofit icecap reflectors above the bulbs if they don't already come with something good.

 

[roader247]

I had one that was made from the thinner glass and one day it broke for no apparent reason. Good Luck

 

[Cody Ray]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8568201#post8568201 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Agu
Probably true but I doubt they're all built to the same specifications. When a supplier competes on price alone sometimes quality has to be compromised.

Quality is never compromised, just lost

 

[jeffbrig]

Well, the $99 promotion was ending last night (normally $125), so we went ahead and ordered one. I'll document everything with pics once it arrives. We figured it was worth a gamble - if we don't like what we see, it's easily returnable at the local Costco.

 

[momentumfoto]

here is my Master... its just ok... anyone know anything about these lights???

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=989373&highlight=cube+master