aquaph8
Love The Fish
Check this one out pretty nice looking.
Hello All
- Thread starter Azpatriot66
- Start date
Azpatriot66
New member
I am actually really torn on alot of this...I look at Tanque's 29g set up and it could handle everything I want to do and probably then some....my only issue is how to do it and keep it clean looking, that is why i tend to lean towards the AIO's though in fact a regular tank and the right equipment would probably be a much better system and a considerable lesser cost.
Azpatriot66
New member
That one is very nice..clean looks top end, with all the electronic add-on I think that system probably ran around 2k.
Tanque Verde
New member
In theory, if that were your goal, we could mix the overflow and sump from my 57g with the 26g for a very clean look. The challenge then would be to come up with a custom stand. Maybe once again easier just to start from scratch with an AIO. Definitely, though, research the most common mods for your model AIO. They're not usually in the sweetspot right out of the box.
Azpatriot66
New member
Tanque would think it wiser to start small small like a 12-18g and see how it goes and then graduate up? Or is the old adage smaller is harder true in your mine?
Tanque Verde
New member
No. Definitely not. There's nothing to running a 25-75gallon tank that you can't learn on the job, or, more accurately, that you would learn better on a nano. And the extra water volume will cushion you. You're on the right track with patience, water changes, responsible feeding, good filtration, and recognition of your livestock's needs and your tank's limitations.
Tanque Verde
New member
^and I'll add research. Virtually every challenge you could face has already been faced by other reefkeepers, written up, and posted online.
Azpatriot66
New member
I think I am leaning towards the side of caution for this 2nd attempt. I can appreciate what Aqua said about people coming and going quickly in this hobby, that was me 6 years ago....dropped 1k and a year later gave it away to a neighbor, so I suppose I should never say never.
Considering the other factors including space and aesthetics I think I will start looking at something like the LED Nanocube instead of the Cadlights type setup. Cost is about 50% cheaper and adjustments would have to be made to either no matter what. I can give it a few years and see if I am any good at this and step up to a bigger unit when I become more advanced in the hobby.
Question for you Tanque and Aqua (I do appreciate all this input) I would love to make this a " class project" type of thing if possible. Bantering of upgrades and fixes that would need to be done...perhaps ripping into the cabinet to make a refugium and a top off system, things like that. When the time comes perhaps some of you have experience in doing some of the mod's and I can get some help on the set-up (and I would be happy to be generous for any physical help on the project).
So I am off to the DIY forum to try and get some ideas to create a super nano-cube and who know perhaps we will all learn something new. If you guy's have a better option that meets the needs then I am all ears. Sadly I was not blessed with a huge amount of DIY skills...I can break down a spreadsheet with my eyes closed but nobody would ever confuse me as a skilled DIY type of person.
Considering the other factors including space and aesthetics I think I will start looking at something like the LED Nanocube instead of the Cadlights type setup. Cost is about 50% cheaper and adjustments would have to be made to either no matter what. I can give it a few years and see if I am any good at this and step up to a bigger unit when I become more advanced in the hobby.
Question for you Tanque and Aqua (I do appreciate all this input) I would love to make this a " class project" type of thing if possible. Bantering of upgrades and fixes that would need to be done...perhaps ripping into the cabinet to make a refugium and a top off system, things like that. When the time comes perhaps some of you have experience in doing some of the mod's and I can get some help on the set-up (and I would be happy to be generous for any physical help on the project).
So I am off to the DIY forum to try and get some ideas to create a super nano-cube and who know perhaps we will all learn something new. If you guy's have a better option that meets the needs then I am all ears. Sadly I was not blessed with a huge amount of DIY skills...I can break down a spreadsheet with my eyes closed but nobody would ever confuse me as a skilled DIY type of person.
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Tanque Verde
New member
I'd be happy to help out with advice, and with assistance as my schedule will allow.
Many of the mods you should consider will be specific to your model. The model I knew best was the Aquapod, so I might not in the end be that helpful.
I like the idea of proceeding conservatively, saving money until you feel confident in the enterprise, but I wouldn't necessarily rule out the Cadlight. IMHO, an open-top tank is very convenient and aesthetically appealing, and a rimless tank is even better. That's a matter of taste, but some of the AIO cadlights should permit that.
Many of the mods you should consider will be specific to your model. The model I knew best was the Aquapod, so I might not in the end be that helpful.
I like the idea of proceeding conservatively, saving money until you feel confident in the enterprise, but I wouldn't necessarily rule out the Cadlight. IMHO, an open-top tank is very convenient and aesthetically appealing, and a rimless tank is even better. That's a matter of taste, but some of the AIO cadlights should permit that.
Azpatriot66
New member
The Nanocube LED (86W) system w/stand is running 699.00 from JBJ.
http://www.jbjnanocube.com/contents/en-us/d874_28_led.html
The 39g Cadlights with the HQI lighting is $100.00 more and alot more stout looking and probably less DIY work needed...no LED lights and no stand but a more workable system
http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=0&products_id=153
Question is then what is more important..LED lighting or a more "full bodied set up" To me being the CADlights model is probably as big as would ever fit in my living room anyway...where some day I might want to move up from the 28g nano....with the CAD I could just upgrade the lighting in the future.
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Tanque Verde
New member
In my experience, Cadlights WILL sell tanks only. You should call or email and ask them to quote you a price for the tank only.
Also, see the PM I will send you momentarily.
If I were in your shoes, I'd buy the tank without the lighting. None of those AIOs enjoy tremendous reputation for stock lighting. Because temperature is an issue for you, I'd consider either a 150w MH (nothing more powerful), supplemented with evaporative cooling, in which case I'd shop for a used Sunpod, or LEDs like the PAR 38s offered by EvilC at Nanotuners. LEDs will run cooler but will cost more on the front end.
Also, see the PM I will send you momentarily.
If I were in your shoes, I'd buy the tank without the lighting. None of those AIOs enjoy tremendous reputation for stock lighting. Because temperature is an issue for you, I'd consider either a 150w MH (nothing more powerful), supplemented with evaporative cooling, in which case I'd shop for a used Sunpod, or LEDs like the PAR 38s offered by EvilC at Nanotuners. LEDs will run cooler but will cost more on the front end.
wsz594
New member
Def go for the biggest tank you can fit or afford. Small tanks are such a headache.
Azpatriot66
New member
So we get the tank and then just customize here in town and build it from scratch....should not be hard to find a decent stand or have one built here in town to house everything underneath to keep a clean look.
Azpatriot66
New member
Kind of the same way I have thought of with electronics...buy the best you can afford and use it until it stops working...we are on the same page.
Tanque Verde
New member
If you or a friend have carpentry skills--I don't--a stand is an easy thing to build. To make it really easy, shop for a standard sized tank for which you could by a prefab stand, or buy a tank with a stand, or find a cheap cabinet off of craigslist that fits the bill.
My point was that you can do better than stock on the components: lights, skimmer, and pumps primarily. When I was keeping AIOs a year or two ago, that was the way to go. Buy a tank, strip it, add own better equipment.
Azpatriot66
New member
Ok going to give them a call today on the tank/overflow only 39g.....on that link does the cabinet look sufficient enough to do what we are thinking of doing, or should I just have one built for me?
Tanque Verde
New member
It really depends on what you want to do. There appears to be enough room for Cadlight's sump. What would you use as a sump? Would it fit a standard 10 or 20 gallon that you could convert into a sump? Or would it be easier just to buy the cadlight sump too?
Also, it doesn't look like it would fit much more than a sump. Where would you keep your cleaning and feeding supplies and your other maintenance items? A home built stand would allow you to store more, but on the other hand, you don't want a stand that is disproportionately large to your tank.
My reefkeeping worked best when I decided in advance what I wanted to accomplish, and then chose equipment and materials to make it work. Good luck.
Azpatriot66
New member
So I talked to Robert @ Cadlights today.
http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=47&products_id=175
Tanks alone are $400 for the 40L and $390 for the 39Cube the stand either way for these models are $149/ $129 if sold as part of a kit. So basically $550 for tank and stand alone.
http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=47&products_id=175
Tanks alone are $400 for the 40L and $390 for the 39Cube the stand either way for these models are $149/ $129 if sold as part of a kit. So basically $550 for tank and stand alone.
Azpatriot66
New member
Talked to some people over at Glasscages.com
30 x 12 x 16 Tall 29G rimless w/Holes and front starphire $210
Custom Stand with removable front panel $150
Overflow $75.00
So about $435, the nice thing is they stop by tucson 3-4 times a year for drop offs on they're way to the West Coast so that could save a lot of money on shipping.
30 x 12 x 16 Tall 29G rimless w/Holes and front starphire $210
Custom Stand with removable front panel $150
Overflow $75.00
So about $435, the nice thing is they stop by tucson 3-4 times a year for drop offs on they're way to the West Coast so that could save a lot of money on shipping.
wsz594
New member
Heck yeah thats what Im doing their truck is coming in july. I always make my own overflows and drill my own tanks though, easy way to save money.
