JBJ RL Nano 20 gal

[rpscuba]

Looking at setting up my first nano tank. Coral and a few fish. Interested in knowing how compatible this JBJ tank is with protein skimmers and third-party equipment? The other tank I have been pondering is one of the Red Sea nano tanks. Red Sea seems to integrate well with their products like protein, skimmers auto top off and roller mats. Just curious if anyone has been successful with this JBJ 20 gallon tank especially regarding protein, skimmers and such. Thanks in advance.

 

[Reefing102]

In my experience, JBJ is a great company that’s been around a while. With that said, I have no direct experience with this tank, but historically, all in one style tanks are known to have “issues” with fitting equipment in the rear of them.

However, I did find this on BRS for their dimensions.

So the rear chamber is 3.25x16. Given the middle and overflow chamber dimensions, that should fit most nano skimmers (such as the Tunze Comline 9001). An ATO shouldn’t be a problem, they typically don’t take up much space.

As for fitting other equipment like a roller mat or algae scrubber, I honestly haven’t the slightest clue how they work or how they’d fit.

I hope this helps some!

 

[rpscuba]

In my experience, JBJ is a great company that’s been around a while. With that said, I have no direct experience with this tank, but historically, all in one style tanks are known to have “issues” with fitting equipment in the rear of them.

However, I did find this on BRS for their dimensions.
View attachment 32411119

So the rear chamber is 3.25x16. Given the middle and overflow chamber dimensions, that should fit most nano skimmers (such as the Tunze Comline 9001). An ATO shouldn’t be a problem, they typically don’t take up much space.

As for fitting other equipment like a roller mat or algae scrubber, I honestly haven’t the slightest clue how they work or how they’d fit.

I hope this helps some!

Thank you for the great reply. All points I need to consider for sure. I’ll spend weeks/months going back and forth before I can make a decision. lol

 

[griss]

Have fun planning, once you've decided what you're going with, please start a build thread so we can follow along on your journey.

 

[Reefing102]

Okay so I took a look at the Red Sea Nano. First be aware of the reported leak issues with Red Sea branded tanks. To be fair though, I believe a large majority are in the bigger tanks, not the nanos. I could be wrong though. Leaving personal biases aside:

Generally Red Sea equipment can be used on other brands of tanks. However, in this case the Nano Mat, is 3.5x3.5 foot print, so it won’t fit the JBJ.

Also, I see the ATO is built in on the Red Sea Nano XL, this to me limits the size of the RO reservoir but can be convenient for limited space (unless I’m completely mis understanding their system). My experience with ATOs is the reservoir is a separate “tank” typically under the stand or next to it and just the small sensor is in the main tank/sump area.

With all that said, the Red Sea has some nice features, such as the filter sock (though that gets replaced by the Nano Mat if you go the roller mat route).

The built in protein skimmer, again nice feature, not sure how “built in” it is though. If it’s removable then great for cleaning, if not, not that great of feature due to cleaning hassles in my opinion.

Some other brands to consider just for AIO purposes are Innovative Marine, WaterBox, Cade, and Planet Aquarium Tideline. Each have their own features or lack there of. Each have pretty decent reputations (can’t say I’ve seen many if any leak issues reported).

Something to consider, if you have a LFS, many of the brands (including Red Sea and JBJ) now have “map pricing” which effectively eliminates the ability of the retailer to advertise a lower price than what the manufacturer allows, so possibly consider buying from the LFS instead of online if you can as they’ll likely be the same exact price. Gaining that friendship with the LFS may “help” in the future with purchases too. You never know.

 

[rpscuba]

Okay so I took a look at the Red Sea Nano. First be aware of the reported leak issues with Red Sea branded tanks. To be fair though, I believe a large majority are in the bigger tanks, not the nanos. I could be wrong though. Leaving personal biases aside:

Generally Red Sea equipment can be used on other brands of tanks. However, in this case the Nano Mat, is 3.5x3.5 foot print, so it won’t fit the JBJ.

Also, I see the ATO is built in on the Red Sea Nano XL, this to me limits the size of the RO reservoir but can be convenient for limited space (unless I’m completely mis understanding their system). My experience with ATOs is the reservoir is a separate “tank” typically under the stand or next to it and just the small sensor is in the main tank/sump area.

With all that said, the Red Sea has some nice features, such as the filter sock (though that gets replaced by the Nano Mat if you go the roller mat route).

The built in protein skimmer, again nice feature, not sure how “built in” it is though. If it’s removable then great for cleaning, if not, not that great of feature due to cleaning hassles in my opinion.

Some other brands to consider just for AIO purposes are Innovative Marine, WaterBox, Cade, and Planet Aquarium Tideline. Each have their own features or lack there of. Each have pretty decent reputations (can’t say I’ve seen many if any leak issues reported).

Something to consider, if you have a LFS, many of the brands (including Red Sea and JBJ) now have “map pricing” which effectively eliminates the ability of the retailer to advertise a lower price than what the manufacturer allows, so possibly consider buying from the LFS instead of online if you can as they’ll likely be the same exact price. Gaining that friendship with the LFS may “help” in the future with purchases too. You never know.

Thanks for the sound advise. I will for sure be looking into the Red Sea leaking issues, last thing anyone needs is an aquarium with poor construction.

 

[rpscuba]

Have fun planning, once you've decided what you're going with, please start a build thread so we can follow along on your journey.

Thanks!

 

[Patrick Seastar]

Red Sea is premium but very expensive. All their equipment is designed specifically to fit their aquariums though. If you wanna go all out, having a nano mat & a skimmer is the ultimate add on for any nano & the Red Sea designs specifically for those two things. JBJ is an economy brand. I had a JBJ nano cube, actually. People complained of leaking & I did have a leak but it was through my own error... Experience gained... These all in one nano's are very sensitive just like flat screen TVs. They must always be lifted evenly & preferably with two people.