moving from a 180 to a 24!

[springerhd]

Hey all, I've been in the process of breaking down my 180 for the past month - my wife is pregnant and we made the decision that the big tank was just too much of a drain on our wallets. It was so sad to watch everything go though so we've decided to set up a nano.

I am thinking of a 12 or 24g aquapod. I had initially though of the JBJs but after reading so much bad press about them here I am a little wary. Too bad too because I think I can get a better price on them. I like the idea of a cube because it is basically plug and play, put it on a pre-made stand and you've got a nice addition to a room. All the filtration is contained within the cube, no sump needed but can still have a skimmer and a fuge area.

I want the ability to keep LPS and softies, maybe some red monti's which aren't too light demanding, so I am wondering if the PCs that come with these are sufficient. Would a 70W MH be much better than 54W PC? Probably, but I figured I throw that out there for anyone to chip in on.

I have plenty of southdown sand and LR from my 180 to stock this tank with, probably go with a 1" SSB and 1.5 lbs LR per gal - I like the stocked reef look with some small fish.

For fish, I'm thinking:
perc clown or two (nemo for the baby...)
fire fish (although it will probably jump if I go with the MH)
banggai cardinal or 2

There are also some really cool blennies I've seen pics of on here that I'll have to look into.


Any one have any thoughts on the filtration capacity of these cubes, the adequacy of the lights. Any advice at all...?

 

[m1a1fan]

My LFS has an 12 gallon aquapod setup as a "not for sale" display tank. It's beautiful. He has mostly LPS corals in the pod and it looks stunning. So much in fact, that I'm seriously considering a pod just for my two true perc clowns.

He has the stock lighting in the tank and said everything is doing great. I've been impressed with the aquapods I've seen. The JBJ gets to much bad press with the glass cracking. There is a recall on the pods though. Some bad wiring was leading to one of the plugs being live when it shouldn't. Make sure your LFS has checked the wiring for the lights before making the purchase.

 

[springerhd]

Good to hear another recommendation on the aquapods. I have heard about the wiring issue, from what I've heard/read its something I'm sure I can fix - unlike the glass cracking on the JBJs which I can't do anything about!

If I go with the aquapod I am probably going to upgrade to the 150W sunpod fixture. Looks kind of bulky but I like the open top and ability to keep some clams and SPS that it will allow me. Wish that new viper had LED night lights because I would probably go with that instead - very cool looking! So far the best deal on the aquapod I've found is on drs. foster and smith.

I'm also thinking about the finnex 20g M-tank. I see you have the 32g. What do you think? How is the skimmer? What lighting do you have? With the M-tank I would get the 150W HQI system with the actinics and find a way to wire in some blue LEDs for night lights. If I get this one, I'd probably order from nanocustoms once they get them in stock again - supposedly on the 12th.

 

[eyebedam]

That fish place has the 24 for 299

 

[springerhd]

$200 from drsfostersmith with stock lighting. $350 with 70W HQI with LEDs, going to see if they will upgrade the 70W to 150W.

Still seriously considering the 20g m-tank.

Also thinking about the coralife aqualight - $245 from hellolights. Just wondering if it will be secure on the m-tank or aquapod, as well as what the best way would be to attach blue LEDs for night lights.

 

[m1a1fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6618638#post6618638 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eyebedam
That fish place has the 24 for 299

Man, my LFS has the 24 pod for $189 and the 12 pod for $119. Best deal in my area, even cheaper than the online retailers.

 

[m1a1fan]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6618369#post6618369 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by springerhd


I'm also thinking about the finnex 20g M-tank. I see you have the 32g. What do you think? How is the skimmer? What lighting do you have? With the M-tank I would get the 150W HQI system with the actinics and find a way to wire in some blue LEDs for night lights. If I get this one, I'd probably order from nanocustoms once they get them in stock again - supposedly on the 12th.

The M-Tank isn't bad. I think the skimmer is junk, even before I dropped it and it broke (probally was a blessing); it wasn't doing anything in the tank. Half the time it didn't even produce bubbles to drive the skimmer. The powerhead that they use with the skimmer didn't work well at all. Currently, I'm using a Red Sea Berlin Air-Lift 60 in the M-Tank and it's working far better than the Finnex skimmer did. I'm waiting for the Tunze DOC Nano skimmer though.

I have found that Finnex's customer service is great!

I have 192W of PC lighting above my M-Tank and that seems to work well. I had purchased a 250W Reefstar pendant for the tank but found the pendant to big. It seemed to throw more light around the tank than in it. I would suggest more of a spotlight style pendant for the M-Tank.

 

[steelhealr]

You're probably OK now with the 24G nano cube since the glass was thickened. Just make sure it is the 2006 model. My tank has supported everything I have put in it (stock lighting)...even a purple sea whip (gorgonian). Monti's might brown out (tho' I never kept them). If you need a list of what I have in it, feel free to PM. SH

 

[springerhd]

One of the big appeals of the M-tank (besides the clarity of acrylic) was the skimmer was included - if its junk then there goes that. Just looked at that tunze nano DOC skimmer - not cheap but looks good. Wonder if it would fit in the aquapod?

m1a1fan - wish I lived near you! Thats an awesome price on the aquapod. My LFS says they can't even get them!

Waiting on a quote from nanotuners on a 24g aquapod with stand and the JBJ viper light with an LED retro. They recommended the remora or backpack skimmers but one of the appeals of these nanos in that everything is contained in one package. May just do a lot of water changes in the beginning then get that tunze skimmer.....

steelhealr - I've had a few local places try to sell me the old 24g NCs, then play dumb when I bring up the breaking glass! Other than the glass, any complaints on your NC? I'm sure they're fine tanks, they are just enough people down on them here to drive me to the aquapod.

 

[ASpec]

That's not a bad price on the Tunze Nano skimmer... $135 at MarineDepot. If it would fit in the back compartments of the AP or NC I would think it would be an excellent choice.

I am debating on the 70 watt HQI vs 150 watt HQI myself right now. Trying to see if my local dealer will swap the 70 for the 150 for a few extra bucks. The price difference on the actual SunPod at most retailers is only $20-$35 more for the 150 over the 70. Even while talking to Ike at Current he said go for the 150 since you can keep everything under that light for only a few bucks more.

 

[springerhd]

So you're looking at the sunpod? If I didn't want the top of the tank as open as possible, I would go for the 150W one also. I do believe that if you're going to bother with a MH, the few bucks to upgrade to the 150W from the 70W is more than worth it - like you said you have so many more options on what you can keep.

Foster and Smith carries both 70W and 150W but offers the aquapod with the 70W but not the 150. They may be willing to swap if you're local dealer doesn't work out.

 

[ASpec]

I contacted Dr. F&S and they were not willing to swap the fixture, stating the light was contained in the box along with the aquarium. Even if my local dealer will not swap the 70 for the 150 I'll take the 70 and sell it (brand new/in box) and apply the money towards the 150.

At first I did not like the idea of an open top, but the more pic's I see of this tank with the HQI fixture the more and more I like it. And being able to keep SPS and/or clams in the future is a very nice option. I believe you could keep SPS with the 70, but clams would need to be placed high up in the tank.

Add to that the SunPod has 6 LED's for lunar lights, and 3 seperate power cords... seems like a no brainer to me. I looked at the clip on Coralife and the upcoming JBJ Viper but my tastes are more toward the SunPod. And the available hanging kit for the SunPod is also a nice perk.

 

[m1a1fan]

Well, I went to my LFS this evening for a Coral and came home with a 12 gallon Aquapod. I can't beat the price, $119 for the 12 gallon and $168 for the 24 gallon. He doesn't have the HQI version in stock yet (not interested in it anyway).

I purchased the 12 gallon version and the 12 gallon Aquapod stand. The stand is nice and sturdy for a put together.

This will be the new home for my two True Perc clowns. I'll also place some live rock, LPS, and softies in here as well.

 

[ASpec]

Thanks for the pic's Ryan. Good looking tank. Now I'm leaning towards the PC version again since that tank looks so good and "all together" with the hood. Maybe I'll go with the hood for now and buy a SunPod later this spring when the tank is mature enough to support SPS/clams. Decisions, decisions... just when I thought I had my mind made up.

 

[springerhd]

Looks good! Now I'm looking forward to mine even more. Still haven't heard back from nanotuners, but hopefully tonight.

When I finally get mine in, everyone can compare the look of the open top for the hooded version. That look (hood) is what initially attracted me to these - like ASpec said they just look very well put together!

m1a1 - could you post a pic of the back (filtration) part of the aquapod. How many chambers and what do you think of how they laid it out? Would a tunze nano skimmer fit in there (4.9" x 2.1" x 13.3")?

 

[ASpec]

When I finally get mine in, everyone can compare the look of the open top for the hooded version. That look (hood) is what initially attracted me to these - like ASpec said they just look very well put together!

There is a picture of the 24 with the 70 watt HQI over on Nano-Reef. Here is the direct link to the picture for anyone that is interested.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?act=Attach&type=post&id=4775

 

[m1a1fan]

Here are a few more pics and dimensions of the chambers. The Tunze DOC will not fit unless you modify two of the chambers (eliminate a baffle). The dimensions are below...

Overflow Chamber LXWXD

4 1/8 X 3 X 9

2nd Chamber

3 5/8 X 3 X 9

3rd Chamber

4 X 3 X 9

4th Chamber contains the return pump

3 5/8 X 3 X 12 1/2

Here are a few more pics....

 

[ncf3]

The Aquapod 24g w/ the metal halide has glass covering the display but the rear chambers are exposed so it can handle possible HOB equipments (ie protein skimmers). I couldnt decide for the longest time between the 24g JBJ or the Aquapod but finally broke down and today ordered the 150watt MH version of the Aquapod from nanocustoms/nanotuners.com. I have the JBJ 12dx and had no complaints but I thought I would give metal halides a go.

Plus you cant go wrong with Current USA products nor the 150 blistering watts of HQI.

Should receive it iin a couple days and hopefully post some pics.

 

[springerhd]

Just ordered my aquapod from Chris at nanocustoms - they put together an awesome package with the aquapod 24g, stand, viper light, and blue LED nightlight for the viper. Can't wait until it gets here, but will probably be a couple weeks depending on the availability of the viper.

So far I've only got good things to say about nanocustoms.

 

[ktkreegs]

m1a1fan...i'm not familiar with these tanks. How does the water flow thru the chambers. Like over or under or is there holes in the chambers?
******
Overflow Chamber LXWXD

4 1/8 X 3 X 9

2nd Chamber

3 5/8 X 3 X 9

3rd Chamber

4 X 3 X 9

4th Chamber contains the return pump

3 5/8 X 3 X 12 1/2
*******