Opinion on BC12 Nano?

[jimgpayne]

Hi guys... boy am I glad to find such an active local group.

I've had tanks in the long distant past; but want to start my first nano reef and noticed a huge stack of them at the Aquatic Critter for a really good price.

I was originally looking to see if they had any of the Red Sea Max 34 systems and stumbled on these for about 1/3 the price.

So I am wondering if this might be a good way to "ease" into the hobby; or should I stick with my guns and get the Max 34?

Could I start with the BC12 and enjoy myself; or would I regret not getting the Max in a couple months?

Along the same lines, does anyone here actually have the Max 34 that they would be willing to comment on?

Thanks!

Jim

 

[crumbletop]

[welcome]

I just got a max and don't have any water in it yet. This is my first nano, so I can't really comment on the others. When I was looking I was told by several people to go with the Max. I'm really impressed with it so far, in part because it is such a nice all-in-one unit. My only real question is how the lighting color and intensity will be. I'm really looking forward to getting it going.

 

[gsusfreak]

hey jim.....is there a reason why you want a BC?...all in one units are nice simply because you dont have wires running all over the place, but honestly, i think i'll be way cheaper and you'll have more options for equipment using a standard tank

if you already decided that you want an all in one tank....my only advice would be...the bigger the better....you'll run out of room quick in a small tank....so fork out for the RSM........but then again, i'd rather get a standard 75 gal, buy good equipment for approximately the same price as the RSM

 

[NeveSSL]

Welcome, Jim!

I was thinking along the same lines as John. It may or may not be cheaper, but it will be easier to keep your parameters stable if you got a larger tank.

I would also recommend the RSM. Not only have they been good to our club (donating a RSM34 for our frag swap), its a larger tank. If nothing else, there are a couple of people selling used tanks at the moment as well for good prices.

Brandon

 

[jimgpayne]

Thanks for the replies folks.

The main reason I am looking for an all-in-one is that I have very limited space to do this in. It will be in our bedroom, and my wife will also insist on a pleasing appearance (if I tried to accomplish that last on my own with a DIY I would end up sleeping on the couch!).

Another problem I'm facing is that my hobbies always end up costing me much more money than I thought they woruld (isn't that a universal complaint).

I'm leaning towards the RSM though because I'm afraid I may get nickeled and dimed to death otherwise.

Knowing that there will always be *something* that I will want or need to add; is the RSM really good to go out of the box? If not, what things should I plan on adding to it in the near future?

Thanks again!

 

[crumbletop]

Again, I do not have mine up and running yet so take this with a grain of salt. With this hobby there is always something you are wanting to tweak. Lights, skimming, flow, calcium/alkalinity supplementation, noise, and on and on. The RSM is very clean and nice looking. Any mod I do will not mess with appearance.

What I plan to add to mine:
Auto Topoff.
Auto dosing of 2-part (for stony corals).
Aquarium controller to monitor and control pH, temp, etc.

What I may end up replacing:
The fans (if they are too noisy).
The skimmer (if it is too noisy / doesn't function well). My bet is it will function fine -- not sure about the noise.
The lighting (I may at some point fiddle with doing 4x24W T5s on 2 ballasts so I can dial in color a bit better than I can with the current 2 bulb setup and have actinics on separately from the daylights. If the color looks fine to me out of the box, I will not bother with this kind of mod.

 

[Siffy]

It may seem counter intuitive, but a larger tank is easier to maintain. A 12 gallon system, and I think you mean 14 actually (JBJ nano cubes are 12 and 24, BioCubes are 8, 14, and 29), would require daily attention. Where as a 34g is technically outside of the "under 30g is a nano" definition. The larger the water volume the greater your options are. From "can I add this fish" to "it can go another day/X days before I need to test for that".

And larger tanks really don't cost all that more. Yes, the tank itself will cost more. And mfg stands/canopies are ridiculously expensive for the quality and materials used, no matter the size. I'd recommend the largest tank you can COMFORTABLY install in the area you have to work with. I can't speak for the RSM particularly, but I do know they're expensive units to being with although I don't know what's included.

As for nickel and dime that won't be included in any box... Big question, do you plan to make your own water? Buy RO/DI and mix yourself? etc etc. I don't know if AC does water testing, but you'll likely want your own set of test kits. But what I'm saying, for the initial setup of the tank and first year, you'll likely want an RO/DI unit, a full range of test kits, a bucket or 2 of salt, a refractometer, supplements, and food. Already talking about $500-700 in "pocket change". Those are things (some required, some optional) regardless of tank size just to make a point. And it's always cheaper to do things "right" or get exactly what you want the first time.

I would echo the 75g. Or any tank 36-48" long and 18-24" deep (front to back). Anything shorter will be quite small and anything narrower will be hard to add rock to (and less visually pleasing).

 

[gsusfreak]

i believe the RSMs are $700-$800 correct?....and with liverock, your looking at $800-900...and does the RSMs come with a stand?

im with siffy...i know you mentioned having the tank in your bedroom....but is there any chance your wife will let you keep one in the kitchen or livingroom?....any tank, will make some noise, and im not sure your wife will like that either...so on the couch you'll go....LOL......and since you're on the couch, dont you wanna look at a bigger tank?....lol.....with all kidding aside...lets look at the price of getting a 75 setup

tank...$130 (glasscages site)
stand and canopy...$100-200 depending on wood....a DYI though
4-bulb T5 retro light kit...$300..and should sustain any coral you want to keep
skimmer...$100++++ depends on what you want
....so you're looking at $600-$800...depending on which way you go.....and always remember, everything can be found cheaper from people getting out the hobby....ive spent more when i first setup my 20gallon then i have for my 46 and 55 because of locals getting out of the hobby

 

[crumbletop]

The RSM right now is $650 - $699 with the stand included. The stand is very nice. It comes with a skimmer, carbon, ~600 gph of flow, moon lights, lights, timer, fans...

 

[gsusfreak]

good info jack....i do like that stand!...

i was just trying my best to show my experiences with a nano...and remembered spending way more on it than my current tanks

 

[crumbletop]

yep. those are good points on picking up used. I got my 90 gallon setup (tank, sump, stand, canopy) for $200. It is also certainly true that the hobby is a lot more $ than I initially thought. I really like the way this thing is put together, though. Very nice looking unit. I have heard the fans are a little loud, so we'll see.

 

[gsusfreak]

wow jack!!!...$200?!?!?!? for all that....if you ever want to sell that setup...let me know...hehehe