Nick Shades
New member
Hello everyone,
Long time lurker here, intermediate aquarist (with heavy emphasis of 5 years planted tanks, only) with an ongoing urge to make a plunge into a saltwater tank.
I love rimless tanks, and my planted tanks emphasize this, as well as hiding every bit of hardware from their display that I possibly can - from drilling my own glass, to canister filtration to in line auxilliaries, the only thing i ever like to see in my tank is the scape and its inhabitants.
I love saltwater tanks, specifically reef tanks. My uncle had a 300 fowlr for years, but had someone come in, set it up, and maintain it when things got bad. He isnt the worst resource for information, but he is not the greatest either.
That being said, my perfect tank would a Midas Blenny, a peppermint shrimp, clown fish ans a paired simple coral, either soft or LPS.
Famous last words are often, "I'm not too into corals," but really I am not. I love the idea of paired organisms, and that is where my fascination ends.
Until my wife and I get a new home, I absolutely do not see myself wanting a tank larger than 60 gallons. 25 to 37 would be most ideal.
After a bit of reaearch, everything from price, to size, to its all in one features of the JBJ mt 602 28 gallon LED intermediate radiate its simplicity in what i am looking for in my first saltwater tank.
That being said, I'll disclose some of its minor caveats I imagine and perceive.
It doesnt come with a protein skimmer. I have the least experience on the planet with this aspect, because of my FW only background. I have a difficult time differentiating what makes one better than another, especially when confined to a mere few that will fit stock into this unit. I am no stranger to modding, but for my first tank to transition over to, I'd like to reduce, significantly, things to fetter over while I learn to dial in water chemistry and such.
It has a lid. I LOVE seemless scapes, and the ability to reach in easily and fix things, without making a chore what already can be. I DON'T enjoy evaporation, and for the sake of minimizing this, I see this as a lesser of two evils. I am no stranger to RO water top off, as I prefer to minimize water changes in my planted tanks, and when numbers are fine, all I do with them is top them off.
THE HUMUNGOUS FINANCIAL UPGRADE BARRIER. Without saying that I find it possible i could succumb to the merciless urges known as frag addiction, the nearly 100% price of a new retail unit for upgrading from the 602 to the 601 hood makes me nervous. I do not see myself jumping into SPS territory, and frankly, do not want to in a tank this size, but i do know that I have stood ready at the challenge to successfully grow plants on driftwood and rock that would otherwise be substrate only. IT is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment to do such things, and while I would prefer to not jump down its rabbit hole until I have the facility for a very large tank, part of me is more than aware of the little voice in my head that breathes the acronym, "SPS."
So with all those key points laid down, please, talk me out of this by suggesting a 25+ gallon, preferably cube and rimless alternative to the JBJ MT-602 which would cost fewer american dollars than $600 for aquarium setup (not including live rock, substrate, inhabitants, etc).
Thank you everyone! I look forward to reading your suggestions!
Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk
Long time lurker here, intermediate aquarist (with heavy emphasis of 5 years planted tanks, only) with an ongoing urge to make a plunge into a saltwater tank.
I love rimless tanks, and my planted tanks emphasize this, as well as hiding every bit of hardware from their display that I possibly can - from drilling my own glass, to canister filtration to in line auxilliaries, the only thing i ever like to see in my tank is the scape and its inhabitants.
I love saltwater tanks, specifically reef tanks. My uncle had a 300 fowlr for years, but had someone come in, set it up, and maintain it when things got bad. He isnt the worst resource for information, but he is not the greatest either.
That being said, my perfect tank would a Midas Blenny, a peppermint shrimp, clown fish ans a paired simple coral, either soft or LPS.
Famous last words are often, "I'm not too into corals," but really I am not. I love the idea of paired organisms, and that is where my fascination ends.
Until my wife and I get a new home, I absolutely do not see myself wanting a tank larger than 60 gallons. 25 to 37 would be most ideal.
After a bit of reaearch, everything from price, to size, to its all in one features of the JBJ mt 602 28 gallon LED intermediate radiate its simplicity in what i am looking for in my first saltwater tank.
That being said, I'll disclose some of its minor caveats I imagine and perceive.
It doesnt come with a protein skimmer. I have the least experience on the planet with this aspect, because of my FW only background. I have a difficult time differentiating what makes one better than another, especially when confined to a mere few that will fit stock into this unit. I am no stranger to modding, but for my first tank to transition over to, I'd like to reduce, significantly, things to fetter over while I learn to dial in water chemistry and such.
It has a lid. I LOVE seemless scapes, and the ability to reach in easily and fix things, without making a chore what already can be. I DON'T enjoy evaporation, and for the sake of minimizing this, I see this as a lesser of two evils. I am no stranger to RO water top off, as I prefer to minimize water changes in my planted tanks, and when numbers are fine, all I do with them is top them off.
THE HUMUNGOUS FINANCIAL UPGRADE BARRIER. Without saying that I find it possible i could succumb to the merciless urges known as frag addiction, the nearly 100% price of a new retail unit for upgrading from the 602 to the 601 hood makes me nervous. I do not see myself jumping into SPS territory, and frankly, do not want to in a tank this size, but i do know that I have stood ready at the challenge to successfully grow plants on driftwood and rock that would otherwise be substrate only. IT is a tremendous feeling of accomplishment to do such things, and while I would prefer to not jump down its rabbit hole until I have the facility for a very large tank, part of me is more than aware of the little voice in my head that breathes the acronym, "SPS."
So with all those key points laid down, please, talk me out of this by suggesting a 25+ gallon, preferably cube and rimless alternative to the JBJ MT-602 which would cost fewer american dollars than $600 for aquarium setup (not including live rock, substrate, inhabitants, etc).
Thank you everyone! I look forward to reading your suggestions!
Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk
