Thinking about going nano, seeking advice

[InvoluntarySod]

Hi everyone,

Currently I have a 55g FOWLR set up, but it takes up a bit too much space in my apartment, it also makes a bit too much noise. So I'm thinking about getting a nano, I'm not really sure which size or brand I should be looking at so I figured I would ask around here.

As far as size goes, the only fish I have are 2 black oce clowns and 2 green chromis, I'd like to be able to keep all four of them but I may be able to part with the chromis (reluctantly). So I guess my first question is will 24g be enough for those fish or should I look for a slightly larger cube? As for noise output, I'd like to keep it down so any input on quieter brands would be helpful.

Also if anyone could tell me a good place to buy a nano set-up online it would be a big help, I've com across some good looking deals (much better than my LFS) but I'm not sure if they are from reputable dealers.

Thank you in advance.

 

[jimrawr]

Oceanic makes a nice 30g cube, not the biocube though. You can get it cheap and probably use all the same equipment you have now. Would also be able to keep all your fish in that cube

 

[Illuminati]

jimrawr has a good idea, those Oceanic cubes are nice, my friend has a 33 gallon and there have been some recent threads on the 30 gallon that you can see.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1066630

Do you think you will keep any corals or keep it a FOWLER?

 

[InvoluntarySod]

Why would I want to go with the 30 gallon over the 29 gallon biocube? Part of the reason the nano tanks appeal to me is that all of the filtration and lighting and well everything is pretty much built into it.

As for corals I may keep some at some point down the road but I don't have any immediate plans for them.

 

[ReefWreak]

24g nanocube has been wonderful for me. When I bought it it was a FOWLR with 10 fish in it, including a yellow tang. Now it's a nice peaceful coral tank. But either way, it's very versatile, with built in filtration and lighting, which are both upgradable and replaceable.

 

[Reno Reef]

The mods I have done to my BC14 in order to increase flow, has caused mine to be a bit more noisey than I had planned.

That might be one of my projects for this weekend its to dampen some of the noise.

I also overdosed on my flow mod.

 

[Illuminati]

With the 30 gallon cube you are really getting 30 gallons, the 29 in the biocube description isn't the number of gallons it holds but rather a "designation" to tell the 3 sizes they have apart. Someone found this out when filling it and contacted Oceanic and that was their responce, the total gallons for the biocube is around 22-23.

But if you like the all in ones I have a 24 gallon nanocube and I like it. Good enough lighting for a variety of corals down the road if you go with the stock hood.

I got my nanocube here:
http://www.jbjnanocube.com/index.html?lang=en-us&target=d743.html

Aquapods can be found at
www.aquacave.com

and Biocubes can be found at www.petsolutions.com

 

[hammerswinger]

i would go with either the oceanic or the aquapod. JBJ's have been known to break and have noisy fans. i just repplaced my 1 month old JBJ 6 that cracked aftewr 1 month with an oceanic bio cube and the quality is 100 times better. The red Sea max looks interesting as well

 

[BLKTANG]

My LFS has the Red Sea Max 34g,& for what its worth its a sweet lookin tank. T5's,& a skimmer,Timer,& power strip.

 

[InvoluntarySod]

I'm leaning toward the aquapod. The red sea max looks real nice but it's about twice the price of the others. I'm still concerned that 24 gallons wont be enough for my fish though.

 

[junkitu]

You may want to go with something bigger if you want to keep the same fish. Clowns and chromis are both damsels and can get aggressive with each other in tight quarters. I've also heard that clowns get more aggressive as they pair up.

 

[BLKTANG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9442435#post9442435 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InvoluntarySod
I'm leaning toward the aquapod. The red sea max looks real nice but it's about twice the price of the others. I'm still concerned that 24 gallons wont be enough for my fish though.

twice the price for twice the tank.IMO.

 

[InvoluntarySod]

Twice the amount of money I have to spend as well. lol

 

[BLKTANG]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9445415#post9445415 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InvoluntarySod
Twice the amount of money I have to spend as well. lol

This is a VERY expensive hobby.

IME cutting corners in this hobby will always come back,& bite u in the butt.If u can afford the Red Sea get it.If not the other cubes mentioned are nice,your just limited a bit more on fish selection.

 

[InvoluntarySod]

Well I have about $1000 into my 55g now and I know I wont get more than half of it back when I sell it, not to mention I have to buy the new set-up before I can even start selling the old one. I'm thinking I'll just keep the two clowns and get a 24g.

 

[InvoluntarySod]

I ordered a 24g aquapod with the 150w HQI today. I'm just going to keep the 2 clowns and try my hand at some easier corals. Just thought I'd update for anyone who cared.

Now to start selling the old stuff...

 

[Illuminati]

Great setup and you can keep a good variety of corals under that lighting.