Thinking CUBE... What's the best

[nwcronauer1242]

Thinking of going the Cube route. I have limited space in my living room and the larger build for the basement has been put on hold with a new baby on the way.

What's the best option out there right now for a "turnkey, plug & play" system that I can do a full mixed reef.

I'm thinking the 28gallon range with about 30# give or take of LR, some BTA's, a clown (maybe a pair), YWG & pistol shrimp pair, couple of emerald crabs, decent CUC, zoos, rics, and some acros.

Anything out there come with decent enough lighting for the acros? If not, I can stick w/ softies and upgrade lighting later, but for now I need turnkey.

Future plans would be to drill the back, throw a sump/fuge underneath in the stand, do a closed loop for flow (the wife doesn't want to see any wires). Any input from you all would be great! Thanks!!!!

 

[reef1906]

Whats your budget ? It is not " turnkey " but I recently bought the marineland 27 g cube with stand for 200 bucks brand new from petsmart or petco. It came with LEDs but they suck. I put a sump and skimmer in the stand and it all cost about 650 for everything (except lights) which was an awesome deal I think.

 

[nwcronauer1242]

budget isnt of huge concern (I'm happy to accumulate over the next 4-6 months if I have to do it slow.) I'm more concerned with quality. Probably I figure around $1000 give or take to get it all up and running. I have a 10g and 2.5g that will wind up being my sump & fuge down the line, but probably not for about a year or so. I have some freshies swimming around those right now. The crappy LED's could be an issue. I'm not married to the idea of having SPS at least not right away in here, but if the lights are crappy, then I'll have issues with softies too. I need something that can keep the BTA's and zoos happy at the very least. I have plans for a 75 or 90g reef in wall in my basement, but with the baby that's pushed back probably about a year or two. I can get the cube set up and happy and figure when I do the 90 project, i'll add the sump to the cube at the same time.

 

[moondoggy4]

http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovati...-Innovative_Marine-0I10217-FIAQNCNTHH-vi.html maybe something like this Also check out the other tanks at Marine depot sorry I cannot by browsers is too old hard to see or read anything.

 

[cbonito]

http://www.marinedepot.com/Innovati...-Innovative_Marine-0I10217-FIAQNCNTHH-vi.html maybe something like this Also check out the other tanks at Marine depot sorry I cannot by browsers is too old hard to see or read anything.

I recently bought the 8 gallon version for my wife and it's a really nice system for the money. I can't see why the bigger one wouldnt be just as good if not better.

 

[nwcronauer1242]

Anyone have one of these AIO cubes drilled and running a sump/fuge below? If so do you have pics? The wife want's things as concealed as possible and super clean for the living room. I'm hoping to find one used to save on money, but we'll see. I'm debating on which of these I want to pull the trigger on.

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_28_G...J_Lighting-JB7137-FIAQNCCKTLTT-JB7137-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_28_G...J_Lighting-JB7137-FIAQNCCKTLTT-JB7143-vi.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife...Gallons-Coralife-ES15606-FIAQNCCKTLTN-vi.html

any thoughts (and reasons) for which you might prefer?

 

[nwcronauer1242]

no one, huh?

 

[moondoggy4]

You linked three tanks that have closed tops, my opion is that they will trap heat, the tank that I posted is a sexier tank open top then get a AI Nano led light with a controller, somewhere near 700 total ( tank and light), better light nicer clean line tank. I do not have any experience with any tank listed just have my preferences.

 

[moondoggy4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfMIzEAiygI&feature=related something to look at Another option but pricey is a Solona XL 67 I believe that they are called not AIO but has a built in overflow.

 

[moondoggy4]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDDSgDGQCbw remember that the Innovativ tank does not have a frame

 

[TundraGuy]

I have the Nuvo 38 and love it. My buddy got the 8 he loves it but is now looking to get the 16. I think the 16 is a perfect size for most wanting a Nano. Rimless check, upgradeable check, cube check, room in the back for fuge skimmer heater ato check, and big back compartments to fit a hand down in them check. this is my vote for you get the 38

 

[Spirofucci]

I think the best plug and play would be an RSM 130d. Its almost a cube and has only one cord that plugs into the wall. The stock lighting will grow most corals except the more delicate sps. No problem growing monti and birdnest types.

Having said that, I think in the long run, you'd be happier getting all you components seperately and having a sump.

 

[nwcronauer1242]

Thanks everyone. I guess I should have been a little more specific. Although I love the rimless look and would prefer to not have the top completely covered, it's not an option unfortunately. Mostly this is driven by the boss (wife). The tank will sit behind one end of our couch. Basically she doesn't want to turn around and look up at the tank only to see bare lights beaming down on her. That's the drive to something like the BC's that I linked. I think the RSM 130D is my top choice at this point based on my limitations and guidelines i have to follow to have it upstairs in the living area.

In the long run, this tank will wind up being nothing more than something that lets me have something set up right now. The plan was originally for an in wall system and fish room until word of the baby came! (Which I'll take the baby over the tank any day we'd been trying for quite some time). Since I know I'll be building my "almost dream tank" in the wall in about a year or two, I just want something to hold me over and satisfy my obsession with having and taking care of a little marine ecosystem of my own.

Thanks for the input all. Now all I have to do is find one used or convince her that shelling out $800 bucks is a good idea ..