Topless setup or Canopy setup - Need advice for Nanocustom system

Econ · May 21, 2006

Hi folks:

I've decided to get a 24g nano reef system from nanocustom. My dilemma is the following: should I go for a topless setup or the canopy based setup?

I live in Puerto Rico, where we have very hot and humid climate pretty much year round. No matter what kind of system I buy, I know I'll have to deal with keeping the water at the appropriate cool temperature. I will also have to deal with water evaporation issues. My plan for the tank is to include fish. corals and invertebrates.

I would appreciate some advice on which setup (topeless or canopy based) I should get taking into account the following:

1. I would like to add the Aqua C Remora system for protein skimming.

2. I won't be running a sump with this system.

3. Due to the hot weather I'll need good temperature and water evaporation control. The canopy based system have the option of adding the ICA Nano Chiller and it is also advertised (the canopy) as better for providing cooler temperatures. Is this true? Anyone with experience with the ICA nano chiller?

4. If I get the topless system, will I be able to buy some sort of plastic or acrylic lid to place on top of the tank? Will these affect the lightning of the tank?

Thanks in advance for your help.

Econ · May 22, 2006

Anyone?

picocube · May 22, 2006

go topless
I wish they had the Viper out when I set mine up but I can upgrade later
Going topless will help out with any heat issues
you wont need any acrylic for the top of your tank

snarkes · May 22, 2006

Hmmm... i rather like how the light is kept in the tank with the canopy so I would personally go with the canopy setup. A topless system would definitley help out as well. Depends on whether or not you want the MH setup. If not, then you can get the Nanocustoms 4.24 or something like that and it will provide plenty of light together with the cooling needs.

Econ · May 23, 2006

When you guys say MH you are referring to the skimmer, right?

ganomish · May 23, 2006

MH = Metal Halide (lights)

markandkristen · May 23, 2006

i run a topless system as well. i keep ouer ac around 75 so were ok. im running 80 watts of pcs. 70 watt mh shouldnt be too bad. running toppless is awesome in my book as long as the room has descent temp. if the room its in is very warm youring going to have heat issues just my opinion

Econ · May 23, 2006

There will be heat issues cause there's no AC in that room and the temperature is high (90-95 degrees). I guess I'll have to buy a chiller. Anyone in particular you would recommend for a 24g tank?

EMBRYOGUY · May 25, 2006

in your situation, i would highly recommend going with a sunpod over the nanocube. than get a peace of tempered glass cut to cover 70% of the cube. this will reduce evap. as well as reduce risk of fish jumping out. bec it is not completeley covered, you will have enough surface area to keep temps under control. get a topoff system from nanocustoms.

if you do not need the strong mh, stay with the stock lighting and just simply reverse the fans.

you DO NOT need skimmer. put live rock in chambers 1&2. you can also put macro with a small 7-13wt 6700/10k light for the fuge. i have 5 nanocubes.

gearqueer · May 26, 2006

I would not buy any of the JBJ nanos. I have the ICA chiller from nanocustoms and it is awesome. I would rather have an open top with Metal Halides but I had the extra parts to mod the hood so I stayed with the canopy. I like the aquapod. Does the temp in your house stay at 90-95 degrees all the time?

raastamon · May 26, 2006

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7434983#post7434983 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by embryoguy
in your situation, i would highly recommend going with a sunpod over the nanocube. than get a peace of tempered glass cut to cover 70% of the cube. this will reduce evap. as well as reduce risk of fish jumping out. bec it is not completeley covered, you will have enough surface area to keep temps under control. get a topoff system from nanocustoms.

if you do not need the strong mh, stay with the stock lighting and just simply reverse the fans.

you DO NOT need skimmer. put live rock in chambers 1&2. you can also put macro with a small 7-13wt 6700/10k light for the fuge. i have 5 nanocubes.

this is pretty much exactly what i did. although i do not have glass over the tank but none of my fishes have attemped a jump yet. here are some pics of what hes talking about as well as the macro in the chambers with the light... i hope it helps

raastamon · May 26, 2006

raastamon · May 26, 2006

there is lr rubble in chamber 1, and lr rubble, carbon, and chaeto in chamber 2, thats the infamous 20" sunpod 150w. i really like this set up so if your going MH i would def recommend the sunpod

Econ · May 26, 2006

I'm going to go with the SunPod, but the heating issue worries me. Is there a way to fit that ICA Nano Chiller with a Sunpod/AquaPod or JBJ tank setup?

raastamon · May 26, 2006

i dont really know much about the ICA chiller, i used to horrible heat issues with the stock hood. My temp would reach 85 at times so i started turn the lights on at night. and leave the hood open during the daytime. Now that ive gone topless the temp stays at about 77-78 daytime and 80-82 at night with the MH on. However i do turn on a small clip on fan. Evaporation works alot faster however but it does keep the water cooler.

EMBRYOGUY · May 26, 2006

i highly recommend the ato from jbj/nanocustoms. once you have it you cant imagine reef without one. makes life alot easier.

you cannot use the ica without the hood.

raastamon, great pics. my brother is going with your exact setup.

for the record, reef temps can often hover around 85-86 degrees during the summer, so i dont really understand constant concern over high temps in aqua.systems. as long as its a slow process its ok.

eaglesrx · May 26, 2006

hey raastamon,

How much of the light from the fuge light spills out into the display at night? I guess I should first ask if you're doing reverse daylight photosynthesis with your fuge. Or are you just running it during the day? If you are running it at night, does it at all, interfere with the look of the moonlights?

thanks

raastamon · May 26, 2006

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7442618#post7442618 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by eaglesrx
hey raastamon,

How much of the light from the fuge light spills out into the display at night? I guess I should first ask if you're doing reverse daylight photosynthesis with your fuge. Or are you just running it during the day? If you are running it at night, does it at all, interfere with the look of the moonlights?

thanks

actually that was my biggest concern if i do hang on light for the fuge... i didnt want any light leaking or spilling into the display, but this light actually fits directly into the the back...its not wide enough to where you have to keep it high.... here is a pic with the fuge light on...with the moonlight and no light in display at all...there is absolutely no leaks at all...

raastamon · May 26, 2006

raastamon · May 26, 2006

all the light pretty much spills up and out..but it doesnt ever go into the display... these were shot in just now its like 12pm so some light is leaking through my window....but if the fuge light is on at night when its super dark....you can definately tell that none of the light leaks into the display

Topless setup or Canopy setup - Need advice for Nanocustom system

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