what should i get? JBJ picotope or 2.5g AGA

[sjm1978]

well now that my 24g AP is about 2 months away from being up 1 year. i think i have enough experience with sw that its time for me to set up a pico with corals/inverts only. i really like the jbj picotope's look but i would be putting a new light/filter if i went with it so would it be better to just get a 2.5g all-glass tank instead? i think it would cost less that way instead of buying the picotope and upgrading the filter/light i want to buy a aquaclear 30 and mod it for a fuge or should i just buy the jbj picotope and upgrade the filter and light on that or just use what comes with it and add a powerhead for more circulation and maybe upgrade the light after it cycles? i want to keep gsp/mostly zoos/some rics.post pics of your guys picos and what your using.

 

[sjm1978]

^bump

 

[Lpabsolute]

My friends always had probs. with 2.5 AGA tanks. Even the slightest bump will cause it to break/crack. I've seen it first hand. I've got a 5.5g AGA and never had a prob. Just my $0.02

 

[sir_dudeguy]

I've never had a 2.5 aga, but if them breaking is an issue, maybe you could just make your own w/slightly stronger glass? Surely couldnt be too expensive and wouldnt be too hard and it would give you the peace of mind of being stronger.

Anywho, i've got the 3g pico by jbj and i like it a lot, however i made some immediate upgrades on it right when i got it.

First off was the filter (or source of flow i should say). The stock filter blows royally, so i tossed it and put a whisper 20 on there instead, which works great. It has a very good amount of flow for this size tank when on full blast.

Next was the lighting...i kept the original 9w pc on there, but i also added the coralife mini 2x9w light, so i've got a total of 3x9w (27w total) and i'm growing tons of stuff (mostly sps now).
I have been told tho, that this coralife light fits perfectly over the aga 2.5g tank. So maybe that woudl be a good way to go? Right now i'm getting a canopy built for the jbj pico so i can retro the lights in, because otherwise its pretty hard to get the lights on there.

I also like the shape of the jbj 3g pico a ton better than the 2.5 aga. If you buy it, id' buy it online cuz i've seen it for about 30-40 bucks there. In stores i usually see it for like 55 or so which is rediculous imo, but thats how it is. I got mine for 35 at a store on sale tho.

 

[sjm1978]

ok i just looked up the size of the AGA 5.5g tank i think im gonna go with that. since i have ballasts/bulbs/moonlights/reflector all from my 24g AP stock hood. i can build a canopy for the 5.5g AGA tank to house the lighting. here is a link to where im gonna be posting my setup of the tank. http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1085364