Help purchasing a nano-tank...

crio_spice · 08/17/2008, 02:13 PM

Hello, I am hoping someone will be willing to contribute a little information; my fiance is an avid saltwater enthusiast who used to own a large tank that he basically built from the ground up. He sold his entire setup so he could move back East and he's itching for saltwater again, it's obvious. Due to space restrictions another large tank is a no-go at this time. For a wedding gift to him I'd like to get him a nano-tank. HELP! I don't know a thing about them! Something plain without all the bells and whistles would be fine so he can customize to his liking. I'm also trying not to spend an arm and a leg or promise our first born child (I've been shopping and these things are so expensive!). Can someone point me in the right direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank-you in advance. KS

f1restarter · 08/17/2008, 02:18 PM

I'm new to this hobby so I'm also looking into the nano tanks and so far for the price the 34 gallon Solana looks like a good choice. Plus he can add a variety of lights as well. Goodluck! http://www.current-usa.com/solana.html

SquidHC · 08/17/2008, 02:28 PM

There are several brands out there. AquaPod, Solana, Oceanic Bio Cube, so on. Solana's are really nice, but on the upper end of price. The AquaPod and BioCube are just fine units also, but there built in lighting systems are very lacking to say the least.

I guess, if I were to make a suggestion, I would reccomend the 29g/30g varietys. They dont take up barely any more space then a 12 or 15 and you can do A LOT more with them. Any of the three brands above are going to be good options for you. Also, gift reciets are great. That way you can suprise him with something to get the idea across, and he can return it and purchase something more to his taste if he decides to do so.

crvz · 08/17/2008, 03:48 PM

+1 on the solana, I saw one place that was selling the stand, tank, and a light for ~$700. That'd be the way I'd go.

crvz · 08/17/2008, 03:49 PM

http://www.*removed from our communi...-com-s/234.htm

if you're interested

edit: apparently they've not played nice here at RC, so you'll have to find the link yourself.

Octopus8 · 08/17/2008, 04:07 PM

If you're wanting to keep it relatively simple the Aquapod 24 is an excellent choice. I had a 150 gallon reef years ago. The expense and work was more than I wanted to deal with, so I went with a basic all-in-one. There are limitations, but I spend waaaaaay less time working on the aquarium than I did before.

I have the Aquapod 24 gallon model 7051. http://www.current-usa.com/aquapods.html

My Aquapod sits on a Current USA Solana aquarium stand in natural oak. It comes in dark brown stain and black paint finishes. Here's a link to the Solana system. The stand is at the bottom and it's sold separately by your local aquarium store. http://www.current-usa.com/solana.html

These are some shots of my aquarium in the corner of the dining room. I removed the front glass panel on the stand and replaced it with a stained piece of hardwood plywood as I didn't want my supplies and junk to show.

08/17/2008, 02:13 PM	#1
crio_spice Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Ohio Posts: 1	Help purchasing a nano-tank... Hello, I am hoping someone will be willing to contribute a little information; my fiance is an avid saltwater enthusiast who used to own a large tank that he basically built from the ground up. He sold his entire setup so he could move back East and he's itching for saltwater again, it's obvious. Due to space restrictions another large tank is a no-go at this time. For a wedding gift to him I'd like to get him a nano-tank. HELP! I don't know a thing about them! Something plain without all the bells and whistles would be fine so he can customize to his liking. I'm also trying not to spend an arm and a leg or promise our first born child (I've been shopping and these things are so expensive!). Can someone point me in the right direction? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thank-you in advance. KS

08/17/2008, 02:28 PM	#3
SquidHC Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Portland, Oregon, USA Posts: 840	There are several brands out there. AquaPod, Solana, Oceanic Bio Cube, so on. Solana's are really nice, but on the upper end of price. The AquaPod and BioCube are just fine units also, but there built in lighting systems are very lacking to say the least. I guess, if I were to make a suggestion, I would reccomend the 29g/30g varietys. They dont take up barely any more space then a 12 or 15 and you can do A LOT more with them. Any of the three brands above are going to be good options for you. Also, gift reciets are great. That way you can suprise him with something to get the idea across, and he can return it and purchase something more to his taste if he decides to do so. __________________ We are the music makers, and we are the dreamers of dreams. Current Tank Info: 30x30 cube under construction!

08/17/2008, 03:48 PM	#4
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	+1 on the solana, I saw one place that was selling the stand, tank, and a light for ~$700. That'd be the way I'd go. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/17/2008, 03:49 PM	#5
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	http://www.*removed from our communi...-com-s/234.htm if you're interested edit: apparently they've not played nice here at RC, so you'll have to find the link yourself. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

08/17/2008, 02:18 PM	#2
f1restarter Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Colorado Springs Posts: 6	I'm new to this hobby so I'm also looking into the nano tanks and so far for the price the 34 gallon Solana looks like a good choice. Plus he can add a variety of lights as well. Goodluck! http://www.current-usa.com/solana.html

08/17/2008, 04:07 PM	#6
Octopus8 Registered Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: SW Florida Posts: 271	If you're wanting to keep it relatively simple the Aquapod 24 is an excellent choice. I had a 150 gallon reef years ago. The expense and work was more than I wanted to deal with, so I went with a basic all-in-one. There are limitations, but I spend waaaaaay less time working on the aquarium than I did before. I have the Aquapod 24 gallon model 7051. http://www.current-usa.com/aquapods.html My Aquapod sits on a Current USA Solana aquarium stand in natural oak. It comes in dark brown stain and black paint finishes. Here's a link to the Solana system. The stand is at the bottom and it's sold separately by your local aquarium store. http://www.current-usa.com/solana.html These are some shots of my aquarium in the corner of the dining room. I removed the front glass panel on the stand and replaced it with a stained piece of hardwood plywood as I didn't want my supplies and junk to show.