New Tank Advice

miggs76 · 02/05/2012, 08:53 AM

Ok so I am ready to step up from my BioCube 14g.....its just too small. I've had it for 6 months now and it was my first reef tank. Everything is doing well. I am looking to buy a cube tank due to size restrictions in my living room and would be able to go up to around 50 gallons or so. I don't want anything less than 30 gallons. I have a budget of around 1500 for everything and I already have a vortech mp10 that I can use. If you could build your dream cube for about 1500 what would it be? Thanks for your help.

steve888 · 02/05/2012, 09:48 AM

I also have a 14G BioCube and I'm looking to upgrade so I'll be interested in seeing the responses. In the meantime, you might give this some thought:

http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...mplete-ap.html

These get very good reviews but it is an all-in-one system and it doesn't sound like that's what you want to do (sounds like you want individual components).

If so, maybe this:

50-Gallon system (36x18x19)
1x AGA Tank
1x AGA Stand Pine (black or oak)
1x CUSA Nova T5 light fixture
1x Remora Protein Skimmer
2x Vortech MP10 (possibly the MP40 will work too if you would ever want to upgrade your system)
1x Ehiem Heater
1x Thermometer
1x Carib Sea Aragonite substrate (40lbs)
2x light timers
1x grounding probe
1x GFCI adaptor
50lbs Live Rock (more or less depending on shapes/size of rock)

faisal629 · 02/05/2012, 11:16 AM

for $450 you can actually get a 125 acrylic with mega overflow(s) and sump, refugium, skimmer, return pump, and anothe $100 for 2 buckets of salt which will last you a minimum of 6 months, 100 lbs of base rock at $200 and 50 lbs of live rock at $150. the rest $600 you can spend on lighting, me i would make my own which will run around $450 (led+t12 VHO) and 150 lbs of live sand for max $100
total $1,550
all this is easily found on craigslist all the time, my 55 gallon setup cost $500 with everything!

ReLPSef · 02/06/2012, 08:50 AM

Have a custom build done. For the budget you have, don't waste it on somone else's idea. Lot of options out there. Glass Cages maybe, etc....do some research, you won't regret it.

e46slc · 02/06/2012, 12:03 PM

Check your local lfs and ask if they know a tank builder. I had a local builder build me a rimless tank and sump with all the plumbing parts for less than $700. Pick up some used leds and skimmer on the board for less than new and you'll be on your way.

fpv930 · 02/06/2012, 10:07 PM

I am a big fan of Craigs List. However, I don't agree with used tanks if they are over 2 years old or have lots of scratches. Also, you can't see some of the scratches with water in the tank.
But, used equipment ie pumps, skimmers, sumps, lighting etc are usually excellent buys at 1/2 the price.
I also am a fan of building my own cabinets. The factory cabinets always seem to be too short and lack room inside for all the equipment.

02/05/2012, 08:53 AM	#1
miggs76 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 165	New Tank Advice Ok so I am ready to step up from my BioCube 14g.....its just too small. I've had it for 6 months now and it was my first reef tank. Everything is doing well. I am looking to buy a cube tank due to size restrictions in my living room and would be able to go up to around 50 gallons or so. I don't want anything less than 30 gallons. I have a budget of around 1500 for everything and I already have a vortech mp10 that I can use. If you could build your dream cube for about 1500 what would it be? Thanks for your help.

02/05/2012, 09:48 AM	#2
steve888 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 241	Red Sea Max? I also have a 14G BioCube and I'm looking to upgrade so I'll be interested in seeing the responses. In the meantime, you might give this some thought: http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_...mplete-ap.html These get very good reviews but it is an all-in-one system and it doesn't sound like that's what you want to do (sounds like you want individual components). If so, maybe this: 50-Gallon system (36x18x19) 1x AGA Tank 1x AGA Stand Pine (black or oak) 1x CUSA Nova T5 light fixture 1x Remora Protein Skimmer 2x Vortech MP10 (possibly the MP40 will work too if you would ever want to upgrade your system) 1x Ehiem Heater 1x Thermometer 1x Carib Sea Aragonite substrate (40lbs) 2x light timers 1x grounding probe 1x GFCI adaptor 50lbs Live Rock (more or less depending on shapes/size of rock) __________________ 30G Long, Aqua-C Remora HOB Skimmer, Cobalt Aquatics MJ1200, Vortech MP-10, Koralia 240 GPH, Talbot's Damsel, Forktail Blenny, 2 Skunk Cleaner Shrimps, 2 Snails, 2 Hermits

02/06/2012, 08:50 AM	#4
ReLPSef Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Florida Posts: 169	Have a custom build done. For the budget you have, don't waste it on somone else's idea. Lot of options out there. Glass Cages maybe, etc....do some research, you won't regret it. Last edited by ReLPSef; 02/06/2012 at 08:55 AM.

02/05/2012, 11:16 AM	#3
faisal629 Coolest Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Chicago Posts: 727	for $450 you can actually get a 125 acrylic with mega overflow(s) and sump, refugium, skimmer, return pump, and anothe $100 for 2 buckets of salt which will last you a minimum of 6 months, 100 lbs of base rock at $200 and 50 lbs of live rock at $150. the rest $600 you can spend on lighting, me i would make my own which will run around $450 (led+t12 VHO) and 150 lbs of live sand for max $100 total $1,550 all this is easily found on craigslist all the time, my 55 gallon setup cost $500 with everything!

02/06/2012, 12:03 PM	#5
e46slc Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Posts: 129	Check your local lfs and ask if they know a tank builder. I had a local builder build me a rimless tank and sump with all the plumbing parts for less than $700. Pick up some used leds and skimmer on the board for less than new and you'll be on your way.

02/06/2012, 10:07 PM	#6
fpv930 Reef Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Syracuse New York Posts: 292	I am a big fan of Craigs List. However, I don't agree with used tanks if they are over 2 years old or have lots of scratches. Also, you can't see some of the scratches with water in the tank. But, used equipment ie pumps, skimmers, sumps, lighting etc are usually excellent buys at 1/2 the price. I also am a fan of building my own cabinets. The factory cabinets always seem to be too short and lack room inside for all the equipment.