Considering a reef tank?!

Tsmit2909 · 01/04/2013, 11:16 PM

Hey guys just mulling over an idea and figured I would ask someone their thoughts on the subject. I have a cousin who has a 75 gallon SW setup and I have always liked it and thought it would be awesome to have one for myself. I have been going with him to the local place around here and I can't seem to get enough.... guess I have a reefing bug. Anyways I have been shopping around and looking at all the needed stuff from filtration to lighting.. Etc. Plus I have been talking to my cousin some as well. I know he has sunk a few thousand dollars or more into his setup. And I know I don't have nearly that much money to get started.

I was however looking into the all in one setups in the 29 gallon range. From the coralife biocube to the jobs nano cube and even the Red Sea max 130D. I'm really not a DIY person other then carpentry which I do have a passion for, so I'm baring this in mind. Also I think it's just nice to have all of the aquarium enclosed and contained with all the needed equipment without the sump and extra hassle.

I have around 1100 to spend on a setup if I chose to spend all of it but would like to have money left over to do some stocking of the tank after it cycles. I am getting rock from my cousin so that nocks some of the expense out of the question.

My question to you guys ... As three paragraphs of ranting is what would you suggest tank wise, size, brand, all in on ( or are they even more of a pain which I have heard from a few people). I really think the Red Sea Max 130 D looks slick and impressive but also have seen some downer reviews on it. Just wondering if anybody has had it knows someone that does and would like to chime it. Also it's sort of the same thing as the other all in one sit-ups but more expensive would it necessarily be worth that extra cash over the bio cube or another.

Also as a side note I have seen some complete sit-ups on Craigslist and eBay for 75 and 90 setups even 55s for a price I think is fair but really don't want that large of a tank for my small apartment. I know that more water volume is much easier to care for but I feel up to the challenge of a so called "nano" system.

Anyways sorry for the long first post. So much running through my head to ask and it's probably all getting jumbled up in this lol thanks for help in advance.

Denbf58 · 01/05/2013, 09:57 AM

To Reef Central the only bad time about starting with a nano tank is keeping water stable things can go out range faster with a smaller tank and needs more attention then a larger tank read the stickies take your time and have fun.

phenom5 · 01/05/2013, 10:25 AM

My very first reef tank was a nano. It is a challenge, but it can be done. It's a challenge to keep the water parameters inline, but on the flip side, it's easy to adjust the parameters. With bigger tanks it can be a long slow decline in water quality that needs a long slow climb back to good water quality...not that I'm advocating against bigger tanks. Not at all, in fact one of the best pieces of advise I've gotten (and not taken unfortunately) is to pick the biggest aquarium that you think you want, and then bump it up in size...but I digress.

As far as all-in-ones go, personally I'm not a fan. The equipment that's used in them can be okay, but more often then not it's lesser quality. And making changes can be a major project. It also seems like it would be a pain to maintain the back chamber vs a sump. No firsthand experience with them, so take that FWIW.

For an apartment, a 40g breeder would be ideal IMO.

potterjon · 01/05/2013, 10:31 AM

Personally I would not buy plug and play unit that has everything with it. While there are a lot of people that enjoy those systems and there are a ton of modifications you can do to them, I like the idea of everything being built the way you want it.
If you do the research and figure out what equipment you need, to keep what critters you want to keep, you will be knowledgeable enough to make informed decisions and you will be happier in the end. Suck it up and plan on getting a sump. You are going to have a stand that is empty underneath anyway. Use that space for your sump. I think you will be much happier.

01/04/2013, 11:16 PM	#1
Tsmit2909 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 9	Considering a reef tank?! Hey guys just mulling over an idea and figured I would ask someone their thoughts on the subject. I have a cousin who has a 75 gallon SW setup and I have always liked it and thought it would be awesome to have one for myself. I have been going with him to the local place around here and I can't seem to get enough.... guess I have a reefing bug. Anyways I have been shopping around and looking at all the needed stuff from filtration to lighting.. Etc. Plus I have been talking to my cousin some as well. I know he has sunk a few thousand dollars or more into his setup. And I know I don't have nearly that much money to get started. I was however looking into the all in one setups in the 29 gallon range. From the coralife biocube to the jobs nano cube and even the Red Sea max 130D. I'm really not a DIY person other then carpentry which I do have a passion for, so I'm baring this in mind. Also I think it's just nice to have all of the aquarium enclosed and contained with all the needed equipment without the sump and extra hassle. I have around 1100 to spend on a setup if I chose to spend all of it but would like to have money left over to do some stocking of the tank after it cycles. I am getting rock from my cousin so that nocks some of the expense out of the question. My question to you guys ... As three paragraphs of ranting is what would you suggest tank wise, size, brand, all in on ( or are they even more of a pain which I have heard from a few people). I really think the Red Sea Max 130 D looks slick and impressive but also have seen some downer reviews on it. Just wondering if anybody has had it knows someone that does and would like to chime it. Also it's sort of the same thing as the other all in one sit-ups but more expensive would it necessarily be worth that extra cash over the bio cube or another. Also as a side note I have seen some complete sit-ups on Craigslist and eBay for 75 and 90 setups even 55s for a price I think is fair but really don't want that large of a tank for my small apartment. I know that more water volume is much easier to care for but I feel up to the challenge of a so called "nano" system. Anyways sorry for the long first post. So much running through my head to ask and it's probably all getting jumbled up in this lol thanks for help in advance.

01/05/2013, 09:57 AM	#2
Denbf58 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: selden N.Y. Posts: 885	*To Reef Central* the only bad time about starting with a nano tank is keeping water stable things can go out range faster with a smaller tank and needs more attention then a larger tank read the stickies take your time and have fun. __________________ Life is good Current Tank Info: 75gal reef ready koralia 3, 30g sump, 4b 48" t5s lighting, 29g reef with breeding pair clowns 55g reef 55g freshwater

01/05/2013, 10:25 AM	#3
phenom5 Unregistered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Arizona Posts: 5,096	My very first reef tank was a nano. It is a challenge, but it can be done. It's a challenge to keep the water parameters inline, but on the flip side, it's easy to adjust the parameters. With bigger tanks it can be a long slow decline in water quality that needs a long slow climb back to good water quality...not that I'm advocating against bigger tanks. Not at all, in fact one of the best pieces of advise I've gotten (and not taken unfortunately) is to pick the biggest aquarium that you think you want, and then bump it up in size...but I digress. As far as all-in-ones go, personally I'm not a fan. The equipment that's used in them can be okay, but more often then not it's lesser quality. And making changes can be a major project. It also seems like it would be a pain to maintain the back chamber vs a sump. No firsthand experience with them, so take that FWIW. For an apartment, a 40g breeder would be ideal IMO. __________________ Rob Current Tank Info: DSA 155 Pro \| ATI Sunpower \| ATB 840 v2 \| Apex \| Wav

01/05/2013, 10:31 AM	#4
potterjon Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Asheville,NC Posts: 933	Personally I would not buy plug and play unit that has everything with it. While there are a lot of people that enjoy those systems and there are a ton of modifications you can do to them, I like the idea of everything being built the way you want it. If you do the research and figure out what equipment you need, to keep what critters you want to keep, you will be knowledgeable enough to make informed decisions and you will be happier in the end. Suck it up and plan on getting a sump. You are going to have a stand that is empty underneath anyway. Use that space for your sump. I think you will be much happier.