BEST out of the box <30g Nano Reef Setups

mogwaidtd · 05/19/2009, 01:31 PM

Hey all,

I'm looking for opinions around what's out the, the newest and greatest lets say. Are there currently nano tank that have excellent filtration (sump and spot for high power skimmer) that also leave the option or include top notch lighting? (I am hoping there is a MH/T5 combo out there but I can't find one). I'm into DIY, but want to start with the most and not have to build a system from scratch. I'd also like it to be clean and not have wires and chillers sticking out all over the room. Any suggestions on where to begin looking would be great. Thanks all!

mogwaidtd · 05/19/2009, 01:33 PM

I should probably mention that I would like to keep both SPS and LPS corals, and just a few reef fish. Thanks!

jamest0o0 · 05/19/2009, 01:34 PM

I've heard mostly great things about CAD, I have the 39g Pro myself. That said I'm sure there are other great ones out there.

mogwaidtd · 05/19/2009, 01:54 PM

Wow, thanks James, that looks right inline with what I'm looking for, even from with built in refugium, sick lighting, and skimmer (AND pump!) Did you go with the Signature or Pro series? What were the main considerations in choosing? Thanks.

s.filipowski · 05/19/2009, 01:54 PM

I have a 34 gal redseamax and its awsome I wanted the same thing nice and clean with everything designed for this tank. no wires, decent skimmer, T5's, lots of flow. worth checkin into

mogwaidtd · 05/19/2009, 02:42 PM

James, I read some comments on some other threads that say the CAD has a couple issues, one that the workmanship is suspect (the slats in the overflow are sporadically spaced and widths are not all equal) and also that the pre-drilled 1/2" return piping isn't near big enough for adequate flow. Did you find similar problems?

mnml · 05/19/2009, 02:46 PM

The CADs are nice. I have their 25G. If you decide to go a little bigger, the 34G Solana are pretty sweet.

mogwaidtd · 05/19/2009, 03:43 PM

The Solana's are nice, but the 20" is throwing me off. The outter Orbit MH/T5 lighting is what I would want, but only available in 24". Hmm... I also like the Deap Sea Aquatics Neo-Nano which is basically a 24.5" square tank. Anyone with any experience with this system?

jhoff · 05/19/2009, 04:44 PM

You can also check out finnex www.aquariumspecialty.com

skip2142 · 05/19/2009, 04:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jhoff
You can also check out finnex www.aquariumspecialty.com

+1

jet fixer · 05/20/2009, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mogwaidtd
The Solana's are nice, but the 20" is throwing me off. The outter Orbit MH/T5 lighting is what I would want

What about the Current XL 60 then?

http://current-usa.com/solanaxl.html

lucas73 · 05/20/2009, 10:00 AM

http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Aquariums

Dont know if you have seen these are not,at least give it a look.

thegrun · 05/20/2009, 10:42 AM

I have a JBJ 28 HQI that was nice right out of the box. I have added the 36 watt actinic upgrade, a chiller (a must) and a sump, so it longer is stock.

der_wille_zur_macht · 05/20/2009, 12:09 PM

No one's mentioned this yet so I'll throw it out there. Though I don't own one, IMHO the Elos Mini is a clear leader in this category:

http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...~FIAQCKCH.html

All equipment is included - stand, sump, skimmer, pumps, LED lighting, etc etc etc. The thing is a work of art, and based on reviews from owners, the functionality is great, as well.

mnml · 05/20/2009, 12:37 PM

good call der_wille_zur_macht. if i had to do it all over again, i'd probably get one of these, eventhough i'll be living off of top ramen for a few months.

der_wille_zur_macht · 05/20/2009, 12:47 PM

I'm on the verge of building a nano, but it'll be nearly 100% DIY. The Elos Mini has provided me with plenty of inspiration. It manages to be an effective, modern system in the functional sense, while still being extremely aestetically pleasing - it's really cool to look at!

mogwaidtd · 05/27/2009, 11:24 PM

Thanks everyone! I'll let you know what I choose and provide feedback after!

mogwaidtd · 05/27/2009, 11:28 PM

Anyone have experience with the LED lighting that comes with the Elos? How does it compare as far as light output to a 150W MH + 36W actinics? I know the usage of electricity is substantially less, but will it be enough light for SPS or clams?

eric@tampa · 05/28/2009, 06:26 AM

I have a 24" Current Orbit over my 34 Solana and it does'nt look tacky at all...gonna upgrade to MH tho. Eric

jamest0o0 · 05/28/2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by mogwaidtd
James, I read some comments on some other threads that say the CAD has a couple issues, one that the workmanship is suspect (the slats in the overflow are sporadically spaced and widths are not all equal) and also that the pre-drilled 1/2" return piping isn't near big enough for adequate flow. Did you find similar problems?

Sorry for late response... The only problem I had was a cracked cabinet board, but they just shipped me out a new one. I've also lost a few small things, but that was my own fault haha. I will probably have to add some PH's to the tank as well. Other than that everything has been fine, if a problem comes up CAD is quick to fix things for you.

I picked this system because I liked how it looked and comes with a lot (sump, lights, cabinet, skimmer, pump, UV, fan, etc). I have the euro reef skimmer though because I broke my stock skimmer and just decided to get the euro reef because of its great reviews. I'm also planning to add a remote dsb, fuge, and ato.

05/19/2009, 01:31 PM	#1
mogwaidtd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 21	BEST out of the box <30g Nano Reef Setups Hey all, I'm looking for opinions around what's out the, the newest and greatest lets say. Are there currently nano tank that have excellent filtration (sump and spot for high power skimmer) that also leave the option or include top notch lighting? (I am hoping there is a MH/T5 combo out there but I can't find one). I'm into DIY, but want to start with the most and not have to build a system from scratch. I'd also like it to be clean and not have wires and chillers sticking out all over the room. Any suggestions on where to begin looking would be great. Thanks all!

05/19/2009, 01:34 PM	#3
jamest0o0 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,325	I've heard mostly great things about CAD, I have the 39g Pro myself. That said I'm sure there are other great ones out there. __________________ Planning on new tank, been about 5-6 years since I've been in the hobby

05/19/2009, 02:46 PM	#7
mnml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 2,383	The CADs are nice. I have their 25G. If you decide to go a little bigger, the 34G Solana are pretty sweet. __________________ Tran Current Tank Info: Waterbox 130.4

05/20/2009, 12:09 PM	#14
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	No one's mentioned this yet so I'll throw it out there. Though I don't own one, IMHO the Elos Mini is a clear leader in this category: http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewIt...~FIAQCKCH.html All equipment is included - stand, sump, skimmer, pumps, LED lighting, etc etc etc. The thing is a work of art, and based on reviews from owners, the functionality is great, as well. __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

05/20/2009, 12:37 PM	#15
mnml Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ladera Ranch, CA Posts: 2,383	good call der_wille_zur_macht. if i had to do it all over again, i'd probably get one of these, eventhough i'll be living off of top ramen for a few months. __________________ Tran Current Tank Info: Waterbox 130.4

05/19/2009, 01:33 PM	#2
mogwaidtd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 21	I should probably mention that I would like to keep both SPS and LPS corals, and just a few reef fish. Thanks!

05/19/2009, 01:54 PM	#4
mogwaidtd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 21	Wow, thanks James, that looks right inline with what I'm looking for, even from with built in refugium, sick lighting, and skimmer (AND pump!) Did you go with the Signature or Pro series? What were the main considerations in choosing? Thanks.

05/19/2009, 01:54 PM	#5
s.filipowski Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: south alabama Posts: 25	I have a 34 gal redseamax and its awsome I wanted the same thing nice and clean with everything designed for this tank. no wires, decent skimmer, T5's, lots of flow. worth checkin into

05/19/2009, 02:42 PM	#6
mogwaidtd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 21	James, I read some comments on some other threads that say the CAD has a couple issues, one that the workmanship is suspect (the slats in the overflow are sporadically spaced and widths are not all equal) and also that the pre-drilled 1/2" return piping isn't near big enough for adequate flow. Did you find similar problems?

05/19/2009, 03:43 PM	#8
mogwaidtd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 21	The Solana's are nice, but the 20" is throwing me off. The outter Orbit MH/T5 lighting is what I would want, but only available in 24". Hmm... I also like the Deap Sea Aquatics Neo-Nano which is basically a 24.5" square tank. Anyone with any experience with this system?

05/19/2009, 04:44 PM	#9
jhoff Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Edison New Jersey Posts: 1,082	You can also check out finnex www.aquariumspecialty.com

05/20/2009, 10:00 AM	#12
lucas73 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 542	http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merch...Code=Aquariums Dont know if you have seen these are not,at least give it a look.

05/20/2009, 10:42 AM	#13
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	I have a JBJ 28 HQI that was nice right out of the box. I have added the 36 watt actinic upgrade, a chiller (a must) and a sump, so it longer is stock.

05/20/2009, 12:47 PM	#16
der_wille_zur_macht Team RC Member Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NY Posts: 17,749	I'm on the verge of building a nano, but it'll be nearly 100% DIY. The Elos Mini has provided me with plenty of inspiration. It manages to be an effective, modern system in the functional sense, while still being extremely aestetically pleasing - it's really cool to look at! __________________ Inconveniencing marine life since 1992 "It is my personal belief that reef aquaria should be thriving communities of biodiversity, representative of their wild counterparts, and not merely collections of pretty specimens growing on tidy clean rock shelves covered in purple coralline algae." (Eric Borneman)

05/27/2009, 11:24 PM	#17
mogwaidtd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 21	Thanks everyone! I'll let you know what I choose and provide feedback after!

05/27/2009, 11:28 PM	#18
mogwaidtd Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: NYC Posts: 21	Anyone have experience with the LED lighting that comes with the Elos? How does it compare as far as light output to a 150W MH + 36W actinics? I know the usage of electricity is substantially less, but will it be enough light for SPS or clams?

05/28/2009, 06:26 AM	#19
eric@tampa Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tampa,Fla Posts: 322	I have a 24" Current Orbit over my 34 Solana and it does'nt look tacky at all...gonna upgrade to MH tho. Eric