Having trouble deciding to go Aquapod/Nanocube or AGA

beyondx4 · 08/01/2006, 07:20 PM

Hi Nano-Reefers,
I'm coming back into reefing after a 5 year vacation and I find myself addicted to nano-reefs, spending hours at a time looking at all those beautiful little tanks in forums and galleries. Anyways, I've decided to startup a nano-reef in the twenty-something gallon range. I was initially very attracted to the all-in-one tanks: Nanocube, Aquapod, and M-tank (glass). The costs seem to be very reasonable and the refined looks are unbeatable. I started out planning to go with the stock fixtures, but then was persuaded by my cousin (who is a very serious reefer) to go with a MH because he'll be able to leave me some SPS fragments. I find myself looking at MH options in these all-in-ones and found out AHHHH! They're EXPENSIVE! Being a poor student coming back to school, cost is a big factor for me. I started looking for other ways around the situation and thought about going with an AGA or small acrylic aquarium setup along with a good MH fixture. I keep going back and forth between the two ideas and about to go CRAZY!

Anyways, I'd appreciate any recommendations from nano-reefers who'd had experience with these tank setups. Will I be missing much if I go with an AGA setup? Any real technical built-in advantages from the Auapods or M-tanks? (The M-tank was sorta appealing because it comes with a filter-chamber and protein skimming).

HAMsmith · 08/01/2006, 09:45 PM

I went the Aquapod route thinking it would be cheaper. In the long run I think the cost would have been the same if I had gone with a 10 or 20L plus my options would be greater.

Also if you go MH on a Aquapod or Nanocube I think you lose the refined look.

jbrown11352 · 08/02/2006, 10:59 PM

I went with a jbj 24g and couldn't be happier after 1 1/2 years!

Kennyboy1984 · 08/03/2006, 01:06 AM

JBJ nano cube!

waterfaller1 · 08/03/2006, 03:39 AM

I have seen the pros and cons of the NC and the aquapod. I like the fact that you can turn the actinics on only..on the aquapod, but overall the JBJ seems like it's made a little better.

Mark426 · 08/03/2006, 06:59 AM

I have a JBJ 12 Gallon cube with 96W of PC. Upgrades from Nanocustoms.com Works for me.

IMHO...... MH lights on small/nano tanks are a MAJOR pain, heat and evap issues to name a few. The positive effects of MH equipped nanos are far outweighed by the negative. On larger tanks MH is fantastic!!!

If you dont go the "All-in-One" route, maybe think about something T-5's will fit on. A 20L with T-5's are really cool. Thats my next setup.

Henry22 · 08/03/2006, 09:16 AM

I think the choice all depends on the look you want. If your set ona MH then just go with an AGA because you lose the all-in-one look and design of the Aquapods or NC. I personally dont understand why people buy this all in ones but then take everything out that it comes with and mod everything and they only end up with the tank left. Seems like a waste of money to me. If you just want soft corals and some LPS then I think an all in one would work, but if you want the MH a AGA seems to be better buy where you can do what you want to it and buy a nice light and you would still be cheaper than the Aquapod with the MH light.

ycrazyy · 08/03/2006, 10:46 AM

I have a JBJ 24g that I started out with and ended up modding it. I installed a 70w MH in the hood which was not too difficult and upgraded the fans (also have a 36w PC actinic in there). I do not have heat issues and the MH certainly makes it look a lot nicer and I still have the all-in-one look. You can get a DIY 70w MH for around $125 +/-.

I am very happy with my JBJ and was actually going to get another before I decided to build my own 20g starphire tank to make an anemone tank with a 150w MH clip-on.

All in all, the all-in-ones are great tanks to start with but you will certainly want to modify them a bit for different flow and / or lighting, but even stock they do a good job.

ycrazyy · 08/03/2006, 10:47 AM

I have a JBJ 24g that I started out with and ended up modding it. I installed a 70w MH in the hood which was not too difficult and upgraded the fans (also have a 36w PC actinic in there). I do not have heat issues and the MH certainly makes it look a lot nicer and I still have the all-in-one look. You can get a DIY 70w MH for around $125 +/-.

I am very happy with my JBJ and was actually going to get another before I decided to build my own 20g starphire tank to make an anemone tank with a 150w MH clip-on.

All in all, the all-in-ones are great tanks to start with but you will certainly want to modify them a bit for different flow and / or lighting, but even stock they do a good job.

beyondx4 · 08/03/2006, 05:12 PM

Thanks alot for the information, guys. I may be set on a Glass M-Tank and eventually add in a 70watt HQI retro. Will post up my progresses soon!

noschmo · 08/04/2006, 01:47 PM

i have three jbj nano but everyone has their preference based on what they ended buying. just get a tank, your not buying a new house or car!

hgbarwick · 08/04/2006, 02:07 PM

Get a aquapod. I love mine it rocks!

ENraged · 08/04/2006, 05:28 PM

also dont forget http://nanotuners.nanocustoms.com/na...roducts_id=155
you do have other options for around the same price.

08/01/2006, 07:20 PM	#1
beyondx4 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Jose Posts: 12	Having trouble deciding to go Aquapod/Nanocube or AGA Hi Nano-Reefers, I'm coming back into reefing after a 5 year vacation and I find myself addicted to nano-reefs, spending hours at a time looking at all those beautiful little tanks in forums and galleries. Anyways, I've decided to startup a nano-reef in the twenty-something gallon range. I was initially very attracted to the all-in-one tanks: Nanocube, Aquapod, and M-tank (glass). The costs seem to be very reasonable and the refined looks are unbeatable. I started out planning to go with the stock fixtures, but then was persuaded by my cousin (who is a very serious reefer) to go with a MH because he'll be able to leave me some SPS fragments. I find myself looking at MH options in these all-in-ones and found out AHHHH! They're EXPENSIVE! Being a poor student coming back to school, cost is a big factor for me. I started looking for other ways around the situation and thought about going with an AGA or small acrylic aquarium setup along with a good MH fixture. I keep going back and forth between the two ideas and about to go CRAZY! Anyways, I'd appreciate any recommendations from nano-reefers who'd had experience with these tank setups. Will I be missing much if I go with an AGA setup? Any real technical built-in advantages from the Auapods or M-tanks? (The M-tank was sorta appealing because it comes with a filter-chamber and protein skimming).

08/03/2006, 01:06 AM	#4
Kennyboy1984 Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: SLC, UTAH Posts: 376	JBJ nano cube! __________________ Anti-Tang Police Current Tank Info: 24g nano cube, 125 g

08/03/2006, 09:16 AM	#7
Henry22 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 712	I think the choice all depends on the look you want. If your set ona MH then just go with an AGA because you lose the all-in-one look and design of the Aquapods or NC. I personally dont understand why people buy this all in ones but then take everything out that it comes with and mod everything and they only end up with the tank left. Seems like a waste of money to me. If you just want soft corals and some LPS then I think an all in one would work, but if you want the MH a AGA seems to be better buy where you can do what you want to it and buy a nice light and you would still be cheaper than the Aquapod with the MH light. __________________ 15 Gallon Tall Reef w/ a lonely orange spotted watchman goby Current Tank Info: 15 gallon Tall Reef

08/04/2006, 05:28 PM	#13
ENraged Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Burlington vermont Posts: 462	also dont forget http://nanotuners.nanocustoms.com/na...roducts_id=155 you do have other options for around the same price. __________________ Save a reef.. frag your coral Current Tank Info: 12 G Aquapod 10 gallon prop tank

08/01/2006, 09:45 PM	#2
HAMsmith Registered Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Huntsville, Alabama Posts: 195	I went the Aquapod route thinking it would be cheaper. In the long run I think the cost would have been the same if I had gone with a 10 or 20L plus my options would be greater. Also if you go MH on a Aquapod or Nanocube I think you lose the refined look.

08/02/2006, 10:59 PM	#3
jbrown11352 Moved On Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Canyon Lake ,Ca Posts: 1,171	I went with a jbj 24g and couldn't be happier after 1 1/2 years!

08/03/2006, 03:39 AM	#5
waterfaller1 Registered Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Florida Posts: 3,343	I have seen the pros and cons of the NC and the aquapod. I like the fact that you can turn the actinics on only..on the aquapod, but overall the JBJ seems like it's made a little better.

08/03/2006, 06:59 AM	#6
Mark426 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: South Carolina Posts: 2,479	I have a JBJ 12 Gallon cube with 96W of PC. Upgrades from Nanocustoms.com Works for me. IMHO...... MH lights on small/nano tanks are a MAJOR pain, heat and evap issues to name a few. The positive effects of MH equipped nanos are far outweighed by the negative. On larger tanks MH is fantastic!!! If you dont go the "All-in-One" route, maybe think about something T-5's will fit on. A 20L with T-5's are really cool. Thats my next setup.

08/03/2006, 10:46 AM	#8
ycrazyy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New York Posts: 327	I have a JBJ 24g that I started out with and ended up modding it. I installed a 70w MH in the hood which was not too difficult and upgraded the fans (also have a 36w PC actinic in there). I do not have heat issues and the MH certainly makes it look a lot nicer and I still have the all-in-one look. You can get a DIY 70w MH for around $125 +/-. I am very happy with my JBJ and was actually going to get another before I decided to build my own 20g starphire tank to make an anemone tank with a 150w MH clip-on. All in all, the all-in-ones are great tanks to start with but you will certainly want to modify them a bit for different flow and / or lighting, but even stock they do a good job.

08/03/2006, 10:47 AM	#9
ycrazyy Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: New York Posts: 327	I have a JBJ 24g that I started out with and ended up modding it. I installed a 70w MH in the hood which was not too difficult and upgraded the fans (also have a 36w PC actinic in there). I do not have heat issues and the MH certainly makes it look a lot nicer and I still have the all-in-one look. You can get a DIY 70w MH for around $125 +/-. I am very happy with my JBJ and was actually going to get another before I decided to build my own 20g starphire tank to make an anemone tank with a 150w MH clip-on. All in all, the all-in-ones are great tanks to start with but you will certainly want to modify them a bit for different flow and / or lighting, but even stock they do a good job.

08/03/2006, 05:12 PM	#10
beyondx4 Registered Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: San Jose Posts: 12	Thanks alot for the information, guys. I may be set on a Glass M-Tank and eventually add in a 70watt HQI retro. Will post up my progresses soon!

08/04/2006, 01:47 PM	#11
noschmo Moved On Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Southern Ca. Posts: 564	i have three jbj nano but everyone has their preference based on what they ended buying. just get a tank, your not buying a new house or car!

08/04/2006, 02:07 PM	#12
hgbarwick Registered Member Join Date: May 2003 Location: Plant City, Florida Posts: 1,390	Get a aquapod. I love mine it rocks!