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Who rules the "Nano" ?

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Forum Name: General Discussion
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URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32074
Printed Date: July 16 2025 at 10:53am
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Topic: Who rules the "Nano" ?
Posted By: vadryn
Subject: Who rules the "Nano" ?
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 1:33pm
 Which company puts out the best "small" reef tank that is ready to go?
 
I see lots of people on here with them and I think "A great way to get into the hobby" and then I continue to read about most pumping hundreds into many various mods.  I started wondering what's the point of a "Reef Ready" tank if it requires significant changes and more investment to really run well?
 
Is the "Nano" just for those who want the small package due to space restrictions?
 
I know there are at least 3 - 4 major brands that put out these small tanks.  Who has the best (performance) unit for < 35g?
 
What about if you figure price?  Is it the same one?



Replies:
Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 2:12pm
well I do like my 24 gallon aquapod Nano.  Well I have done two things to mine.  I added a Korllia nano.  THe other is a chiller.  The chiller is because I have it on the top story of a 3 story house.  My parents don't keep there house super cool in the summer.  Other than that its stock.  Iwas tank of the month for Feb.   I really do like my Curren-USA 24 gallon aquapod

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Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands.


Posted By: mcbrown
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 2:18pm
I have an Oceanic BioCube 29. This is my first salt water tank and has been going for just about a year. My initial tank had a leak and I will say that Oceanic had wonderful customer service, they sent me out a whole new tank.

That being said the one thing that really bugs me about my tank is the lighting. Most of the reading I have done indicated 4w per gallon on lighting. The BioCube 29 comes with 2 36w power compacts. I like the look of the MH lighting I see in other's tanks and wish Oceanic had an option o do this.

As far as the tank itself I have no complaints. I think the setup is simple for beginners and takes a lot of guess work out of the setup process.

As far as price, I am not sure what the cost of other nano tanks are but the BioCube 29 was about $300.


Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 2:38pm
I have a 6 gal JBJ which I love.  Before I got it though, I was using a $29 10 gal starter set from Walmart...  It didn't have near enough light for corals, but it was a great little tank to keep a couple of damsels and a chocolate chip star in.

=Tim


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Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix

6 gal nanocube
65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread


Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 3:22pm
The best nano tanks out there are the BioCube's or the Red Sea max ones. The price is a little higher on the Red Sea but it really is the best IMO. No matter which one you go with you will need to add a Koralia 1. I have the Koralia Nano in one of my tanks and it is pathetic. The 1 is the much better buy IMO.

Here is what I would do though if I had to start over. I would go buy a 25 gallon tank used for like $25. Then go get a T5 fixture or retro kit depending on if you wanted a canopy. You could probably get a Tek 4 bulb fixture used if patient. New they are $330. I would buy 2 Koralia 1's and use those for flow in the tank. Then look for someone selling LR and LS for cheap. Then buy a heater and hide it with the rocks in the tank. No sump and nothing too crazy. You could probably set the whole tank up for $500.

But if you are like me and wanted to go crazy, you could drill the tank and run a sump or even buy some black acrylic and create a false wall where you can hide the heater and run some carbon. You could also go get a HOB skimmer for like $180 new. 

Well there is my 2 cents.Smile


Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 4:41pm
I'd agree with everything Ryan said, but I'd say go with PC's you could get a use fixture for $50, add a used HOB filter, and you'd have a tank up for probably $100-$150 (that's how I set up my first 29 gallon.  I think the whole setup cost me $120 (including a stand)

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Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix

6 gal nanocube
65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread


Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 6:15pm
Tim,

The reason I said go with T5's is because you are not limited at that point. Sure PC's can grow SPS and clams but the color isn't nearly as nice. In my nano I have 4 different SPS and all are growing but could use a huge boost color wise!

Just read Tim's(superman) signature and you will realize who you should listen to! LOL


Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: March 17 2009 at 10:36am
Originally posted by Ryan Thompson Ryan Thompson wrote:

Tim,

The reason I said go with T5's is because you are not limited at that point. Sure PC's can grow SPS and clams but the color isn't nearly as nice. In my nano I have 4 different SPS and all are growing but could use a huge boost color wise!

Just read Tim's(superman) signature and you will realize who you should listen to! LOL


I better go back to my previous signature... "I agree with Tim" by both Chris Rogers and Mark Peterson... Now if I could just get Adam to say that Big smile


-------------
Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix

6 gal nanocube
65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread


Posted By: Adam Blundell
Date Posted: March 17 2009 at 11:15am
I agree with Ti...... oh so close
 
Adam


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Come to a meeting, they�re fun!


Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: March 17 2009 at 11:55am
Originally posted by Adam Blundell Adam Blundell wrote:

I agree with Ti...... oh so close
 
Adam


LOLLOLLOLLOL

I have a new signature!


Posted By: superman1981
Date Posted: March 17 2009 at 1:47pm
Originally posted by Adam Blundell Adam Blundell wrote:

I agree with Tim...... 
 
Adam


I knew you'd see the light Big smile


-------------
Sure you are, you are Crappy Reef Club Member #1 -Chk4tix

6 gal nanocube
65 gal http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=78639&title=tims-65-gallon-build" rel="nofollow - build thread



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