kimberbee Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Uh oh... I'm hooked! Even though my BioCube is only 7 weeks old, I'm already thinking of the next project! I'd really like a small all-in-one that needs minimal upgrades so I can have a few sexy shrimp, pom pom crabs, and perhaps a yellow or green clown goby. Likely would just keep mini maxis, ricordea, and mushrooms. I'm planning this one out way in advance, because I want to make sure my BC stays successful. Also wondering how small I can "get away with" in my small apartment. And trying to get an idea of cost, so I can save a little for a tank later, while still spending some on by BioCube. It's bad when I've got a very slow work day... I'm also looking into what I can upgrade my BioCube to in another year or two... Link to comment
Angel<3Nanos Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 The Fluval Spec V seems to be a very popular AIO pico. Might wanna check out some build threads on them. Link to comment
rocksmom Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Or if you are looking for something really tiny you could go with one of the original 2 gallon Specs. Not sure what your budget is, but I really like my AIO 5G from PicO Aquariums. If you don't mind acrylic then Micro-Reefs has some AIOs on sale right now. http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/350695-fs-brand-new-micro-reef-aio-systems-wfree-stuff/#entry4818530 Link to comment
nismo_sky32 Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Pico aquariums makes some nice tanks. Had I to do over again, I would've gone this route. A little pricey but you get what you pay for Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 Like others have said - what's your budget and what size do you want? Your best option is the PicO Aquariums 5g AIO, in my opinion. Next would be one of the acrylic tanks from Micro-reefs, though he is not technically in business right now, iirc, so if you need assistance it might be harder (though those prices are great for his stuff). Then I'd say the Fluval 5 and JBJ Cubey are the next ones. If price is a concern, then avoid the PicO tanks - worth the money, but definitely more than the others. Our Petco and Petsmart are having a sale right now on the fluval spec V, it's like 80 bucks and the only thing you really need to change is the pump (most go with the maxijet 606). As always you'd need a light for coral, and none of them come with decent stock lights. If I had to do a pico again, I'd either go PicO 5g or a JBJ 3g pico (I already have stuff to make the 3g work). I love those little tanks, and for $50 they are pretty nice (though the light and filtration need to be upgraded for reefs). Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 I'm hoping for what I want to do (sexy shrimp, pom pom crabs, and perhaps a yellow or green clown goby) something around 5 gallons would work. I could go bigger (up to 10) but it'll be harder to find space - another reason I'm looking for an AIO. At this point I have no budget. I'm planning this to be my christmas/birthday present to myself so I've got a few months to save and figure that out. Obviously I don't want to spend hundreds and hundreds on a tiny tank, but if something is quality and a reasonable price, I'm open to making that work. I looked at the Spec V's and do like them, next I'll check out the PicO 5g... Thanks everyone! Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I like the Spec Vs, but they are a bit long and narrow for my taste ( ). I like cubes because I think you can get away with less light and still get the same results. If you can afford it, go with the PicO 5g. Unreal craftsmanship. For what you want, 5g or less will be fine. 5g for a clown goby. Anything less than 5, I'd say an eviota goby or something tiny like that. I don't particularly count anything over 5 gallons as a pico. Certainly not a 10g (though some would argue with that). Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 I like the Spec Vs, but they are a bit long and narrow for my taste ( ). I like cubes because I think you can get away with less light and still get the same results. If you can afford it, go with the PicO 5g. Unreal craftsmanship. For what you want, 5g or less will be fine. 5g for a clown goby. Anything less than 5, I'd say an eviota goby or something tiny like that. I don't particularly count anything over 5 gallons as a pico. Certainly not a 10g (though some would argue with that). I was thinking the same about the Spec V. Maybe I'll be suuuuper lucky and win the Ultimate Nano Reef Giveaway! Link to comment
ninjamyst Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 stop by if you are in city. i have a spec V and a PicO 12 gallon and you can see the difference in glass quality. Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 5, 2014 Author Share Posted September 5, 2014 stop by if you are in city. i have a spec V and a PicO 12 gallon and you can see the difference in glass quality. Oh yeah! Might have to arrange that... I do enjoy the look of both your tanks! Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I was thinking the same about the Spec V. Maybe I'll be suuuuper lucky and win the Ultimate Nano Reef Giveaway! I think we're all hoping for that... Link to comment
ninjamyst Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 I think we're all hoping for that... it's mine! haha. Link to comment
tibbsy07 Posted September 5, 2014 Share Posted September 5, 2014 it's mine! haha. I'm hoping to win it, but I think my wife would kill me for having 2 tanks (though that one would be free - helLOOO office/lab tank!) Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 Seriously...? http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/350966-pico-aquariums-5g-special-pricing/ Link to comment
1.0reef Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Seriously...? http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/350966-pico-aquariums-5g-special-pricing/ What? Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 What? Just talking about wanting a little 5 gallon, and here they are on sale... It was more like "seriously!? what interesting timing is this!?!?" Link to comment
1.0reef Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Just talking about wanting a little 5 gallon, and here they are on sale... It was more like "seriously!? what interesting timing is this!?!?" Lol I thought you were talking about the price Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 Lol I thought you were talking about the price If it's a good quality build, I don't think that's too bad. Any idea what they are normally? Link to comment
ninjamyst Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 If it's a good quality build, I don't think that's too bad. Any idea what they are normally? I think $199 normally. Link to comment
rocksmom Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Seriously...? http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/350966-pico-aquariums-5g-special-pricing/ Do it! Do it! Check out my and aviator's threads in the member's aquariums section. You can see pictures of them set up. I think my pics start on page 3. Link to comment
TristanC Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 Definitely go with the PicO, the price is more and so is the wait but you will get 100% handmade quality from the best. Link to comment
aviator300 Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 I absolutely love mine. I have it cycling now...Check out my build thread with pics in the "Members aquariums" section titled (Aviators flight log PicO 5 gal). http://s513.photobucket.com/user/fsuggs50/media/20140904_150040_zps869fcace.jpg.html'> http://s513.photobucket.com/user/fsuggs50/media/20140827_1520121_zps6a3a468b.jpg.html'> Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 6, 2014 Author Share Posted September 6, 2014 And then my BF pointed this one out to me: http://www.nano-reef.com/topic/350885-fluval-sea-evo-12/ It's cheaper, but bigger which I'm really not sure I'd have the room for anyway! Unfortunately, I can't get the ReefBuilders website to load to try to get more details like dimensions. But even a standard 10gallon is pushing it with the space I have... Link to comment
nismo_sky32 Posted September 6, 2014 Share Posted September 6, 2014 The IM Fusion 10 could be another option Link to comment
kimberbee Posted September 8, 2014 Author Share Posted September 8, 2014 I greatly appreciate everyone's input on this! I had been planning for a January/February start on this second tank, however I was reminded that my lease is up early next spring so I will likely be moving next March/April. I'm thinking it would NOT be wise to try to start up a tank at the same time... That being said... I'm pretty darn sure I'll be going with a PicO 5g for my next tank. I'll still be planning a few things here and there but this project now has an 8 month lead time till I can really get started. Link to comment
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