Advise for a returning enthusiast !

[JoeyReefFLL]

HI all:

First time posting here. I move to South Florida from PR about 3 years ago, been living in an apartment and am planning to move within the next 2 years. However. I am dying to own a saltwater aquarium again and I am considering a nano this time. To give you an idea of what I left behind when I moved:

 

1- 55 Gal mini reef with sump and refugium, semi stable cycle with LPS and brain corals, invs and rock beauty,2 clowns, dotybacks. (currently center piece at my dad's home)

2- a 125 Gal tank that used to house an injured nurse shark rescued from my diving days! (Loretta had to be released back in 09 to the oceans due to its growth) sold this tank recently.

3- All my Scuba gear

 

Since I only have about 1,000 Square feet of space, live on a 2nd floor and am planning to move it 2 years from now. and i am going nano but there are a few questions I would like your help with.

 

1- Currently looking at a nano between 5-12 gals (suggestions?)

2- Would I need a heater or a chiller to maintain the venerable 78 deg temp on south Florida weather?

3- It has to be relatively easy to take down and move without major damage to the tank.

4- LED or old school lighting?

5-Budget is under $700 for everything !

 

 

Thanks for the assist!

Joey!

 

 

[jedimasterben]

You probably won't need a heater unless during the very short winter you let your apartment get colder than ~74ish (which you might run that anyway, I know I do!), and you won't need a chiller or fans unless you let it get hotter than ~78ish. The tank will probably run a couple of degrees warmer than ambient.

 

 

If you want rimless, you can get a low-iron Mr. Aqua 7.5g cube from Mairne Depot for $100. Then slap an Aquaclear filter on it, get some sand, rock, and you're on your way. Will want to run carbon and probably GFO from time to time in addition to mechanical filtration.

 

You could also do an Innovative Marine Fusion 10g if you prefer all in one tanks.

 

As for light, you have many options, but being a small tank, MH will transfer a lot of heat and fluorescents, well, those start at 24" long and look bad over a small tank lol. LED will easily cover this area without hassle like it can be on larger tanks.

[JoeyReefFLL]

thanks for the advice. I would definitely want an all in one tank seeing as I would have to move it in about 2 years time !

[jedimasterben]

thanks for the advice. I would definitely want an all in one tank seeing as I would have to move it in about 2 years time !

Well, an all in one tank wouldn't really make too much difference if you really only have one piece of filtration on the tank, it's easy to remove, etc

[JoeyReefFLL]

True . Any other all in one nano tanks recommendations?

Thanks

[JoeyReefFLL]

after doing some research I'm between getting a coralife BioCube 14 or an Innovative Marine 10G. any recommendations?

[nismo_sky32]

I would go with the fusion. They look good and a lot of people on here have and like them. Mount an ai prime led over it, grab a media rack from in tank for it and you're off to a great start

[fishfreak0114]

I personally like the biocubes. You could get an Intank media rack. Plus it's a bit bigger, so more room for fish!?

[JoeyReefFLL]

Went to the LFS and checked out the Fluval M40. Looks nice but I don't know the brand for saltwater stuff.

[Cencalfishguy56]

IM fusion 10, clean corners with the black silicone and clarity is amazing, unless you like the rounded corners, plus I checked out the chambers in the biocube and I like the fusions chambers slightly better and for $100 bucks compared to $200+ can't beat it

[RJWalters]

If you like the rimless look go with the IM 10 if you like a lid on your tank go with the BC14. I would go with the IM 10 because its rimless and low iron glass. I also do not like the lighting on the BC I would rather choose a light that would better suit my taste like the AI Prime, Kessil a160we, or a NanoBox Tide. Good luck with your build

[JoeyReefFLL]

Thanks

[JoeyReefFLL]

Just decided to go with the IM 20 Gallon, I'll be ordering it next month! anyone here used the SKYYE 18W lights that come with the 10/20 gallons? any reviews? are they good or will it be better to get a strip? I plan to have beginner/int corals and maybe an sps at the top but not sure on that one yet.

 

Thanks for the suggestions guys

[Mr. Microscope]

to Nano-Reef! You're in the right place for small tanks. I have a 25 gallon Mr. Aqua with a sump. If you can DIY stuff, you can save a lot of money on things like lighting. I had my tank set up for a little more than two years, then moved to a new apartment. Moving the tank wasn't too bad. I did it by myself with just my car and a bunch of buckets (my wife wants no part of my hobby).

[lkoechle]

You can always look for used Aqua Illumination lights, like the SOLs. One unit would be fine for a 20 gallon. I bought my unit new when they first came out and then got my second a few years later used (I needed a second when I upgraded to an 85). I paid $70 for it. Good deal on a good light. Check out your forums or craigslist. When you pick it up, definitely plug it in first to make sure it works

[JoeyReefFLL]

After some discussion with my wife I have decided to get the IM Fusion 10G instead of the 20G. in order to do this properly I ordered the rock first (BRS reef saver dry) about 12 lbs. MY plan is to cure the rock by putting it on bucket with saltwater and lid for about a month. after that I'll try and get the 10G tank WITHOUT that crappy light that comes bundled with. its been a pain to find just the tank around here. I also got the skimmer and for lighting I went with the AI Prime. so I basically ordered everything BUT the tank LOL!

do you guys have any suggestions on cured dry rock? or is that enough?

 

 

thanks