Acrylic Nanocube & Launch of the Nanocustoms Cube

This has been an interesting week. With all the fears going aroudn about nanocubes breaking, Ive been trying to better assess the problems and more importantly, the solutions.

I know most of you know that I have been in the early phases of development of the Nanocustoms "super cube (or whatever it ends up being)." But recent events have pushed this to the foremost of my priorities.

I have been in contact, and am moving towards a partnership with the Worlds Leading Manufacturer of Custom Acrylic Aquariums. I cannot disclose the identity of the company at this point in time, because nothing has been set in stone, but am very optimistic that there will be a synergy. Worst case scenario would be that this company just simply produces an acrylic nanocube, and teh best case scenario, the worlds ultimate nano-reef.

I will be meeting with this company early this week to discuss our plans and to pick up some mock up 24g Acrylic Cubes.

This company has a very good reputation in making the highest quality aquarium products (Mostly on the UBER SCALE... think public aquarium).

The good news is that the tanks themselves should be nearly identical in shape as the nanocube and will be able to use the stock hoods.

ON THE JBJ FRONT!!!

I called my rep on the "red line" today. It was his day off, but i kept him appraised of whats been happening lately.

He stated the following:

1. The manufacturer overseas is beginnign to more adequately pack the cubes for transit. (They come over in container vessel, then by truck, then by freight to LFS/Distribution centers). Ive witnessed lots of rough handling by these people and have even been present when a forklift went straight through a set of cubes!!! (OUCH!!).

2. The manufacturer has begun using a different adhesive (softer/pliable) to connect the trim rings to the tank. Stress from the "Hard glue" could be a contributing factor.

3. The newest set of 24g tanks with the new packing/manufacturing methods are inbound as we speak.

I am still with the contention that most of these damages are occuring during shipping or rough handling while in transit. I think that stresses that occur could potentially cause microfractures that over time, with thermal conditions, could lead to a failure of the glass.

I saw the most failures of the 24g (first run), early in the release of the nanocube 24g. That particular container sat at customs probably longer than the 2005 models, and i have a feeling that rough handling was to play.

Just out of curiousity. If you have had any failure, please state the cube size, purchase date, and vendor. This will help me track statistical data about these failures, and hopefully help diagnose whats going on.

To everyone thats lost a cube, although i cannot speak for JBJ, i must say that I am very sorry to hear about your losses.

As Always

Chris

• Cube size: 24 gallon, Deluxe

• Purchase date: June 11, 2005

• Vendor: Tong’s 15250 E. Whitter Blvd. Whitter, CA

• Description of crack(s):

…” small pinhead size bump next to a divot of the same size surrounded by a one inch grey halo smack dab in the middle of the front left corner bend…noticed other cracks, one on the inside of the first chamber and a series of micro cracks running horizontally on the right corner bend…”

Nadine

How interesting. I just setup an NC24 w/ stand a week ago. After reading and posting to steelhealr's "Stop!! Do Not Buy A Nano Cube" thread I started searching for glass/acrylic 18" cubes. How much would these acrylic tanks of yours cost? What ballpark are we talking?

Excellent! I would be very interested in a 24g Acrylic Nanocube.

-Eric

Lol, believe it or not, i think we can get them fairly cheap and most likely the ONLY alternative if you buy a Custom nanocube from me. I have to work this out logistically, but i think from 40-75 a cube (6/12/24).

With all this talk of cubes cracking, the most recent questions have been about "bad for business". The reality is, i could care less about business when peoples lives are on the line. I am and always have been a hobbyist, so i breathe and live this stuff.

Like ive said many times, I thikn the cubes are getting roughed up, its hard to understand why people wouldnt be cautious, but thats the society we live in today.. I think the acrylic cube is a safe, more versatile alternative for the nanocube modder. Drillable, plumbable, you can gang these up to a sump or a whole row of cubes.

Chris

This is is crazy...

I'm definitely interested in the acrylic cube. I was hoping to drill out and run to a stock 12 fuge cube. I don't think drilling these glass ones sound like a good ide with all this new info.

Cris I presaled '05 24 dx and I'd like to hold out for the acrylic cube as a result of all this, if at all possible. For the $$$ investment, I'd like to eliminate the stress of the what ifs....

Is that something that is somewhere in the almost near future or is it too early to tell yet???

If not, would I be able to just buy the custom hood,(twin 70's I'm thinking) and I could build my own tank for it...

Keep us posted! Thanks!!!

ps. To all those whom have lost a cube or are battling a possible loss, i feel for you and hope that JBJ handles this in a professional manner.

24 Gallon NC DX with LEDs

crack not present on arrival

Purchased over Ebay

Purchased 3/05, setup 4/05

Chris...acrylic sounds better. I think staying with the glass is not wise unless they make an actual manufacturing change with the glass wall. Although I purchased mine over Ebay, I hope you will support me along with the others who have suffered a crack, clearly not present on arrival. Thanks for your help. SH

Chris -

Do you need beta testers for the Acryli-Cube? ("Acryli-Cube" is a freebie if you want it.) I'd like to be at the front of the line if you do.

I have NOT ripped down my 24 G . . . yet. As of this morning the cracks I noticed yesterday have not propagated (or multiplied).

Hopefully Cube-2 will not POP, and I can wait for the Acryli-Cube to replace the POS Glass Cube.

I'm sure you will, but please keep us posted, when the Acryli-Cube will go on sale. I'd prefer you PM me and SH first though, so we get a jump on everyone else!

BTW - I emailed JBJ last night requesting either another replacement tank, or a refund so that I can go buy a SeaClear or Oceanic. If you can get the Acryli-Cube into production I'd stick with Nano Cube instead.

Here's the details of my disaster again -

Nano Cube 24G

Purchased 5/16/05 at LFS (Pet Connection, Livonia MI)

Wet Tested for 48 Hours with FW

CRACKED 6/11/05

Replaced with Nano Cube 24DX, from same LFS on 6/11/05

Noticed micro cracks in right corner 6/18/05 - tank currently viable, fingers crossed, prayers being said, that it will hold until I can get my hands on an Acrylic alternative.

Cheers -

sNEIRBO

LOVE the Hobby.

HATE the Cube!

So where do send my deposit to for my Acrylic Cube? I definitly want one if the 24 DX hood is going to fit. Im even hoping I can use my 24g DX stand as well. Is it going to have a similare setup like the 24g DX with the back chambers? I hope so I had a refuge goin on in the 2nd chamber and it would be great if they somehow integrated a skimmer in there!

I am on my 3rd replacement tank 2nd replacement Hood/Ballast. Its a long story but Ive had bad luck with that cube and about $800 in losses with the carpet damage and livestock loss with the explosion.

Let me know, I can even have my brother pick it up at Amgen since he works there, I even used to work there. Seems everyone in TO works there hehe.

Thanks

Phil Chezek

Wow. Well if they are that inexpensive please put me on the list for a 24g! I'll beta too if you need. At this point I really want to get rid of this ticking time bomb on my hardwood floors.

Chris, if the best case scenario happens (the creation of the world's best nano-reef), will it be a totally custom tank and hood; nothing to do with the nano cube? Will it have room for a remora skimmer, a metal halide, etc.? When I think of the world's best nano, I think of a tank that is compact, but still allows for all the equipment that any reefer would want in their tank (unlike the nano cube). Something like artarmon42's all-in-one custom nano. Artarmon42 has really done a great job on this project.

I am also definitely in. I will send a full payment or deposit as soon as the numbers are worked out, just let me know.

wow cant wait for this to be done. Always wanted a nanocube but was afraid it was gonna crack. dont want saltwater all over the floor if I can avoid it. gj chris hope this gets done.

Thanks everyone. Like i said before, whats most important to me is the safety of my fellow reefers.

The bonus is that the acrylic is ultimately workable/machinable and you can do just about any kind of drilling on it.

Tmoney- yes, it will be an independent design/style and will be manufactured for (us). The company im considering partnering with is a world leader in acrylic technology and has just about every machine shop tool under the sun. Mid week should be interesting as its a "design sesssion".

Chris

Peter- when in TO go check out Aquatic Zoo. They have the worlds first BETA of the 12g DX with 70w (NO ICA).

Chris

sNierbo - wait... You have more cracks??? You got PM

Ask your LFS when they got thier cubes and from where. This is really interesting now...

Chris

Sweet! Sign me up for an ultimate nano-reef and an acylic 12 nano cube.

lol.. We'll see after this week...

Chris

Bad thing is Acrylic scratches so easy and looks so bad after that! I have had a few of them already and after my cat or son touches it there marked.

But I am glad to see you Chris moving forward and staying on top of things in the nano market.

Put me down for a 6gal

I'll take a 24!

I wouldn't go with a nano-cube period. Thats just me though!

Humm…I always liked a good mystery. I’m going to take a stab at the manufacture you might be dealing with...is it the CASCO Group, manufactures of “...SeaClear and Clarity Plus brand aquariums, which are second to none in beauty and safety...”

Clients Include:

• Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific

• Cabrillo Aquarium

• University of California Santa Barbara

• San Diego Zoo

• SeaWorld of California

• California Science Center

• Monterey Bay Aquarium

• The Mirage Casino

• Mississippi River Discovery Center

• Heal The Bay

• Vancouver Aquarium

• Brookfield Zoo

• The Aquarium of the Americas

• Rainforest Cafe

• GM Vauxhall Motors

• Daily Mail Newspaper (HQP Ltd.)

http://www.seaclear.com/USFS-cascocorp.html

Chris, I live local too. If there’s anything I can do to help in this direction, away from the orginal imported nano cube let me know.

P.S. When we brought our nano cube home we treated like it was one of our kids being brought home from the hospital for the very first time. We went with Tong's becuase the owner is is straight forward and it's a well kept shop.

Nadine

Chris...my first supportive post. Although acrylic does scratch, it would be a good second option. Even for stupid things like already owning the tank stand...it would save a little money instead of completely having to replace the whole setup. I think it is a wise thing you are doing...the fracture numbers are just too high. For those who really prefer the 'cube style', acrylic is probably the way to rapidly correct the potential for glass cracking under stress.

My other rec Chris...is....and it will be a big money seller for you....bottle an acrylic repair liquid with nanocustoms.com logo on it and offer it for sale. SH:D

I would describe the role of the "acryli-cube" as a stopgap solution for the nanocube lover (or hate but cant help but love) in us. There wont be much deviation in the business operations of Nanocustoms, we'll continue to make products to add functionality/address issues with the JBJ nanocube.

The acrylic cube adds a layer of versatility and safety to the existing line. The pricing points of the acrylic should be very competitive, and should feature some redesigns of the chambers and surface skimming/filtration capabilities. Think NASCAR (looks like a taurus on the outside).

The "super-cube" or whatever it ends up being billed as will be a clean slate design that will incorporate the highest tech features available in the industry and some proprietary designs.

The people I will be working with are extremely well qualified and versed in technology and whats available for manufacture, their experience in the science and hobby means things are thought out.

Expect complete modularity, amazing control systems, and data logging capabilities.

Its not going to be cheap, but its going to be the best. We are aiming for a holistic approach to biotoping, meaning you could for example, enter the biotopes region, date, etc, and it would pull data from an almanac and "play" that scenario for you. Its gonna be fun... Cloudy days, rainy days, seasons, you name the scenario, the skys the limit.

If this venture is successful, im sure some of you will be getting a call for your 0.02

Chris