macphe16 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Hello everyone! I am looking at getting back into reef tanks - I had a 24g reef with mainly LPS about 6 years ago, but I assume a lot has changed! Looks like just about everyone runs LEDs nowadays instead of T5s (back in my day...). I'm looking at getting a simple small tank (~3-5 gal): going fishless, don't want to worry about jumpers, small tank size, increased bioload, etc. mainly LPS (Euphyllia, Acans, etc.) and maybe some Montipora assorted CUC What are you recommendations for cheap (on a grad school budget) equipment - it is best to get a simple AIO or individual pieces? Quote Link to comment
Tamberav Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 A 3-5g cube with a ABI Tuna Blue par bulb would be very economical. Doesn't matter, AIO vs HOB filter is just preference but both work. The new tidal filter skims the surface right out of the box which is nice. Quote Link to comment
Clown79 Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 Cheapest tank set Standard 5g, seachem tidal 55 hob, and abi par38. Second cheapest is a 5g aio, abi par 38 Quote Link to comment
Gourami Swami Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 I have the Hipargero (aquaknight) LED and it's great, for only 60$. The ABI par 38 already mentioned will be a bit cheaper, but IMO springing for the hipargero is a good move, looks much better over the tank than the par38s in desk lamps I have seen. I went the AIO route, it is easy and looks nice, though a bit more expensive than a normal 5 gallon tank and standalone filter. The AIO I am using is the imagitarium 6.8 gallon, they also make a 3.7 gallon which is very nice. They run about 60-70 bucks. Probably the cheapest AIO you can get, and the quality is actually quite good imo. The pump I am running is a hydor pico, 300gph and cost me 18 bucks on amazon. No complaints so far. Quote Link to comment
potxoli Posted November 10, 2018 Share Posted November 10, 2018 I too am running the 3.7 Gallon Petco. Very nice tank. I have a $50 LED light from amazon and had to upgrade to a better return pump. All told about $120 for tank + pump + light. Of course you also need a heater. Here are my pump and light: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B008F40LFC/?coliid=IP4ARYDAOG6AA&colid=GV72PW6G3YZ5&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it https://www.amazon.com/dp/B071LJC8HL/?coliid=I14JZ7OF4RYDGA&colid=GV72PW6G3YZ5&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it Yesterday, I just added the smallest little clown fish, could not resist: 1 Quote Link to comment
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