jmcdaniel0 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 Hey folks, I got the green light to bring in a small aquarium into my office, and I am looking for something small. I would prefer under 5 gallons, I mainly intend to keep inverts and easy corals like zoas. I have been researching tanks, and Bulk Reef Supply has a full kit for 299.99, and it sounds like it would be ideal for my situation. Has anyone here had experience with this tank? Will the stock lighting be enough, or would I need to upgrade to something else? I appreciate your feedback. Here is the tank: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deskmate-3-8-gallon-aio-nano-tank-bundle-bulk-reef-supply.html Quote Link to comment
Reefkid88 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 Thos tank is SUPER NEW,it just same out within the last few months. Seems like a solid setup and starter kit. There is a video I think that goes over par,the stock light should be enough but looks to be very white. In videos it will look bluer,due to the camera sesnors but I doubt its blue at all. Depending on what coral you want to keep a used Kessil A80 or AI Prime will probably be a good budget light or even a Noopsyche K7 nano. It was $100 on sale now its $175,which is still cheaper than a prime and mount. ( https://noopsycheusa.com/collections/noopsyche-lighting/products/noopsyche-k7-v3-75w-led-w-mount?variant=40662646063277 ) PNW makes a micro ATO kit for $75 that would probably work amazingly for that tank with a super small sensor. Quote Link to comment
jmcdaniel0 Posted August 8, 2022 Author Share Posted August 8, 2022 I was looking at the A80 as an upgrade if the stock lighting was cutting it. I dont plan on keeping any really high light sps or anything. Mostly Zoas in this tank, maybe a torch or frogspawn, a lobo or something. im not really set on the stock yet, but i know i wont be doing sps. Quote Link to comment
Reefkid88 Posted August 8, 2022 Share Posted August 8, 2022 I'm sure the stock lighting will cut it for growth,but spectrum wise,maybe. Colors might be a little drab and not how they should be. Spectral wise,an A80 or Prime or Noop would be better 10 fold. Quote Link to comment
jmcdaniel0 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share Posted August 9, 2022 3 hours ago, Reefkid88 said: I'm sure the stock lighting will cut it for growth,but spectrum wise,maybe. Colors might be a little drab and not how they should be. Spectral wise,an A80 or Prime or Noop would be better 10 fold. You think I’ll need a small power head, or will the return be enough? Quote Link to comment
Reefkid88 Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 What you can do is VCA has a ¼" return nozzle for that tank,and they help SO MUCH. I have 2 on my 9g Aquamaxx I turned into an AIO paired with a Sicce .5 and its perfect. I don't even turn my MP10 on although I have no corals I know its going to be too much for most lps. What I would suggest would be a Sicce MircaPlus which is 158gph or even a Sicce Nano which is 110gph but I'm sure its more powerful than the stock pump and one of VCA's ¼" RFG's. You'll be happy you did. Pump:https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sicce-micraplus-pump-158-gph.html VCA RFG:https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/limited-edition-eshopps-deskmate-flow-kit-dmfk025x1/ (I personally would swap out the bright orange one with a black one.) 1 Quote Link to comment
Tamberav Posted August 9, 2022 Share Posted August 9, 2022 I would not buy that kit just to save 75 as they claim. I would buy the tank if you like it and piece together a build. This way you get proper light and return pump and so on. You don't save anything if you find out you should replace a few things and tend to not get exactly what you want anyways. 2 3 Quote Link to comment
jmcdaniel0 Posted August 9, 2022 Author Share Posted August 9, 2022 2 hours ago, Reefkid88 said: What you can do is VCA has a ¼" return nozzle for that tank,and they help SO MUCH. I have 2 on my 9g Aquamaxx I turned into an AIO paired with a Sicce .5 and its perfect. I don't even turn my MP10 on although I have no corals I know its going to be too much for most lps. What I would suggest would be a Sicce MircaPlus which is 158gph or even a Sicce Nano which is 110gph but I'm sure its more powerful than the stock pump and one of VCA's ¼" RFG's. You'll be happy you did. Pump:https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/sicce-micraplus-pump-158-gph.html VCA RFG:https://vividcreativeaquatics.com/shop/limited-edition-eshopps-deskmate-flow-kit-dmfk025x1/ (I personally would swap out the bright orange one with a black one.) Not gonna lie, that’s pretty darn cool. Quote Link to comment
jmcdaniel0 Posted August 10, 2022 Author Share Posted August 10, 2022 On 8/8/2022 at 9:58 PM, Tamberav said: I would not buy that kit just to save 75 as they claim. I would buy the tank if you like it and piece together a build. This way you get proper light and return pump and so on. You don't save anything if you find out you should replace a few things and tend to not get exactly what you want anyways. I have been taking you suggestion. I can buy everything piecemeal for 500.00 and get the stuff I want, that I won’t need to replace. I’m still looking and searching, so I may get that price down a bit. 1 Quote Link to comment
Tamberav Posted August 10, 2022 Share Posted August 10, 2022 1 hour ago, jmcdaniel0 said: I have been taking you suggestion. I can buy everything piecemeal for 500.00 and get the stuff I want, that I won’t need to replace. I’m still looking and searching, so I may get that price down a bit. Awesome! Hope you post a build. 🙂 Would love to see what you come up with. Quote Link to comment
Superdave Posted September 27, 2022 Share Posted September 27, 2022 On 8/8/2022 at 2:15 PM, jmcdaniel0 said: Hey folks, I got the green light to bring in a small aquarium into my office, and I am looking for something small. I would prefer under 5 gallons, I mainly intend to keep inverts and easy corals like zoas. I have been researching tanks, and Bulk Reef Supply has a full kit for 299.99, and it sounds like it would be ideal for my situation. Has anyone here had experience with this tank? Will the stock lighting be enough, or would I need to upgrade to something else? I appreciate your feedback. Here is the tank: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/deskmate-3-8-gallon-aio-nano-tank-bundle-bulk-reef-supply.html Have you looked at the Lifeguard Aquatics tanks? https://lifegardaquatics.com/products/copy-of-5-gallon-elevated-45-degree-low-iron-ultra-clear-aquarium-9-84-x-9-84-x-11-81?variant=41112825757869 1 Quote Link to comment
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