Has anyone used a Wal-Mart aquarium? Reagent?

[Dewman]

I was at Wal-Mart just now, and was looking for 5 Gallon All-Glass for a nano-reef project.
I found a tank that looks like an Eclipse knock-off, but it's called a Regeant.
It's 5.5 gallon and is acrylic. It comes with a flourescent light, but it is only one tube. I think there is enough room in there for a bigger fixture.
Seems like it would be about the same. I just want to keep mushrooms, sponges and featherdusters.
Has anyone used/thought of using one of these?

 

[Markymarklar]

one of my friends used one of these from wal-mart. it worked well for him. he's a begginer so i started him off with a nano tank and that's the tank he chose to use. we are poor college kids so that's all he could afford. he didn't even change the lights on it(even though i've told him several times to get a PC). he just put a 10,000K bulb in there and has several mushrooms, sponges, and other low light corals. although i haven't seen it since he first set it up, he claims it is doing well. he hasn't had any problems with it leaking or scratching or anything like that so i would think it would be a great tank to use for a nano. HTH

 

[King Jason]

Is it me or does Wal-Mart make just about everything now! Wow! Not sure on the quality of these tanks. I'm sure they would suffice if they are Acrylic, if glass I would check the seals real good for bubbles.

 

[edsiajb]

These aquariums at WalMart look the same because they are the same. "Regent" is a special label used by Marineland for items sold through WalMart...tank kits, power filters, carbon, etc. Potential to save $$$ is there.

 

[dizzy]

These aquariums at WalMart look the same because they are the same. "Regent" is a special label used by Marineland for items sold through WalMart...tank kits, power filters, carbon, etc. Potential to save $$$ is there.

ed,

your right. Why do you think it is that Marineland doesn't want people to know they sell their products at Wal-mart?

 

[Dewman]

Well, great then. i will be picking one of these up with my Gift card I get every year from my dad for food. Who needs food anyway! :lol:
I cant wait to start tinkering with it. I figure I will just remove the filter media. Just use the pump for circulation, maybe see if I can get some Turf rock from the Gulf to start it out with. Maybe I can hold on to some of the plants from the original rock and won't have to build any kind of refugium for extra macros.

Does anyone know of a PC light kit that will fit this thing? I see PC bulbs that are about 10" long at Petco all the time. They are 50/50 bulbs. I never have seen a fixture though. They look perfect for this type of thing.

Any suggestions on DIY lightkits for these 5.5 gallon beauties?

 

[old ron]

pc lighting uses electronic ballasts. read the lit that comes with the tank
upgrading the lighting could cause a melt down, be careful!!

 

[Dewman]

I have seen PC lighting inside an eclipse before, so I know it can be done. I think it is a question of proper sheilding and ventilation.
I will work something out and let you know what happens.

 

[freshwater]

I am using the same Reagent 5 for my freshwater fish and it works great.
I know few people on other boards have used this same kind for saltwater and they look good. nano-reef.com . One of them has posted pic of the hood with 2x13W pc under the hood with some aluminim foil, you can search by Reagent on nano-reef.com.

Enjoy.

 

[freshwater]

I am using the same Reagent 5 for my freshwater fish and it works great.
I know few people on other boards have used this same kind for saltwater and they look good. nano-reef.com . One of them has posted pic of the hood with 2x13W pc under the hood with some aluminim foil, you can search by Reagent on nano-reef.com.

Enjoy.

 

[SeanT]

he's a begginer so i started him off with a nano tank

Nano's should ONLY be attempted by the experienced reefer. ONE TEENY TINY mistake and all is lost.
Heck, if it were possible, I would have it so that beginners started off with 180's.

As for the lighting on that reagent tank, if you just want to keep sponges (VERY low light) mushrooms (low light) and featherdusters (they couldnt give a damn what type of light) don't upgrade it.

 

[Dewman]

Sean, that's kind of what I was thinking. If anything, I will just upgrade for my viewing benefit. I was just looking on nano-reef.com, some guy was using a Lowes Work-light as a fixture and plugging 13watt PC 50/50's into them. They fit under his hood just fine. I know which fixture he's talking about and was thinking of one for my refuge.

Can anyone remember what company it was that offered Gulf cultured turf rock with all the critters and macro on it? I'd like to keep my nano Gulf Specific.
Maybe an arrow crab, couple sponges, a fan or deep water gorgonian, a couple shrimp some macro algae and maybe a low-light sea mat of some kind. Throw in a snail or two...
I'd like some ricordea, but I doubt I'll be able to find any.
I think that is all a 5.5 could handle.

I better start reading up on low -light critters.