Nano Advice-Which Tank?!?

[Chris5]

Ok guys,

After a very eventful Saturday, KuyaMark and I have basically got ourselves crazy again over this dam hobby lol ....

The question is now which tank to go for? Here are the two ideas (which upon some research shows to be our best options)....

1. Aquapod 24g
2. Oceanic 14g/24g

Both are complete systems, the only difference is (if im not mistaken) is the fact that the oceanic does not have any fans built in for tank cooling, just some vents on the hood....

So any opinions welcome, also would love to hear from anyone who has one of these badboys....Thanks!!

 

[Savager]

I'll go with AP24 with Current 150W MH light fixture. Premiumaquarics sells it for $299 but high shipping cost. Drfost or something sells it for $330 but much less shipping. Open top gives you much better option on skimmer add or anything else in the future.

 

[bad coffee]

I know it's not on the list but I'd go with an oceanic 30 gal cube. It's a lot more customizable.

B

 

[Chris5]

I was thinking of starting with the 24g -60w lighted complete system, question is, for starting out with this type of tank, is that enough light to do low lighting corals (zoos, etc...) i know its like 2-3w per gallon, so this tech should work?

Kinda on a budget right now, and found one very cheap, complete setup with 60w flo lights....(which will obv be changed one day)

Coffee, saw tha 24g Oceanic at petgoods on Sat, nice looking tank but it bothers me there are no built in fans....

 

[tosiek]

Its easy to add fans for tank cooling And should cost pennies. Fan tank cooling should not be the desciding factor in buying a tank.

IMO the oceanic has a nicer setup and alot easier to customize when you descide to later down the line. 30g cube is very very nice and worth it.

Once you start doing the upgrades to the AP24g your going to wish you never bought the damn thing.

 

[Dace]

I like the finnex 30gal with the 150de bulbs and t5 suppliments

 

[Savager]

I was thinking of starting with the 24g -60w lighted complete system, question is, for starting out with this type of tank, is that enough light to do low lighting corals (zoos, etc...) i know its like 2-3w per gallon, so this tech should work?

Kinda on a budget right now, and found one very cheap, complete setup with 60w flo lights....(which will obv be changed one day)

Coffee, saw tha 24g Oceanic at petgoods on Sat, nice looking tank but it bothers me there are no built in fans....

I thought Oceanic Biocube makes 9G, 14G and 29G cube. I don't remember they are making 24G. Are you sure it's 24G? 14G Biocube is about $200 and 29G biocube is close to $300 or more in LFS.

 

[Henrye]

Even though your budget is tight, either the Bio cube or the AP will need a lighting upgrade at some point once you want to move past softies and maybe some LPS. The AP with the 150 MH is actually a good buy, as the lighting fixture alone runs about $240. You can mode both the regular AP or Bio cube hood, but unless you're good at DIY, it can get expensive. Also, the Bio cube hood is not hinged, and you have to take the whole hood off to work throughout the tank (it does have a front feeding door, and a small rear door for some access to the rear compartment).

In either case, budget in for new pump(s) to increase flow, as neither stock pumps are great, with a high wattage for water movement(although MJ power heads work well and are not expensive, but you might want to add bulkheads for additional flow).

Both are good tanks, and you just need to decide which one is more convenient to service, and which is a better buy. I have the AP, and am very happy with it, but I did just remove the stock hood and replaced it with the 150W sunpod. I wish I had done that at the start, as it would have been cheaper, and I wouldn't have a hood in storage.

BTW, while the bio cube is from Oceanic, people with them report virtually no customer support from Oceanic, who always refer them back to the retailer. Current can be OK, but you need to buy replacement parts from a dealer, unless it's under warranty.

For both tanks, nanotuners.com is a great resource for both DIY kits, as well as prebuilt cutomized hoods.

Henry

 

[Chris5]

Henry,

If you dont mind me asking how much did you get your AP for? I just found the 29g for very cheap online, well cheapest ive seen so far, and your right lighting down the line will be upgraded, and i saw the biocube yesterday its a nice tank but the entire hood has to come off to do things, unless your just using the feeding opening, ...

I do believe i was wrong, i think i saw the biocube as a 14g, and a 29g on the floor at petgoods, they are having a sale with the 14g for $179...and about $240 for the 29g....

I just found the AP 29g for $169 but its the 60w light one....this is the one im leaning towards as of now, and no the fan isnt the determining factor but its a nice feature to have included!! ....and ive heard nothing but good things with the AP, esp when you add a sunpod...so looking forward to it...

 

[Henrye]

I bought the AP when they first came out for about $250. If you found an AP 24g for $169, I'd say you found a good price. Just remember, though, that if you buy it on line, check out how much the shipping will be, it could make the cost as much as a local buy. Also, when you do by on line (any nano tank), don't be surprised if it arrives with the glass broken. It's not the tanks' fault, but shippers seem to throw them around despite the fragile stickers. Mine did arrive OK, but there are plenty of stories that didn't turn out so well. I got mine from Foster&Smith, and it arrived intact, with a very low shipping price. The other thing I like about F&S is if anything arrives broken (happened on some bulbs from them) they sent out replacements overnight at no cost. They're also good for salt, although they're selection is limited (but I use Tropic Marine, which they do carry), they do not charge a surcharge above regular shipping costs on sending it.

Henry

Henry