all in 1 solution?

[echinatl]

Hi guys,

Newbi over here!

Is there an all in one nano (sub 30 gallon) solution out there that would allow me to just make 1 purchase (not counting live rock or anything that goes into the tank) and be off and running?

Also, is sand (live or not) really necessary?

I'd like it to be a dedicated reef tank with maybe 1 small fish.

 

[jtshack]

You're going to get a lot of different answers with regard as to whether sand is needed or not; most will say it's a matter of opinion. Personally, I think sand not only adds to the aesthetics of the tank, but I think it helps immensely with the filtration. (I'll probably get creamed for that comment. :doh: )

As far as an all in one solution, it really depends on what you plan to have in the tank. You could go with a cube, but if you put stock in there that requires high light, you might have to upgrade your lighting. You'll probably get a more concise answer from the club if you give us a better idea of what you'd like to keep in your nano. :yes:

Not trying to be evasive in my response, but I don't want to try to steer you one way or the other without knowing more about what you're wanting to do. :confused2:

 

[jtshack]

Just noticed this and thought I'd pass it on to you. This tank would suit your needs, but you'd probably have to act pretty quickly - it's a great deal :yes:

 

[derek_s]

I agree that John's tank (in the link) would be a geed one to go with. It has that halide mod, and can easily support a great number of corals.

Another consideration would Be Mark's 34gal Solana in the Drygoods section.

 

[echinatl]

jtshack;202451 wrote:
Not trying to be evasive in my response, but I don't want to try to steer you one way or the other without knowing more about what you're wanting to do. :confused2:

Not being evasive at all, and thank you very much for the quick reply!

I'm a bit hesitent when buying stuff like aquariums used, I've just had... issues.... in the past... Do you guys suggest going that route? Money wont be a factor in my setup and I don't mind going new, as long as I don't have to hack it up and replace every stock item on it.

I'm honestly not 100% sure what I want in it, I'm still very much in the learning phase, and I've learned enough to realize that I can see myself going through a lot of sea life if I try to go at this without asking the "experts"! A solid all around mid - high end system that won't keep me from doing anything I could potentially want to do.

 

[jtshack]

corvettecris;202487 wrote: Another consideration would Be Mark's 34gal Solana in the Drygoods section.

I hadn't seen that one...agree it would be a good choice as well. Here's the link: http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16424">http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=16424</a>

[QUOTE=][B]echinatl;202493 wrote:[/B]
I'm a bit hesitent when buying stuff like aquariums used, I've just had... issues.... in the past... Do you guys suggest going that route? Money wont be a factor in my setup and I don't mind going new, as long as I don't have to hack it up and replace every stock item on it.
[/QUOTE]

Okay...I get what you're saying, but this isn't CraigsList and spending a buttload of money won't get you any brownie points here. It certainly doesn't assure that you'll get everything you need either or that it won't be problematic. Either one of these guys with small tanks for sale on here could run circles around my tanks and what they're offering for sale I'd pounce on were it not for the fact that I'm out of room for any more tanks. Do I suggest used on CraigsList? Not really...you run a risk, especially where you don't have a lot of knowledge. On here? No one will treat you better than ARCers. Watch these boards and you'll see folks that will offer to drive half a state or more to help someone who lost power during a storm to keep them from losing livestock. I trust these folks and I feel wholeheartedly that you can too.

With you being a newbie, I definitely suggest going with a tank that a senior ARC member has owned or modified. They can tell you in detail what the system will support and this could be monumentally helpful in the future as you decide what you'd like to try to keep in your tank.

 

[echinatl]

jtshack;202500 wrote: I hadn't seen that one...agree it would be a good choice as well.



Okay...I get what you're saying, but this isn't CraigsList and spending a buttload of money won't get you any brownie points here. It certainly doesn't assure that you'll get everything you need either or that it won't be problematic. Either one of these guys with small tanks for sale on here could run circles around my tanks and what they're offering for sale I'd pounce on were it not for the fact that I'm out of room for any more tanks. Do I suggest used on CraigsList? Not really...you run a risk, especially where you don't have a lot of knowledge. On here? No one will treat you better than ARCers. Watch these boards and you'll see folks that will offer to drive half a state or more to help someone who lost power during a storm to keep them from losing livestock. I trust these folks and I feel wholeheartedly that you can too.

With you being a newbie, I definitely suggest going with a tank that a senior ARC member has owned or modified. They can tell you in detail what the system will support and this could be monumentally helpful in the future as you decide what you'd like to try to keep in your tank.

<span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 13px;">Oh I definitely would stay away from Craigslist! I've been trolling this site for a while and I agree everyone seems to be genuinely pretty great. I'm just getting close to pulling the trigger and I don't want to jump into this and kill everything, or buy a heavily modded system that I won't be able to handle.</span></span></span>

 

[jtshack]

echinatl;202502 wrote: <span style="color: black;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;"><span style="font-size: 13px;"> I'm just getting close to pulling the trigger and I don't want to jump into this and kill everything, or buy a heavily modded system that I won't be able to handle.</span></span></span>

I think you'd be fine with either of these systems and I doubt you'd have any problems handling either of them either. If I could give you one piece of advice that I truly hope you'll take...TAKE YOUR TIME. Don't be in a rush to fill up your tank. You can lose a lot of money that way and it can kill the passion for this hobby. Read books. Read threads. Ask questions. Doesn't matter if you think it's a dumb question. Of course we'll make fun of you (it's our job and we take it seriously), but you'll get your answer and it's better to be informed, now isn't it?

 

[echinatl]

<span style="color: black;">I have the "take my time" part down! and that's why I'm getting the urge to buy something just to get the ball rolling. I've held off so long just because it seems like everyone has a different configuration and everyone has a different system.</span>
<span style="color: black;"> </span>
<span style="color: black;">I'm a big computer nerd and have built a lot of custom systems and it's easy to say "ok for a high end system you buy these specific parts" or "for a mid range system you buy these specific parts" and here are the trade offs for both, there are clear cut lines to what you get for each item and you can clearly tell what is "the best" or what is “almost the best”, and with aquariums, filters, and what not this doesn't seem to apply. </span>
<span style="color: black;"> </span>
<span style="color: black;">I was hoping someone would just say "oh buy this system with this light and it comes with this and that and bam you're good to go" :yes: </span>

 

[johnr2604]

I can assure you that JohnR's tank is only about 5 months old and you would be able to keep pretty much whatever you want LOL:yes:

The thing with all in one setups out of the box is that they are rarely all in one. There will be things you have to mod and upgrade unless you are just planning on soft corals. You could buy a tank like mine or MarkL's that has already been modded and save a bunch of money. I promise I have far more invested in the biocube I am selling than I would like to admit.

 

[johnr2604]

There are only a couple all in ones that I know of that would be able to support the majority of SPS and then you are still not done. The salona is one but you still have to buy powerheads and probably a chillier so there goes an extra $350. The nanocube HQI has the same issues. Alot of these AIO's will support softies and most LPS out of the box so it depends on what you want to keep and I promise once you start keeping those corals you will want some SPS.

 

[echinatl]

Thank you for the excellent info!About to sneak out of work, will check out your set up when I get home and will most likely PM you with more questions.

 

[johnr2604]

Feel free to ask if you kneed some info not even just about my tank but AIO's in general. I was where you are 6 months ago with these all in ones and did alot of research that I could pass on to you.

 

[derek_s]

John is also becoming a nano expert, partly since he'd rather have 1000 gallons of nanos than one 1000 gallon tank. Might pick his brain on the art of nano-ocity while you're at it.

 

[johnr2604]

corvettecris;202555 wrote: John is also becoming a nano expert, partly since he'd rather have 1000 gallons of nanos than one 1000 gallon tank. Might pick his brain on the art of nano-ocity while you're at it.

LOL, but true. I like the challenge