Best Small Aquarium

[cameron]

Dream system would be something like this:
<ul>
<li>About 30g but could be more not much less.</li>
<li>Really want T5 lighting. Want to cut the overall costs of the tank with cheaper longer lasting lighting.</li>
<li>Would like a package system which could be a high end all-in-one or a custom job. I just wouldn't want to build it.</li>
<li>Fuge area would be nice but not necessary.</li>
<li>Good skimmer or ability to upgrade to a good plug in skimmer.</li>
<li>A well designed cabinet that could hold a gallon or so of top off.</li>
</ul>Livestock includes no plans on keeping SPS. Mostly softies, some zoas and possibly a low end stoney like my brown monti cap.

The Red Sea Max unit looks interesting, but I am affraid I am going to run into issues with its custom lighting and a skimmer that appears to be designed after one of the not so good performing skimmers.

 

[lorenk]

Cameron,
Talk to Melissa...she has an amazing cube. I think it was custom built.

 

[dough]

Maybe Tim @ MRC can build you what you're looking for.

 

[dakota]

One of my favorites is the 40 Stretch Hex by Oceanic. Great height, nice length, good depth - altogether an interesting, well proportioned shape.

I don't know if they still make them. But I always wanted one drilled for an overflow and a closed loop with the returns on the back angled sides.

You can fit 2' T-5s with a halide easily over it.

Placing it on a custom, rectangular stand would still allow for a little horizontal work surface at the corners and give a good bit of space for a sump and other equipment. I always thought a Corian granite surface would look nice under the tank.

And the aquascaping options of branched rock arching off into the angled areas on the sides from a main island or two . Could be very cool....

If I could only have one tank, that would be it.

 

[chemically_balanced]

You have to also consider the Finnex....

http://cgi.ebay.com/Finnex-M-Tank-30-gallon-refugium-nano-reef-aquarium-T5_W0QQitemZ200147948229QQcmdZViewItem">http://cgi.ebay.com/Finnex-M-Tank-30-gallon-refugium-nano-reef-aquarium-T5_W0QQitemZ200147948229QQcmdZViewItem</a>

You should hit me up if you want to take a look at mine. It's the older model but you can get an idea. Also I might be willing to unload mine....with all my mods.

 

[mattrg_2000]

sammy33;92568 wrote: The new Solana tank from Current is kinda cool. I like the looks of this setup and the HQI disco ball is just too hip. The built-in top-off reservoir is also a pretty cool feature.

Here's another picture...very cool. Does anyone know if this is released? I couldn't find anything else on it.

 

[mojo]

I have a 29g Aquapod (or is it 24g?), and really like it. I got the 250w HQI Sunpod, so just wanted to comment on those two pieces being quality pieces of equipment - I've never had any temperature issues with just using evap for cooling, and had more light than I ever needed.


[Edit] - Oops- just saw that your dream system list was on page two.... Nevermind on that Sunpod...

 

[megadeth]

finnex or cadlights !

http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?cPath=2">http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?cPath=2</a>
[IMG]http://www.finnex.net/newlayout/php/client/itemdetail.php?id=148#">http://www.finnex.net/newlayout/php/client/itemdetail.php?id=148#</a>

but replace the skimmer they put on them with a good one

if i was to go smaller than my 75, I would probably go cadlights

 

[george]

Cam, as mentioned, I'd run with a cube. You'll get a "slice" of your current setup which, I think, would be much more pleasing to you in the long run over a standard tank that will literally give you that "honey I shrunk the aquarium" effect.

If not that, then a 36 corner which will maximize your viewing space while minimizing volume.

 

[lorenk]

Sam, hurry up and get those new Currents in!

Cameron, you can see them in this thread at nano-reef
http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=131359&hl=Solana">http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=131359&hl=Solana</a>

I wish I hadn't read that...I want to trade my 24g aquapod in now.

 

[cameron]

Perfect would be 24"x24"x17" which would put it in the 40g neighborhood. Who builds custom tanks that uses starphire glass? Throw it up on a 3' to 4' oversized stand with trim which would give plenty of verticle space for a same size fuge/sump with skimmer. You could probably even cram a really good skimmer under there... maybe a DAS.

 

[lorenk]

Is there an issue with glasscages? They have some nice cubes.

 

[cameron]

Glasscages has had a lot of issues with people lately. I like the closeness of the company and they do seem to have one of the better varieties of stock systems, but the customer service and quality issues scares me a bit.

 

[blind1993]

what about mrc?

 

[victor626nj]

not sure blind but i dont think they do glass but i might be wrong

 

[blind1993]

oh i forgot that he wants a premade one.

victor hows the child treating you?

 

[cameron]

MRC only does acrylic and I am staying FAR away from that stuff. I have already scratched my glass and I don't even want to think about what I would have done to acrylic by now.

 

[lorenk]

That's too bad. I really would like either the 60g cube or the 80g cube with starphire on the front panel.

I think a cube with a center overflow would be nice as well. The one thing I don't like about the various all-in-ones is the false back. and how it is visible on the sides. It's convenient and provides a closed loop of sorts, but detracts from the beauty of a cube.

Cameron;93281 wrote: Glasscages has had a lot of issues with people lately. I like the closeness of the company and they do seem to have one of the better varieties of stock systems, but the customer service and quality issues scares me a bit.

 

[wolfie]

Cameron.
You may want to talk to Sam. He have a new nano setup that have everything in it. HQI, Fan, Overflow, sump and skimmer. The whole thing look great.

I think this is it, but I could be wrong

 

[dakota]

If you're up to 40 gallons, I'd say 40 Stretch Hex again. You'd still have 18" depth for a good number of T-5's and close to 3' in length for a nice fit on a 3' cabinet.

What you'd save not going Starfire custom could go a long way towards two Vortechs that could be modded to work with the Neptune Aquasurf on your AC III. They'd fit perfectly in those back, angled sides... awesome flow control and no CL.

Just saying....