Tank HELP?!

[bdhb12]

I've been reading these threads a few days now (much longer then my join date) and am very confused about Nano sized tanks. I can't seem to find enough info one way or the other and may have skipped a tank selection board. I want a tank in the 20 gallon range with the ability to place a natural filter sys in the back a fudge if i'm not mistaken but I want the space for corals and crabs and a nice small selection of fish (a mated pair of clowns a must) So any advice on what nano with plenty of back tank room for a cetasomthing plant for filtration and room for coral? once I pass this hurtle the best option seems to be to post a diary in the nano section those guys seem very helpful. oh and the book The new marine aquarium any good?

 

[sickboy]

If you want a fuge with chaeto in it, but want a complete system, I would look at a Finnex Aquarium. Otherwise, you could use a regular tank with a hang-on-back (HOB) refugium. The Finnex tanks would also provide you with plenty of light to keep any coral you want. They are a little pricey, but look as though they are worth it. One of my tanks is a 14 gal biocube, and I have had trouble keeping some corals under the compact florescent bulbs and have to move them to my other tank with T5s. If you want a mated pair of clowns, I would go with a slightly bigger tank, like a 30 or 29 or any of the variations that are close to that just to give them more room. Also, if you are set on clowns and want an anemone, T5 or Metal Halide bulbs are a must.
Hope this helps a little. As far as the refugium (fuge) it is basically a place to grow macro-algae and other beneficial items. Chaetomorphia (Chaeto) is a type of macro algae that is beneficial.

 

[bdhb12]

As i have read around people have been taking aquapods and biocubes and removing the filter elements in the back and adding chaeto and sort of turning the filter area into a fudge. Is the Finnex sys better than those others? And thanks for helping me with the sized i was wondering if I needed a 30g or so. my budget isn't the biggest so I need to shop for the biggest with most features for less money.
Edit: Has anyone used the book The New Marine Aquarium?

 

[subielover]

Finnex tanks are great all-in-ones. Has the fuge, a choice of t-5's or metal halides and you can get them shipped to your door for about $500 bucks. Very very good deal.

 

[bdhb12]

I don't suppose it would be Possible to Start (no Animals) A tank For 400 dollars?
I suppose i am asking Can I do a nano Setup without he All-in-ones for Cheaper? whats the difficulty difference?

 

[mr. limpid]

Yes it is, it wont be the state of the art tank, but it will sustain life. I set up a 20gal long ten years ago, just to keep me happy will working on my 135gal tank. I have this tank it houses a small branch of hammer coral, 4- disc coral that has multiplied from one, zenias and hermit crabs. At one time had a atlantic anomie, picular clown and quarter size hypo tang. The tank is the old fasion under plate fillter with crush coral media with 20gal power head on one side lift tube and a 20gal outside fillter on the other. Also have red sea 100gal prizom protein skimmer. Lighting is a finnex 30" 130watt. If you add all this up excluding live stock it is under $400. All coral is doing well and the anomie was given away because it out grew the tank and was stinging the coral. I change water every two weeks 3 gals. and gravel grung the tank in three section once a year very important to keep nitrates from getting out of control. Good luck

 

[bdhb12]

I found a 24 gallon jbj nano cube deluxe with stand for 249 with 38 shipping can i make a fuge in the back of that?

 

[bdhb12]

or is that not a good tank? I have seen a bio cube in person but not the nano cube any thoughts between the two?

 

[lonelytree]

I have read this book. It was the first book my mentor gave me to read. I found it very helpful. I am also new at this. I just sat up a 55 gallon reef tank this past Sunday.

 

[subielover]

Buy used. Out of Biocube, Nano-cube and Aquapod's I prefer the Biocubes. With a very limited budget, I would wait to find one locally off of craigs list or the like.

 

[bdhb12]

any particular reason biocube? I want that soo bad but the price...... craigs list around here has very little in the way of aquatic supply and my friends only recommended red sea but i can't find those for less than twice the price of a bio cube

 

[subielover]

I prefer Biocube's because the examples that I have seen have had better build quality than the others mentioned.

 

[bdhb12]

I'm a big fan of crabs how hard would it be to keep then in a 29 gallon? and lobsters are there any small with a good temperament? Mostly crabs though.....

 

[mr. limpid]

Carbs are very hardy, will survive in any size tank. Never had a lobster, prob. like a shrimp same family little more delicate then crabs. They don't tallerate high nitrate's. I would make sure your tank has been cycled before adding a lobster. Also lobsters like to dig make sure all your LR is set on the bottom of the tank.

 

[bdhb12]

ok lets see i found a biocube 29g for $239 and I got a Kora 1 a marine test kit (ph, nitrate, nitrite), oceanic brand natural sea salt mixture, and the biocube protein skimmer. The LFS sells live rock for $10/lb so I will look elsewhere but he sells live sand quite cheap. anything else i might need? I found a RO filter for 169 but i dunno if i need it will the culligan water at wal mart suffice or should i look elsewhere?

 

[bdhb12]

i was also looking at the Coralife Pure-Flo II RO Units and was wondering if i sould wait till i got a biggertank

 

[lessthanlethal]

The new marine aquarium book any good? I really like that book It has helped me so much.
Good luck..

 

[bdhb12]

Yeah it's pretty good now it helps me understand what you guys are saying better. I've done freshwater for awhile so all of these little new things are all way different.

 

[salty blues]

Originally Posted by Bdhb12
http:///forum/post/2925207
ok lets see i found a biocube 29g for $239 and I got a Kora 1 a marine test kit (ph, nitrate, nitrite), oceanic brand natural sea salt mixture, and the biocube protein skimmer. The LFS sells live rock for $10/lb so I will look elsewhere but he sells live sand quite cheap. anything else i might need? I found a RO filter for 169 but i dunno if i need it will the culligan water at wal mart suffice or should i look elsewhere?
I used water from walmart for a while, but hauling water got old real fast. Try to invest in a ro/di system as soon as possible. It won't take long at all to pay for itself and the convenience of producing your water at home can't be beat.

 

[bdhb12]

Do i need a heater with the biocube?