Tank Selection Help

[cayman]

I have read several threads but nothing that really answered my question.
By the way, I am new here from Jacksonville, Florida.

Anyway, I am new to reef tanks but have had several saltwater tanks. I see that many things have changed since I was last into this and would like to seek some help on which would be best for a new nano tank. Trying to find which comes with the best options to start with and which may be best supported by other members who have the same who can possibly help and provide information along the way. Also which is able to be modded is also a consideration.
My choices I guess would be the 24 Gallon Nano, 24 Gallon AquaPod or the 29 Gallong BioCube. I also see that there some different versions of each of these. If some of you could point me in the right direction, I would be grateful.
Thank you!!!

 

[cayman]

One more thing in addition... I do not mind changing the lights, but prefer it to be all inclusive still... i.e. I don't want to have to remove my top and buy a light that just stands over the water solo. This is due to the fact that I have a cat, dog and a 4 year old aughter. I saw a post somewhere where someone had a top that included the MH light in it. Pretty cool looking.

 

[cayman]

Anyone???

 

[whisk]

Hey Cayman, this question is asked often and you will always hear differing answers. I just started a nano a couple months and asked the same thing.
In the end, I choose the Aquapod 24. The price was best of all the 24 nanos, had some options for mods, came with a Y-nozzle, seemed like the tank was well built.
After 2 months, am I happy with it? Mostly yes. I had to change the cooling fans, for one, they were loud and one of them actually started humming really LOUD. Also, I wish the back chambers were a little bigger (though i do have more room in the actual aquarium to place rock and such). Those are my only two complaints. I havent had any heat issues with the enclosed hood. As long as the room temp is low 70s or lower its been a steady 77-78 all day.
I am happy with the lighting and pretty much everything else with the tank. I did not use the bioballs or sponge that came with it, and I did replace the pump with a better one.
Those are my two cents on the aquapod. Hopefully it helps.

 

[mboswell1982]

have you looked into the finnex tanks? if not, check out fireykat's finnex thread, she just got hers an it is an awesome tank to be sure, an the price she paid for it is hard to beat really for what all she got with it, lights included

 

[cayman]

Great information guys and thank you!!
Yes, I will take a look at the Finnex. I would think that it would be more cost effective to buy the right kit up front instead of buying a kit that you have to replace the pump, filter, lighting, etc.... basically everything but the tank. LOL But I also want something that has information on mods and what not.
I have been leaning towards the JBJ Nano 28 HQI which appears to already have more than sufficient lighting, comes with better pumps and a protein skimmer as well as a wavemaker. I am not a rocket scientist but 186 watts for a 28 gallon tank (6.6 watts/gallon) should be more than sufficient for anything I would need.

If anyone has more to offer, please do so. I would love to hear it.
Thank you.

 

[subielover]

Take a look at solana tanks as well. Much nicer looking, IMO, than the JBJ tanks. If it were me I would probably go with the Finnex 30 gallon with built in refugium with the t-5 lighting.

 

[cayman]

Subie... I looked at the Solana but they all appeared to have open tops which is not good for my household. Between the cat, dog and 4 year old throwing stuff in it, I would just be asking for trouble.
We have a 16K gallon pool that my daughter loves to throw things in (sand, rocks, leaves, etc.) She has also already killed a couple of her Bettas due to putting foreign objects in the tank. LOL

 

[cayman]

I like the Finnex but can you get a glass lid for the aquarium since the light sits above it? Would it fit and would it affect the lighting?