IM BACK!!! Need Suggestions
Printed From: Utah Reefs
Category: Specialized Discussion
Forum Name: Equipment
Forum Description: This is the place to ask question about reef equipment.
URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=44134
Printed Date: July 19 2025 at 1:20pm
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Topic: IM BACK!!! Need Suggestions
Posted By: wilson7561681
Subject: IM BACK!!! Need Suggestions
Date Posted: October 20 2010 at 11:41pm
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Hey everyone! Ok so I doubt any of you remember me but i had 2 amazing sw tanks before I left on an LDS mission but unfortunately had to sell them.... Now im back and Ive been going to all the sw stores looking at options for my next tank! So I have a 150 gallon tank in my basement, but just don't think i have the funds to do sw in that one so i have decided to go fresh, but I want to do a 29-35 gallon "All in one" SW tank. So here are a couple things i need suggestions on: 1: "All in one" tank options/preferences 2: ANY suggestions on LED lighting for "All in one" tank 3: Does anyone have any setups for sale? So i went to "The Aquarium" today and looked at a couple different options. I used to have a nano cube, but dont really like there setups. I prefer Bio cubes, but have some issues with some of there equipment... like there protein skimmer. I loved the RedSea setup but it was waaaaaaay expensive. And I cant remember the name of the other one I really like. Here is what I want: Tank Size: 25-35 gallon Filtration: Built in Lighting: Halide, T5, or LED Cooling: Light placed where it doesn't heat up tank!!! Thank you all for your help! I'm way excited to get back into the hobby and enjoy the wonderful world of sw aquariums. Let me know any suggestions or equipment you have. Thanks again! Ethan Wilson ------------- Re-Entering the Salt Water World |
Replies:
Posted By: Luckedout
Date Posted: October 21 2010 at 12:31am
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http://www.cadlights.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=41 I've been looking at some of these tanks. Or a Solana. ------------- -Ben 90g Mixed reef www.body-balancechiropractic.com |
Posted By: bstuver
Date Posted: October 21 2010 at 12:33am
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I have always really liked the red sea max but yea they are expensive, however check out the KSL ads I have seen a couple that have gone for fairly decent price lately.
------------- Jackie Stuver "wait these aren't the happy Hawaiians oompa doompa godly heaven on your face zoas? I dont want them then. lol!" Ksmart |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: October 21 2010 at 9:48am
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There are so many options here I don't know where to start. I wouldn't buy any of the all in one tanks. I had a Nano Cube for 2 years and it was alright but I wouldn't use one again. Pretty much all of them come with a crappy light system and most will heat up the water no matter what. Here a couple options I can think of real quick: 1) Current Solana with the halide. 2) Current Solana with no light and buy a good T5 setup for it. 3) The cadlights linked above is a good one 4) Buy a 29 gallon tank and make it an AIO. 5) Buy the Marineland cube in whatever size you want. I went to 4 aquarium shops yesterday. 2 up north and 2 in Salt Lake valley. 3 of them were absolutely terrible. The other one was AMAZING! Aquatic Dreams in Cleafield is a long drive for me but very well worth it. Ryan is awesome to talk with and is an owner who actually runs his tanks with good stuff. He knew all about ZeoVit and Brightwell Aquatics products. I haven't talked to another owner who even has an idea about them or they will just tell you they are garbage products and yet they have NEVER used them. Sorry to get off topic for a second. I bought my very first setup from The Aquarium 4.5 years ago. It was a total rip off. I have spent maybe $100 there since my initial investment. If I were you I would watch the boards here and KSL closely for a few weeks. If you had amazing SW tanks in the past, you know how much patience is a virtue. If I were to upgrade my tank today, I would drive right back up to Aquatic Dreams and have them get it for me. I was that impressed with their service and store.
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Posted By: Ahanix
Date Posted: October 21 2010 at 10:26am
| If you want something that is the same size as a red sea max you could always to your own DIY all in one as Ryan was saying. Not to push you to other forums for advice but there are quite a few DIY aio 40 breeder builds on nano-reef that you could look at if you really want to go that route. Plus PETCO is doing their $1 a gallon sale again on aquariums |
Posted By: P.Kapp
Date Posted: October 21 2010 at 10:43am
Im by far no expert on this topic, but if it were me and I was doing a nano tank, or a smaller tank, I would do either a 40 gal breeder or a 50 to 60 gal cube. To me it doesnt seem like the cost would be that much more if you can pick up a used one, and you would have a lot more options for aquascaping and fish selection. Again, just my opinion. It seems like i see a lot of people with nanos or smaller tanks that eventually like to add a sump, or a better skimmer for the benefit of the tank and the animals in it. Plus its just fun to tinker sometimes  . I believe in just crying once and getting the stuff you really want the first time. Even if it takes some time to acquire everything. It took me almost a year to get everything i wanted, and the way i wanted it for my 125 gal tank i just barely put up. It was hard trying to be patient with it, but well worth it. Whatever you decide to do Ill be excited to see it come together for you (assuming you post pictures here...  )I also agree with Ryan Thompson about aquatic dreams. their tanks are really nice and clean, and the cabinetry is pretty awesome. Im only able to go in there maybe once every couple of months, but Ryan (the owner) talks to me every time and remembers who i am and asks me about the car business. Good guy  ------------- Preston Kapp 210 Gal Reef |
Posted By: AquariumGuy
Date Posted: October 26 2010 at 2:01am
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Ethan
When you decide what direction you want to go on your new setup give me a call at the Aquarium. Even though some people may not think highly of our store most people think that we can offer you what you need and better yet I will get you into it for what ever your budget allowes. If you see any thing you like at another store in Utah I will beat there price no matter what!! Mike ------------- �A black belt only covers two inches of your ass. You have to cover the rest.� - Royce Gracie |