Nano Tank

[Saltie]

Hi all, I have been thinking about getting a nano tank and wanted to know the groups opinion on which to tank is the best. I am planning on a couple of small fish and some of the more hardy coral. I have noticed that many of the nano tanks do not have skimmers?

Thanks for your help and please post photos of your nano if you have one.

[Ninong]

Perhaps it would be better if you specified exactly what size "nano" tank you are interested in getting? "Nano" tank means different things to different people.

[Saltie]

Very good point. I have been looking most at the 20 to 34 gallon Nanos because I would like a couple of fish along with the coral. I dont think the smaller tanks can support that (if they could I might change my mind).

[Ninong]

It's a good thing you clarified the size thing because many people, myself included, think of 20 gallons and under as being a "nano" tank. Personally, I think it might be better to consider 30 gallons and under as a "nano" tank but then the folks who have 29-gal tanks would get upset.

I have no experience whatsoever with "nano" tanks but I like the looks of the various plug-n-play 30-gal cubes, etc. that have come on the market in the past couple of years. That's not the way I would go in setting up a larger tank but they look like an attractive option for smaller tanks. Less clutter, etc., especially if you want to place something in a location without a dedicated stand and cabinet.

The Red Sea Max 130D looks nice if you're willing to spend that much. They give a price of $649.99 for the "complete aquarium kit (includes aquarium and stand)." They don't say how much it is without the stand.

They list that tank as a 34-gal tank; then they explain that the filter compartment takes up 5 gallons of that, leaving a 29-gal aquarium volume. Actually the aquarium volume would be less than that because the water level won't come up to the tippy top of the tank and they're figuring volume based on exterior measurements. So let's call that a 26-gallon aquarium. After live rock and a modest sand bed, you're probably looking at about 21 gallons of water volume.

Anyway, I think that one looks kinda nice. I have no idea how quiet it is, or isn't. It looks like something you could probably get away with placing on a kitchen counter for instance. You're probably looking at ~400 lbs filled, including live rock and sand bed.

[Ninong]

I have been looking most at the 20 to 34 gallon Nanos because I would like a couple of fish along with the coral. I dont think the smaller tanks can support that (if they could I might change my mind).

One of the 30-34 gallon tanks could support a pair of clowns with a BTA anemone if you wanted a dedicated clown tank. You would have to remove any anemone clones and either sell them or give them away.

For any of the larger species of clownfish, you really need at least a 40-gal tank at a bare minimum.

Your fish options are extremely limited in a smaller tank but that's to be expected.

[zhenya]

If I would to spend over $600 for a nano tank I would give zero edge a look. I think for little over a grand you can get tank, stand and sump all included. I saw one set up at the local fish store and it is really impressive looking. I might drop in tomorrow and take some pictures for you.
Tank like that could support many coral species, depending on lighting, and few smallish fish.
If I ever move to my condo down the shore this is the option I would be looking into.

By the way, I think in that store I mentioned they have it lit with the Solaris led fixture and it looks fantastic. Probably their 2' fixture and I believe I saw few frags of Acropora tyoe corals in there looking pretty nifty.

Other than that, I agree with Ninong, that 34g by Red Sea looks like really good option. I think Oceanic make something similar as well(worth looking into for the price check ;) )

[Ninong]

If I would to spend over $600 for a nano tank I would give zero edge a look. I think for little over a grand you can get tank, stand and sump all included.

There is a link to Red Sea Max's website here on the Reefland sponsors page, in case you're having a hard time finding them online. I suggest you check out the product details and photos. Their tanks are completely plug-n-play. The stand is optional for the 130D but you can get the complete system, including the stand, for $649.99. That's the 130D model, not the plain 130 model. The 130D (Deluxe) has more features than the standard 130. The lighting, skimmer, pumps, heater, controls, etc. are all included. They also offer a 66-gal plug-n-play system.

The 22-gal Zero Edge nano tank is $1295.00 without lights, without pumps of any kind, without a skimmer, but with a cute acrylic sump. The sump is completely empty! You furnish your own lights, your own return pump, your own controls, your own protein skimmer, etc. I don't know if these tanks are designed for powerheads inside the tanks, are they?

However, since the 130D Red Sea Max is a 34-gal tank, maybe we should compare it against the Model 30ZRCT Zero Edge Aquarium? Like the much less expensive Model 20ZR, it comes with a nice stand and a cute empty sump. You furnish your own lights, your own pumps, your own controls, your own skimmer, your own heater, etc. I believe the 30ZRCT runs about $2100 with stand and empty sump only.

Zero Edge also offers a 58-gal tank. It runs $2650.00 with stand and empty sump but without lights, pumps, skimmer, heater, controls, etc.

I saw one set up at the local fish store and it is really impressive looking. I might drop in tomorrow and take some pictures for you.

Ask them for an out-the-door, plug-n-play price -- including a return pump (a necessity with a sump), a protein skimmer and a pump to drive the skimmer, lights to keep the corals alive, a heater to keep the water warm in winter, powerheads to keep the water moving around inside the tank, controls to turn the light on and off automatically, an electrical control panel where you can flip the various switches on and off instead of having to hunt for the plugs, etc. ;)

Tank like that could support many coral species, depending on lighting, and few smallish fish.

Many corals? You must have seen the 30ZRCT, not the 20ZR. Or maybe you saw their 58-gal tank? If you saw something for "a little over a grand, tank, stand and sump included," then it was the 20ZR.

By the way, I think in that store I mentioned they have it lit with the Solaris led fixture and it looks fantastic. Probably their 2' fixture and I believe I saw few frags of Acropora tyoe corals in there looking pretty nifty.

That's a very shallow tank. Even the Solaris LED fixture should be adequate for somthing that is only 12" tall. It probably was the 24" Solaris because the 20ZR Zero Edge Aquarium measures 24" x 18" x 12". Add another $1569.00 for the 24" Solaris fixture.

Other than that, I agree with Ninong, that 34g by Red Sea looks like really good option. I think Oceanic make something similar as well(worth looking into for the price check ;) )

The Oceanic 29-gal BioCube Aquarium includes two shorter PC's (36 watts each), compared to the two 55w PC's in the Red Sea Max 34-gal tank. Instead of a Red Sea protein skimmer, the Oceanic 29-gal BioCube comes with "a replaceable 2-stage filter cartridge." An airstone-driven protein skimmer is an available extra cost option. The 29-gal BioCube stand is an available option for $129.99, about the same price as the value of the stand in the $649.99 package deal on the 34-gal Red Sea Max package. Without the stand, you're probably looking at about $500 for the Red Sea Max, fully loaded, but without a stand.

While it is true that the Oceanic 29-gal BioCube is slightly cheaper than the 34-gal Red Sea Max, one look at the features on the Red Sea Max will show you that the Red Sea Max is a much better designed package. Just look at the way the top lifts off for access. Just look at the convenient exterior switching panel. Look at the design of the filtration system, including pump-driven skimmer, compared to the Oceanic's filtration system, with or without the air-driven skimmer.

Other than that, I agree with zhenya completely.

P.S. -- Gene, that little 20-gal Zero Edge Nano tank that you thought was so cute at the LFS will run you well over THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS fully equipped, including the Solaris fixture, pumps, skimmer, etc. Way over $3000.

P.P.S. -- One nice feature about the Red Sea Max plug-n-play systems is that they have one power cord for the entire system. That's it. Just one cord to plug into the wall. You don't have to worry about separate cords for each pump, each light, the heater, etc. And there is an external control panel with on/off switches for each component. The lights have a built-in automatic timer.

I don't think the Red Sea Max 66-gal tank is available over here yet but it's on sale in the U.K. already at £1,281 ($1,935). It has six 39w HO T5's (234 watts total) lighting.

[zhenya]

Other than that, I agree with zhenya completely.

Imagine that...

One nice feature about the Red Sea Max plug-n-play systems is that they have one power cord for the entire system. That's it. Just one cord to plug into the wall. You don't have to worry about separate cords for each pump, each light, the heater, etc. And there is an external control panel with on/off switches for each component. The lights have a built-in automatic timer.

I know it sounds real nice but having separate cords gives more flexability if you want to upgrade or change something, I would think.

Gene, that little 20-gal Zero Edge Nano tank that you thought was so cute at the LFS will run you well over THREE THOUSAND DOLLARS fully equipped, including the Solaris fixture, pumps, skimmer, etc. Way over $3000.

For what it;s worth, I used Solaris as lighting option only for example purposes. I wouldn't think of spending that much money on the light fixture alone. However, if you ever saw those small tanks in person you would understand why I like them for reef displays. Water stays absolutely still on the surface(well, it isn't really but it looks that way ) and you view everything from above without loosing anything in terms of coloration or clarity. And yes, they are expensive but the quality of construction is outstanding. I haven't seen them with any power heads because any power cord on the side walls would ruin the appearance of stillness. Edges of the walls should not be obstructed by anything.
Anyway, I wouldn't argue about this with anybody. Other people's money is none of my concern and those two tanks are far appart in their purpose.

[Saltie]

OK, so I found a really good deal on a Bio Cube (I think it is a good deal anyhow). $300 for the 29 gallon bio cube and stand. It also has the filter media (which i will change because it is used and I understand the bio cube filters get clogged fast), and the retrofitted hood with 4 32W PC lights and cooling fans. It does not have a skimmer built in, but I can put bak pak on it with little trouble.

The question now is what can I put in it the 29 gallon bio cube. We would like some coral and a few fish. I saw one lady that had 5 small fish and coral in hers..... I did not think that was possible.

[Ninong]

zhenya,

It's the Solaris fixture, the lack of powerheads inside the tank, the clear overhead view of the tank and the overflowing water that all contribute to the WOW! factor that impresses people with the Zero Edge Aquariums.

That's before they stop to realize that the tank itself is outrageously expensive for a tiny 20-gal nano tank, that the water current inside the tank is strictly laminar -- and weak, at that -- and that the price of the Solaris light fixture that looks so nice over that tank is more than most 75-gal tank systems complete.

No one says you have to get a Solaris fixture but the Solaris fixture looks great with those tanks. And, because the tanks are so shallow, the Solaris is more than powerful enough for just about anything.

They should be able to sell quite a few of those setups, Solaris and all, to people who are impressed by the WOW! factor and not concerned about the money factor at all. Probably the same people who pay $800 for a blue Squamosa clam and $300 for a bright pink Ricordea yuma.

I have seen videos of the Zero Edge Aquariums in action, Solaris and all, and they are VERY cute. However, they're more of a novelty for a niche market. They would make ideal tanks for clams. And for anything else that doesn't need turbulent water flow. You would be able to look down on them from above. I always liked looking down on the tanks at a couple of large LFS in the SF Bay Area. Naturally the water current would mess up your view a little but it was always a thrill nonetheless -- a very different viewing angle from what we're used to at home. Looking down on fish swimming around reminds me of looking down at a football game from well up in the stands. One of those LFS closed but the other one has moved into even larger quarters.

The Red Sea Max setups probably appeal to a larger niche. The 34-gal setup ($649.99 complete with stand) will probably appeal to people who are just starting out in the hobby and are confused about all the various components required. That little tank, without the stand, looks like something that you could stick on a kitchen counter or a credenza in your office. Having the single power cord coming out of the entire system is a major selling point for such applications. Very major! Because having it look neat is a major consideration.

The 66-gal size Red Sea Max would have the same appeal but not for sticking on your kitchen counter or your office furniture. It has the plug-n-play appeal. You could certainly improve on the individual components if you were to set up your own system, but you wouldn't have the WOW! factor of the exterior switches and the single power cord and the neat containment package. And you wouldn't have the neat lift-up light canopy, etc. If you tried to match all of those features, you would probably spend even more money.

I thought about getting one of the 34-gal Red Sea Max tanks for my kitchen counter but then I realized that I wouldn't always be available to top it off every day, etc., so I gave up on that idea. Remember that Deltec 300-gal tank that I sent you pics of about five years ago? The silver one that they said was "Porsche" silver? It was plug-n-play, just in a much larger package. And it was more than $9,000 back when the dollar was worth more than the euro. It's probably $17,000 today in dollars. Let me see if I can find pics of it because I know that your memory isn't what it used to be now that you're a year older.

This is that Deltec tank that I'm talking about. It's somewhere around 300 gallons, maybe a little more. I didn't bother to look for the dimensions. They have four different models in various sizes and they are willing to custom-build whatever size you want. All of them are plug-n-play. They use a lot of European equipment that we wouldn't normally use but the plug-n-play compactness of the setups is impressive. I'm amazed that they can jam that much stuff inside the cabinets -- even automatic top-offs. I wonder if they offer Optiwhite glass?




P.S. -- How did we go from nano tanks to this?

[Ninong]

The question now is what can I put in it the 29 gallon bio cube. We would like some coral and a few fish. I saw one lady that had 5 small fish and coral in hers..... I did not think that was possible.

There are a lot of different beautiful corals that you can stick in a 29-gal bio-cube tank. Just make sure your water current and lighting are appropriate for whatever you select.

You could stick a dozen fish inside a 29-gal bio-cube tank if they were all neon gobies. It's the size of the fish and their behaviors that dictate the size of the tank. You certainly can't get any tangs or rabbitfish. You could get a pair of the smaller clownfish (meaning smaller species). I would avoid fairy wrasses or dwarf angelfishes for such a small tank. An orchid dottyback (Pseudochromis fridmani) or a royal gramma (Gramma loreto) might work.

There are a lot of different options but your options are definitely limited compared to larger tanks but that's expected. Even people with 120-gal tanks are limited in what they can get. The larger the tank, the more options you have and that holds true all the way up the line.

P.S. -- Why don't you just post the fish you are thinking of getting and we can talk about whether they would work?