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Re-newbie (1 Viewer)

Luna81

Luna81

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 6, 2008
Messages
699
Location
Anoka
I use to post on here about five years ago. Then I had to get rid of my tank, had a kid, and was busy. Now the four year old is now begging for a salt water tank. I'll probably just be hiding around and reading again.

when I had my tank we had a 29 bio cube. I loved that it was pretty much contained and easy for me to take care of. Not sure if that is what we will go with again or not. Right now I'm in the savings process.

Any other good starter tanks now a days?
 
Welcome back!

As far as AIO systems:

Biocubes are still around
Nanocubes- fairly similiar
RedSea Max- a bit higher end
Fluval- heavy freshwater but some saltwater stuff (although I would likely upgrade any light that would come with the setup if you want to do any coral)
Innovative Marine has NUVO tanks
I think even Cadlights has some AIO tanks out there, although I don't know anyone that has purchased one.
 
I don't have good answers to your specific questions, but I want to say welcome back (I was actually gone from the forum for about 2 years, until just a few months ago).

Also, when you have a system up and running send me an e-mail and I can give you some starter frags of a few things.
 
Check out the Fluval M40 & M60. SWE carries them if want to check out in person. IMO though, 40breeder is hard to beat especially when the petco $1 a gallon sales happen. Since your in the saving mode keep an eye out usually happens a couple times a year. Since you have experience, your probably ready to do a build exactly the way you want vs. a canned solution. More fun that way too.
 
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cheezybuda: Thanks, I'll have to google some of those systems. I do remember that mostly any negative about the biocube was the lights. I wonder if they've made any improvements? Although I did okay with mine.

capman: That is so awesome of you! Thank you! My daughter is so excited to get started. She's four and recently asked for a coral reef. Of all things (she also asked Santa for a telescope for Christmas).

David: It's been over five years since I had any experience. I think we had the tank almost two years. I liked the simplicity of taking care of the all in one. We had made some mods so we could fit a better skimmer, etc. I guess I'm just nervous/not completely confident to try a build. I'll have to price it out too. And figure out space. (My daughter suggested our current freshwater tank go downstairs in her playroom, and to put the new tank in that spot..hah). Alas, I think the $1 a gallon just got over in the last week or so.

We actually got the biocube at SWE. I may have to plan a trip. We moved to Anoka when my daughter was born, so it's a bit of a drive ;)
 
The All-in-one systems have gotten better over the past few years, so you may find something you like with the listed options above.

I am currently setting up one of the Fluval M60 tanks as we speak.
I am doing some modifications to the back chamber for better flow and filtration, but I do like the quality of the tank itself.
Another option that I like with the Fluval systems is that the lighting fixture can be purchased separately. This can allow you to use which ever lighting style you are most comfortable with experience-wise and financially.

Welcome back and Good Luck!
 
Thank you! The Fluval looks gorgeous, but from google images/ what I can see it has an open top? I have two cats. One I have to keep the toilet seat down or he jumps in. So I think I should look for a closed top. Now that I'm thinking of it I think that's why we went with the biocube originally.

Man, I have the itch. It's hard to not just start buying :)
 
I remember now when you tore it down, moving out of an apartment I believe and I picked up a big rbta. Welcome back Evelyn.
 
That's right! So glad to be out of that place too. I remember after I got the rbta learning they normally don't do well in the bio cube?
 
I'm tempted to do the venture out into a slightly bigger tank. The 40 gal is interesting. Does anyone know of any hoods/lighting for these that are enclosed? I am also googling ;)

I also wonder if I had at least some sort of topper on any tank (glass? Mesh?) with lights close enough if that would handle the issue. The cats sit next to our freshwater tank, but I've never seen them jump on top of it. Though who knows what happens when I'm at work.
 
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If you decide you want an AIO tank I have some of the Innovative Marine Nuvo tanks left in stock and will hook you up BIG TIME! Just let me know.

BTW welcome back!
 
Luna81 said:
I'm tempted to do the venture out into a slightly bigger tank. The 40 gal is interesting. Does anyone know of any hoods/lighting for these that are enclosed? I am also googling ;)

I also wonder if I had at least some sort of topper on any tank (glass? Mesh?) with lights close enough if that would handle the issue. The cats sit next to our freshwater tank, but I've never seen them jump on top of it. Though who knows what happens when I'm at work.
Click to expand...

First - a 40 breeder is hands down the best beginner tank for all. You cannot find a better footprint for aquascaping.
2nd - the 40 breeder is a manageable size for beginners
3rd - the 40 breeder is a perfect size for getting back into the hobby while deciding if you want to go bigger
4th - Can you tell I love the 40 breeder?

I still struggle with what type of cover for my tank- I also have cats but also want something to stop fish from jumping but also allowed me to rest a feeder on the top of the tank.

I have done glass and mesh on my 40 breeder. Glass has to be cleaned all the time due to fogging, salt creep. Mesh will corrode - which is a beast in its own right. Both have worked fine for my tank but I am only going softies. If you want to do LPS, SPS - I would not suggest either. Best would be fish pond netting to make your own cover.


I posted pics etc in my build thread with an AI Vega on my tank:

http://www.tcmas.org/v4/forums/showthread.php?57808-acharpenter-s-quot-Latest-quot-40-breeder-build
 
With a 40 breeder there is a lot more diy, drill yourself build a stand make an overflow etc. Etc. My first was 40 a lot of work building it all trying to make it look nice. There has recently been some deals on 60 gallon cubes, 2x2x2 small footprint, deep front to back most importantly they are reef ready have stands makes setup that much easier. Or start with a 75.... You know you want to....
 
I was checking out your 40 build acharpenter ;)

But yeah, turns out the cats are sitting on top of the tank. I was talking to the husband and he is home most days and tells me he's always chasing them off. So I think I need to find something with a hood.

And I think noob_dude is on the right track for me. I'm not sure I'm ready for that much DIY. Maybe when the kid is older, but my time is already stretched some. I think some sort of pre-ready system may be the best for me. I have some decisions to make for sure.

I don't have room for a 75 I don't think. I would like something that I can get a stand for too so I don't have to worry about building one, or if one will be strong enough, etc. Looks like the space I was thinking of using is about 37 inches wide. Hmm...
 
Noob_dude said:
There has recently been some deals on 60 gallon cubes, 2x2x2 small footprint, deep front to back most importantly they are reef ready have stands makes setup that much easier.
Click to expand...

Luna81 said:
And I think noob_dude is on the right track for me. I'm not sure I'm ready for that much DIY. Maybe when the kid is older, but my time is already stretched some. I think some sort of pre-ready system may be the best for me. I have some decisions to make for sure.

But yeah, turns out the cats are sitting on top of the tank. I was talking to the husband and he is home most days and tells me he's always chasing them off. So I think I need to find something with a hood.
Click to expand...

I used to run a 45gal Cube (24x24x18) with two of the CurrentUSA 4 bulb light fixtures using the legs.
The light fixtures pretty much covered the entire tank and were only about a maximum of 3" above the tank, so they would inhibit the cats from falling into the tank.
I also used a Reef Octopus hang-on-the-back filter/skimmer that did a very good job of maintaining good water quality. Having a HOB filter/skimmer would eliminate the DIY of an overflow, sump and plumbing.
I do have the 45gal Cube with a custom stand available.
 
You could also consider buying/building a hood to match the stand which would prevent cats from going in but still allow them to lay on top of the warm tank and watch the fish, I know with my freshwater tank when I still had a cat he loved doing that he would hang over the edge and watch the fish, the canopy allowed me to trust that he and my tank/lights would be safe


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Yes, they love to watch the fish. I think something with a top of some sort is the best bet for me. SOME DAY I would love to be able to build it all ourselves, but I know my limitations right now. Hah.

My fear with even three inches of space isn't so much them falling in, as it is them reaching in. They aren't fearful of water, so I can see a paw in the tank. I'm not sure if the fish or the cat would get hurt more ;)
 
Quick question, do any stores sell RO and Saltwater in the North metro? I won't be ready to mix my own, and we use to buy it from SWE, but not sure how often we would make that drive now.
 
Do you know how much you will need? And are you looking for a weekly water change kind of thing or just enough to get you by until you have a rodi unit? It's kind of a drive but if you give me containers and a night to make it I could get you some rodi


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That's awesome of you! But I am not even sure when I'll have a tank. Just trying to plan out logistics right now. I never even looked into the cost of an rodi unit or any of that last time. We just had the 29 galling tank, and would grab water for top offs and saltwater that would last for changes for a month or so. But life is different with a kid for sure.

We may end up with another biocube. Haven't decided. Trying to research when I get spare time every day. Haha.
 
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