Desktop Choices

[tmac1rebok]

On planning to setup a dormroom desktop nanoreef, I've came across some very similar choices. Instead of buying a 10 gallon tank and piecing it together, I'd loved the idea of a small integrated system. The main three out there for a smaller tank are the 12g Nano Cube (JBJ), 14g Bio Cube (Coralife), or 12g Aquapod (Current). Orginally I wanted T-5 lighting but none offer them. Also a concern with the tanks are a lack of protien skimmers (although I don't used one on my 20g mini-reef). Overall, which is the best product for a nano reef of that size?

The Boarding contact allows for tanks up to 10g so I'm willing to go slightly over but not past 15g. I have two additional questions...

1) Are there more versions known of these desktop tank from different companies?

2) Would piecing together a 10 or 15g tank be worth the extra money (the T-5 lighting plus filtration gets expensive)?

 

[Anonymous]

It's been a hell of a long time since I've done such a set-up, but I will tell you that a LOT of folks love that JBJ cube.

 

[Anonymous]

tmac1rebok,
:welcome:

I'll tell you what, I pieced together my nano rather than buying a JBJ and now totally regret doing it that way. Would have been better money-wise in the long run to take the plunge initially.

 

[Anonymous]

I actually own one of each of the tanks you mention and overall I like the Biocube 14 the best with a couple of caveats:

1) The ballasts are flaky and I've had two go out under a year - supposedly this issue has been addressed.
2) There seem to be less retrofit lighting options for the biocube compared to the JBJ but you can find retrofits at places like nanotuners etc.

I would avoid the Aquapod, mine had a wiring problem and shocked the bejeesus out of me and overall the build quality was kind of sketchy. Oceanic also makes a 8 gallon version which might be less obtrusive in your dorm room.

I am a sick man and have currently:

2 x 14 gallon Oceanic Biocubes
1 8 Gallon Oceanic Biocube
1 6 Gallon JBJ NanoCube
1 12 Gallon Sunpod

Only one has water in it currently :?

 

[tmac1rebok]

Do the Sapphire protien skimmers work and fit well in the Nano/Bio/Aqua tanks?

 

[bookfish]

Check out cadlights.com
Their 12 g is really nice looking.