Nano tank good for beginner?

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fishfanatic

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Apr 6, 2011
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To start off I have never owned a salt water tank. I do have a 40 gallon high tech fresh water though. I am looking into getting another tank, and I found a Bio cube at my lfs (it is 250$) would this be a good first salt water tank? I would have lots of coral and maybe 1 or 2 fish
 
From what I've heard BioCubes are great tanks for beginners. Sometimes you have to do a couple of mods with the parts, but they're fairly user-friendly, and the lights are sufficient from what I've heard for a variety (though not all) corals. A lot of beginners on here have had luck with BioCubes.
 
Rosenweiss said:
From what I've heard BioCubes are great tanks for beginners. Sometimes you have to do a couple of mods with the parts, but they're fairly user-friendly, and the lights are sufficient from what I've heard for a variety (though not all) corals. A lot of beginners on here have had luck with BioCubes.

Are the modifications necessary? I don't have tuns of money to put into this tank. I was planning on buying the Biocube a heater and maybe a Skimmer. Would this be a good start? I don't want to have the same problem as I did with my 40 gallon, buy cheap stuff the first time then have to replace it later. I want a fairly cheap high grade tank (that I don't have to upgrade down the road). Am I looking at the wrong kind of tank?
 
None of the mods are necissary. My biocube is 100% stock and I love it.

I think they're an excellent beginner tank.
 
Flake said:
None of the mods are necissary. My biocube is 100% stock and I love it.

I think they're an excellent beginner tank.

Could you post a picture? Is it the 14 gallon?

Edit: could I do something like this 14 Gallon Biocube 2 in the 14 gallon biocube if I left it stock?
 
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I also have a pretty stock biocube 29g and i really like it. All self contained and looks awesome too!

The stock lights are good enough for alot of corals except the most demanding and i wouldn't put an anenome in it but otherwise it's a great tank. :)

The only mod I made was to take out the bio balls and added a filter media basket in it's place.
 
Do you think I will be unhappy with a 14 gallon and that I should get a 29? Is that big white thing in the middle of that tank I linked an aniomy (or however you spell it lol)
 
A 29 gallon would definitely expand your stocking possibilities, so I'd go with that, but that's just what I would do if I got one.
 
On Amazon they have the 29 gallon for 250$ (that is what the 14 gallon costs at my lfs) do I trust it to be shipped? I just barely sent a broken tank back. (It was broken on arrival). I was reading some reviews and some people ether really like it or really hate it. Are the people that hate it doing something wrong or is this a hit and miss kind of thing (some tanks good some not)?
 
I can see where it would be inconvenient. The curved edges can be really hard to get coralline off it. But I find it's worth the trouble. I like the all in one, I also love the fact that it's contained. I have almost no water loss.
 
How much could I expect a 29 gallon to cost me a month? Once again I know nothing about SW ;)
 
I ordered my cube online with free shipping and it was packed really really well. i got mine at petsolutions.com. You also get a $30 fish credit if you buy it. ;-)
 
carey said:
I ordered my cube online with free shipping and it was packed really really well. i got mine at petsolutions.com. You also get a $30 fish credit if you buy it. ;-)

Did you just order it through Amazon from petsolutions? The fluval Flora I got in the mail (the one that was broken) was very very poorly packed. How often and how much water would I have to change?
 
http://www.petsolutions.com/storefr...ums/oceanic-bio-cubes/prodOceanicBioCube.html
If I buy the 29 in this link, then I could have a successful reef tank without any modifications? I need to make sure I can afford this (I am saving for college).
Tell me if this is incorrect and if I miss anything:
20$ a month for salt
6$ a month for RO water
260$ for the tank (one time payment)
30$ a month to add/ replace coral
3$ a month for fish food
60$ every year for new lights
2$ a month for coral ferts

Did I miss anything?

Edit: how much will live rock cost? And the sand?
 
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That list looks about right.With all that you can keep fish and a good variety of corals. :)

A refractometer to read salinty is only like $30 and you'll need an API test kit too, don't forget! lol
 
oops didn't see the rock question.

You could have like 35lbs of base rock at $2 a lb or less and maybe 5-10lbs of live rock from a lfs for say $6 a lb. No need to get all live rock at such a $$ amount
 
carey said:
oops didn't see the rock question.

You could have like 35lbs of base rock at $2 a lb or less and maybe 5-10lbs of live rock from a lfs for say $6 a lb. No need to get all live rock at such a $$ amount

Thanks for your help, I might be able to afford this! :)
 
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