i currently have a 20g long setup with multiple regular filters on the back to keep things running... but i know that this isnt going to last me long... i am looking into getting a new setup to transfer into. im looking for the best all in one set up available for under or around $200. i have two options so far and they are the JBJ nanocube for about $185 here... JBJ Nano Cubes Chillers and Lighting (http://www.jbjnanocubes.com/index1.html) or the AquaPod for about $180 here... Desktop Aquarium Kits: AquaPod 12 & 24 Gallon Nano Aquarium Systems (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=13976&Nty=1&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=All&N=2004&Ntt=aquapod&Np=1) i think both have adequate lighting to handle a few soft corals or LPS which is a pluss. so if anyone has any advice or personal experience with either i would be delighted to hear. hahhaa:up:

i personaly have an oceanic bio-cube 14 gallon, i like the lighting, though it could use a ttle more, and it has moon lights. glass is actual glass with curved corners, but 8 gallon modle is plastic. filtration is a built in true wet dry trickle system, and does more than enough fir the sysem. ill go months without changing any water, and still have optimum paramiters. i added a power head for a little more water movement, stock is enogh. cost is 175 out the door, and you can get an oceanic skimmer made specificly for your tank for fourty. i have no complaints. tank also avalible in 8 and 24 galllon with all the same features. good luck with the change over, and happy hunting!

you might want to look into the eclipse systems. I has a 2.5 eclipse nano reef which i loved till the filter died. I retro fitted a 10w light out of a 10g hood into the eclipse and could grow almost anything including sps corals. It was great. I have seen the larger 12g eclipse systems with softies, and i happen to own one but it is dry till my wife allows me to set it up as a mantis shrimp tank :) My first tank was also a 24g nano cube DX which i have had running for a year and a half with little problems. I got it new off e-bay and have loved! loved it. I really like jbj products, i have replaced the bulbs and the pump died on me but the lighting and tank itself has been wonderful despite some peoples concerns with nanocubes. I you are a DIY person I would say make your own nano cube. It is really a simple system and you could convert a normal tank pretty easy with a trip to Lows for plexi and glue, that also give you the ability to put whatever type of lighting you might want...say you want sps corals just throw up a small cheap halide...not to hard if its DIY the nano seem more expensive to convert...anyway good luck and have fun

I have the NanoCube 24 and am happy with it. I have a colt coral, frog spawn, encrusting gorgonian, GSP, zoas and a mushroom in it. The only thing that I don't like is that the lights only have 1 cord. Therefore, if you have them on a timer the moon lights are not able to be used.

thanks everyone. i'm pretty sure i'm going to go with the aquapod... but a family friend just told me last night that he knows a guy who just had to close his (fish) store a few months ago and he might still have some old stuff... praying for some type of nano somewhere in the bunch. haha... but thanks again

My personal opinion based on observations:

Buy an Oceanic Bio-cube if at all possible.

No offense intended towards any members that own JBJ or Current........

I picked mine up used. :) However, if I was starting from scratch I was really impressed with the Finnex finnex-web (http://www.finnex.net/newlayout/php/client/catdetail.php?idcategory=16) tanks at MACNA.

well i just ordered the current aquapod 24 from drsfostersmith.com ,mostly because after all my research... they are my best choice to stay within my price range and people that have had them seem to have been happy with them... soo ill just have to pray for the bestt...

Good deal. I am anxious to hear about your experience with it. Take pix as you set it up, please.

ok. will do! i'm pretty excited.. because i'm not gonna lie... my 20g long has been neglected quite a bit... and it jsut has regular HOB filters on it... that are all like dying... so this is a step in the right direction for me.... i'm going to commit to actually taking care of my tank.... but i do have a few questions.... i think ill just start a "tank project" thread up.

ok. will do! i'm pretty excited.. because i'm not gonna lie... my 20g long has been neglected quite a bit... and it jsut has regular HOB filters on it... that are all like dying... so this is a step in the right direction for me.... i'm going to commit to actually taking care of my tank.... but i do have a few questions.... i think ill just start a "tank project" thread up.

Great! We are here to help.

I personally have a 28 gallon JBJ Nano Cube HQI Aquarium which I can honestly say I am quite pleased with. Here is the link to my tank journal thread below.

http://www.talkingreef.com/forums/member-tank-projects/5394-jasonanatal-s-jbj-28-gallon-nano-cube-hqi-nano-reef-aquarium.html#post63297

i personaly have an oceanic bio-cube 14 gallon, i like the lighting, though it could use a ttle more, and it has moon lights. glass is actual glass with curved corners, but 8 gallon modle is plastic.

Is the BC 14 really glass, I thought it was acrylic....(as I'm typing this, I'm tapping my tank to see if I can tell....this seems to be annoying my clownfish, so I'll stop :))

Is the BC 14 really glass, I thought it was acrylic....(as I'm typing this, I'm tapping my tank to see if I can tell....this seems to be annoying my clownfish, so I'll stop :))

It is definitely glass so you can stop tapping and giving yur clownfish a headache. :wow:

Is the BC 14 really glass, I thought it was acrylic....(as I'm typing this, I'm tapping my tank to see if I can tell....this seems to be annoying my clownfish, so I'll stop )


yup its glass, the first one i bought was broke when i got it home, they ( the lfs) replaced it with a new one same day.

In response to the comment that you cannot use the moonlights easily with the JBJ, please know that nanotuners sells a moonlight fix kit so they can be independently operated.

Hi Rabbi and :welcome: to TR. Its always good to have another Carolinian here. :)