[Robbiedob84]

Hey guys, not a new reefer by any means but took a break for a couple years and am looking to replace my modded bio cube 29 with either the WaterBox 40.2, im nuvo 40 or the red sea reefer 170.

I've been researching a lot on all 3 over the past few weeks and i am so torn. I like the im nuvo cause i can get tank and stand for 700 but looks like an ato is a must which bumps it up by about 200+

the red sea reefer eliminates that with an ato and sump but also requires extra loot with about a hundred on a return pump plus some sump upgrades.

i like the WaterBox a lot but unsure as to how often id have to add water as i hear the nuvo needs water added mid day to maintain water levels and wasn't sure if its better with this product and could hold off on an ato for a couple months.

all in all looking to keep it around $1000 what are my fellow nano reefers thoughts? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DeathToocher]

I’m new to the reefing hobby although Ive has countless freshwater tanks since I was 6 lol. I was having the same dilemma as you a few months ago. I decided to go the DIY route on an AIO tank and I am loving it! Ive easily saved a few hundred dollars by building my own tank rather than buying a full. For someone who doesn’t have the DIY knowledge or would just prefer to buy a tank I would go with Red Sea if it’s in your price range.

 

[Robbiedob84]

diy

yeah i not the best at those kinds of projects and was looking to do the plug n play thing. the reefer is the one i like the most, certainly at the top end of the budget

 

[DeathToocher]

The way I look at it, if you invest the time and money now you won’t have to later. The reefer is definitely the best option imo

 

[30131]

consider a Versa, which includes a lot of the things your looking for. the 68Gallon version would be 1k. the 60G is 800

Cadlights Versa Link

 

[DeathToocher]

consider a Versa, which includes a lot of the things your looking for. the 68Gallon version would be 1k. the 60G is 800

Cadlights Versa Link

The Versa completely slipped my mind, I would put it up there with there with the Red Sea if I were trying to figure out what I buy

 

[Robbiedob84]

I came across that one but never actually looked into it. I pretty much crossed off waterbox as the extra cost and wait time doesn***8217;t seem to be enough to justify it. Red Sea is my current front runner but I***8217;m gonna go look into these cadlights now to see what they***8217;re all about. Thanks for the input

 

[Robbiedob84]

Looks like it includes a lot more is included actually. It doesn***8217;t look quite as clean but seems like it would be a grand total of about 400 dollars cheaper for 25 more gallons. Reviews seem to be hit or miss though.

 

[Robbiedob84]

Just found this sca 50 gallon that is starting to look like a front runner. Seems to get some overall positive reviews.

 

[30131]

Looks like it includes a lot more is included actually. It doesn***8217;t look quite as clean but seems like it would be a grand total of about 400 dollars cheaper for 25 more gallons. Reviews seem to be hit or miss though.

Ya cadlights has had a shaky past. I took a chance with them and ordered their 178G Artisan 2 aquarium earlier this year. I gotta say its pretty darn nice so far. I'm still setting it up. Just got hard plumbing to the Sump last night. I think maybe they learned from their mistakes in he past regarding customer support??? I exchange emails with them and they usuallllllllllly respond in a day or two. Also what's nice is they made a mistake on my order (sent me a 180G stand rather than a 178G stand, so it was about 2 cm longer than it should be) and I ended up getting a free bio reactor as a "sorry" from them. They offered to exchange the stand but I took them up on the offer for the reactor.

 

[on the spot]

Used to be all in one meant all the water was contained in one vessel, usually with a divider in the back to hide the filtration. So I was confused, with the tanks and sumps...

Anyway. These are all apples here. The money difference will be forgotten in time - but if you buy something strictly based on costs, and it bothers your senses, it will gnaw on you as long as you own it.

 

[Robbiedob84]

Yeah I hear ya on that, the mrs is really putting the clamps on me as far as price. I told her no more than 1000 out the gate and I have a favorite in the Red Sea but I know it will pretty much cost me 1100 just to get it running then I***8217;ll still end up dropping 3-400 more in the weeks following setup. It***8217;s still plaguing me daily. For me it***8217;s do I really want the sump which has got the better of me in the past or go with what has been successful for me in the past. I botched the sump I had in my last reef and maintenance was terrible because of it, all I know is anything looks better than the tank I have in my living room now.

 

[on the spot]

Yeah I hear ya on that, the mrs is really putting the clamps on me as far as price...

If your wife is not happy my inner pastoral robes would suggest you start there. Pick up some extra shifts, work a second job for a while, or (best option when possible IMO) cut back on something else.

Involve her in the budget process, ask for her help. Perhaps she buys in. Maybe she surprises you.

HTH

 

[Robbiedob84]

aio options

its not that serious of an issue haha. if I really wanted to spend the money I would but i set a price for the build and wanna stick to it, as well not wanting to hear the additional feedback from the wife. but either way, tank and equipment purchased $50 under budget so I'm happy with that, as well as a tank that won't look so shotty.

 

[30131]

I'm taking your approach, Robbie. In starting up my first big aquarium I figure I'll probably be upgrading and swapping things in and out no matter what I buy. Every year these reefing companies come up with something different, more integrated, my features. It's like anything, you'll want to update your equipment. so I am not going for high end things from the start. Also, I may or may not want to take a particular direction with my aquarium a year from now. Changing things up might require changing equipment. So, I am going mostly with mid tier items that will get me started, and I can live with until I decide to upgrade or not.

 

[Robbiedob84]

ya that's sorta how it goes. i myself decided to dial back on the size of the aquarium i was thinking about getting and decided to stick with the aio style for maintenance reasons but still an 11 gallon upgrade lol. now that I've made a decision its a lot easier to get excited about the setup. now just the anticipation of delivery.
What size are you planning on setting up?