All-in-one tank or build my own?

[Element]

Ok, here's my "dilemma" (I kinda like dilemmas)...

I've been reading here and on some other reef forums about the different all-in-one's available on the market. My local LFS sells the JBJ Nano Cubes and I was considering the 24 DX until I started reading about the problems people seem to be having with ballast issues and the occasional glass breakage/seperation. I've been around on the 'net for quite some time and I realize that people always post about the bad experiences they have with products and not so much with the good ones. So, in that respect I know to take them with a grain of salt...however, most of the hobbies I've been in do not involve making a home for other creatures, especially those that are so sensitive to their environment. This has me thinking especially hard about what to do.

I have no qualms about designing my own tank (i.e., custom selecting the equipment to go with it), I find that sort of thing fun as I am an engineer/manager I just really don't see the point in buying an all-in-one if A) there are problems with each design that people end up having to mod anyway and B) if I'm going to have to mod something anyway I'd rather just spend the money on the good stuff right off the bat. I am aware of nanocustoms but as I said, I don't mind getting my hands dirty and I hate paying people to do something that I could do on my own (not saying that I can do EVERYTHING they can).

Also, the other incentive for doing my own is that my apartment lease will be up at the end of August and I'm not staying here (not going in to that rant lol). I have a hard time keeping myself from starting on projects that I know I should wait on. If I do my own that would take up some of the time in between now and then and would give me something to do related to this so I could "quench my thirst" and not be so antsy to get started with the actual water-in-the-tank part. I could do the testing of the water circulation and filter functions and whatnot that way after I move it would be ready to rock'n'roll

Any input? thanks!

 

[buttons buster]

I recommend you do whatever you really want to do.
if you build your own tank, try to make it unique though.

 

[Element]

what do you mean by "unique"? As in a custom designed hood? I'm not going to actually build the aquarium itself if that's what you meant, sorry if I wasn't clear.

I'm just curious how much of a hassle (if you want to call it that, maybe "challenge" would be a better word lol) it is and if I would really save any money by doing it from scratch rather than modding an all-in-one. Don't get me wrong, I like the looks of the tanks especially with the seamless corners. I'm just paranoid about something giving out on the all-in-ones (glass, pumps, ballasts, etc) and wondering if aftermarket gear from reputable manufacturers is more reliable.

I did read here that it's only the 24g Nano Cubes that are having problems with the glass seperating...which sucks because I don't want to go any smaller than that, especially for my first tank.

 

[buttons buster]

It all depends where you buy your equipment from.
But I say just do whatever's more comfortable for you

 

[davenia7]

I went around and around myself with this decision.
But here's what I was told:
All-in-ones are limited to what you can do with them.
Upgrades may even require replacing the whole tank and system vs. with a standard sized tank that you pick your items for, you have more choices.
I was choosing between a BC8 and a standard 10.
In the BC, you lose a few gallons to the rear chambers, so I was back to just slightly bigger than the 5 gal. hex I was trying to upgrade from.
So, I vote you go with a standard sized tank and put it together the way you want it.
That way, if you don't like how some part of it is working, you don't have to try to figure out all kinds of crazy mods, you just have to get what you want.
Lighting is the best example I can give you with regards to this.
Most people I know with the all-in-ones can't keep their hoods closed anyways bc of heat... and then when they replace the lighting with a clip-on MH or such, the hood can never be closed...
So, what't the point in spending the money for that, when in the end it's going to be treated the same as a 10-20 gal. standard tank anyways?

 

[KidNano]

Ditto with what Davenia said. I'm the type of person that loves doing things on my own as well. I had an all in one and it lasted me two months before I built my own system. I upgraded to a sixty gallon as well. If you know you're going to want to modify it then just start out that way. It'll cost you more, but will be worth it in the end to get what you really want.

Good luck and take lots of pics to share with us.

 

[The Kapenta Kid]

I have to agree too. Build your own out of whatever small tank you have available or purchase. Standard off-the-shelf systems, I imagine, lock you in to what the product designers thought was the best compromise.

 

[Element]

thanks guys And that's the other problem...I don't have a digital camera (well, I have one but it is uh...4-5 years old lol) so that's gonna be a few hundred more that I "need" to shell out

 

[islandcreation]

If you want a really nice looking tank with your hard wood floors and a 50 inch plasma, a all in one is great! Its simplistic and has style to it! I'd recommed the 28g jbj since its has a HQI and the wave maker, just change the skimmer and your pretty much set. But it cost a pretty penny!

If you want a unlimited amount of benefits especially when it comes to reusing your equpment for a bigger tank down the line a AGA is the best bet. Plus you save alot of money that can go towards better equpment rather than the all in one. Main example is skimmer and lighting, thos are two items your really don't want to over look.

 

[Element]

excuse my ignorance (or maybe just a brain fart)...but what is AGA? I'm assuming All Glass Aquarium, but is that a brand name or something? I don't see what a general all glass aquarium has to do with reusing filters and such, so I'm leaning towards brand name.

and while one day I woudln't mind having hard wood floors...I rarely ever watch TV and wouldn't waste my money on a plasma that size. It's not part of my American dream I just don't understand people's obsession with them lol

 

[KidNano]

I rarely ever watch TV and wouldn't waste my money on a plasma that size. It's not part of my American dream I just don't understand people's obsession with them lol

My personal obsession with HD television is with the Planet Earth series. It's nice with regular old TV but in HD and all the color and clarity.... I feel as though I'm there with them. Other then that I would have to agree...... somewhat.

 

[The Kapenta Kid]

thanks guys And that's the other problem...I don't have a digital camera (well, I have one but it is uh...4-5 years old lol) so that's gonna be a few hundred more that I "need" to shell out

I wouldn't bother too much about the camera unless you are really into photography. Any point-and-shoot digital can give you decent fish photos, good enough for the Web that is. I use an Olympus D490 which is a 2 megapixel camera about 10 years old and long obsolete. No manual settings, nearest macro focus about 8 inches. Here are some samples, not prizewinners for sure but IMO adequate. They are mostly FW. Since I started SW I have been too busy learning to bother much about photography. In the last pic of the goby thanks are due to Trogdor who used Ye Olde Photo Shoppe to remove a green algae scratch from the glass for me.

 

[Trogdor]

Yeah i can't even tell where the scratch is at.