Considering option

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SeanB

New Member
I'm in the process of breaking down and selling everything from my 75gal and considering a nano.

I don't want to have ANY external plumbing and am thinking about the 6 gal jbj nano. I want something of that nature - totally self contained.

I'm looking at the modified one from nanocustoms. THIS ONE

I'm leaning toward 2 7500k and 1 actinic. Would this look too yellow or be OK, or should I get a 7500, a 50/50 and an actinic?

I want to be able to keep some softies, and lps. Do you think this lighting would do the job? Has anyone had success keeping an anemone or clam under this amount?

Are there any other self contained options I'm overlooking that would be comparable or better? My budget is $250-$300.
 
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dragon79

New Member
SeanB said:
I'm in the process of breaking down and selling everything from my 75gal and considering a nano.

I don't want to have ANY external plumbing and am thinking about the 6 gal jbj nano. I want something of that nature - totally self contained.

I'm looking at the modified one from nanocustoms. THIS ONE

I'm leaning toward 2 7500k and 1 actinic. Would this look too yellow or be OK, or should I get a 7500, a 50/50 and an actinic?

I want to be able to keep some softies, and lps. Do you think this lighting would do the job? Has anyone had success keeping an anemone or clam under this amount?

Are there any other self contained options I'm overlooking that would be comparable or better? My budget is $250-$300.
Click to expand...
I have that upgraded package. I have to say the job quality isn't the best, as it's very hard to fit in the lights in there and have them clipped on. (They messed up on two of the hoods) One of my upgraded fans I got from Chris, also failed. ( I have to fix that myself now ) I hear since he can't get the 10,000 daylight, it's just better to go with the two 50/50 and 1 actinic. Works out better that way. I also added in my own fuge light for the back compartment. The 6 gallon is the only cube I think that wasn't put too much care into. I believe the 12 gallon has more success. My brother owned two of those cubes, but the only known issue is in the summer the tanks overheat, which is a real bummer. Even the chiller that Chris makes for the cube (12 gallon) doesn't work too well. It broke twice on my brother. He ended up selling both tanks recently and now has a 72 gallon bowfront. Good luck with what you decide, but just thought I'd give you some information from experience bro. See ya!
 
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SeanB

New Member
I appreciate the feedback. I read your review and wondered if maybe they have gotten past the learning curve.

I don't think I want to go as large as a 12, any other suggestions around the 6 gallon size?
 
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incysor

New Member
The 6g cubes, even the modded ones don't have enough light for clams or anemones. As long as you keep the hood over it, there simply isn't a way to cram enough PC lamps over it to make it work. You could build a taller custom top for the tank itself and put a 70w MH light over it, and it would probably work just fine, but that's a pretty extensive DIY project once you get done with lights, fans to fight overheating, an auto top-off system, (which you'll need to maintain your salinity levels as the water evaps off at a faster rate from the MH lights), etc...

I've always actually liked these better than the nanocubes. Unfortunately I haven't seen any in my area. You'll want to upgrade the lighting on it though.
You'll have the same issues with this one if you try to upgrade the lighting to a level where you can attempt a clam or anemone.

If you're up to this level of DIY, you could always make your own tank.

I've thought about doing this a couple of times, but just never seem to get around to doing it. :mrgreen:


http://cgi.ebay.com/NANO-REEF-7-GALLON- ... dZViewItem

B
 
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SeanB

New Member
incysor said:
The 6g cubes, even the modded ones don't have enough light for clams or anemones. As long as you keep the hood over it, there simply isn't a way to cram enough PC lamps over it to make it work. You could build a taller custom top for the tank itself and put a 70w MH light over it, and it would probably work just fine, but that's a pretty extensive DIY project once you get done with lights, fans to fight overheating, an auto top-off system, (which you'll need to maintain your salinity levels as the water evaps off at a faster rate from the MH lights), etc...

I've always actually liked these better than the nanocubes. Unfortunately I haven't seen any in my area. You'll want to upgrade the lighting on it though.
You'll have the same issues with this one if you try to upgrade the lighting to a level where you can attempt a clam or anemone.

If you're up to this level of DIY, you could always make your own tank.

I've thought about doing this a couple of times, but just never seem to get around to doing it. :mrgreen:


http://cgi.ebay.com/NANO-REEF-7-GALLON- ... dZViewItem

B
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It even has a little skimmer - pretty cool.

I didn't figure that would be enough light for clams or anemone, but I'm not nearly as comfortable lighting a small tank as a larger one.

So you do think it would be fine with softies and maybe higher placed lps?
I could be satisfied with that.
 
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incysor

New Member
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Master Er

New Member
I'd rather you get a MiniBow 7 ($50) with an AC50 ($20) and a MJ-606 ($20) plus $200 worth of lights instead of a JBJ6....the possibilities of modifying it is alot worth it. For $300, you'll have a better MB7 than a JBJ6. Seriously. But thats just my opinion, hope it helps.
 
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dragon79

New Member
SeanB said:
Sorry, that wasn't clear. I meant the custom jbj. It has 54watts so it should be ok.
Click to expand...
check out my tank, that should give you some ideas. As you see I have all sorts of things in there, of course, no anemones and no clams. No biggie, mostly everything else is fine..
 
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incysor

New Member
SeanB said:
Sorry, that wasn't clear. I meant the custom jbj. It has 54watts so it should be ok.
Click to expand...
Yeah, you should be fine with LPS, and softies in the 6g under the upgraded lights.

B
 
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SeanB

New Member
dragon79 said:
SeanB said:
Sorry, that wasn't clear. I meant the custom jbj. It has 54watts so it should be ok.
Click to expand...
check out my tank, that should give you some ideas. As you see I have all sorts of things in there, of course, no anemones and no clams. No biggie, mostly everything else is fine..
Click to expand...
Looks good. I think that's what I'm gonig to get. I like the whole self contained aspect.

I'll send Chris a message first and see how things are progressing.
 
djconn

djconn

New Member
Remember to tell Chris that Brian says 'hi' and that we all appreciate his support of Nanotank.com. :mrgreen:

Sponsors like to hear that stuff...
 
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SeanB

New Member
You bet. In fact, I think I mentioned that in my first e-mail, but I'll be sure to let him know that this site was a key part of my decision to buy from nanocustoms.

BTW, Chris has been great to work with. I peppered him with questions for a few days before finally pulling the trigger.
 
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