Cube tank at LFS

[ade]

Hi folks,

My first post here in Marine, although have posted before in Tropical, so hi to all.

Have spent a while pondering about a marine tank, got a space in the lounge that just HAS to be filled with a tank! ;-) Went to the LFS (Japanese Fish in Henlow) and looked at some 4' tanks there, basically worked all the costs out and came out too expensive. Went back to looking at the most gorgeous and unusual tank they have at the front of the shop.

Basically it's about 2ft cube, with an open top and halide lamp hanging from brackets overhead. I love this tank (and so does SO more importantly!), but cannot for the life of me remember the manufacturer/name or anything to do some more investigation away from the shop.

So, do any of you guys know what I'm talking about, anyone got it? Any thoughts about it? Looking at doing reef, with a handful of fish.

Cheers

Ade

 

[FrankSlapperinni]

a 2x2x2 cube holds about 60 gallons of water. did you happen to catch the price of it? specialty tanks like that usually cost a bit more than a regular tank. Unless the spot in your house can only hold a tank this big, I wouldn't recommend getting it. Fish and coral alike prefer a low, wide and long tank (large surface area). Plus, not only are metal halides expensive to buy, they will put a huge dent in your power bill. in a shallower tank, you can have less expensive lighting like Power Compacts and VHO's.
Most people like a shallower tank because 'Bigger Surface Area = More fish'
If you are just getting started in marine, read the article at the top of the page, or if you can, go out to your fish store and buy book on saltwater fish keeping.
Good luck .

 

[ade]

Hi, thanks for the reply,

Have bought the book (Nick Dakin) that was recommended, excellent read and would heartily recommend it so far.

Price of the tank with skimmer/light etc was £599, no heater but that doesn't exactly add a huge amount to the price. So , yes in terms of £/gal it is more expensive than a larger tank, but the "cheap" larger tank that we liked totalled about £1200 before livestock (but after live rock), whereas this one is approx £900 before livestock.

I figured that the £300 saving would basically pay for the livestock. Hence why we're kinda keen on the cube one.

Not fussed on the number of fish, interested in the reefy/invertebrate side of things just as much as fish, and have been told that we can put plenty of inv's in there cos of the low biological waste.

But as usual, want to get more than just the opinion of the LFS before buying.

Rgds

Ade

 

[EddieW]

Hi Ade,

Sounds like the Aqua-Media Chromis. They are 55cm x 55cm x 55cm (which is a little under 2' square) but you need to work on a water level of 47cm which works out at about 31 gall (UK - 37 US).

My LFS (Aquatic Designs in London) have one as well, they are about the same price (slightly higher) but I think it included a heater, will have to check. I was quite interested in this as well as a potential tank for the reception area of one of our offices. They look really nice and the Aqua-Medic name is a good one. The LFS has a nice pair of clowns in their one.

Let us know how you get on if you decide to go for it, would be very interested in your findings.

Cheers, Eddie

 

[ade]

Hi Eddie - that's exactly the one. Although having spoken to wifey at lunch she's now keen on going for the larger one again!

I've seen a 2nd-hand setup for sale, looks very nice, might be too large for our lounge mind, but assuming it isn't there's all sorts of things to consider...like how the hell to transport it from Cambridge down to Stevenage, ok not far, but far enough. I'll probably end up writing another thread on that something like "How the heck do I move this???" lol

Rgds

Ade

 

[ade]

Ok, we've definitely decided to go for bigger than the cube tank. Unsure about the 2ndhand tank I've seen though, as it looks very good value, but part of me also wants the satisfaction of starting everything from new.

Cheers

 

[DrOizo]

I think second hand would probably be the way to go. Although the Chromis certainly looks nice its quite expensive considering what you could get second hand from ebay for the same price

 

[NIGE]

We sell aqua-medic tanks the're very good and reliable we sell a lot of the percula systems some of which i maintain for customers, if your new to marines they are a good choice.

 

[Landlocked]

NIGE, where are you?

 

[NIGE]

Im in my bedroom

 

[ste2k3]

I'v also sold quite a few of these and I must say, they are very good. there just plug and play. I would definatly use live rock with them though as there biological filtration is limited. if you are getting one of these new from the LFS, then they will probably do you a deal on live rock with the tank.

ste