WARNING! 24G Nano Cube, HOLD PURCHASE

[steelhealr]

Hi...it's with great frustration that I must recommend to anyone following my Nano Cube post to hold off buying a Nano Cube. There has a been a rash of tank cracks with some suffering catastrophic failure with loss of livestock. Well, after attributing it to what many others have posted on other forums stating it was related to shipping problems, I now have to differ. I just happened to check my tank the other day:

Please, anyone out there...DO NOT BUY A NANO CUBE UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED. The failure appears to occur consistently along the 'seamless corners' on the front of the tank. I've been all over that tank with photos for this thread and also with a MagFloat. This crack did not exist on arrival. I've 'zoomed' on all my tank photos and do not see a crack....I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING A NANO CUBE AT THIS TIME. I know I have been a big supporter of this tank, but, in view of the recent occurrences, I can't recommend this system out of concern for other aquarists. I will post this on my other thread, which, sadly, I will have to 'postpone' and terminate development. I will still be able to help others who have already purchased one. Thanks for eveyone's support. SH

 

[Grey Legion]

Yikes, I am very sad to have read that post.

The nano cube is just starting to get popular in the LFS of my area I will be forwarding people to this post if they have concerns..

 

[chkltcow]

Steel: If I were you, I'd go out and buy a basic 20g tank right now... "just in case". In a pinch, everything you have could be transferred over to it, if that crack starts spreading. Right now, a $20 investment in a spare tank that you could set up in the future as a hospital tank would probably be very very wise.

Sorry to hear about that, and good luck with it.

 

[ecto1]

It's actually pretty common with nano-cubes - the front glass will crack and the warranty doesn't cover it! I would definitely invest in another tank ASAP.

 

[Seahorse]

Oh my gosh! I just got done spending a *very* long time reading your whole thread about your nano, so I take this personally. Damn cube Let us know what you end up doing!

 

[steelhealr]

Hi...just to let eveyone know that I am on top of this situation and have contacted JBJ,the company that markets NC here. There is a young guy out in CA who mods these tanks and is very much involved, in a good way with this. They may be rapidly switching over to acrylic. I might end up being a beta tester in a way.

For others here, 'equivalent' change over tanks include:

1) Oceanic's 30G cube, tho' pricey
2) AGA's 26 Bow Front....I like it
3) SeaClear's acryllic 30 G
4) DIY self contruction on a website called GARF's

I am measuring the crack right now until I can find a 'safe harbor'. As many of you can appreciate, weekly 10% water changes equivocates to 24lbs of water out, 24lbs in....a nice stress test, yes? Apparently, there are many others with this problem and the numbers of reported cracks is not 'incidental'.

Again, I thank everyone who posted here and PM'd and I will let everyone know how the distributor handles this. I initially purchased this cube over Ebay since it was $100 less than the lfs. Computers are amazing...Ebay still has the auction page up and I have been able to send emails to the other purchasers to see if they have been affected by this. SH

 

[maestro]

I was goign to buy one and someone warned me off and instead i bought a 20x18x18 starphire tank and im really glad i did now

 

[steelhealr]

For now..it was the right choice. SH

 

[ecto1]

I have the 26 bowfront by AGA, it's niiiiice! It's a good size, although a little deep for my liking, but I still really like mine.

 

[steelhealr]

Yes...it is a fraction deeper...I tink about 3-4 inches in water depth. I"m not sure that it would make too much difference since if I have to go that route, lighting is more easily upgradeable with a glass tank hood. SH

 

[Navarre]

Im really sory to hear about your troubles SH, one of my pet nightmares are tanks that have signs of weakness

I hope you have a spare tank for an "emergency extraction" should the need arrise.

 

[smithrc]

I cant believe your still using it

What happens if the tank fails compleatly when your not in...

 

[steelhealr]

Well..it COULD happen. JBJ is shipping me a new tank. I have tape on the corner for support. SH

 

[pleder]

Good to hear JBL is standing by there product. Let us know how it all works out

 

[steelhealr]

Will do. They have been supportive and rapidly responive. I am sticking with the system and will resume my thread again. SH