Low buck Nano...all in one or piece together (non AGA tank)?

[talontsiawd]

I see a lot of you have both ADA/DO!Aqua tanks as well as all in ones by Fluval and the like. I know many people start with the all and ones and then go the ADA route but I also see the opposite.

I want to do some type of nano in the future. However, I am a bit low on cash. I don't mind piecing something together but I don't plan on an all ADA tank or anything.

I already have all the CO2 stuff so my budget is small but it doesn't have to be low tech. One of the big reasons I would like to do another nano is I have the CO2 in order and that is the expensive part. I have some Flourite laying around that I would likely use. I have an AC 20 that I would use for the time being if I didn't go all in one. Lighting is the only thing I really lack but I could do a CFL fixture as a temp solution.

I figure I could either do a Fluval/Aqueon/Eheim tank for dirt cheap. I see them on sale all the time. Or I could get a DO!Aqua. I only can do 16-18 in wide where I want it, preferably smaller. AFA is close enough where I don't have to pay a big premium to get my hand on ADA/DO!Aqua and outside of the lighting (which I would consider upgrading on other tanks), the price isn't much difference from the other offerings on sale (but more costly than clearance which is much harder to find).


Just wondering if I am overlooking something. I don't want a money pit of a tank. I am not yet convinced I even want another tank yet. I don't plan on going with a canister or really nice light. I just want something attractive enough that I can keep some plants I already have and some shrimp or baby guppies I will inevitably have. I don't want to cheap out on an AGA tank because I do want it to look good and the smaller the tank with an AGA, the worse it looks. I am thinking that DO!Aqua is the way to go, again, just wondering if I am missing something.

My other idea is getting a 10 gallon and doing a 10 "deep". I would just use a standard 10 but have it sideways. I think it could be cool and have a lot of perspective, or be really ugly lol.

I know it's just me being indecisive but I am just wondering what others would do.

[aweeby]

Maybe consider a mr. aqua? Have a look around locally, perhaps. I got a steal on an almost full ADA setup, but I just got lucky. I wouldn't get a kit if I were you. Most of the times, I end up changing so many aspects of the tank, equipment, etc, as I find deals and the tank's needs evolve. In the end, I'm usually very glad that I didn't confine myself to kit X's exact parameters. If you look at a lot of the different kits out there, you notice that many designs kind of dissuade modding.

[fishyjoe24]

it doesn't haven't to be expesnive to be nice. I bought a 10g to qt a angel and when I got home I found I had a 5 gallon to put it. so I used the tank. 10g with a normal lid, compact spirals, seachem substrate, anubias as a mid ground, and rotella as a back ground. trying to figure out foreground still. my filter a eheim 2234 with intake and out take turn down. no problems.

[h2oaggie]

I just got a new Schuber-Wright nano I love. Low iron, perfect seams. VERY nice tank for the money. Ordered off of [Ebay Link Removed]

[talontsiawd]

I didn't think of Mr. Aqua. A few places sell them locally but I may have to order it to get the size I want.

I don't wan't a standard tank as I have been there done that. I really don't feel the need to have an extra tank so if I get one, I want it to be something that I may get rid of another tank (standard 10 gallon) for. Not saying I am replacing another tank, I just want to feel like I can part with that if I get a new rimless looking really good.

[radioman]

I don't really like the all in one tanks since they never have exactly what I want and then I am paying for something I don't even need.

[dunehole]

I am thinking about the same thing as you. I am considering the Fluval Ebi, the pieces seem to be pretty useable, the only thing that would need to be swapped would be the light if you want high light levels.

[talontsiawd]

So, I guess I made my decision today. I bought a generic rimless with the curved glass instead of the front seems. It was $25 or so, they gave me a discount on my overall purchase.

I was so close to purchasing a Mini M. It was just a bit too small for me. The Mini L was perfect but just out of my price range. I am having a bit of buyers remorse but I have to realize I don't have a light yet, much less the budget for something really nice. So, all and all, I am happy with just buying the tank separately since I have a filter and substrate already.

[jbrady33]

where did you find the generic rimless with curved seams? Is it bow front or curved on just the seams (I've never liked the distortion on bow fronts)

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by jbrady33

where did you find the generic rimless with curved seams? Is it bow front or curved on just the seams (I've never liked the distortion on bow fronts)

It's curved instead of seems, not a bow front. It is not this tank but it looks like it- http://reefbuilders.com/2009/07/20/f...ass-pico-tank/

I bought it at a LFS in Pasadena area, CA on vacation. However, they have the exact same ones where I live, but they don't always have the right sizes in stock so I just went ahead and bought it down here. They don't have any brand name on them or anything so I can't give you a hint where to find them online or in your area. I do know they come in about 5 different sizes, from maybe 2-3 gallons up to around 10 gallons. They also have black felt on the bottom that makes them identifiable.

I tried to search and I am coming up with nothing. Sorry I can't really help.

[aznartist34]

Originally Posted by talontsiawd

It's curved instead of seems, not a bow front. It is not this tank but it looks like it- http://reefbuilders.com/2009/07/20/f...ass-pico-tank/

I bought it at a LFS in Pasadena area, CA on vacation. However, they have the exact same ones where I live, but they don't always have the right sizes in stock so I just went ahead and bought it down here. They don't have any brand name on them or anything so I can't give you a hint where to find them online or in your area. I do know they come in about 5 different sizes, from maybe 2-3 gallons up to around 10 gallons. They also have black felt on the bottom that makes them identifiable.

I tried to search and I am coming up with nothing. Sorry I can't really help.

Did you go to A+? There's a lot of these generic tanks with the curved front seams. I've seen some that go up to 20 gallons and they have several smaller sizes under 10 gallons. I say you made a good choice since you saved a good chunk of money and still have a nice looking rimless tank.

[talontsiawd]

Originally Posted by aznartist34

Did you go to A+? There's a lot of these generic tanks with the curved front seams. I've seen some that go up to 20 gallons and they have several smaller sizes under 10 gallons. I say you made a good choice since you saved a good chunk of money and still have a nice looking rimless tank.

Yeah, I got it at A+. I have seen them a few places up north as well. Albany Aquarium has them (or used to) which is a place I go regularly.

The tank is cool, it's weird though. It has no brand name on the tank or the box.

[aznartist34]

Originally Posted by talontsiawd

Yeah, I got it at A+. I have seen them a few places up north as well. Albany Aquarium has them (or used to) which is a place I go regularly.

The tank is cool, it's weird though. It has no brand name on the tank or the box.

I remember reading something about it a while back. Seems that the majority of these rimless tanks are manufactured from a single company in China and different companies just sell it as their own. I've seen some of them that had a brand stamped on the box but I can't recall what it was.