I'm currently planning my first saltwater tank, I am on the fence about several things and would like some input from people who have actually used certain brands. First off is the tank, there are 3 tanks I'm looking at a coral life 32 gallon biocube, the innovative marine 30 gallon tank and jbj 28 gallon Nano. Second, I'm planning on a few cleaner shrimp some easier type corals (like mushroom and leather) and one or two small fish( maybe firefish or bicolor blenny. In your opinion which tank would be best and is the selection of live animals compatible, thank you
First Saltwater tank
- Thread starter nolliD
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mta_morrow
Of course I have room for 1 more fish!
Hello and welcome to R2R!
I’m partial to IM as it was my first tank.
No issues, great quality and customer service when needed (for accessories)
All good brands. Really a personal preference of which one do you want to look at.
I’m partial to IM as it was my first tank.
No issues, great quality and customer service when needed (for accessories)
All good brands. Really a personal preference of which one do you want to look at.
Scurvy
Pirate Reefer
Welcome. Biocubes are a nice starter tank though I wound up upgrading and modifying mine quite a bit.
Stock Lighting in the LED 32 isnt very strong but will support shrooms and softies. Otherwise I dont see any issue with your livestock wants. They should all be fine together.
Stock Lighting in the LED 32 isnt very strong but will support shrooms and softies. Otherwise I dont see any issue with your livestock wants. They should all be fine together.
IslandLifeReef
Valuable Member
Welcome to R2R!
I would look at the options for upgrading later. Anything with a hood makes changes a little more challenging IMO. When I was looking, I was considering the BioCube and the IM as well, but ended up with at Reefer 170 because it has a sump and allowed me to easily add equipment later.
Scotty Buttons
Valuable Member
Welcome to R2R! I have never used any of those tanks but have seen many of them running at LFS and thru friends. I think they are all good brands of tanks and I personally would go with the innovative marine AIO tanks, they look clean. I believe you wouldn't have any problems with that stocking list.
Happy reefing! And keep the questions coming everyone's here to help.
Happy reefing! And keep the questions coming everyone's here to help.
Coralreefer1
Valuable Member
Hello, welcome to R2R first of all.
Now for your tank...I have a Biocube and love it and have had much success with it. I’ve had it for over 10 years now. I have grown stony and soft corals. I don’t know much about the other two since I am happy with Coral life.
The only thing I did is got rid of the bioballs and replaced them with live rock, removed the canopy and replaced it with an AI Illumination LED pendant because mine came with a power compact hood way back then. I also bought the skimmer attachment.
As for you livestock, soft corals will do fine. I have many kinds in my Biocube. Nice fish choice, though you could up that number.
Maybe try a pair of Clownfish, or a Sixline Wrasse, Pajama or Bangaii cardinals, Blenny and Shrimp Gobies are nice. Possibly pair up the Shrimp Goby with a Pistol Shrimp. Just suggestions, of course...
Good luck and let me know how you make out and what you stock your aquarium with and which one you went with.
Now for your tank...I have a Biocube and love it and have had much success with it. I’ve had it for over 10 years now. I have grown stony and soft corals. I don’t know much about the other two since I am happy with Coral life.
The only thing I did is got rid of the bioballs and replaced them with live rock, removed the canopy and replaced it with an AI Illumination LED pendant because mine came with a power compact hood way back then. I also bought the skimmer attachment.
As for you livestock, soft corals will do fine. I have many kinds in my Biocube. Nice fish choice, though you could up that number.
Maybe try a pair of Clownfish, or a Sixline Wrasse, Pajama or Bangaii cardinals, Blenny and Shrimp Gobies are nice. Possibly pair up the Shrimp Goby with a Pistol Shrimp. Just suggestions, of course...
Good luck and let me know how you make out and what you stock your aquarium with and which one you went with.
Oscaror
Back In It
Welcome to R2R! All of the tanks you listed are good brands, I'd recommend the bio cube just because it's the biggest
Both the firefish and bicolor blenny are good choices for those tanks, and both of them would live fine together
i have owned or looked at, all of the tanks mentioned thus far in this thread. my favorite is the bc32. check out my signature for a link to my build thread. i like having the clean look of a hood, the stock leds are plenty powerful enough for all types of coral and you can easily upgrade them if you wish.
Teri NewbieReefer
Active Member
Hi and Welcome to R2R!
Unskilled Reefer
Active Member
Hi and welcome to the hobby! I am very new myself. Just started a Biocube 32. Feel free to check out my progress.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/first-tank-ever-biocube-32-newbie-build.500456/#post-5344647
Having a blast so far.
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/first-tank-ever-biocube-32-newbie-build.500456/#post-5344647
Having a blast so far.
jabberwock
2500 Club Member
I have a biocube 32 and I like it a lot. Definitely did some easy filter mods, but everything else is stock and running fine. My current livestock list (for perspective) is:
1 Firefish
1 Yellow Watchman Goby
1 Royal Gramma
1 Lawnmower Blenny
3 Nessarius snails
1 Hermit Crab (he is a jerk)
1 Tiger Sand Conch (totally cool)
8 coral frags (zoas, mushrooms, toadstool, palys, green star polyps, frog spawn)
The only way I am paying $30 for shrimp is if there are at least 12 of them on a plate with 2 sides and a cup of soup...
1 Firefish
1 Yellow Watchman Goby
1 Royal Gramma
1 Lawnmower Blenny
3 Nessarius snails
1 Hermit Crab (he is a jerk)
1 Tiger Sand Conch (totally cool)
8 coral frags (zoas, mushrooms, toadstool, palys, green star polyps, frog spawn)
The only way I am paying $30 for shrimp is if there are at least 12 of them on a plate with 2 sides and a cup of soup...
reef lover
It's a reef thing....
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Jcat2k
Community Member
Welcome to R2R!
Since you are new to the hobby, there may be no real way to know for sure - but you need to ask what kind of person are you? If you can be a little compulsive and jump in with both feet without looking - or are you steady and disciplined? (or somewhere in between?)
If you are disciplined and what you said about your tank goals is true - then the Biocube 32 is awesome! (My current tank!)
However, if you are the personality type that might decide in 6 months to go crazy and want more more more - then the Biocube might not be the best because of the built-in lights and hood - which makes many upgrades very expensive.
Good luck!
Since you are new to the hobby, there may be no real way to know for sure - but you need to ask what kind of person are you? If you can be a little compulsive and jump in with both feet without looking - or are you steady and disciplined? (or somewhere in between?)
If you are disciplined and what you said about your tank goals is true - then the Biocube 32 is awesome! (My current tank!)
However, if you are the personality type that might decide in 6 months to go crazy and want more more more - then the Biocube might not be the best because of the built-in lights and hood - which makes many upgrades very expensive.
Good luck!
