Help with tank options

Adrianna · Mar 27, 2020

So, I'm just starting my research about getting my first saltwater tank and I need some help finding a good company that sells good tanks. I'm looking for AIO or reef-ready tanks. Can I get suggestions on what brands you guys like?

Copingwithpods · Mar 27, 2020

What size do you have in mind? Also classic AIO or peninsula?

Adrianna · Mar 28, 2020

Copingwithpods said:
What size do you have in mind? Also classic AIO or peninsula?

Well I would like to get a bigger sized tank so the fish I get can grow into it and I don't have to get a bigger one down the road.

I have no idea what the difference is between a classic AIO or peninsula hahah

Copingwithpods · Mar 28, 2020

Adrianna said:
Well I would like to get a bigger sized tank so the fish I get can grow into it and I don't have to get a bigger one down the road.

I have no idea what the difference is between a classic AIO or peninsula hahah

The classic shapes are usually boxed shaped 16x16 or 24x24 and so on. A peninsula would be longer front to back than it is wider so something like a 24x16 where the filtration is located at one end of that 24in run.

Adrianna · Mar 28, 2020

Copingwithpods said:
The classic shapes are usually boxed shaped 16x16 or 24x24 and so on. A peninsula would be longer front to back than it is wider so something like a 24x16 where the filtration is located at one end of that 24in run.

Oh okay, a classic shape, but I am wanting a rectangle shape with the filtration on the back end of the tank.

dreamcatcherr9 · Mar 28, 2020

I’m in the exact same boat! Looking for something bigger than 150g, at least 72” long. I at first wanted PNP (plug and play, all plumbing included), now I’m leaning towards wanting to upgrade the sump and plumb myself. The list:

Redsea 3X 900
Water box 220
Plant Aquarium Crystaline
Nuvo 200 INT
Prostar Rimless 230
CadLight 178g Artisian
CADE PR 1800 series 2

All have pros and cons. We can discuss further in this thread, or you can research (tons of fun).

Copingwithpods · Mar 28, 2020

Have you looked into the nuvo lagoon series? They have a 50g that sounds like something you'd like.

Adrianna · Mar 28, 2020

dreamcatcherr9 said:
I’m in the exact same boat! Looking for something bigger than 150g, at least 72” long. I at first wanted PNP (plug and play, all plumbing included), now I’m leaning towards wanting to upgrade the sump and plumb myself. The list:

Redsea 3X 900
Water box 220
Plant Aquarium Crystaline
Nuvo 200 INT
Prostar Rimless 230
CadLight 178g Artisian
CADE PR 1800 series 2

All have pros and cons. We can discuss further in this thread, or you can research (tons of fun).

Thanks for the options. I'm looking for a tank that is around 150, but I'm so new to this that I have no idea what all the stuff does fully. I'm in my last month of nursing school, so I mostly need to focus on studying for that Then I can fully dive into building my tank.

dreamcatcherr9 · Mar 28, 2020

You might want PNP then (opposed to plumbing anything). Some have pre built stands (so you don’t have to do that, and maybe more sturdy?). Redsea and Waterbox easy plumbing setup but you have to build the stands. Planet has built stands, but you need to plumb. Pro star have a very nice series (I like their pre built stands), and the tanks are nice too. They are the top runner in the list currently. But I flip flop a lot.

Adrianna · Mar 28, 2020

dreamcatcherr9 said:
You might want PNP then (opposed to plumbing anything). Some have pre built stands (so you don’t have to do that, and maybe more sturdy?). Redsea and Waterbox easy plumbing setup but you have to build the stands. Planet has built stands, but you need to plumb. Pro star have a very nice series (I like their pre built stands), and the tanks are nice too. They are the top runner in the list currently. But I flip flop a lot.

Thanks for that advice!

MFear · Jun 29, 2020

What did you end up going with? I'm considering Red Sea 750xxl, Waterbox 220 or Planet Aquarium Crystaline 72...

dreamcatcherr9 · Jun 29, 2020

MFear said:
What did you end up going with? I'm considering Red Sea 750xxl, Waterbox 220 or Planet Aquarium Crystaline 72...

All 3 of those are good choices and to quote someone else: you’ll be happy with any of those.

With that said, I went with GlassCages. I bought a sump separately and will plumb myself (first time, yikes).!

But going this way I have a lot more options (tank dimensions, filtration, etc). Good luck and congratulations and have fun on the journey ahead!

MFear · Jun 29, 2020

dreamcatcherr9 said:
All 3 of those are good choices and to quote someone else: you’ll be happy with any of those.

With that said, I went with GlassCages. I bought a sump separately and will plumb myself (first time, yikes).!

But going this way I have a lot more options (tank dimensions, filtration, etc). Good luck and congratulations and have fun on the journey ahead!

same to you! I'd love to see pics if you've got them

dreamcatcherr9 · Jun 29, 2020

MFear said:
same to you! I'd love to see pics if you've got them

Tank is shipping this week! Was about 6 weeks from start to finish. And I changed little details a lot through the process. The fact that I was in contact with manufacturer constantly was awesome! GlassCages make all tanks per build (no tanks sitting around, it’s made just for you!).