Nuvo 10 or Nuvo 20?

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

Hello,
I would like to try to get into saltwater aquariums, but I am on a strict budget so I guess I have to stick with a smaller tank for a while.
I have been looking at the Nuvo kits from BRS and I am very interested since it is $430 for the Nuvo 10 and $600 for the Nuvo 20. I like them both, but for a saltwater beginner I would like to know which ones YOU guys think I should get. Getting the Nuvo 10 would allow me to get some more things like maybe an ATO since it is almost $200 cheaper than the Nuvo 20.
Just so you know, I have been in the freshwater tank hobby for a year or two now, and I have a 46 gallon planted and a 10 gallon betta tank with an African dwarf frog in it aswell that had been alive for almost 2 years now. I know, I am getting multiple tank syndrome! My mom hates me for it but...
Anyways, any help or recommendations are welcome. My budget is $800 for the equipment and tank, pretty much everything that isn't coral or fish, but I would like to spend less if possible, but I am willing to go up to $800. I am saving up for college so this is why I am on such a strict budget, so please don't tempt me to go over my budget with setups that are over $800.
Thanks!
Mitch

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

Anyone?

NHreefguy · Jan 25, 2016

Do you have any tanks kicking around? How are you with maintenance? I run a canister filter on a standard tank with great results. That would be waaay cheaper than buying everything from brs.

mcarroll · Jan 25, 2016

First of all, $800 is a lot of jing.

Second, if you feel your budget is "strict" I would buy used. Really look into the used equipment scene in your area....reef clubs, shops, craigslist, etc. R2R hosts a great used equipment forum as well. You can save a huge pile of money buying second-hand equipment. Personally, I have a preference for buying it locally though...I'll go online for what I can't find local.

Third, if you must go with brand new equipment, consider this:

An 18" (25 gallon) cube tank - 110$
A Tunze 8850 LED fixture - $145
A Tunze Reefpack 250 skimmer/filter/heater/ATO housing - $214
= $470 for a sweet 25 gallon nano.

Even adding ATO (Tunze Osmolator nano -$71) and heater ( Jager - $24)
= $564

That gives you a pretty sweet setup and still penty of money left in the budget for RODI and salt.

The Reefpack will generate some good flow in such a small tank, but eventually (or now) you will want to add something like a Tunze 6020 or 6040 for additional flow. (+ $40 or $140)

There are ways to downsize this "DIY package" if 25 really is too big, but the price drops accordingly.

Hawain_Rob · Jan 25, 2016

Used is a good idea. My local Craigslist has a nuvo 30 with stand and everything you may need for $350!

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

mcarroll said:
First of all, $800 is a lot of jing.

Second, if you feel your budget is "strict" I would buy used. Really look into the used equipment scene in your area....reef clubs, shops, craigslist, etc. R2R hosts a great used equipment forum as well. You can save a huge pile of money buying second-hand equipment. Personally, I have a preference for buying it locally though...I'll go online for what I can't find local.

Third, if you must go with brand new equipment, consider this:

An 18" (25 gallon) cube tank - 110$

A Tunze 8850 LED fixture - $145

A Tunze Reefpack 250 skimmer/filter/heater/ATO housing - $214

= $470 for a sweet 25 gallon nano.

Even adding ATO (Tunze Osmolator nano -$71) and heater ( Jager - $24)

= $564

That gives you a pretty sweet setup and still plenty of money left in the budget for RODI and salt.

The Reefpack will generate some good flow in such a small tank, but eventually (or now) you will want to add something like a Tunze 6020 or 6040 for additional flow. (+ $40 or $140)

There are ways to downsize this "DIY package" if 25 really is too big, but the price drops accordingly.

I get what you are coming from. There used to be a lot of stuff on craigslist, but not anymore. I will definitely check out the classifieds here though! I am all in for buying used, I just never really found anything.
Your price comparison makes no sense. If you have seen the 20 Gallon kit, for $600 you get:

Nuvo Fusion 20 Aquarium with Lights
20 lbs of Reef Saver rock
20 lbs of Special Grade Arag-Alive! sand
Hikari Marine S Pellet Fish Food
HW-Marinemix Reefer salt mix
100ml bottle of Instant Ocean Bio-Spira
4 oz ClorAm-X Ammonia Remover
Refractometer with calibration solution
2 HPS-100 Digital Heaters from Finnex
Hydor Koralia Evolution 600
Tunze Care Magnet Nano 0220.010T

That is a pretty good deal considering that all of that separate would cost a lot more. Yea, you might get a couple nice things like a skimmer and a (maybe) better light, but thats it. The list you listed is a lot more expensive than the BRS kit would be, since that isn't taking into consideration the price of rock, sand, or anything else the kit comes with. I said $800 is for everything that isn't fish or coral. So, it's not THAT much money.
Anyways, thanks for the recommendation and help. I will look into used though, and the equipment you recommended and see how much it would cost to get everything else I would need.
I also really like the nuvo since it has the compartment in the back so there isn't a huge skimmer or heater being shown, and I really like the rimless high clarity class as well. I sound like an advertiser...

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

NHreefguy said:
Do you have any tanks kicking around? How are you with maintenance? I run a canister filter on a standard tank with great results. That would be waaay cheaper than buying everything from brs.

I do, but I only have a 5 gallon lying around that I was planning on using for a ATO reservoir. I am great with maintenance, I do a %50 on my freshwater tanks every Saturday. I heard canisters aren't the best when it comes to saltwater, but I will take your suggestion into consideration.

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

20 Gallon: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/nuvo-fusion-20-gallon-starter-tank-kit.html
10 Gallon: http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/nuvo-fusion-10-gallon-aquarium-starter-tank-kit.html

Hawain_Rob · Jan 25, 2016

We're not trying burst your bubble
Were just giving you other options. But I'd say go with the bigger 20g. You'll probably want bigger soon!
I'm picking up a nuvo 40 tomorrow from a guy on craigslist for $250!

NHreefguy · Jan 25, 2016

They're fine as long as you clean them. They can build up deitris and cause high nitrates. I clean mine once a week and my Nitrates stay below 5ppm

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

Hawain_Rob said:
We're not trying burst your bubble
Were just giving you other options. But I'd say go with the bigger 20g. You'll probably want bigger soon!
I'm picking up a nuvo 40 tomorrow from a guy on craigslist for $250!

Sorry, I didn't realize my post sounded angry until I read it again. I wasn't trying to defend my choice, I am completely open to recommendations. I will look bigger than a 20, you are probably right about me wanting something bigger soon! What canisters do you recommend, NHreefguy? I'll take a look on Craigslist again.
Thanks!

Reefrookie220 · Jan 25, 2016

For what it's worth. I currently run a nuvo 8 and love it, but the stock equipment (lights,pump) leave alot to be desired.

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

I'm just saying that my mother will NOT allow me to get another tank over 30 gallons, no matter how hard I would try. She was already very uncooperative about the 46 gallon freshwater, and she kept saltwater 25+ years ago and still thinks that it is like that, but I have convinced her to let me get a 20 gal, but I can go up to 30 max. Thanks for the recommendations though

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

I found this BioCube on craigslist for a good price. What do you guys think?
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/for/5356154235.html

Reefrookie220 · Jan 25, 2016

Buy that! It won't last long! Those are perfect starter tanks and it already has the mods! You can get some really nice rock/sand and have money left in the budget for livestock.

zaekor · Jan 25, 2016

http://charlotte.craigslist.org/sea...aid=all&search_distance_type=mi&query=biocube
I searched BioCube in the Charlotte craigslist and this what came up. I will search around in nearby craigslists to see if I can find anything. Right now the first one I linked is the best deal.

zaekor · Jan 26, 2016

Reefrookie220 said:
Buy that! It won't last long! Those are perfect starter tanks and it already has the mods! You can get some really nice rock/sand and have money left in the budget for livestock.

Haha! You were right! I was going to try and contact the guy today... but it was sold!!
D:
Ill look around some more

zaekor · Jan 26, 2016

I found this 28 Gallon Rimless with a good light, he would include some live rock but I am going to be doing dry rock, so I will just say I don't want any.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/for/5367462283.html

Also found this store (I have actually been there before, great place!) that is selling some used tanks, good condition. There is a 30g rimless cube that is "reef ready" (Dont know what that means, if it includes anything) and a 29 Gallon biocube. They both include stand.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/fod/5414343431.html

zaekor · Jan 26, 2016

Mitch Zakocs said:
I found this 28 Gallon Rimless with a good light, he would include some live rock but I am going to be doing dry rock, so I will just say I don't want any.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/for/5367462283.html

Also found this store (I have actually been there before, great place!) that is selling some used tanks, good condition. There is a 30g rimless cube that is "reef ready" (Dont know what that means, if it includes anything) and a 29 Gallon biocube. They both include stand.
http://charlotte.craigslist.org/fod/5414343431.html

I really like the first one since it comes with a good light and it looks great.