15 gallon cube equpiment question!

[Beyraud45]

Hello, I've got a 15 gallon cube that is NOT a all in one or anything like that. I'm wondering what my options would be as far as filtration. The tank is 15" x 15" x 15" (15 gallons) rimless cube. I want to keep it with a clean look so I dont really want a bunch of hang on the back stuff unless its really sleek. I have thought about getting a HoB refugium and using it as a place for the heater and media and a small skimmer but I am just not sure whats out there for options on that. I can't wait to see what you guys come up with for me and ill update with pictures as I build!

 

[dedragon]

a good power filter like sechem tidal for mechanical filtration and a cheaper 1 for hiding all the heaters and any probes and dosing pump lines. i happen to like the look of this aliexpress power filter, but there are many. I dont know any hob refugiums that also have mechanical filtration. I would pass on running a skimmer in such a small tank and depend more on mechanical removal

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806562020278.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.734238daR89dOL&mp=1&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%21USD%2042.86%21USD%2042.86%21%21USD%2042.86%21%21%21%40210328d417675789603397457ec36c%2112000038175474501%21ct%21US%214330578567%21%211%210%21&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

 

[Beyraud45]

a good power filter like sechem tidal for mechanical filtration and a cheaper 1 for hiding all the heaters and any probes and dosing pump lines. i happen to like the look of this aliexpress power filter, but there are many. I dont know any hob refugiums that also have mechanical filtration. I would pass on running a skimmer in such a small tank and depend more on mechanical removal

https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806562020278.html?spm=a2g0o.cart.0.0.734238daR89dOL&mp=1&pdp_npi=6%40dis%21USD%21USD%2042.86%21USD%2042.86%21%21USD%2042.86%21%21%21%40210328d417675789603397457ec36c%2112000038175474501%21ct%21US%214330578567%21%211%210%21&gatewayAdapt=glo2usa

Thank you very much. I definitely like the idea of the seachem tidal. I was also curious why you would skip the skimmer? Is it just small enough that the mechanical filtration is more than enough? I would also add that i plan on it being a clownfish anemone tank with some lps and softies just to give more context!

 

[dedragon]

small skimmers just arent very efficient. i actually just got a mini q skimmer for my new 25 gallon tank but only because i had $50 at brs that would have expired otherwise. its main job is just going to be oxygenating water. a small dosing pump, backup heater, better lighting, ato, heater controller, etc will have more value then adding the skimmer imo. But will depend on what you already have as well

 

[Beyraud45]

Gotcha thank you for the insight and that all makes sense.

 

[Indiana Reefin]

Invest in good light and powerhead.
I would recommend a Kessil a360 for that tank. Powerhead I would go with a MP10, Nero3, or a Jebao SLW series pump. A filter that you can put some filter floss in would be good as well. That’s all you really need to start.

 

[Beyraud45]

I do love the kessil a360. I had it on my last tank, it has been a couple years but im just tired of not having a reef tank around lol. I was thinking of going with AI this time just for something different. Haven't decided between the regular prime or the new edge yet but just trying to get ideas. If I end up going AI I'd prolly go with nero for the powerhead also so its all on one app.

 

[Indiana Reefin]

Sounds good. The AI has a lot of great lights out right now. You will more than likely need a heater as well. I am really happy with my IM Helio controller and element.

 

[Beyraud45]

Yea it seems like AI has really nailed it with the app. That was my only complaint about the kessil was that i didnt have a controller or anything for it, and the fact that it burnt out but I will look into the heater as well thank you for the suggestions.

 

[Indiana Reefin]

Instead of a hang on the back filter, you could go with an internal filter. Sicce makes some. You could also do a hang on the back filter and place a small heater in the filter. There are mods for this.

 

[dedragon]

reefbreeders meridian could be a cool one over this. looks similar to the ai edge though and either will do well over this tank
I have to recommend inkbird temp controller and eheim jager heater. Both have been solid for me and cost effective

 

[Beyraud45]

Instead of a hang on the back filter, you could go with an internal filter. Sicce makes some. You could also do a hang on the back filter and place a small heater in the filter. There are mods for this.

Well I think being as its a small tank already i may use a HoB and do a black background so you can't see it on the other side

reefbreeders meridian could be a cool one over this. looks similar to the ai edge though and either will do well over this tank
I have to recommend inkbird temp controller and eheim jager heater. Both have been solid for me and cost effective

Will check into this light thank you

 

[Delightful Reefer]

I ran a 7-gallon UNS cube with a Fiji Cube hang-on refugium. It worked fairly well, but the macro kept getting outcompeted by GHA. I think the ChaetoMax was simply too strong for a refugium that small, but the tank still looked great and served its purpose.

I was also pretty new to the hobby back then and probably needed more water volume overall for my experience level.

 

[Beyraud45]

I ran a 7-gallon UNS cube with a Fiji Cube hang-on refugium. It worked fairly well, but the macro kept getting outcompeted by GHA. I think the ChaetoMax was simply too strong for a refugium that small, but the tank still looked great and served its purpose.

I was also pretty new to the hobby back then and probably needed more water volume overall for my experience level.

Well my idea wasn't to actually have a refugium. It was to buy a HoB refugium and use the space in it as a place to put my heater and media and filter floss and whatever else.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

I have an old school 15 gallon rectangle tank. I have a small hob filter which has rubble and activated carbon in it, and thats it. The tank has 2 sicce voyager nano pwerheads for water movement. I do weekly 5 gallon water changes. The tank is now finished 4 years going into the fifth year.

My 5 and 10 gallon tanks don't even have a hob filter, just powerheads and bi-weekly water change and nothing else. You really don't want too much clutter on such a small tank anyways. Keep it as simple as possible with small tanks IMO.