- Joined
- Dec 9, 2018
- Messages
- 15
- Reaction score
- 10
Greetings R2R,
I've have a 55 gallon Planted freshwater aquarium for a couple years now and was recently bitten by the reef bug after running across Inappropriate Reefer.
I went to my LFS on Friday with the intention of getting an all-in-one system for ~$500 (e.g. JBJ 45, Aquatop Recife ECO 40G, BioCube 32G). However, after looking around and talking to the employees I started doubting whether an AIO is right for me. I started to consider something like a Marineland 60 Frameless Cube w/ Corner-Flo and external sump (approx. ~$750). Uncertain, I went home and spent the weekend researching and came across SCA's PNP systems which also range in the $750+ price point... Then I started drooling over the $1300+ Red Sea Reefers... which I can't possibly justify at this point in my life.
My main concern now is I'll quickly outgrow what an AIO is capable of -- or at least, in terms of my desires for it and ability to get shiny upgrades, as I've seen many YouTubers outgrow while researching AIO systems. As I've read in several R2R threads, many Reef Keepers enjoy researching, buying, and installing new equipment just as much as they enjoy the rest of the hobby -- and I can certainly say that's likely to be true for me as well.
At the moment, I'm mostly interested in keeping fish, soft corals, and LPS. I have no interest (as of yet!) to keep SPS, but wouldn't want to completely prevent myself from exploring that avenue in the future.
I'm specifically looking for the most aquarium I can afford ($500-$750) that is no wider than 34-36", but am willing to pay (to an extent) for quality and piece of mind. I do want a sump/skimmer, with the ability to expand to having reactors, apex controller, etc. in the future. I think a 40 gallon would be more than enough (maybe?) for me, but am considering 50 and 66 gallon aquariums simply because the stand allows for more equipment and easier access.
In that regards, are the SCA's PNPs the best bang-for-the-buck options? Or am I rushing in too quickly and should go through the rite of passage of upgrading from an AIO?
Note: I'm not against DIY stuff, but when it comes to large volumes of water and potentially thousands of $ worth of live stock and equipment I'm not willing to take that chance and would prefer a turn-key solution that I know would be tried, true, and reliable. This is actually why I came across the SCA PNPs while researching alternative stands for the Marineland frameless as I did not like the stand Marineland offered.
Thanks,
-robodude666
I've have a 55 gallon Planted freshwater aquarium for a couple years now and was recently bitten by the reef bug after running across Inappropriate Reefer.
I went to my LFS on Friday with the intention of getting an all-in-one system for ~$500 (e.g. JBJ 45, Aquatop Recife ECO 40G, BioCube 32G). However, after looking around and talking to the employees I started doubting whether an AIO is right for me. I started to consider something like a Marineland 60 Frameless Cube w/ Corner-Flo and external sump (approx. ~$750). Uncertain, I went home and spent the weekend researching and came across SCA's PNP systems which also range in the $750+ price point... Then I started drooling over the $1300+ Red Sea Reefers... which I can't possibly justify at this point in my life.
My main concern now is I'll quickly outgrow what an AIO is capable of -- or at least, in terms of my desires for it and ability to get shiny upgrades, as I've seen many YouTubers outgrow while researching AIO systems. As I've read in several R2R threads, many Reef Keepers enjoy researching, buying, and installing new equipment just as much as they enjoy the rest of the hobby -- and I can certainly say that's likely to be true for me as well.
At the moment, I'm mostly interested in keeping fish, soft corals, and LPS. I have no interest (as of yet!) to keep SPS, but wouldn't want to completely prevent myself from exploring that avenue in the future.
I'm specifically looking for the most aquarium I can afford ($500-$750) that is no wider than 34-36", but am willing to pay (to an extent) for quality and piece of mind. I do want a sump/skimmer, with the ability to expand to having reactors, apex controller, etc. in the future. I think a 40 gallon would be more than enough (maybe?) for me, but am considering 50 and 66 gallon aquariums simply because the stand allows for more equipment and easier access.
In that regards, are the SCA's PNPs the best bang-for-the-buck options? Or am I rushing in too quickly and should go through the rite of passage of upgrading from an AIO?
Note: I'm not against DIY stuff, but when it comes to large volumes of water and potentially thousands of $ worth of live stock and equipment I'm not willing to take that chance and would prefer a turn-key solution that I know would be tried, true, and reliable. This is actually why I came across the SCA PNPs while researching alternative stands for the Marineland frameless as I did not like the stand Marineland offered.
Thanks,
-robodude666