Help deciding which tank to chose from

[IAM122]

I am looking to get a saltwater tank for a room I am redoing for my wife. I am looking at Red Sea Nano Max, Fluval 13.5 EVO, or Tideline Peninsula 13.4 gallons. All of these are AIO. In everyone's opinion which tank is better? Or are they about the same? Also with a 13.5 or 20 gallon tank, is a protein skimmer really necessary? Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot everyone!

 

[JC1977]

I am looking to get a saltwater tank for a room I am redoing for my wife. I am looking at Red Sea Nano Max, Fluval 13.5 EVO, or Tideline Peninsula 13.4 gallons. All of these are AIO. In everyone's opinion which tank is better? Or are they about the same? Also with a 13.5 or 20 gallon tank, is a protein skimmer really necessary? Any information or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks a lot everyone!

I don’t own any of these tanks so I can’t speak to which one would be better however I will say with such small tanks you do not need a protein skimmer. You could keep nitrates and parameters in check with water changes since you won’t need to spend much on salt. One added benefit the skimmers do help with is gas exchange and extra oxygen for your system which will also aid ph. I would say budget will dictate your purchase here. The nano max is kind of the rolls Royce here but the other two will work fine too.

 

[VintageReefer]

I’m biased so here’s another one to consider. I’m very happy with it

CUBE 15 PENINSULA Starphire Glass Aquarium - Waterbox

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

 

[kevgib67]

These seem to be well liked. I think we are making your decision harder, sorry.

 

[IAM122]

These seem to be well liked. I think we are making your decision harder, sorry.

Haha I have heard the waterbox is good. If it's better then the 3 options I have, then I gotta add it to the list haha. And if anyone can eliminate one of these, that also helps.

 

[IAM122]

I’m biased so here’s another one to consider. I’m very happy with it

CUBE 15 PENINSULA Starphire Glass Aquarium - Waterbox

Shop The Best Saltwater Aquarium Equipment & Supplies at Saltwater Aquarium. We Carry Everything you will Need for your Fish Tank.

www.saltwateraquarium.com

You really enjoy yours?

 

[IAM122]

I don’t own any of these tanks so I can’t speak to which one would be better however I will say with such small tanks you do not need a protein skimmer. You could keep nitrates and parameters in check with water changes since you won’t need to spend much on salt. One added benefit the skimmers do help with is gas exchange and extra oxygen for your system which will also aid ph. I would say budget will dictate your purchase here. The nano max is kind of the rolls Royce here but the other two will work fine too.

Thanks a lot! I probably will start without a skimmer then

 

[kevgib67]

Haha I have heard the waterbox is good. If it's better then the 3 options I have, then I gotta add it to the list haha. And if anyone can eliminate one of these, that also helps.

Ya I’ve read great things and have been eyeing it for my youngest son. He tore a large fresh water when he moved out ( 2nd floor apartment) and he has a lot of interest in my reef tank.

 

[ryanjohn1]

Skimmer is completely unnecessary in a tank that small imo just do regular water changes. Even in my 100 + system with relatively heavy feeding I run skimmers like once or twice a month. And my nano I don’t even have one

 

[flashsmith]

Being new. Definitely the RS max nano. It has everything you need to get started with the exception of a heater. They are pretty popular as well and if it doesn't work out you could always sell it and get at least half your investment back. It's by far the most complete plug and play out there. I'm "seasoned" and I recently purchased the max nano peninsula for myself to try out a nano setup. I wouldn't run any tank without a skimmer. In an AIO setup it's the most effective way to export nutrients in my opinion. It's a tool for better water quality.

 

[VintageReefer]

I like all in one but I also like the feeedom to choose my own lighting

I have no complaints about it. Got a nice kraken lid. Footprint is good, space in filtration areas is good. Quality is top notch

 

[Idech]

I had the Evo 13.5 and it was okay but it’s really small. If you can, 20 gallons would be better. More room, more stable.

 

[VintageReefer]

Being new. Definitely the RS max nano. It has everything you need to get started with the exception of a heater. They are pretty popular as well and if it doesn't work out you could always sell it and get at least half your investment back. It's by far the most complete plug and play out there. I'm "seasoned" and I recently purchased the max nano peninsula for myself to try out a nano setup. I wouldn't run any tank without a skimmer. In an AIO setup it's the most effective way to export nutrients in my opinion. It's a tool for better water quality.

I don’t run a skimmer on any of my systems

 

[flashsmith]

I don’t run a skimmer on any of my systems

Never said you couldn't be successful but.... For someone just starting out yea they should run one. I choose to run them on my sumped systems because I see what they pull out. There's not a person on this planet that needs a Cadillac either but it sure beats riding a bicycle.

 

[Idech]

About skimmers, having had freshwater tanks for 40 years and wishing there was a way to get the crap out of the water, I will never go without one.

After 2 1/2 years, I am still amazed and grateful to be able to pull out the crap out of my fish inhabitat.

 

[VintageReefer]

Regardless, both are good choices. I like to pick my own gear. They both are good products. One take the guess work out and gives you a more complete package and the others have more flexibility and customization.

I would get an algae turf scrubber over a skimmer and if I could go back and start over I would have went that route. I’m shopping for one for my Waterbox currently

 

[SliceGolfer]

Another option is to purchase an IM 15 for $99 and spend the excess $$ on gear

 

[VintageReefer]

Another good option ^

My Waterbox 15 was 170$ they frequently go on sale. IM makes good tanks also.

Save money and buy better gear. The stuff bundled in combos is usually entry level for beginners and it works but after a few years these items frequently break or are replaced for upgrades

 

[IAM122]

Being new. Definitely the RS max nano. It has everything you need to get started with the exception of a heater. They are pretty popular as well and if it doesn't work out you could always sell it and get at least half your investment back. It's by far the most complete plug and play out there. I'm "seasoned" and I recently purchased the max nano peninsula for myself to try out a nano setup. I wouldn't run any tank without a skimmer. In an AIO setup it's the most effective way to export nutrients in my opinion. It's a tool for better water quality.

Thanks a lot. So RS Max Nano is worth the price huh?

 

[IAM122]

Another good option ^

My Waterbox 15 was 170$ they frequently go on sale. IM makes good tanks also.

Save money and buy better gear. The stuff bundled in combos is usually entry level for beginners and it works but after a few years these items frequently break or are replaced for upgrades

Thanks a lot! You really think just the cheapest option out of these is good to get started? And upgrade with time?