Hey guys! Long story short- ended up exiting the hobby for a while after it became too costly (both in finances and in time) to maintain during my studies in college. After graduating and moving out, I've been toying with the idea of getting back into the hobby and am planning to go the route of an AIO nano/pico. I'm seeking out some advice from those more experienced in nano than I am.
Plans/goals of the system:
-Looking for a cube-style tank with no dimension larger than 14.5"
-Planning on sticking mainly to zoas and maybe some LPS
-Livestock will be minimal, mainly focusing on inverts and maybe a goby or two
1.) Finances are tight for me right now with getting established after college and working in ministry- what have your best/worst experiences been with AIO systems? Any that I should steer-clear from or should consider more than others? I've been considering going with a waterbox 10 cube, but am hesitant due to the price point. Ideally, I would love to keep the initial startup cost under $300 (minus liverock, sand, etc), which I know limits me from the get-go.
2.) In a similar vein, what lighting would you consider? I love the controlablity of some of the higher end LED units, but have a hard time justifying the purchasing price brand-new.
3.) I've seen some people place glass over their picos to negate the effects of evaporation on water chemistry- I remember in the past that I was discouraged from doing this on my larger tanks as it significantly impaired light from reaching the tank. In a smaller tank is this still of a concern?
4.) If you were stocking your nano/pico again, what would you include that you didn't? What would you steer clear from? I'm really enticed by the idea of glass anemone shrimp being a focus in this tank, but am still far from decided.
Thanks for your advice in advance, I'm looking forward to be able to start my own build thread in the near future!!!
Plans/goals of the system:
-Looking for a cube-style tank with no dimension larger than 14.5"
-Planning on sticking mainly to zoas and maybe some LPS
-Livestock will be minimal, mainly focusing on inverts and maybe a goby or two
1.) Finances are tight for me right now with getting established after college and working in ministry- what have your best/worst experiences been with AIO systems? Any that I should steer-clear from or should consider more than others? I've been considering going with a waterbox 10 cube, but am hesitant due to the price point. Ideally, I would love to keep the initial startup cost under $300 (minus liverock, sand, etc), which I know limits me from the get-go.
2.) In a similar vein, what lighting would you consider? I love the controlablity of some of the higher end LED units, but have a hard time justifying the purchasing price brand-new.
3.) I've seen some people place glass over their picos to negate the effects of evaporation on water chemistry- I remember in the past that I was discouraged from doing this on my larger tanks as it significantly impaired light from reaching the tank. In a smaller tank is this still of a concern?
4.) If you were stocking your nano/pico again, what would you include that you didn't? What would you steer clear from? I'm really enticed by the idea of glass anemone shrimp being a focus in this tank, but am still far from decided.
Thanks for your advice in advance, I'm looking forward to be able to start my own build thread in the near future!!!