High quality nano tank brands

[zaddy]

What are some of the highest-quality aquarium brands, similar to Cade, but for a tank size of around 10 gallons? I'm looking for something less mass-produced, with a strong emphasis on longevity and craftsmanship, so I can be completely confident in the quality—free from concerns about silicone imperfections or other defects. I currently have the old waterbox cube 10.

 

[Tamberav]

Well Red Sea is out!


Probably something made for freshwater like UNS. Not their marine one as I feel like they haven’t figured out the perfect AIO yet. Their silicone when I saw it was *chef kiss* and the corners were 45 degree cuts.

You then would have to drill or have someone add a low profile or external overflow and black out the back though.

 

[zaddy]

Well Red Sea is out!


Probably something made for freshwater like UNS. Not their marine one as I feel like they haven’t figured out the perfect AIO yet. Their silicone when I saw it was *chef kiss* and the corners were 45 degree cuts.

You then would have to drill or have someone add a low profile or external overflow and black out the back though.

i’m with you on redsea lol. Never had heard of this brand, but it looks awesome. And it’s aesthetics are exactly what I was looking for. Just like the waterbox cube 10 I have.

https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/uns-dual-all-in-one-glass-aquarium-tank
Check out this one, what do you think about it’s AIO? Chamber seems fine to me?

 

[Tamberav]

ADA is another that comes to mind.


For some reason salt tanks use butt end glass instead of the 45 degree.

Freshwater seems to use 45 degree and the silicone is basically invisible.

i’m with you on redsea lol. Never had heard of this brand, but it looks awesome. And it’s aesthetics are exactly what I was looking for. Just like the waterbox cube 10 I have.

https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/uns-dual-all-in-one-glass-aquarium-tank
Check out this one, what do you think about it’s AIO? Chamber seems fine to me?

Well I was actually kind of making a joke. Red Sea has had a lot of issues leaking with the older models. Like from pane popping free.

That being said, the small Red Sea aios have been fine. Small tanks so less pressure and such.

 

[Fish Fan]

I don't know, but I thought that Cade was more of a European brand?

I am thrilled for the money with my Innovative Marine tanks (some of them I run as freshwater). I own two 10 gallon AIO's, two 15 gallon AIO's, one of their 25 gallon AIO's, and a 40 gallon non-AIO tank. I've been happy with all of my tanks from Innovative Marine.

I have on order an SCA 150 gallon. I hope it holds up as well as the IM's. I would encourage you to look at SCA Aquarium

I hope this helps!

 

[zaddy]

ADA is another that comes to mind.


For some reason salt tanks use butt end glass instead of the 45 degree.

Freshwater seems to use 45 degree and the silicone is basically invisible.





Well I was actually kind of making a joke. Red Sea has had a lot of issues leaking with the older models. Like from pane popping free.

That being said, the small Red Sea aios have been fine. Small tanks so less pressure and such.

I caught the joke haha, I was concurring that Red sea is problematic. What I said next was referencing the UNS not red sea

 

[Tamberav]

i’m with you on redsea lol. Never had heard of this brand, but it looks awesome. And it’s aesthetics are exactly what I was looking for. Just like the waterbox cube 10 I have.

https://shop.glassaqua.com/products/uns-dual-all-in-one-glass-aquarium-tank
Check out this one, what do you think about it’s AIO? Chamber seems fine to me?

Reviews look okay for the few they have but I can’t tell from the pics. I can’t say I have seen one in person but maybe you can find a build thread using one.

 

[Tamberav]

I caught the joke haha, I was concurring that Red sea is problematic. What I said next was referencing the UNS not red sea

Ah, sorry I misunderstood.

If you have a freshwater LFS, they may carry brands like UNS and ADA so you can inspect the silicone and look of the tank in person. Even if it isn’t the exact one, it should show you the craftsmanship.

 

[zaddy]

I don't know, but I thought that Cade was more of a European brand?

I am thrilled for the money with my Innovative Marine tanks (some of them I run as freshwater). I own two 10 gallon AIO's, two 15 gallon AIO's, one of their 25 gallon AIO's, and a 40 gallon non-AIO tank. I've been happy with all of my tanks from Innovative Marine.

I have on order an SCA 150 gallon. I hope it holds up as well as the IM's. I would encourage you to look at SCA Aquarium

I hope this helps!

IM seems to get a lot of love— tempting. I can’t find SCA, do they have a website?

 

[VintageReefer]

Against another Waterbox?

I have a peninsula 15 for 2.5 years and find it very well made

 

[zaddy]

Ah, sorry I misunderstood.

If you have a freshwater LFS, they may carry brands like UNS and ADA so you can inspect the silicone and look of the tank in person. Even if it isn’t the exact one, it should show you the craftsmanship.

no worries, my original response was poorly written. And great idea. I will do that, thanks. Although I think i’m already sold on the UNS dual, and will def do a build thread

 

[mizimmer90]

I had a UNS 60a for a year before upgrading to a larger tank, but I will praise UNS. Absolutely beautiful tank and very very good quality.

 

[Tamberav]

See, I have IM tanks and they are nice but nothing like special about them. Like the silicone is.. there and it’s pretty dang straight but why is it there? Why isn’t it invisible? lol

For some reason reef companies like black silicone and butt end glass and I guess that’s just not my preference but I know some people prefer it.

I didn’t know about UNS until after I had my IM tanks, when Is saw one, I was like waaahhh why can’t salties have this?

 

[zaddy]

Against another Waterbox?

I have a peninsula 15 for 2.5 years and find it very well made

Not particularly against it, but it seems they no longer have the original cube 10 for sale. They have a new cube 10 under their “freshwater” tanks, which is AIO and appears to be basically the same, but at a $300 exorbitant price tag. (since it comes with a worthless light, and you can’t buy just the tank)

 

[zaddy]

I had a UNS 60a for a year before upgrading to a larger tank, but I will praise UNS. Absolutely beautiful tank and very very good quality.

Think i’ll go UNS. thank you!

 

[zaddy]

See, I have IM tanks and they are nice but nothing like special about them. Like the silicone is.. there and it’s pretty dang straight but why is it there? Why isn’t it invisible? lol

For some reason reef companies like black silicone and butt end glass and I guess that’s just not my preference but I know some people prefer it.

I didn’t know about UNS until after I had my IM tanks, when Is saw one, I was like waaahhh why can’t salties have this?

Thanks for the post. Isn’t the UNS i linked earlier a salt water tank? What would make it a freshwater tank and not a saltwater? It has an AIO chamber similar to SW tanks

 

[Tamberav]

Thanks for the post. Isn’t the UNS i linked earlier a salt water tank? What would make it a freshwater tank and not a saltwater? It has an AIO chamber similar to SW tanks

It is marine ya. I don’t remember them having those when I used to drool over them.

 

[Fish Fan]

IM seems to get a lot of love— tempting. I can’t find SCA, do they have a website?

Their website is going through some revamping, but I think they are a good option:

https://www.empirebilliards.com/collections/鱼缸-aquariums

 

[mizimmer90]

Thanks for the post. Isn’t the UNS i linked earlier a salt water tank? What would make it a freshwater tank and not a saltwater? It has an AIO chamber similar to SW tanks

It's marketed as a FW tank but you can definitely use it as a saltwater. Here was the build thread for mine!

Edit:

FTS progression:
November 2023

April 2023

March 2023

Jan 2023

Dec 2022

Nov 2022

Started September 2022:

Hello everyone!

I've been dreaming of starting a reef tank for nearly 20 years and I've finally pulled the trigger and began my adventure!

I'll be documenting my adventure in this thread.

Tank/gear/design:

Tank - UNS 60a AIO
Lights - 100W nicrew LED with controller
Powerhead - hygger mini wavemaker
Return pump - Sicce 1.5 silent
Heater - Eheim 75 W glass
Rodi 5 stage from BRS
Dosing pump - Kamor x1 pro wifi

Substrate - 15 lbs of caribsea fiji pink
Dry rock - Marco from lfs

Mechanical filtration- filter floss and sponge in overflow
Chemical filtration - rox 0.8 carbon pellets amd GFO (in media bags)
Bio filtration - Ceramic media balls
Uv sterilizer- aquatop nano 5W

I used command strips to attach a surge protector to the side of my tank (not much room inside after all the things I'm storing). I've made this side my control center, with the controller for the lights and powerhead.

My only comment is that the back chambers were a bit tight (not much room for a tiny drop in skimmer if you want to go that route)

 

[Tamberav]

Ya, it looks like those UNS marine tanks were released fall 2023.