Upgrading from biocube 16, need advice

[ZzyzxRiver]

I love my BioCube 16 for its ease of use and low cost. We are considering a bigger tank and I am feeling overwhelmed by the options.

I’d like to switch to a ~40g peninsula, still an AIO. But when I look at the names I always see mentioned here—IM, Red Sea, etc.—they are shockingly expensive compared to Coralife.

What are some of the reputable, mid-range tank brands I should be checking out?

 

[AetherealKnight]

Cheapest way is to do it yourself. Could be a fun learning experience :). You might be able to buy an all one one diy drop kit kinda like this.

And then buy a cheap 40 gallon aqueon tank and then bam you got your own diy all in one reef tank for dirt cheap. If not check out fluval, though it’s still sort of expensive as water box and RedSea.

 

[HudsonValleyReefing]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/38-g...s-aio-nano-aquarium-pro-series-fiji-cube.html
I think this one would fit your bill. The person who won Reef of the Month last month has this tank as his second, you can check him out on instagram his name is reefsite. I love the look and dimensions of this system.

 

[TX_REEF]

Two lines of thought provoked by your post:

1. Why are you dead-set on AIO? This upgrade is a perfect opportunity to move to a sump system which opens up a lot of opportunity for concealing equipment and increasing total system volume
2. If you are budget-conscious and dead-set on AIO, perhaps consider making your own 40B AIO. Jax Racks could make you a sleek AIO acrylic drop-in: https://www.jaxracks.com/contact-us Fiji makes AIO kits for 40b peninsula style, but I have read mixed reviews about the quality of their products.

 

[aztoza]

An upgrade?!?! Awesome! Go big or go home lol

 

[HudsonValleyReefing]

Two lines of thought provoked by your post:

1. Why are you dead-set on AIO? This upgrade is a perfect opportunity to move to a sump system which opens up a lot of opportunity for concealing equipment and increasing total system volume
2. If you are budget-conscious and dead-set on AIO, perhaps consider making your own 40B AIO. Jax Racks could make you a sleek AIO acrylic drop-in: https://www.jaxracks.com/contact-us Fiji makes AIO kits for 40b peninsula style, but I have read mixed reviews about the quality of their products.

Sump is always better IMO

 

[Gumbies R Us]

I wish I had more advice for you but can't wait to see your new tank as your 16g is incredible!

 

[Fishy Guy]

Haha, you're just like me! I go back and forth all the time on whether I want to upgrade or not. I love the ease of my 25g and think I'm just going to stick with that for the time being but do find myself perusing tanks in the 50-150g range often.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

dear everybody: I have a one year old baby. I LOVE this hobby and if I were made of time and money I’d already have the Polo Reef in my foyer, LOL. It’s my understanding that AIO is easier.

That said, since I am moving from a ground-level tank (intended as a crawl up for the baby before I realized he is wild and could actually break the glass now that he is a toddler), I’ll have a stand, so I suppose a sump is possible? How does maintenance change in that scenario? Are they more expensive to set up or have a bigger time commitment?

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

An upgrade?!?! Awesome! Go big or go home lol

This entire forum is full of devils sitting on my shoulder.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Cheapest way is to do it yourself. Could be a fun learning experience :). You might be able to buy an all one one diy drop kit kinda like this.

And then buy a cheap 40 gallon aqueon tank and then bam you got your own diy all in one reef tank for dirt cheap. If not check out fluval, though it’s still sort of expensive as water box and RedSea.

I saw these somewhere—what brands have these?

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/38-g...s-aio-nano-aquarium-pro-series-fiji-cube.html
I think this one would fit your bill. The person who won Reef of the Month last month has this tank as his second, you can check him out on instagram his name is reefsite. I love the look and dimensions of this system.

Oooooooh I think this DOES fit the bill. Time to take measurements of the room!

 

[AetherealKnight]

This entire forum is full of devils sitting on my shoulder.

No, no, no we’re the angel on your shoulder.

 

[Fishy Guy]

Oooooooh I think this DOES fit the bill. Time to take measurements of the room!

I have no first hand experience but I have seen multiple people with issues with Fiji Cube tanks. Worth looking into before the pulling trigger on one.

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

No, no, no we’re the angel on your shoulder.

Very mild distinction.

 

[swinglow1321]

I was in this exact mind last year. Facebook market place & r2r market place is your friend. I struck gold on Facebook and got a redsea 170 with everything plus a XR30 blue for 450. If you are set on new, check out tideline aio tanks. For the price you really can’t beat them. I have a 62g lagoon from them & love it.

 

[HudsonValleyReefing]

Oooooooh I think this DOES fit the bill. Time to take measurements of the room!

Check out his build on instagram ! You can see it in action @reefsite

 

[ZzyzxRiver]

Check out his build on instagram ! You can see it in action @reefsite

That does look super nice! I’ve found mixed reviews on this forum and Reddit, gonna check out some YouTube reviews as well. Then there’s the ol’ convince the spouse routine…

 

[HudsonValleyReefing]

That does look super nice! I’ve found mixed reviews on this forum and Reddit, gonna check out some YouTube reviews as well. Then there’s the ol’ convince the spouse routine…

Understand that routine very well haha I have a Waterbox marine x 60.2 and I would highly recommend a sumped system. Much easier to hide gear and it makes the tank look like a piece of art.

 

[Fishy Guy]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/166482...arium-83-gallon-48-x-20?variation0=4338160714
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/b...-for-a-new-tank.1037349/page-30#post-12867309