Want to start - Where to start

[Spamamos]

Hi all!

Reasonably experienced planted freshwater keeper. Can manage my maintainance and keep tanks healthy.

The tank and equipment.

I see so many videos of people running seemingly endless equipment on these tanks and am yet to get an idea of what is actually necessary. This then feeds into which tank I get. Currently torn between :

Fluval Evo
Innovative Marine Nuvo 20
Red Sea Max Nano

Slightly different sizes and come with different equipment as standard but perhaps at varying standards.
The red sea seems to come with everything but I have heard complaints about the parts maybe not being the best. However the IM comes with very little but I could get the parts I want. The fluval seems to be very hit or miss from person to person but seems the best bang for buck.

I'm interested in running something relatively low maintenance, will get into dosing eventually but for now just want to start.

Any advice in the tank especially, your experiences etc would be most welcome.

Cycling I'm happy with, and I'm learning about some of the reactors but need a base to start from.

Thanks!

Spam

 

[Flippers4pups]

Welcome to reef2reef! Here's some good reading on setting up a saltwater tank:

https://www.reef2reef.com/ams/the-supreme-guide-to-setting-up-a-saltwater-reef-aquarium.84/

 

[BestMomEver]

Welcome! I’ve had the evo and it was ok. Personally, I’ve always wanted either the IM or the RS. They are cleaner and more sleek looking. I’d say go with one of those.

 

[lapin]

Howdy and welcome.
If you can keep plants you can do salt no prob
I have no experience with any of those tanks.
My first salt water tank was a used 125 and I used a 55g for a dyi sump.

 

[Rscott]

Welcome R2R!
As I understand the nano tanks are difficult to keep

My first tank is a 120 for that reason
The problem I see is the nano AIO style tank is the top off. I go through 2 gallons a day of RO in my tank. Now I have more surface area but can the little reservoirs on the AIO keep up? Can you leave it for a few days?
All questions I would ask. I don’t personally know the answer.

So I’m told thing happen very fast in nano tanks but you have way more experience then I do.

Good luck!
Personally I want a nano for my desk at work :)

 

[Spamamos]

Welcome R2R!
As I understand the nano tanks are difficult to keep

My first tank is a 120 for that reason
The problem I see is the nano AIO style tank is the top off. I go through 2 gallons a day of RO in my tank. Now I have more surface area but can the little reservoirs on the AIO keep up? Can you leave it for a few days?
All questions I would ask. I don’t personally know the answer.

So I’m told thing happen very fast in nano tanks but you have way more experience then I do.

Good luck!
Personally I want a nano for my desk at work :)

You points on changes and water are why the Red Sea is most attractive, it comes with a small ATO and room for a larger one in the cabinet.

 

[Jehorton90]

I will be watching more of this post as I am also in the same boat; good at the planted freshwater and want to venture into salt water

 

[LiveWire]

Welcome to the REEF!!

 

[Edp251]

Hi

I have had a RS Max Nano-E set up in my bedroom for just over a year. We love it and use it as a nightlite. Because it is upstairs we have kept it at very low maintenance so mostly soft coral and understocked. For us, the ATO that came with works well enough as it is good for 2-3 days. we just keep a RODI jug nearby and top of the reservoir as needed. Do keep up with the ATO though as salinity can rise very quickly if the tank level drops.

The only downside is the protein skimmer that came with. it has been impossible to keep tuned as it either runs completely dry or overflows with just the slightest adjustment to the air intake. That said, because we keep it understocked, we really don't need or use the skimmer. the AI prime that came with ours is strong enough for almost any corals with 300-ish at the top of our rock work via par meter.

Definitely a great tank and would not hesitate to recommend. Best of luck!

 

[Spamamos]

Thanks for the replies all!

Found an Innovative Marine Nuvo 20 going second hand with pretty much everything I will need, upgraded and ready to go so am picking that up this week.

One I get rid of the Freshwater tank it is replacing I will start a log on my progress in the appropriate forum!

Regards!

 

[flchamp89]

Thanks for the replies all!

Found an Innovative Marine Nuvo 20 going second hand with pretty much everything I will need, upgraded and ready to go so am picking that up this week.

One I get rid of the Freshwater tank it is replacing I will start a log on my progress in the appropriate forum!

Regards!

You'll be happy with the Nuvo. Super easy to maintain. Very happy with mine.

 

[Mastiffsrule]

Welcome to the friendliest place on the net