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View Full Version : Nano Cube HQI or Red Sea Max?


COreef8
11/21/2007, 04:46 PM
Does anyone know what would be better to buy, the 28 gal Nano Cube 150 watt HQI ($620 with stand), or the 34 gal Red Sea Max ($750 with stand)? I have not heard great things about the skimmer perfomance from either, but overall I've heard good things about the Max. I haven't heard much at all about the Nano Cube though.

Thanks!

Mark426
11/21/2007, 04:58 PM
I vote for the Nanocube even though I love the looks and the size of the Max. My reasoning is the lights that are in the Max...they are PC lights not T-5 in the traditional sense. They are just small diameter PC's. You will have VERY limited lighting options with the Max.

Again my vote...Nanocube with Nanotuners.com actinic upgrade.

zma21
11/21/2007, 04:58 PM
Nano Cube.

COreef8
11/21/2007, 05:12 PM
I have had a nano cube 12dx for a while now, and for the most part have liked it, but the problems to me were that it was way too small for my liking, and it would cost a fortune to upgrade.

As far at the 28 gal, the price of the nano from nano customs with the actinic mod is only $50 more. From them, the stand and tank with actinics is $680 ($10 more for the stand) but to buy the 150w HQI and actinic add on for the Max is another $470. The skimmer in the Nano cube looks like a joke though, has anyone had any experience with it?

NealNano
11/21/2007, 06:12 PM
go with the nano cube way better lighting

seapug
11/21/2007, 09:32 PM
I've got a NanoCube HQI and I love it. The Red Sea tanks are nice but the lighting on the NC HQI takes the prize, especially if you install the nanotuners retrofit kit. The JBJ HQI also has an open compartment in the back that is transparent so it's super-easy to create a lighted refugium back there. No additional plumbing required.

aaronpentz
11/21/2007, 11:08 PM
I have the Nano cube 28 and love it too. My skimmer seems to work just fine. Better lighting, Better return design, Upgrade capabilities without cutting your hood. Im running a phosban reactor with carbon and phosban and the only thing i had to do was replace the plastic return tubing with some a little longer. I was debating the same thing a couple months ago and Im glad i went the way I did.

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01600.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01607.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01606.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01605.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01603.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01602.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01601.jpg

This is my custom fuge light

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01591.jpg

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f197/aaronpentz/DSC01593.jpg

zma21
11/21/2007, 11:10 PM
The more yellow clownfish is beautiful! Exactly what I'm looking for as a showpiece for my nanocube 12.

aaronpentz
11/21/2007, 11:18 PM
Yeah he will eventually be like the bigger one. the bigger one was the first fish I bought going on nine years ago. The smaller one I bought just a month ago.

I would honestly go with the nanocube. I have no complaints but I cannot fit my hand down into the back chambers so I have to have my 7 year old son do some stuff for me.

If you need some better pictures or some pictures of exact things just let me know.

mydumname
12/13/2007, 09:26 PM
Could someone post a pic of the refugium compartment? Curious how you set it up. Did you remove anything or what did you have to add?

Thanks

racksteris
12/13/2007, 10:45 PM
Nano Cube 150 watt HQI