Help! Newbie! Need local know-how for nano cube setup in Rochester!

[webster.nano]

Dear Rochester Reefers,

I am starting out in this new hobby and
would like to set up a small nano-cube,
possibly 20-30 gal, some live rock & sand,
some cleaner crew, some low light coral and a couple of fish.

Where are the best LOCAL places / stores to buy
- equpiment (nano cubes, aquarium, lighting, accesories)
- live rock
- fish & coral?

I would like to go light on the budget.

What nano cube do you recommend?
Or should I get a 20/30 gal tank & make some modifications?

Where can you get used nanocubes / equipment in Rochester
and surrounding area?

Thanks for any and all advice you can give!

[dreaminmel]

http://www.reefcentral.com/images/welcome.gif
(Alright guys... how come you have to click on this to see the welcome fish?)

The three major SW lfs in the area are Caribbean Forest , The Reef Shoppe and Marine Oasis . Their websites all have their info and hours on them.

[NirvanaFan]

[NirvanaFan]

you've gotta put the "[img]" before the link and "[/img]" after it

[dreaminmel]

Ahhh... so IMG isn't strictly for stationary pics... Thanks!

[dreaminmel]

Martin, I forgot to mention one of the most happening spots for used tanks is Petmart in Batavia. (not PetSmart)

[NirvanaFan]

I think IMG is for any jpg, gif, jpeg, tiff, etc. That is really just a guess though

[jacksonpt]

I have a 12g Aquapod and am very happy with it. They also make a 24g which sounds like more what you're looking for.

They are solid tanks, come with everything you need to get started, are easy to setup... lots of good about these tanks.

One other thing I should add... this isn't really a hobby for budget weary people. I'm not trying to dissuade you, just saying... the more you skimp, the more it's likely to cost you in the long run.

[ItsDave]

True that!

[Lanceafer]

I have an 8 gallon Oceanic BioCube that I love. There are a few brands of "all in one" tanks and that might be your best bet. You will be limited on your coral selection if don't do some modifications, but overall I’m very happy with mine. You might want to look into one of these systems. I would first figure out what you want to keep then pick the tank based on that.

[Twinpanther]

First, welcome. You've come to the right place for friendly people that love this hobby and don't mind sharing what they know.

If you are interested I have a Oceanic BioCube 14 I'd be willing to let go of. It was up for about two months before I got hit with the upgrade bug. Personally, it was a great tank for me to start with.

I upgraded the fans and did some mods one of which was turning the center section into a fuge for chaeto. Truly worked great.

Here is the only pic I could find for now.


Looking for $130 which includes the Biocube 14 and a Pair of CF lights I used for the fuge.

If you want it or would like to see it PM me and we can get together. I'm in Webster so that should be pretty easy. Let me know.

Paul

[Ellery]

Yeah you can get some really good stuff cheap from current hobbyists who are leaving the hobby too. Also I have some stuff I can sell you cheap to in terms of mushrooms, leathers, and kenya trees etc that are soft and can do great with lower lighting.

PM me if you're interested when you are ready.

[webster.nano]

Rochester-reefers,

Thanks for your advice!
I stuck my head into the Reefshoppe yesterday .
Wow! Lot's of nice fish, corals and critters!

One question, they said that the stock lighting on the nano cubes will be fine for clams & anemones. Is that so ?

thanks!

[jacksonpt]

Depends on the stock lighting. Some stock fixtures are metal halides, which will be fine, but most seem to be PC... I would be cautious keeping a clam/anemone (I actually wouldn't keep an anem period, but that's a conversation for another time...) under PCs.