[awjn]

So i am debating between the 12 Gallon, 70W HQI Metal Halide System or the Nano Cube 12 Gallon Deluxe. I want to probably put in 2 clown fishes and maybe an anemone or just some zos and mushrooms are fine too. If any of you guys used either of these tanks could you tell me with your experience with them and what modifications or additions you made to the tank to make it more successful. Thanks for all your help!

[ry77]

I have a nano cube deluxe, it's pretty sweet, but it doesnt really hold 12 gal. more like 9. great for corals though.

[awjn]

mmm how many fish can u put in there?

[ry77]

really, i wouldn't put more than one good sized one, maybe two small ones

[awjn]

2 clowns would do fine?

[awjn]

oh yeah should i get a powerhead for the tank or does the deluxe come with it? and also what is a good protein skimmer for the nano?

[Lazy Iguana]

I have an Aquapod 12 with a 70 watt HQI light. It is not set up yet.

I did fill it with tap water just to see how it wold look.

To be honest, the 14,000 kelvin light is really blue. I think a 10,000 kelvin light would show true colors better.

And the 70 watt light seems kind of weak. I am considering swapping out my 70 watt ballast for a 150 watt ballast.

But all this is just my opinion. Really, I do not have the experience to say what is good or not good.

My opinions are based on what I have seen, and that I figure I need in order to keep "anything". I do not even know what I want to keep in my tank. SPS? Clams? Who knows. But I want the light to keep whatever I decide to keep.

And really - with the 70 watt HQI I would question the logic in keeping stuff with strong lighting requirements.

Others with more experience may agree or disagree with me. I will be following this thread as I really do want to know what they think.

I have enough knowledge and experience to know that I know nothing. No more.

[glampka]

I have 2 Aquapods. One with the 70W mH & the other with the PC lighting. Also have a 12 gal JBJ cube which I've added additional lighting to.
The standard pumps don't supply that much circulation. In the Aquapods I'm using MJ1200 as the return pump. You might also want to block off middle and/or bottom intake to get a better overflow from the top intake. I've blocked off just the middle. I've also added a HK Nano ph to one of them.
The 70W light is perfect. Going to a 150 would be way too much light & would probably add too much heat.
I have 3 fish in mine - purple firefish, yellow watchman goby & black striped chromis.

[ry77]

i'd like to add a sump ot mine eventually. I think it would be pretty sweet

[plecosword]

check out the bio bubble. its only 3g but I really like it.You have to watch the video to see what it has.Bio Bubble - Freedom Aquarium Products - Freedom Aquarium

[awjn]

mmm glampka doesn't the nano deluxe come with a powerhead in the tank or did you just add one on as well? Also when you say your using a MJ1200 as a return pump are you talking about maxi-jet 1200 powerhead? or just a part from it? sorry i have so many questions haha.

[glampka]

Yes the MJ1200 is a Maxijet 1200. The return pumps that come with most 12 gal cubes only push around 184 gal/hr. The Aquapod with the 70W MH lighting does not come with an extra powerhead. I added the HK Nano & I'm now pushing around 475 gal/hr.

[awjn]

mmm i see, i think ive decided on the 12 gallon aquapod, a worker from my LFS has one too and he says it does great. i have a small powerhead i think that will go nicely with the tank as well. one last question you think a 12 gallon aquapod could hold a damsel, clown +1 small fish or possibly another clown? Or is a 12 gallon too small for 3 fishes? Thanks for all the help!

[glampka]

Go back a few posts & see what I wrote - I have 3 fish in mine.