harticus5 September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 Hello, I am looking for some advice I already have a red max 250 and 130 Looking to get a 3gal which one of these 2 should I go for? The cubby with the LED is on sale for $85 which is what Im leaning towards because I do not want to buy replacement bulbs anytime soon, although reviews do not seem to be very good at all. or the 3gal pico Just plan on growing some gsp and having 2 clowns. Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 (edited) I like the cubey. But i know nothing about the specs. Its just nice looking lol Where did you find it $85? Edited September 23, 2013 by Joshifer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harticus5 September 23, 2013 Author Share September 23, 2013 Marine depot has it on sale for $85 until the end of the month. I would order suppliers for my larger tanks at the same so shipping would be free. So still $85 with shipping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joshifer September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 Awesome thanks. I also read the reviews. One said it doesn't skim the surface because it has another vent near the bottom. And something about if the top breaks the LEDs are useless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harticus5 September 23, 2013 Author Share September 23, 2013 yes, wont skim the very top, only about 1" below the water level, and then at the bottom. Then also must have very small sand bed otherwise the bottom intake gets covered and you would have to put small rubble in front, or something. The reviews Ive found say the lid is very cheap plastic, however I don't know if that is still the case when the lid is removed. Sounds like a clip is available to have without the lid. I actually would prefer keeping the lid on to help with the amount of evaporation. I think overall this has a really nice look to it, and for the price looks like it can do the job. I think I will go for it for the $85 w/ LED cubey over the 3gal pico at $55 Amazing how few reviews there on this cubey tank compared to other desk tanks. I am in thousands on my red sea 250/130, so not trying to go crazy on this one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaddc September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 I have the picotope. I would recommend the cubey because of the surface filtration. Not having surface filtration allows for a surface film to develop that is tough to get rid of in the smaller tanks where you can't have a good protein skimmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coral Hind September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 jaddc - So you would recommend it? I have the picotope. I would recommend the cubey because of the surface filtration. Not having surface filtration allows for a surface film to develop that is tough to get rid of in the smaller tanks where you can't have a good protein skimmer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ryan S September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 (edited) i had a picotope and loved it. much better reviews than the cubby as well: http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Cubey_3_Gallon_Pico_LED_Aquarium_Saltwater_Aquariums_Nano_Cube-JBJ_Lighting-JB01172-FIAQNC-vi.html vs http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_3gal_Picotope_Aquarium_Nano_Tank_with_Lighting_Under_10_Gallons-JBJ_Lighting-JB7151-FIAQNCCKTLUT-vi.html plus there are many sites/threads where people have done some very cool mods to the picotope (fuge in the back; glass lid; upgraded lighting; etc.). Edited September 23, 2013 by Ryan S Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lutz123 September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 I have the Picotope and love it. Nice quality, lighting is perfectly fine for gsp and the telescopic mount is easy to adjust or move. I agree that the stock filter allows that surface film to build a little, but top offs and water changes help. The filter also lacks flow a little, which in my opinion needs to be a hair higher to avoid dead spots, but it's not a critical need. For now, I put filter floss in the media chamber and change it out every few days after gently blowing everything with a turkey baster. I may eventually add a tiny powerhead but it's fine for now. The cubey looks nice - I don't have any experience with it. I would check the display area size. I can't imagine losing space in the back of my little 3 gallon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BowieReefer84 September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 15% off one single item in your order! Some exclusions apply.Use Coupon at checkout: FIRST500Valid From 9/20/2013 - 9/23/2013 Thought I would share with you, even though I just posted this somewhere else. Not sure if it will work on sale items. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaddc September 23, 2013 Share September 23, 2013 Even I have not used it, my vote is cubey. JBJ is a solid company that has never wronged me personally so I would trust their products. I loved my picotope (obviously, also JBJ), but I ended up switching to a Nuvo Pico 4 to get the overflow feature and it came with a lid. Even though I was changing my water frequently (I work in a lab so it is trivial to make high quality saltwater for my office tank), the picotope still had some water quality issues that I didn't like (but I'm OCD about that stuff) -- even after I upgraded my filter capacity. There is no lid on the picotope, so I lost a clownfish who wanted to see what life was like on the carpet. I still may use the picotop as a freshwater set-up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harticus5 September 24, 2013 Author Share September 24, 2013 15% off one single item in your order! Some exclusions apply. Use Coupon at checkout: FIRST500 Valid From 9/20/2013 - 9/23/2013 Thought I would share with you, even though I just posted this somewhere else. Not sure if it will work on sale items. Even better.... 20% Off JBJ Cubey 3 Gallon Pico LED Aquariums Use Coupon at checkout: JBJCUBEYPICO until the 30th of this month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harticus5 September 24, 2013 Author Share September 24, 2013 I think I am going to give this cubey a shot.........$85 with LED....and a cheap lid to keep the fish from jumping lol..1 clown and gsp is all I want in this thing..I will not be doing any mods to this ........my money focus has to be with the bigger tanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheyCallMeMr.703 September 24, 2013 Share September 24, 2013 Woo, Post Pics once you get it and set it up... I see another Build Thread coming in the Near Future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harticus5 September 25, 2013 Author Share September 25, 2013 (edited) my Red sea 250 14months old now......video was taken at the 8 month mark. Tank has changed a lot since...Need to take another video. Well I will post pics of the cubey within a week or 2......should look good quick since I am using already established water, etc. Edited September 25, 2013 by harticus5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harticus5 November 6, 2013 Author Share November 6, 2013 (edited) Up and running for 35 days now. Fragged some of the GSP to the backglass, and put the rest in a different tank. Added 4 mouth hammer. Kenya tree babies 4x larger over the 1 month. Also added some zoas, and pulsing xenia, and baby 3/4" yellow watchman, which will be moved to my larger tank eventually. I was pleased with this tank, except 3 of the White LED's failed today, and started to flicker. Working on claim with JBJ. From what I can tell this tank has either been discontinued by JBJ or I am 1 of 5 people in the world that bought this tank. Overall still pleased.....love having clowns/tank in the bedroom, in addition to my larger tanks.Still good tank for the price.....just need LED issue fixed. Edited November 6, 2013 by harticus5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nytelighter November 8, 2013 Share November 8, 2013 Came together pretty nicely. One question though: Isn't 3 gallons a bit undersized for a pair of clowns? I've always heard that a 20G is minimum for a pair of those guys. How are parameters holding up since there is not a lot of live rock in there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harticus5 November 11, 2013 Author Share November 11, 2013 Going good so far. Yes, a bit small, however do-able, since they are not full grown. I originally got this idea from the tank on the desk at house of tropics a 4gal pico. See attached.... Doing 20-25% water change weekly Also added a 1" blue strip gobey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
harticus5 November 15, 2013 Author Share November 15, 2013 (edited) Update. JBJ shipped out new LED hood assembly (3 white LEDS failed), and I already recieved/installed. Thumbs up customer support! Edited November 15, 2013 by harticus5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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