I am thinking about getting back in, the only way I can do this is with an "all in one" tank that will sit on my desk. I dont have room for a sump or a new stand in my room, and yes it has to go in my room. I am thinking around 12-14 gallons. What do people have and what are likes and dis-likes about each option?

Ok I know most people around here like the bigger tanks but some one has to have some input on the matter

If I ever do it again, I will go with a square setup. Probably either a 40g (24x24x17) or 70g (30x30x17) square with a center overflow. Few reasons:


Cheap to light since you can probably do the entire tank with one nice MH or a single bank of T5s. You won't need a monsterous amount of light to punch light down to the bottom just one that has good coverage.
Easy to plumb the overflow and a closed loop into the same center drain so virtually no hardware in the main tank.
The 40g square is a lot of swimming length with 4 sides coming in at 96" since the fish don't have to turn around as much it in theory is healthier (although this is just my opinion).
Maintenance on the tank is pretty easy since you can walk around all sides and the depth won't swallow your arm trying to move coral around.
I would put in a fixed rack against the overflow to stack rock so basically it would be rock top to bottom against the overflow completely hiding it and making it look very natural.

I have no experience with the <20 Gallon Nano tanks, but my reservation was the low water volume, and lighting capability out of the box.

What type of corals/fish do you want to keep?

For a 30GAL go for the Finnes 30-M. Awesome tank!

I want to keep Lps and softies maybe a clown or a small wrass, def a firefish and a goby of some kind

I might do a monti cap if I think I have the room for one to really grow out. Dont really care to keep SPS at this time. I want lots of movement in the tank

I want to keep Lps and softies maybe a clown or a small wrass, def a firefish and a goby of some kind

I might do a monti cap if I think I have the room for one to really grow out. Dont really care to keep SPS at this time. I want lots of movement in the tank


I think that's where I am headed with my Finnex. SPS is nice but I realy like the movement of some softies, clams etc. Plus the big female Maroon likes rearranging my SPS!

I want to keep Lps and softies maybe a clown or a small wrass, def a firefish and a goby of some kind

I might do a monti cap if I think I have the room for one to really grow out. Dont really care to keep SPS at this time. I want lots of movement in the tank

Sounds good. Are you sold on 12-18 gallons or can you move up to the Finnex or a larger Nanocube? I have heard good things about the Solana also.

I am going to have to stick to some thing smaller, it will have to sit on the desk in my room, and I still need time to do work on that desk.

i have a 12g aquapod and its great. everyone in one and compact. i have softies and a few LPS, a clown and a royal gamma and quite a few inverts. however i am constantly have to rearange some coral because its so packed and things are growing and stinging each other. ill need to sell some stuff or upgrade soon. i just dont have the money

I have a 12G eclipse that I just put in a Current 40W PC retro in the hood. I do a bi-weekly 50% water change since there is no skimmer, and I have kept Many things in it so far. Clowns, Anemones, and lots of softies. Curently I am redoing all of it since I moved everything into my 46G. You can find these new for 80 bucks. Get the light for like $100, and your done. I just throw a little filter pad and a little carbon in the filtration area...
This pic was earlier this year, and it was VERY dirty, from a move, and some neglect...
http://i100.photobucket.com/albums/m36/hondaguru/Tanks/DSC01123.jpg

Whoops, that is just a pic trying out some leds. Thats not the PC light...

I thinking about putting an all in one reef tank in my office. It has been years since I've had a tank. What do you guys think about the Red Sea Max 250 liter / 66 gallon Plug & Play Coral Reef System? If not, which system? I would like a system around that size.

i had all 3 set up at the same time. the aqua pod 12 ,the biocube 14,and the nanocube 12. biocube was my favorite for sure. it has a true wet dry filter and just worked the best imo. 2nd was the nanocube but the fans are a little loud.

I have a 29 biocube and love it. Comes with proper filtration and power compact lights if you would like to get back into corals. I beleive they sell a size 24 and 14 if you would like a smaller, but its not an overwhelming tank. (I tend to neglect water changes due to not having a water purifying unit, and the tanks water quality holds up wonderfully.)
Thats my 2c.

I would like to see some par numbers on the RSM130D.

I agree with MarkL. Out of the sizes you mention I think the biocube is my favorite.

There is a forum devoted to nano-cubes, you may be able to get some good info there.

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php

I've had a 12 gallon nano on my desk at work for several years now. It is very easy to maintain and is a constant source of conversation in the office.

Good luck!

Whirlwind

Here is another:

http://www.nanotank.com/

WW

I had a nanocube 24 in the past, and I would NOT recommend them. Their construction is pretty cheap.

If you are deciding between the aquapod, nanocube, and biocube, definitely go with the Oceanic Biocube. Their construction is superior. They also have some nice features like a water level indicator that the others don't have.

Has anyone tried a Red Sea Max system of any size?

I have a 14 gallon biocube and it has been a great tank!