12 Gallon freshwater cube tank

Purchased a 12 gallon "Cube Master" 'nano' tank for $80 which arrived Tuesday (July 17th- two days ago). Was seriously considering a mini-reef set-up, but after researching a little, I decided there wasn't enough types of saltwater fish that would be comfortable in a tank that small. If I'm going invest the time, effort and money in to a Saltwater set-up, I want a few more choices of the kinds of fish I want to keep. So I decided to use the tank for a Dwarf Puffer species only tank- heavily planted.



Currently doing a fishless cycle using filter media from other cycled tanks and bloodworms as ammonia bait. This morning (July 19th) my readings were at: Ammonia = 2.5; Nitrite= 0.25; Nitrate=between 40 and 80. Did a 50% WC this morning after testing. Hopefully I can get rid of that bad bacteria and get the nitrate down to 20 before Friday evening so I can get my puffers... gets boring staring at an empty tank.




Here's a pic I took last night after a trip to PetSmart for a few more plants.

 

You are so lucky I really want a 24 gallon Nano Cube but they are so expensive! Agh. Have to save up my money I also want to do a saltwater tank. Yours looks great already and those puffers you talk about getting are adorable post pictures when you have them!! :] Best of luck

 

OMG, you only paid 80 USD for that! You're so lucky. Well done on your steal.

 

Cool tank!

 

OMG, you only paid 80 USD for that! You're so lucky. Well done on your steal.

Yeah, it's great little set-up for the price. Incidentally, I got it from eBay... the seller had at least 8 or 9 more for the same price (Buy-It-Now) including a 100W heater and a magnetic algae scraper- which it really needs... the tank is definitely an algae-making machine. Search eBay for "12 gal Cube Master Aquarium" and you should be able to find it. Sellers ID was ivy2064 (I think).
Great deal, though. Lots of light- two 8-watt white bulbs, an 8 watt blue bulb, and a really cool looking moonlight. Self-contained filter system seems to be really good- 3 white sponges, a big black sponge after that, then a carbon bag after that. I'd definitely recommend the tank to anyone. Probably doesn't ship to Europe, though. :-\

Cool tank!

Thanks. I love it!

Got two Dwarf Puffers the other day, plus I added three Bumblebee Gobies from my other tank. So far they all seem to get along great and are loving their new home. As soon as my batteries are done charging, I'll take some pics and try to post them later on tonight.

 

A few pics of the Puffers enjoying their new digs...

 

Adorable! And agreed... wicked cool tank.

I wanted to do the same thing.. I don't have the space or the money for a really good Saltwater setup so I want a little d.puffer tank! How are you liking it?

 

Adorable! And agreed... wicked cool tank.

I wanted to do the same thing.. I don't have the space or the money for a really good Saltwater setup so I want a little d.puffer tank! How are you liking it?

I love it! Dwarf Puffers are such cool little guys. At first I was kinda worried because they wouldn't eat for like the first three days, but they finally settled down a bit and are starting to nibble on bloodworms. I'm really glad I had the gobies in there to munch on the worms the puffers wouldn't eat. And Dwarf Puffers definitely love the plants to hide in. Sometimes it takes me a while to find them. They're pretty good hiders Their favorite plant is the one in the bottom pic... they just kind of nestle in under a curled leaf and hide out.

 

Yeah, it's great little set-up for the price. Incidentally, I got it from eBay... the seller had at least 8 or 9 more for the same price (Buy-It-Now) including a 100W heater and a magnetic algae scraper- which it really needs... the tank is definitely an algae-making machine. Search eBay for "12 gal Cube Master Aquarium" and you should be able to find it. Sellers ID was ivy2064 (I think).
Great deal, though. Lots of light- two 8-watt white bulbs, an 8 watt blue bulb, and a really cool looking moonlight. Self-contained filter system seems to be really good- 3 white sponges, a big black sponge after that, then a carbon bag after that. I'd definitely recommend the tank to anyone. Probably doesn't ship to Europe, though. :-\

Thanks for the info, SickLid. Unfortunately am not allowed another tank quite yet. In the process of negociating, though!

 

wow $80 for that that's a good bit of cash I would say so my self. the 55gal kits are only $150 and that has light filter and heater all you wuold need is gravel fish plants and a few rocks to start with.

 

wow $80 for that that's a good bit of cash I would say so my self. the 55gal kits are only $150 and that has light filter and heater all you wuold need is gravel fish plants and a few rocks to start with.

$80 is cheap. Comparable tanks go for as much as $200 or more. Seamless glass tanks are kinda pricey.

I added a third dwarf puffer. All fish are doing great and seem to absolutely love the tank...

The lights that came with the tank coupled with a substrate made for planted tanks made this tank turn into a jungle. I can barely find the fish any more. But it looks great and I couldn't be happier with this tank/set-up.