biocube 12g vs @29g long

Hello I am building a 29g tank but I recently found a 12 gallon biocube full of live rock, sand, stand, and a clownfish. That deal was for 100 $. I am Trying to put together a 29g long tank and I planned that out to be about 200-300$. I really only want clownfish and the biocube looks to be the perfect setup! I am just wanting your opinion on the subject. So what I am asking is that is a 12 gallon tank too small? I am a beginner by the way. I was reading some reviews on the biocube and they said it had a tight seal so very little water evaperates. The biocube is called the biocube 14. btw.
-Thanks!

 

Get the largest tank you can, you and your fish will thank you in the long run. Smaller tanks means less stability and more maintanence. IMO, 14 is too small for a salt water tank, 29 is the smallest tank I would go with unless it is a QT tank or some kind of a specialty seahorse tank or something. The 29 gallon bio cube is a nice size, that would be alright for what you are wanting to do.

 

Even for a fully cycled and stocked tank? (the biocube) For $100?

 

In my opinion, the more water volume you have to work with, the more stable ph, salinity, alkalinity, calcium, magnesium etc. tends to be. With saltwater tanks, you want to have some margin of error in case the unexpected happens. The 14 gallon might be great until a fish dies then you get an ammonia spike because you have so little live rock and hence so little bacteria that can handle a large outbreak of ammonia. Similarly, you have little to no room for any kind of a refugium unless you have an external or h.o.b refugium so your excess nutrients will also accumulate as well leading to algae outbreaks. If you have the means get the 29 gallon, if you want a quick, cheap fix that will cost you in the long run get the 14 gallon. I have not heard of very much success on salt water tanks smaller than 29 gallon. Of course, there are some people that will reply with their own success stories and that is great, good for them! IMO the bigger the better when dealing with water volume in salt water aquariums.

 

i have a 6 gallon fluval edge that had 2 clowns in it for over a year. as long as you do weekly water changed, and daily top off. you will be fine.

 

Thanks!

 

I'd try the 14 gallon as well. There is a smaller margin for error, but as Toal mentioned, as long as you keep up on things and don't overload them with fish, you should be fine.

I realize the smaller all-inclusive setups are more limited, but I envy the simplicity of them.

If there are problems you can probably get rid of it for what you paid for it. Just make sure that it is a decent system and includes the basics.

Rick

 

And when u water change syphon all the crap off the sand and rock. And maybe a little filter or a skimmer if you can get it in there would be best.

 

Thank you for all the help!

 

any time pico tanks can be great but just make sure you keep an eye on it. as started they can become very unstable if you slack on maintenance. and i wouldnt put more then 2-3 fish in there. and a few hermits and/or snails