25G Mr Aqua Rimless 18" Cube

[TRITON1]

So I some money burning a hole in my pocket and decieded to buy an aquarium. I love the look of the Elos tanks, but hate the price :thumbdown. I considered buying a glasscage rimless, but didn't want to deal with the hassel of picking it up off a truck or the uncertainty of the build quality. So then I saw the Mr. Aqua tanks at MarineDepot.com and decided to get one. I got the 18'' cube, rimless for less than $100 shipped to my door :inlove:. Blah, blah, blah, the tank came today here are some pics:

Big box - 24" cube to pack an 18'' cube.
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0453.jpg

Next to a 100lb puppy:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0452.jpg

Lots of these on it, hope they worked:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0454.jpg

Opening:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0455.jpg

[TRITON1]

Quality Control Inspector:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0456.jpg

Nicely packed, but did it break?
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0460.jpg

One Piece! :smokin:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0457.jpg

Freebies:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0459.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0458.jpg

Logo, worst part, put on crooked, but it pops off:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0462.jpg

All out - alot bigger than I thought!
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0461.jpg

Scale
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0473.jpg

[TRITON1]

Side:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0469.jpg

Nice seams - Very Clean Silicone
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0471.jpg

http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0467.jpg

Classic rimless shot:
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0466.jpg

Last one :celeb1::
http://i153.photobucket.com/albums/s221/jzrudderow/IMG_0468.jpg

I wasnt planning on setting this up right away, but that may all change now!
Overall, Im very impressed with the build quality, price, and attention to detail. Lets hope it holds water. :fish2:

[blindsider]

what are your plans with the tank? filtration? will you drill it? i have the same one, but the 12x12 and have not done much to it, i made an internal overflow box for it, just to stick a small return pump for circulation in it.

[Jadams]

These tanks look great! And for the price, you cant go wrong. I'll be tagging along for this one :D

[TRITON1]

I have 4 options for drilling:
1. Leave it alone - but I want a sump
2. Put a small traditional overflow box in the corner
3. Get a gl*******s overflow kit
4. Drill one bulkhead hole on the back panel, put a screen on it and set it up modified herbie style. Much like chingchai's large reef. I think this would be the cleanest look, but most risky.

My big concern is lighting. Not too many 18" fixtures out there. T5s are out
of the question. Leaning towards an aquamedic pendant or LEDS. I just wish they were cheaper.

[blindsider]

i was gonna drill as well with the intention of adding a GH overflow as well, but decided not to, good thing tanks are not tempered anywhere. good luck if your going to drill!

[cthedaytrader]

They say those tanks have high clarity glass, it looks a bit green in some of your pics, others it looks clear, how does the clairt look to you. Do you think it is low iron glass almost starfire or does it appear to have the green tint standard tanks have?

[TRITON1]

It's definately not Starphire glass. There is a obvious green tint from the side. Having said that, it still looks clear and is not a problem for me and for the price. This is my first rimless tank....it looks so fragile.:lol:

[juniorjose]

nice tank.

[oldreefer76]

Tagging Along

[Sinful Aquatics]

Nice tank. Keep us posted

[cbort]

very nice looking tank! I may have to look at one of those for my next cube!

[oldreefer76]

Is the bottom tempered?

[TRITON1]

All sides are supposed to be non tempered. Only one way to find our for sure though....:hammer:

[Spssteven]

I have an 18 cube not rimless wish I went that way. I have a 150 watt MH with a radium bulb one mine.
Have you thought of doing a triangle cornor overflow in the tank, I think itwould take up less room. Mine is a center overflow not best choice either.

[davidchmaus]

I drilled. No problems

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4338146676_05d67a4552.jpg

[blindsider]

dayam, kind of wish i drilled mine!

[Spssteven]

Clean nice job. Can't wait to see more.
What are you using for a sump?

[Bigjoe2531]

Nice drilling....I along for the ride..I love cubes. Will you build the stand. I've seen a few built cabinet style with 3/4 plywood. Elos stands look sleek, i think they use particleboard.

[TRITON1]

I plan on building the stand myself. I have some things coming up this week that will get in the way. Be prepared for a slow build.

I originally intended on just showing people how these tanks look, since when I searched for one, I couldnt find any reviews. Hopefully I convinced others to buy them, they are really nice tanks for the price.

[TRITON1]

Elos style stand for sure.

[Bigjoe2531]

Can't wait to see it...I'm planning a similar build in the near future..

[Fishbulb2]

Nice job! I drilled my 7.5g Mr. Aqua rimless too. Where did you get the overflow box for the back?

FB

[jmking33]

tagging along..nice so far

[Bigjoe2531]

Triton, you mentioned "the uncertanty of the build quality" with reference to glasscages..I thought of having them build me a cube...Are they not a good choice?

[Bonta]

Its a hit or miss with glass cages. Do a search and you'll learn alot.

[Tschupe]

Cool lookin tank for under 100. I'm taggin along

[cherubfish pair]

Drill Baby Drill !!!

[pazhope]

so? any updates?

[Lifted193]

I drilled. No problems

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4061/4338146676_05d67a4552.jpg

Good looking tank where did you get the overflow box?

[blindsider]

looks like a glass holes overflow box

[hk855]

I am thinking of getting one of these but need to drill the bottom, doing a custome zero edge style biotope and dont want an overflow. I see that thesides are drillabe but the bottom? Can possibly drill the sides but might just go custom acrylic if its not going to be possible/easy.

[FishNutty]

any updates on this tank?

[MPevine11]

wow nice tank!



but i love you carpet in the first pics! probaly random but i had to let you know :)

[Reeferon]

I am going to buy one of these!

Have you gotten it filled yet??

[Aegeon]

I am going to buy one of these!

Have you gotten it filled yet??

Yeah, any updates? My 25G Mr. Aqua cube build is still on hold until after our move, so I'm trying to live vicariously through other people's builds...