Custom Nano Tank vs Dymax iQ5

**qngwn** · 20th May 2012, 20:05

Hi All,

I'm back to this forums after selling off my 3feet tank setup, and finishing my exams.

Shall keep it to a nano tank, so that i will still be able to manage when my exams come round again.

So i'm having some trouble deciding on whether if i should get a custom nano tank, with a HOB, or just get a dymax iQ5 with internal IOS?

hope to have some advice and opinions here.

Thanks in advance!

**b0r3db3ar** · 20th May 2012, 21:45

hi qngwn, ill go for a customized tank. it really isn't that expensive compared to the ones you get off the shelves and you can make one that fits your needs. not to mention you can opt to choose your own filtration method. if you need a recommendation on a tank maker, try yonghua. i'm no means related to yonghua, but search around for his contact, he's from malaysia and he treats all customers well. ordered fish tanks from him ranging from 1.5ft - 3ft. no customer is too 'small' for him, hence i'm really impressed by him and his products.

**mincedmeat** · 21st May 2012, 08:49

I would say custom.

**diazman** · 21st May 2012, 16:17

Custom is better. Besides the IQ5 is overpriced IMO. Used to own one, till i got sick of topping up its IOS due to the frequent dry ups. To make things worse, the acrylic scratches way too easily

**qngwn** · 21st May 2012, 19:09

Originally Posted by diazman

Custom is better. Besides the IQ5 is overpriced IMO. Used to own one, till i got sick of topping up its IOS due to the frequent dry ups. To make things worse, the acrylic scratches way too easily

true that iQ5 is kinda overpriced.. water drys out very fast? is it also due to the fact that you cannot top it up with too much water?

see from your sig that you have a nano customed tank as well. what kinda lights you use? DIY? or LED?

**deltarun1** · 21st May 2012, 23:41

i prefer custom tank.
you can switch and change your equipment as required.

**mincedmeat** · 22nd May 2012, 08:30

Originally Posted by qngwn

true that iQ5 is kinda overpriced.. water drys out very fast? is it also due to the fact that you cannot top it up with too much water?

see from your sig that you have a nano customed tank as well. what kinda lights you use? DIY? or LED?

Don't think he has a nano custom - GEX tanks are easily available at most LFS these days. I personally have a couple running, just to suit my cravings for different types of livestock.

**diazman** · 22nd May 2012, 08:38

Yup, the IOS compartment (the last part where the small pump pumps water back into the tank) dries out every 4-5 days. Once you hear the motor humming, you need to top up water at the IOS. Probably because the last time i had the IQ5, i had a small fan over it, and I netted the intake to prevent shrimps from getting inside the IOS, hence restricting intake flow.

You cant top up too much water, or the IOS will flood. Must maintain water near the intake level

My tank isnt that customed

just get those cheap GEX tanks. For the light wise, i use those E27 with clip bulb. Basically, i was looking for a cheap alternative to light up the tank. IMO the DIY light did quite well. I was able to grow my mosses and ferns in my shrimp setup at a decent growth rate. Now i just fit it with a 3 watts energy efficient to light up my blackwater tank setup

The picture can be found here: http://www.aquaticquotient.com/forum...664#post663664

**qngwn** · 24th May 2012, 15:17

Hi all,

good news/ bad news.

I've decided to restart this hooby after many months with a dymax iQ5.
got a bro here selling me at a decent price, with many FOC stuff, so was thinking that it would be a good way for me to kickstart this hobby from scratch again.
However what he gave me for the iQ5 wasnt what it had inside the original package.
It did not have any of the ceramic media, activated carbon, as well as fine filter pad.
Ceramic media and fine filter pad is a must, but would activated carbon be necessary?

Also, i was thinkingg of setting up a nano iwagumi, kinda far fetch, but i guess it will just give it a try.
Was thinking if CO2 injection would be necessary, since it's IOS and it would most probably render the injection useless, or keep the effect to a minimum anyway..
Plants wise, would have no idea, cos from some research that glosso requires quite an amount of light to grow.
Using the given ZON LED Light, would it be possible if i carpet the base with glosso?

Thanks in advance!

**diazman** · 24th May 2012, 16:56

The ceramic media and the pad is important, the activated carbon isn't. Reason being, Activated carbons only last for a month or so, until they reach their absorption limit, so you can ignore that

The ZON light wise, when I had the IQ5, I ditched the lighting and went for a Kenis PL clip on light. I find the ZON isn't that suitable for plants (to me atleast)

**deltarun1** · 24th May 2012, 19:13

Yup agree with activated carbon being not that useful. I bought an aqua clear and intend to replace the default activated carbon with mr aqua ceramic rings to increase the bio filtration capacity.

**qngwn** · 28th May 2012, 10:55

Dear all!

Have got a iQ5 from a bro in the forums here at a relatively cheaper price.
getting it due to space and aestectic issues ><

i have just started setting up my tank yesterday.
will post pictures of it soon.

Please advise!
Thanks everyone for your input.. will consider a custom tank for my room (: