Orca Tl450 Vs D-d (jbj) 24 Gallon Nano

[Robbo851]

im looking into getting a nano marine tank and have narrowed it down to these (due to size and cost) what are the pros and cons of these, the dd seems not to have a skimmer, but i have heard the orcas one isnt very good, is it possible to fit a small cheap one on the dd ?
anything will be appreciated
cheers

 

[john.o]

I have the 24g D&D and cabinet with the full length door which is very useful for all your accessories {test kits refractometer ect}
I don’t think the Orca TL450 has a cabinet, the d&d also has 3 chambers opposed to 2 on the orca which gives you more options to convert the chambers . Most people seem to cut the black plastic off the back of the tank to expose chamber 2. They then put a small light behind the tank that stops on 24/7 and put cheto in the second chamber which helps nitrate and phosphate control {I wish I did this to my tank before it was full of water live rock ect and put up against a wall lol} you could also put a v2 nano skimmer in chamber 3 all though its not needed its a personal thing and you could put phosphate removers ect in chamber 1 if you wanted to. I also believe the lighting is better on the d&d which will let you keep better selection of corals
The only problems I have had with the d&d are………
I wish I had converted my 2nd chamber.
Had to drill some more holes in back of lid for extra power cables from pumps ect
And water flow -movement you will have to add a 2nd pump {you would also have to do this with the orca} some thing like a HYDOR KORALIA NANO or possibly even a HYDOR KORALIA 1 I have a koralia nano my self.
Apart from this the tank is very good and I would go for the d&d every time

Hope this helps
Suggestion I hope cottenj21 won’t mind
Try taking a look at cottenj21 post on Which Nano, decided to try my first marine
http/www.fishforums.net/content/Nano-Ree...353/Which-Nano/

 

[Robbo851]

thanks the dd seems to be winning, its also much larger right?
ok so firstly whats a cheto? and what media does the dd come with (if any) and what would you recomend putting in each chamber if the third has a skimmer in it

 

[john.o]

Hello the filter components on the 24g D&D are as follows…….

Chamber 1
Water intake grill
Mechanical sponges
Chamber2
Bio-balls / bag of activated carbon / bag of ceramic rings
Chamber3
266gph Return pump / heater

And cheatomorpa is a type of macroalgae
Macroalgaes work buy Photosynthesis and eat" nitrate and phosphate{hence the need for the light mod on chamber2}" -- things people attempt to remove from their aquarium in a variety of ways. Growing macroalgae will remove them naturally. As the macro grows it will remove these from the water. When you prune it and remove some from the system you are exporting these nutrients from the system!
Macroalgae attracts and harbors many types of critters. Some live in it and some eat it. These critters can benefit the system by being live food for the fish or create plankton to feed corals. They also tend to be scavengers cleaning debris and nuisance algae. Many fish eat macroalgae in the wild. And some fish need to eat a form of it as it provides the nutrients, vitamins and compounds that keep plant eating fish healthy. It boosts the immune system and can make these fish much more colorful and active!
With all the benefits you get from adding the cheato you can see why many off the more experienced guys on here will strongly recommend moding the 2nd chamber and adding cheato
Hope this helps

 

[cottonj21]

I don't mind you referencing my thread, I'm still waiting for my stand though.

So if you are ordering d-d with a stand check they actually have them in stock as apparently theres a supply shortage.

Very frustrated.
Tanks just arent the same when there sat empty on your front room floor for weeks.