Nothing is more striking than the beauty of crystal clear low iron rimless nano aquariums. The clean and modern look is very sophisticated. The combination of low iron glass and the rimless aquarium design makes your reef tank much more enjoyable.
The best rimless nano aquariums with low iron glass by category:
- Reef Tank All-In-One Style: Innovative Marine NUVO Fusion Pro 2 Series – Volume: 40 gallons
- Reef Tank External Sump Style: Fiji Cube External Overflow Rimless Nano Tank – Volume 32 Gallon
- Cuboid Nano Tank: Innovative Marine NUVO Fusion Pro 2 Nano – Volume: 10 gallons
- Budget Nano Tank: Landen Cube Low-Iron Rimless Aquarium – Volume: 23 gallons
Low iron rimless nano aquariums are more expensive than traditional aquariums. However, its money well spent for aquarists focused on seeing nothing between them and their reef tank.
Why buy a low-iron rimless aquarium?
You buy a low-iron rimless aquarium for a couple of reasons. First, low iron glass is much clearer than clear glass. Being able to view what is inside your nano reef tank is the whole idea.
Secondly, having less iron than clear glass removes the glass’s greenish tint and makes colors viewed through the low iron glass more accurate to the actual fish and coral colors in your aquarium. The greenish tint would show up very easily in a rimless aquarium because the ‘raw’ edges of the glass are in view and not covered with black plastic.
So if low iron is good – why not ‘no iron?’ It turns out that iron is necessary for glass production and keeps the glass from being too soft. If you think back to your school days – remember glass has liquid-like properties.
Why is low iron glass better than acrylic?
Acrylic is clearer than typical aquarium glass, without a doubt. Even low iron glass can’t quite touch it.
However, scratch resistance is the big advantage of low iron glass over acrylic. The slightest touch can cause mico-scratches.
The fact that acrylic scratches so easily makes routine maintenance difficult. Removing algae from the inside surfaces requires special algae scrapers to avoid damaging your tank.
Sand designed for nano reef tanks, live rock, equipment, and some corals will scratch acrylic surfaces.
Low iron glass solves the damage problem. Virtually as clear but better designed for actual reef tank operation.
Low Iron Rimless Nano Aquariums
Don’t forget about the rimless portion of the equation! All that black plastic removed from the top of your tank gives you a clear, unobstructed view of your tank’s inhabitants. It also gives your tank a much cleaner and more modern appearance.
Here is the detailed information on the best low iron rimless aquariums:
Reef Aquarium: All-in-one style (integral sump)
- Rimless Innovative Marine NUVO Fusion Pro 2 Series – Volume: 40 gallons
- The rear sump hides filtration, heater, protein skimmer, etc. (pump filter and more included!)
- Shape provides a great swimming area to promote fish health.
- Just deep enough to allow aquascaping and coral placement
- The mesh screen top is included.
- A great low iron rimless aquarium for under $600.00
- Buy from the IM store on Amazon.com
Innovative Marine NUVO Fusion 40L Pro Rimless
The IM NUVO Fusion 30L Pro is a panorama-style rimless aquarium with great features.
Thirty-six inches of unobstructed viewing allows you to create panoramic aquascapes to your heart’s desire. IM merged the premium features of their full-size aquariums with the customizable filtration system of their NUVOs.
This blend gives you 10-15% more room for aquascaping, the highest clarity viewing with low iron glass, a screen lid that removes excess heat and provides maximum light penetration, and the cleanest and clearest water possible.
NUVO Fusion 40L Pro Aquarium Details:
- Volume: 40 gallons
- Outside Dimensions: Length 35.4″ Width: 19.7″ Height: 13″
- Display Dimensions: Length 34.79″ Width: 16″ Height: 12.99″
- Low Iron Glass-Beveled and Polished Edges
- Glass Thickness: 8mm
- Built-in Acrylic Overflow Wall
NUVO Fusion 40L Pro Bundle includes:
- Innovative Marine NUVO 30L Fusion Aquarium
- Desktop MightyJet 528 GPH DC Return Pump w/ Controller
- Equipped with Flexible hose, Return Elbow, and Directional Flow Nozzle
- Mesh Screen Pro Lid
- Pre-Installed Rubber Leveling Mat
- Micromag Magnetic Glass Cleaner
- Removable 200 Micron Filter Sock
- Midsize CustomCaddy Media Basket w/ PurityPack Filter Media
- Purity Pack = 2x Mechanical Fiberball, 2x Premium 0.8 ROX Carbon Pack, and 2x High Capacity Coarse GFO Pack
NUVO Fusion 40L Pro Bundle:
AIO (All-in-One) low iron rimless nano aquarium
The nano tank AIO – or nano tank all in one – is an aquarium with a display area and a separate sump area within the same aquarium walls.
The best feature of the nano tank all-in-one model is placing all the equipment into the AIO sump portion. This is preferred to hanging within the display area or off the tank.
An internal AIO sump is a great solution for nano reef tanks, but nothing compared to having an external sump’s flexibility and benefit if you have the room!
Nano Reef Adviser
Hiding the equipment in the internal sump keeps it from ‘spoiling the view.’ It also saves valuable real estate within the display area.
Keeping the look clean and uncluttered in a small aquarium is a challenge that the all-in-ones are happy to help conquer. Low iron rimless nano aquariums like the NUVO Fusion 40L make solid nano reef tanks.
Rimless Reef Aquarium: External sump
- Fiji Cube External Overflow Rimless Nano Tank – 32 Gallon
- External overflow allows the addition of an external sump for the best reef tank stability.
- Shape provides a great swimming area to promote fish health.
- Deep enough to allow ample aquascaping and coral placement
- It does not include an external sump or plumbing.
- Buy at less than $575 from Fiji Aquariums
Rimless Fiji Cube External Overflow
Like the IM NUVO Fusion 30L Pro, the Micro 30L low iron rimless nano aquarium is a panorama-style aquarium with great features.
Thirty-six inches of unobstructed viewing allows you to create panoramic aquascapes to your heart’s desire. IM merged the premium features of their full-size aquariums with the customizable filtration system of their NUVOs.
The external overflow design unites beauty with purpose, taking a page from the tried and true Herbie-style drain system. The dual drains work in tandem, reducing noise and preventing accidental spillage and blockage. The Herbie-style drain creates silence, safety, and redundancy.
Fiji Cube External Overflow Aquarium Details
- Dims: 36″x15″x13″
- Ext. Overflow Dims: 7.9″x3.5″x5.9″
- Laser Cut Black Acrylic Weir, Black Silicone
- (1) Pre-drilled 3/4″ Bulkhead Return Hole
- (2) Pre-Drilled 1″ Drain Holes
- Silent & Safe Herbie Style
- 8mm Ultra Thick High Clarity Low Iron Glass
- Pre-Installed Rubber Leveling Mat
- Overflow Plumbing Kit Included
Fiji Cube External Overflow Sump Capability
The Micro 30L EXT is an Innovative Marine first. It’s one of their first to incorporate an all-glass overflow with a “Herbie” safety drain system, and it’s the first that allows 100% room for unobtrusive aquascaping.
This tank allows you to have an EXTERNAL sump and the main display tank.
Cuboid Nano Rimless Aquarium:
- Innovative Marine NUVO Fusion Pro 2 Nano – 10 gallons
- The rear sump hides filtration, heater, etc. (pump, filter, and more included)
- The cube shape is modern and compact for tight places.
- The mesh screen top is included.
- Priced under $200.00 and ships free!
Innovative Marine NUVO Fusion Pro 2 Nano
This low iron rimless nano aquarium has everything you need in a nano tank. It is the most advanced aquarium in its class.
NUVO Fusion Pro 2 Details
- Volume: 10 gallons
- Outside Dimensions: Length 11.8” Width: 15” Height: 13”
- Display Dimensions: Length 11.8” Width: 11.8” Height: 13”
- Low Iron Glass-Beveled and Polished Edges
- Glass Thickness: 6mm
- Built-in Acrylic Overflow Wall
NUVO Fusion Pro 2 10-Gallons:
Budget Rimless Nano Aquarium: Simple Glass box
- Landen Cube Low-Iron Rimless Aquarium – Volume: 23 gallons
- Lot of water volume for the price
- 90.92% glass clarity
- Requires HOB (hang on the back) equipment due to no provision for an internal or external sump
- Priced under $170.00 for a low iron rimless 20+ gallon tank! Check the Price
Landen Cube Low-Iron Rimless Details
- Dimensions L x W x H: 17.8″ x 17.8″ x 17.8″
- Volume: 23 Gallons
- Glass Thickness: 6mm
Landen Cube Low-Iron Rimless Aquarium Features
- Low-iron glass
- Handcrafted Quality
- Individually leak-tested and inspected
- Polished edges
Landen Cube Low-Iron Rimless
Drawbacks to the Landen Cube
There is nothing wrong with the Landen Cube that isn’t ‘wrong’ with all glass boxes. There is no sump space!
The all-in-one (AIO) tanks have an internal sump behind the display area. Despite being small, they still provide areas to hide equipment, filtration, etc., from view. The tanks with built-in overflows are ready to go for external sumps.
This means you must hang your aquarium equipment off the back (HOB) of the tank. While this can be accomplished easily, it is aesthetically unpleasing for many. That’s the thing with budget builds. You have to give up a little to save a little.
You do have the option to add an external sump with the addition of a HOB overflow. However, these can be problematic and lead to your tank overflowing if things go wrong.
If you aren’t into DIY, you may want to select an AIO tank or one with an external overflow built-in.
Additional information:
Check out our post to learn more about what makes a good nano tank size and shape.
Also, read my recent post to learn how to easily create a low-maintenance reef tank.
The early portion of the video below provides some great comparisons between acrylic, low iron glass, and regular glass.