The SHU

(54 customer reviews)

$85.99$165.99

SHU = Security Housing Unit (solitary confinement).  Solitary confinement is a form of imprisonment in which an incarcerated person lives in a single cell with little or no contact with other people.

Description

SHU = Security Housing Unit (solitary confinement).  Solitary confinement is a form of imprisonment in which an incarcerated person lives in a single cell with little or no contact with other people.

Simply put…. THE BEST multi-purpose aquatics container can be used for – anemones, mushrooms, acclimating new livestock, putting naughty livestock in time out, holding livestock for sale, etc. Why is The SHU™ better than other acclimation boxes?

• Magnets are now on the same side as the hinges.  This make is easier to open the lid on eurobraced and trimmed tank!

• Super powerful neodymium magnets can hold on 1/2″+ glass or acrylic (see details below). Other brands use suction cups which pop off easily. The magnets are encapsulated in acrylic, making them waterproof!  Please visit the magnet warning page for more information on these magnets.

• High quality acrylic hinges and snapping latches. These heavy duty hinges and latches were made for longevity.

• Bottom piece available in clear, white or black.

• Optional, removable dividers.

• Hand made in the U.S.A!

• 4″ tall is more convenient for anemones and corals.

The SHU™ comes in these sizes (inmates):

“The Beecher” (6” x 4” x 4”)
“The O’Reily” (10” x 6” x 6”)
“The O’Reily Short” (10″ x 6″ x 4″)
“The Schillinger” (14” x 6” x 6”)
“The Schillinger Short” (14″ x 6″ x 4″)

*** PLEASE NOTE: THIS ITEM SOMETIMES EXPERIENCES EXTENDED FABRICATION TIMES.  ORDER IN PLENTY OF TIME!***

 

I use N52 neodymium magnets. Rare earth magnets are not reef safe on their own, so I fabricate custom acrylic pods that encapsulate the magnets and keep them away from your water. Please visit the magnet warning page for more information on these magnets.

 

My products are made to order, custom! Please allow up to 10 business days for fabrication time for most products. Because my products are made to order, fulfillment time can rarely take longer. Full custom orders can take up to four weeks to complete. Please let me know ahead of time if this may be an issue. Shipping prices listed are to the contiguous U.S. Please contact me if you live elsewhere and want a shipping quote. Because my products are handmade and/or hand assembled, there may be small irregularities (fingerprints, marring, hair, etc) which will not effect the performance of your product.

Plastics are fragile which can break and scratch easily. Always handle with care. Surface can be cleaned with a very diluted soapy water mixture and a soft microfiber cloth.

This product is warranted to be free of defects for the lifetime of the product. We will, at my discretion, repair or replace your product at no charge during this period (See the Warranty page for more info.)

Additional information

Inmate

Schillinger (14” x 6” x 6”), Schillinger Short (14" x 6" x 4"), O’Reily (10” x 6” x 6”), O'Reily Short (10" x 6" x 4"), Beecher (6” x 4” x 4”)

Tank Thickness

Up to 1/2”, Up to 3/4”

Bottom

Clear, Black, White

Dividers

0, 1, 2

Slots In The Front

No, Yes

54 reviews for The SHU

  1. Jason Barnard (verified owner)

    I recently ordered the O’Reily Short and could not be happier with the product. The SHU was made extremely well and the magnets have no issue at all holding the box firmly against the glass. The hinged top secures tightly when closed and will not open without a good bit of force. My box came with one divider and it fits perfectly into the slot made for it inside the box. The slots cut into the box allow water flow to move throughout the box easily. The only thing I had to do for mine was turn up my MP10 on the side where I placed the box so the waterflow was adequate for the coral (Torch) I placed inside. Unless you are running a high water flow tank like a SPS dominant tank, you will probably have to crank up the flow a bit. The other thing I really liked about this product is the acrylic is clear all the way around so it does not block the light or shade any part of your tank. This is probably the best quality and well designed box I have seen or owned, and I highly recommend the product.

  2. Tony M. (verified owner)

    Well made and quick customer support reply.

  3. Johnny (verified owner)

    Top notch work, and ships out products fast! I will order again!

  4. Josh Vaisman (verified owner)

    This is EXACTLY what I was looking for! Matt was awesome to work with – quick to reply, super helpful in customizing the piece to meet my needs, and the bang for the buck can’t be beat. The final product is stellar….I’ve already used this to acclimate 3 fish and believe I’ll have this box for life. Great work! Would gladly recommend Octo Aquatics to anyone (already have) and fully plan to use it as my go-to moving forward.

  5. Todd Smith (verified owner)

    The magnets work well on my 155 bowfront. It’s a good product.

  6. Marquette Chester (verified owner)

    Excellent product that provides the flexibility to acclimate and at times, isolate, valued pets into an environment that will allow them to be familiar with their future tank mates and the mates in the tank to become familiar with them. I tend to release after a couple of days always releasing in the middle of the night. After 2 years with multiple units, I’ve had no aggression issues. Fingers crossed the happy community continues!!!!

  7. Jesse A. (verified owner)

    Great product, love the magnets. The only thing I would change is the side the hinge is on for the lid. I love it!

  8. Dan (verified owner)

    Works like a charm!

  9. Dan (verified owner)

    Works like a charm

  10. Chuck D. (verified owner)

    A VERY high quality product. Would purchase again

  11. Robby (verified owner)

    Great design, and worked perfectly for introducing my flame wrasse and personatus angelfish to the established wrasse and angels.

  12. Mark Nehler (verified owner)

    Works perfectly. Currently have blue star leopard wrasse in the box and established leopard and pintail are acting aggressive towards it. Day one is working out fine.

  13. John E. (verified owner)

    The Shu feels sturdy and appears well built. I haven’t tried it in a tank yet, but I have confidence it will work as expected. The lid snaps shut securely. The magnets are very strong so heed the warnings! There’s no chance this will slide in the tank.

  14. James H. (verified owner)

    A smooth transaction from ordering to delivery, and I used it the same day it arrived for my Purple Tang, to transfer him from one tank to another and make sure everyone would “play nice.” I wish I would have purchased it many years ago— but I will not have to wish anymore. Recommended.

  15. Tyler Watanabe-Noguera (verified owner)

    Excellent craftsmanship, Magnets work well on my 1/2 inch thick glass. I have a Fiji cube 108 and wanted to make sure new inhabitants got to meet their neighbors first. Very happy with the product. I am not worried about the magnets rusting as they appear to be encapsulated quite well.

  16. Lawrence H. (verified owner)

    This is a great product. Works perfectly and the quality is top notch. Matt’s customer service is also fantastic. Would recommend.

  17. Arin (verified owner)

    After looking for a mushroom box for a while I finally found the SHU and I’m glad it did. Great size (you get to pick), super sturdy, the magnet holds really well. No complaints at all. Really glad I bought it

  18. Jim C. (verified owner)

    Look. When this guy makes something. It’s no joke. Top notch stuff

  19. Anonymous (verified owner)

  20. Kimberly (verified owner)

    Excellent quality & it looks nice in your tank, too!

  21. Robert S. (verified owner)

    Best acrylic guy in the industry! I’ll never worry about magnet rust with this box

  22. Romain Favier (verified owner)

    Great product, solid and functional!

  23. Adam B. (verified owner)

    Great box for adding new fish to an existing tank. This is well built and feels sturdy for how fragile the box is. The magnets are strong on my tank with 1/2″ glass.

  24. Micheline (verified owner)

    This is my second SHU and i love it! Have bought a lot of different nem boxes from different vendors but Matt’s product is by far the best in quality. I speak from experience.

  25. Gerard (verified owner)

    Very well made piece of kit. Never disappointed when ordering from Octo Aquatics!

  26. Roberto R. (verified owner)

    Great product! Fast shipping! And great customer service. I love the single magnet to move the box around easily and the convenience of opening the top even with euro braced tanks.

  27. David D. (verified owner)

    First 1 came damaged Matt communicated stood behind it new one no questions asked ! Great quality ! I’ll be back !

  28. Brandon P. (verified owner)

    Awesome product, no complaints at all. very quick shipping !!

  29. Garrett G. (verified owner)

    Love my anemone box! Super strong magnet and built well. Matt went above and beyond making sure my order arrived quickly and in perfect condition.

  30. daniel I. (verified owner)

    Great. Is crystal clear, clean cut, has a locking lid and strong magnet. A world of difference vs cheaper isolation boxes.

  31. Jeremy McCrarey (verified owner)

    Amazing box and customer service!

  32. Ann Marie Spinella (verified owner)

    It’s like a work of art. It’s solid & very well made! It far exceeded my expectations!

  33. David R. (verified owner)

    I like the size of it and it is very well built

  34. Anonymous (verified owner)

    WOW that magnet is strong! meticulously crafted!

  35. Kyle S. (verified owner)

    Best bang for your bucks ! Can’t find a bigger and more solid acclimation box than this.

  36. David Holbrook (verified owner)

    Great quality

  37. Mark Nehler (verified owner)

    This is my third container I have had fabricated. One I use to introduce new fish. The other two are my chaeto reactors for each refugium. The all work great. Easy to clean. Magnets work perfectly to keep them in place.

  38. Jill W. (verified owner)

    Perfect for keeping my BTAs where everyone is happy. They stay put and they look better than ever since I can place them with the flow & lighting that keeps them happy.

  39. Richard (verified owner)

    Super easy to work with and high quality box. Shipped very well and would order from him again for sure.

  40. Joseph Emm (verified owner)

    Perfect Craftmanship. Clean cuts, no jagged edges, crystal clear, and best of all a barrier between new fish and mean old ones!

  41. Bryan S. (verified owner)

  42. Ernest (verified owner)

    I purchased the O’Reilly 10x6X6, which is definitely high quality, as shown in the picture, and I have no regrets about buying it. I have it in my tank and am just waiting for the new fish to arrive. I plan to purchase some other products as well. The unit was packaged nicely, and no assembly was needed. The Shu is a keeper for long-term use.

  43. Justin (verified owner)

  44. Olesya D. (verified owner)

    Love the fish trap high quality beautiful craftsmanship ❤️ ordered custom ato reservoir.

  45. philip (verified owner)

    Best on the market and it’s not close

  46. Jake P. (verified owner)

    Great design, very sturdy and love the extra vent slots

  47. Tyler J. (verified owner)

    Very clean, good precision cuts. Overall very happy with this.

  48. Sam L. (verified owner)

    It’s perfect! Exactly what I need!

  49. Sheridan B. (verified owner)

    Great quality, easily stays put on my tank’s 3/4” thick glass.

  50. melinda schrock (verified owner)

    Awesome clear box. Magnets work well.

  51. Verified Buyer (verified owner)

    Really happy with the purchase. Very well made. Magnet works great on my half inch glass.

  52. Jarett S. (verified owner)

    Definitely a great investment for acclimating new fish to your tank. Used it recently to with my acrylic tank and it works great!

  53. Shawn (verified owner)

    Amazing craftsman ship. You wont be disappointed. Only took a few weeks to get. Works perfectly.

  54. Anonymous (verified owner)

    Great product, made introducing new fish a breeze

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