12 gallon nano cube... not sure what to do

[doryarlin955]

I just got a 12 gallon nano cube delux (48 watts of 50/50 pc's + 2 moonlights) but I need some help figuring out what to do with the back chambers and what Ill keep in the tank. I would like to put chaeto in one chamber, and rubble and carbon in another, but I dont know if this is the best way and Im not sure how to light the chaeto chamber.
Im on a tight budget, and this is my first reef tank (I have had saltwater tanks since december but I haev been researching for a loooonnnngg time). I know I want softies and lps, but Im not sure which to choose, Im also not sure what I should choose for fish. For cleanup I was thinking about some nassarius snails and bluelegs but Im not sure what else.
I was also told I won't need a heater... is this true?

 

[Illuminati]

I keep a little bundle of chaeto in the display wedged between some rocks. Easy to keep it pruned and it gets light.

As for the back chambers use Chemi-pure over carbon in chamber 1. It comes in it's own mesh bag.
In the bottom of chamber 2 add a bag of purigen.
Put some filter floss above the chemi-pure in chamber 1 and add the heater to chamber 2.

Total BS about not needing a heater. You might not need it on during the day but the temp could really drop at night and in the winter. Get a 50W or 75W and put it on 78 degrees.

 

[Doglover_50]

near rochester I bet you have a reef club OR RC group and you could pick up things like MJ pump for cheap. Heater will be 15 bucks, and you WILL need one.

mostly concur with colin, but I keep puragen, etc... and carbon in chamber 1, rock rubble in chamber 2, and heater in chamber 3.

 

[Str8baller]

My chambers are as follows

Chamber1: filter sponge (came with the system) small bag of phosoban

Chamber2:chemi-pure and purigen

Chamber3: return pump (upgraded to maxi-jet 1200) and 50watt heater set at 78

 

[doryarlin955]

Thanks, Im guessing the phosban, chemi-pure, and purigen are all filter inserts for removing chemicals right? And if I upgraded the pump would I have to mod anything or will it just fit in on the tube?.

 

[Illuminati]

If you get a regular MaxiJet 900 it should fit, that seems to be the standard replacement.

Yep, they all help with disolved organic removal and keeping nitrates down. Chemi-pure also helps keep Ph in check and purigen keeps the water crystal clear.

I prefer Chemi-pure over carbon because it has a longer life (7 times longer I think).

I use phosban as well but wouldn't start with it, only start that if you get cyano (Red Slime Algae).

 

[doryarlin955]

I looked them up, and at first I think I will get either purigen or chemi-pure, but Im not sure which is better. I'll also try to find a mj 900 then.