ideas on setting up a jbj 12 gallon nano cube

[adrian1011]

i just bought a jbj 12 gallon nano cube at a garage sale and was thinking of setting it up as a nano reef. Im looking for suggestions on how to set it up. it comes with a 2x24 compact florescent light. im planing on upgrading the pump to something with 150 to 200gph, buying a hydor rotating deflector and a surface skimmer attachment. i plant on mechanical filtration in the first chamber along with ecocomplete and maybe a refugium in the second and a protein skimmer in the third. any sugestions are welcome

 

[PaleHorse]

vinegar bath first.

rw4 jebao- flow

photon 16- lighting http://reefbreeders.com/shop/photon-16/

purigen,chemipure- filtration. skip the refugium. protein skimmer optional but would get one if dealing with a sps tank.

Go bare bottom. trust me.....

 

[Amatuer21]

I would put a kessil a150w on that, filter pad, floss, chemi-pure elite your good to go. Deff would skip the refugium in an AIO tank just because it can easily become a trap for unwanted detrius. You can do away with the skimmer if you choose, also depends on your budget and what you are looking to spend on your setup. Coral wise what are you planning on keeping?

 

[adrian1011]

Thanks for the info I plan on running a soft/lps coral tank. I have a couple questions. what are the benifits of barebottom other than being easier to clean. wouldnt the bacteria in the sand be good to have in the tank along with is buffering abilitys. Im going to be putting in a heater dose anyone have any sugestions im a fan of the ehime jager.

 

[Amatuer21]

I don't think ones tank benefits from anything with having a sanded. Its kind of more pleasing to the eye but doesn't necessarily hurt/help anything. Unless you have certain types of animals that like the sand or burrow in it. I would stick with the jager, has worked well for me.