JBJ 12g NanoCube DX - Decent?

[tanglovers]

Hi All,

I have toyed around with the idea of getting a nano cube for quite some time. I have heard they can need a fair amount of modding which I am fine with.

I might be getting a brand new JBJ 12g DX with the stand in a trade for some of my corals.

My main question, is this a decent starter tank? I am planning on modding the lighting, either adding LEDs or the 3x24w kit from nanotuners. I also know the pump should be upgraded.

My goal for the tank. To house/growout a super small pair of tank raised nigripes clowns I have (3/4" currently) and house my numerous ricordias in (not yumas, floridas).

What are you opinions on this?

Scott

 

[BradsOcean]

I have a jbj 12g DX. YOu wont NEED any mods for just rics. The stock lighting is sufficient for Ricordeas. The stock pump is fine for ricordeas. But, if you're like me, you'll say you are just gonna stock that and then you'll end up with a huge amount of mixed corals.

In my tank, i have the sunpod 70w HQI
Modded refugium in the rear chamber
MJ 1200 for the return pump
Hydor Flo (for random flow...its my favorite cheap mod)
jbj surface skimmer (pretty cheap and good addition)

make sure you take out the bioballs and rings it comes with

any more questions, let me know

 

[tanglovers]

I do like the idea of a 70w halide. It will be mostly softies, few LPS and possibly a clam or two if the lighting will handle it. I have all these things in various other reef tanks in the house already.

I want a stock looking nano, no clamp on or pendant type light.

Is the nanotuners 70w with 2x18w PC one of the better setups for this? Seems a little pricey at the $340 or whatever it is right now.

Any suggestions would be great.

 

[BradsOcean]

Mine isn't the ugly looking clamp lighting...its a Current USA Sunpod....
it looks like this

 

[BradsOcean]

oh sorry, idk any halides built into the hood...i never really looked but i haven't seen one. I was surprised at how good the sunpod looks

 

[BradsOcean]

plus, i've noticed with the open top now, i get better gas exchange, and the pH seems to drop a LOT less

 

[bhanson]

Do you all leave those sponges in that comes with the nanocube. They seem like they would be nitrate factories.

 

[BradsOcean]

yeah, i use 2 of them (i think they come with 3)...
THey arent a nitrate factory if you clean them out every week, which i do.

 

[Gator Pit]

OK, first post, ever.

I too have the 12g JBJ. Mods are...
1st chamber-sponges out, replaced with live rock rubble and 75w heater
2nd chamber- refugium mod with macro algae and 12w light
3rd chamber- return pump mini-jet 606 with hydor flo

Found all this on this board. Great place for info.

I plan to make it an anemone/clownfish tank. Theoretically, it can be done with the stock lighting, so any soft corals should be fine.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1432839&perpage=25&pagenumber=1

Soooo...my question to you 12g JBJers is what temps you are running during the day with the lights on. Mine runs @ 82, which is a tad high for my liking. Any advise, besides adding a chiller?

Thanks!

 

[timschmidt]

I actually house rics (floridas, not yumas! LOL) in my nanocube 12G DX with only a few minor mods. Surface skimmer, I only use one sponge at a time so I can rotate with the sponges instead of having to clean them ALL the time. In the second chamber I picked up the LED refuge light from nanotuners (or nanocustoms, I forget) and in the last I have a the stock pump). I am thinking I want another pump just to give a more random current flow though.

I am toying with adding in a 70w MH but I'm not sure how the heat would be. (I just got a brinks security light and used a 70w MH ballast to get this going.