JBJ 28 Gallon Nano Owners Club

[drifterstudios]

What is the in pump skimmer for this tank? And does it require modifying the hood? Mine is 4-5 years old PC lighting.... I looked around but want to see what people have the best experience with.

 

[ange062]

What is the in pump skimmer for this tank? And does it require modifying the hood? Mine is 4-5 years old PC lighting.... I looked around but want to see what people have the best experience with.

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2027481

 

[Gagonzalez]

I have a question on the pads people use in their basket. I have an In-Tank basket and was using the In-Tank Cut to fit Filter Pads for the last 2 months or so. They worked pretty well and were changed out daily. I just ran out, so I bought some new cut to fit pads from Dr Fosters and I got the Marineland Pads. Didn't know that is what they were since Dr Fosters didn't specify a brand. I notice 3 things that are different. 1.....The pads have a lot of Blue pad material and very little white in comparison to the In Tank Pads. And 2.....They have a lot of flow through them, even after 24hrs. And 3.....They are much thinner than the In-Tank Pads.
My In Tank Pads started clogging up after 12hrs (water level rose in basket) and by 24hrs were overflowing in the Basket. The Marineland Pads don't seem to clog much even after 24hrs. Is this good or bad? Does anyone else use Marineland Cut to Fit Pads? What is your experience with them? Should I order the In Tank Pads instead? Or double up on the Marineland Pads until done? Please help. I'm worried that the water isn't getting clean enough now. Thanks

 

[Capncavey]

Well bit of a change I ended up getting the pro hood so I have plenty of light. I have a couple questions:
1) how long are you leaving lights on? I am using daylight and moonlights only. About 8 hours of day and 6 of moon.
2) is there a problem with bleaching, how did you deal with it? I have some mesh netting that I was thinking on coloring blue with permanent marker to color light and diffuse it. I am green so bear with me if that is just silly.
BTW I have looked through pages and pages and have not seen this covered if it was please direct me and my apologies.

 

[Krazie4Acans]

Don't shoot me

Don't shoot me

Guys, I've been a poacher for quite a while but have come up with a few questions that I want to throw at the club. I know skimmers has been hit a bunch of times throughout the 3 splits and boat loads of messages. My question is this there are a few new nano sized skimmers out now that I have not seen anyone mention as tried or not. They are the Hydor Nano Slim Skim, Bubble Mangus BM-NAC-QQ and the Eshopps Nano. Has anyone tried any of these skimmers?

Also, I know there are a few guys using the AquaEuro nano. My question about that skimmer is can the output pipe be put back on if it is fed down through the center chamber and then inserted into the skimmer in the skimmer chamber or does the side wall of the center chamber extend to far down to allow that?

Last item for this post, can someone point me to any information about recovering the sandbed? I have one that has some black organics buried in it and is packed in some areas. I don't dare stir it up.

I have an almost three year old 28g that I setup for a customer that has been running pretty well. Unfortunately, the customer has closed their doors dur to the economy. I took the 28g as my personal nano and now want to make it a lush reef. Hope you guys can help and sorry for the long post.

Krazie:jester:

 

[sharkks]

I definitely plan to read through this entire thread and the archived threads but I have a time-sensitive decision to make so I was hoping for quick feedback. I am trying to decide between a new JBL 28 CF version or for the same price a 4 year old HQI version that also includes a reef keeper lite, which I would appreciate. A couple questions:

- Have their been significant upgrades to the setup from 4 years ago to now?
- This used one has an Ice Cap ballast driving the lights. I didn't think these tanks used Ice Cap? Is this a sign it was modded?

Thanks for any info...I am planning to keep primarily softies so the metal halide is not make or break, I just want the best value for my money so trying to balance 4 years of wear and tear against some nice extras that it does include.

 

[ange062]

I have a question on the pads people use in their basket. I have an In-Tank basket and was using the In-Tank Cut to fit Filter Pads for the last 2 months or so. They worked pretty well and were changed out daily. I just ran out, so I bought some new cut to fit pads from Dr Fosters and I got the Marineland Pads. Didn't know that is what they were since Dr Fosters didn't specify a brand. I notice 3 things that are different. 1.....The pads have a lot of Blue pad material and very little white in comparison to the In Tank Pads. And 2.....They have a lot of flow through them, even after 24hrs. And 3.....They are much thinner than the In-Tank Pads.
My In Tank Pads started clogging up after 12hrs (water level rose in basket) and by 24hrs were overflowing in the Basket. The Marineland Pads don't seem to clog much even after 24hrs. Is this good or bad? Does anyone else use Marineland Cut to Fit Pads? What is your experience with them? Should I order the In Tank Pads instead? Or double up on the Marineland Pads until done? Please help. I'm worried that the water isn't getting clean enough now. Thanks

It just means the pads aren't filtering as much, which means more sediment in your back chambers for you to clean and more gunk for you skimmer to skim. I prefer the thicker pads to keep my back chambers as clean as possible since cleaning them is a pain.

Well bit of a change I ended up getting the pro hood so I have plenty of light. I have a couple questions:
1) how long are you leaving lights on? I am using daylight and moonlights only. About 8 hours of day and 6 of moon.
2) is there a problem with bleaching, how did you deal with it? I have some mesh netting that I was thinking on coloring blue with permanent marker to color light and diffuse it. I am green so bear with me if that is just silly.
BTW I have looked through pages and pages and have not seen this covered if it was please direct me and my apologies.

8 + 6hrs seems reasonable. LED's are prone to bleach corals that haven't been under LED before. Since you can't control intensity vary your photoperiod for your acclimation period. Try starting at 4-hrs and slowly ramping up.

Guys, I've been a poacher for quite a while but have come up with a few questions that I want to throw at the club. I know skimmers has been hit a bunch of times throughout the 3 splits and boat loads of messages. My question is this there are a few new nano sized skimmers out now that I have not seen anyone mention as tried or not. They are the Hydor Nano Slim Skim, Bubble Mangus BM-NAC-QQ and the Eshopps Nano. Has anyone tried any of these skimmers?

Also, I know there are a few guys using the AquaEuro nano. My question about that skimmer is can the output pipe be put back on if it is fed down through the center chamber and then inserted into the skimmer in the skimmer chamber or does the side wall of the center chamber extend to far down to allow that?

Last item for this post, can someone point me to any information about recovering the sandbed? I have one that has some black organics buried in it and is packed in some areas. I don't dare stir it up.

I have an almost three year old 28g that I setup for a customer that has been running pretty well. Unfortunately, the customer has closed their doors dur to the economy. I took the 28g as my personal nano and now want to make it a lush reef. Hope you guys can help and sorry for the long post.

Krazie:jester:

Just a quick question, why do you care about messing with those other skimmers? There are many tried-and-true models that are known to fit with tons of info, tutorials, install pics, etc etc available to limit the amount of work and/or mods that you have to do. Just my 2c WELCOME TO RC!! :wavehand:

I definitely plan to read through this entire thread and the archived threads but I have a time-sensitive decision to make so I was hoping for quick feedback. I am trying to decide between a new JBL 28 CF version or for the same price a 4 year old HQI version that also includes a reef keeper lite, which I would appreciate. A couple questions:

- Have their been significant upgrades to the setup from 4 years ago to now?
- This used one has an Ice Cap ballast driving the lights. I didn't think these tanks used Ice Cap? Is this a sign it was modded?

Thanks for any info...I am planning to keep primarily softies so the metal halide is not make or break, I just want the best value for my money so trying to balance 4 years of wear and tear against some nice extras that it does include.

The HQI will let you grow anything, and even though you may only want softies now that will likely change with time. I also find that even softies grow best and look best under more intense light. It didn't come with an IceCap, so the original ballast probably went out and was replaced. You may also want to check if the pumps were replaced, look for scratches in the glass, age of the MH bulb, if the hood fans have been replaced, and what other upgrades the tank comes with. All in all the tank has only had very minor changes over that past 4-yrs, none of which change how it functions.

I'd go for the HQI if I were you so that you don't limit your possibilities. That being said, if it's 4-yo and the same price as a brand new CF model, that seems overpriced even with the RKL (only $110 new....).

 

[Krazie4Acans]

Just a quick question, why do you care about messing with those other skimmers? There are many tried-and-true models that are known to fit with tons of info, tutorials, install pics, etc etc available to limit the amount of work and/or mods that you have to do. Just my 2c WELCOME TO RC!! :wavehand:

Thanks for the reply Ange062. Believe me I have read everyone of them and printed out most of the infor for each. The only reason is because I am trying to keep the sump on my JBJ 28g as clean as possible and each one of those mentioned before all have a few "drawbacks" to using them. 9002 = lose the center basket, the AquaEuro = less control and wetter skim (have to remove the output level tube), AquaC Remora = HOB which I don't have room for, not to mention the ones that aren't available anymore.

I really don't have a lot of money to experiment on equipment as most of it is going toward making sure I have quality tests and RO/DI equipment at the moment. I really like what I see with a couple of the newer ones and would just like to hear if anybody else has tried using them.

Ange I'm going to PM you another question I have about Hydrogen Sulphide unless you can point me to some info in a thread that I can read (haven't found one yet). Thanks, Krazie:Jester:

ok can't PM so maybe you can point me to a thread to read.

 

[ange062]

Thanks for the reply Ange062. Believe me I have read everyone of them and printed out most of the infor for each. The only reason is because I am trying to keep the sump on my JBJ 28g as clean as possible and each one of those mentioned before all have a few "drawbacks" to using them. 9002 = lose the center basket, the AquaEuro = less control and wetter skim (have to remove the output level tube), AquaC Remora = HOB which I don't have room for, not to mention the ones that aren't available anymore.

I really don't have a lot of money to experiment on equipment as most of it is going toward making sure I have quality tests and RO/DI equipment at the moment. I really like what I see with a couple of the newer ones and would just like to hear if anybody else has tried using them.

Ange I'm going to PM you another question I have about Hydrogen Sulphide unless you can point me to some info in a thread that I can read (haven't found one yet). Thanks, Krazie:Jester:

ok can't PM so maybe you can point me to a thread to read.

Read this thread from start to finish...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2027481

AquaMaxx HOB-1, only possible drawback is the price but it's worth the money!

 

[Krazie4Acans]

Read this thread from start to finish...

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/sh....php?t=2027481

AquaMaxx HOB-1, only possible drawback is the price but it's worth the money!

Read it, but don't think there is anyway to get 4" behind my tank. Will look into it and see though.

Would still be thrilled if anyone has info on any of those other skimmers as well.

Any thoughts on my Hydrogen Sulphide problem? Maybe SlvrSurfRidr has some ideas on it also?

Krazie:jester:

 

[XtremeFromHell]

Quick question, for those of you who have a phosphate reactor in your JBJ NC did you add another pump or did you route the plumbing with the existing return pump?

 

[Krazie4Acans]

Quick question, for those of you who have a phosphate reactor in your JBJ NC did you add another pump or did you route the plumbing with the existing return pump?

Another pump, because you need to control the flow rate and wouldn't want to reduce the flow rate in the DT. I use a MJ600 for mine. Krazie:jester:

 

[XtremeFromHell]

Another pump, because you need to control the flow rate and wouldn't want to reduce the flow rate in the DT. I use a MJ600 for mine. Krazie:jester:

Didn't even think of that, I have a spare MJ 900 I just don't know where in the tank to put it. I still kept my media basket and have a heater in one section and the skimmer in the other.

 

[Krazie4Acans]

Didn't even think of that, I have a spare MJ 900 I just don't know where in the tank to put it. I still kept my media basket and have a heater in one section and the skimmer in the other.

I have my MJ600 sitting in the number one chamber (far left looking at the front of the tank) sitting just above the return pump. The return goes into the heater chamber on the opposite side so that any bubbles get caught in the sponge before returning to the DT. Krazie:jester:

 

[ange062]

Another pump, because you need to control the flow rate and wouldn't want to reduce the flow rate in the DT. I use a MJ600 for mine. Krazie:jester:

+1, use a separate pump. The Eheim Compact 600 is same price as the MJ, but far superior and quieter (especially when you reduce it's flow, the MJ cavitates and makes a ton of noise). Mine is in my skimmer chamber below my skimmer intake.

 

[pleuralplexus]

Quick question, for those of you who have a phosphate reactor in your JBJ NC did you add another pump or did you route the plumbing with the existing return pump?

No I promise you dont have to add another pump. This time I disagree with Ange (sorry man you rock tho!). All you have to do is find a plastic hose T connector or Y splitter at your local hardware store. Put this in line with your factory circulation pump. Plumb one end of the splitter to the phosban reactor (be sure to put the valve between the splitter and the reactor inlet) and plumb the other end to your stock circulation pump display tank return nozzle. I have it set up this way. There is no noticable reduction in the cirulation to the return nozzle and a nice slow flow is still achieved in the phosphate reactor. This cuts down on unnecessary water heating and electricity use also; not to mention limiting damage to your pumps from excessive back-pressure from the flow valve.

 

[SteviesReef]

I have a question on the pads people use in their basket. I have an In-Tank basket and was using the In-Tank Cut to fit Filter Pads for the last 2 months or so. They worked pretty well and were changed out daily. I just ran out, so I bought some new cut to fit pads from Dr Fosters and I got the Marineland Pads. Didn't know that is what they were since Dr Fosters didn't specify a brand. I notice 3 things that are different. 1.....The pads have a lot of Blue pad material and very little white in comparison to the In Tank Pads. And 2.....They have a lot of flow through them, even after 24hrs. And 3.....They are much thinner than the In-Tank Pads.
My In Tank Pads started clogging up after 12hrs (water level rose in basket) and by 24hrs were overflowing in the Basket. The Marineland Pads don't seem to clog much even after 24hrs. Is this good or bad? Does anyone else use Marineland Cut to Fit Pads? What is your experience with them? Should I order the In Tank Pads instead? Or double up on the Marineland Pads until done? Please help. I'm worried that the water isn't getting clean enough now. Thanks

I use fiberfill from WalleyWorld. Works great and it's dirt cheap.

 

[smtank]

Hi All. :wavehand:

Does anyone have or is currently using the AI Nano on their JBJ 28 gallon.

Currently I have a 4 year old JBJ HQI, an opportunity has come up to purchase a AI Nano and finally take that step to the dark side.

I have an SPS dominated tank. I am having problems finding any sps dominated AI Nano tanks.

Any input is very much appreciated. I know the mounting that it comes with does not work on a JBJ and that the unit does best with a controller, besides that I am in the dark so to speak.

TIA

 

[kalgra]

Hi All. :wavehand:

Does anyone have or is currently using the AI Nano on their JBJ 28 gallon.

Currently I have a 4 year old JBJ HQI, an opportunity has come up to purchase a AI Nano and finally take that step to the dark side.

I have an SPS dominated tank. I am having problems finding any sps dominated AI Nano tanks.

Any input is very much appreciated. I know the mounting that it comes with does not work on a JBJ and that the unit does best with a controller, besides that I am in the dark so to speak.

TIA

I went on this quest about a 9-12 months ago. Honestly I don't think they exist. I ran an AI nano over my JBJ 28 for about 8-9 months and I just could not get good coloration or growth with it. Even the zoas and palys washed out in color and were reaching around the outside permiter of the tank. Perhaps I just never found the sweet spot I don't know. Personally I would not recommend it. I switched to the first gen Radion and have been extremely satisfied. My tank has allot of sps and I have had really good growth and things are coloring up again.

 

[jkim1]

guys, i've been a poacher for quite a while but have come up with a few questions that i want to throw at the club. I know skimmers has been hit a bunch of times throughout the 3 splits and boat loads of messages. My question is this there are a few new nano sized skimmers out now that i have not seen anyone mention as tried or not. They are the hydor nano slim skim, bubble mangus bm-nac-qq and the eshopps nano. Has anyone tried any of these skimmers?

Also, i know there are a few guys using the aquaeuro nano. My question about that skimmer is can the output pipe be put back on if it is fed down through the center chamber and then inserted into the skimmer in the skimmer chamber or does the side wall of the center chamber extend to far down to allow that?

Last item for this post, can someone point me to any information about recovering the sandbed? I have one that has some black organics buried in it and is packed in some areas. I don't dare stir it up.

I have an almost three year old 28g that i setup for a customer that has been running pretty well. Unfortunately, the customer has closed their doors dur to the economy. I took the 28g as my personal nano and now want to make it a lush reef. Hope you guys can help and sorry for the long post.

Krazie:jester:

i have a esshops psk-75 and it is a pain to use. The strainer gets clogged very easily, both intake and exhaust, causing water to overflow and if it wasn't for my drain tube, would have had several gallons on the floor. I may go back to my jbj airstone skimmer