JBJ 28 Gallon Nano Owners Club

[Bignate]

Removing the lid is a good idea as it helps with letting out the heat from the halide.

It dropped two degrees after I removed it. Even with those little fans in the top you can feel the heat rising out of the lid area. Not only does it let out heat but when I open the lid condensation doesn't drip everywhere...

 

[sahin]

I too noticed that condensation doesnt build up inside the hood etc. I was worried about the screws rusting etc.

 

[aquastatus]

just set up my cf quad nano. any tips on adding cured rock?

 

[CAHamilton]

HQI on order

HQI on order

finally I have been having problems post and it all came down to a spam filter and not getting verification.



Any how I ordered my jb 28 HQI on monday and hopefully it will get here this week. I am transferring most everything from 29g tank that has been running for 4 years. I will be building a custom stand and canopy to hide the hood and what not. So it will be awhile before I setup the tank its self. Now that I can finally post I would like some help it the design of the stand and canopy. I will get the plans I have on the puter and post.

My main design issue is with electrical. Do I make a custom electrical panel that plugs into the wall and have all my outlets GCFI's inside the stand and with a few on timers to control lights and fans. I also want to plan for future up grades mainly a controller but I don't know exactly which to buy and what they control.

What controllers are you all using. I'm still reading the entire thread and haven't seen much on what is being used.


will post more pics soon
Chris

 

[SlvrSurfRidr]

finally I have been having problems post and it all came down to a spam filter and not getting verification.

Any how I ordered my jb 28 HQI on monday and hopefully it will get here this week. I am transferring most everything from 29g tank that has been running for 4 years. I will be building a custom stand and canopy to hide the hood and what not. So it will be awhile before I setup the tank its self. Now that I can finally post I would like some help it the design of the stand and canopy. I will get the plans I have on the puter and post.

My main design issue is with electrical. Do I make a custom electrical panel that plugs into the wall and have all my outlets GCFI's inside the stand and with a few on timers to control lights and fans. I also want to plan for future up grades mainly a controller but I don't know exactly which to buy and what they control.

What controllers are you all using. I'm still reading the entire thread and haven't seen much on what is being used.


will post more pics soon
Chris

Welcome aboard Chris! Don't think anyone here has done a full cabinet DYI. Most people are using the neptune systems controllers (RKIII, RKPro, or RKJR) with the outlets inside the factory stand. My personal opinion, the RKJR is more than enough to handle a tank this size and you can get a used one for about $100-$150 off ebay or the local reef board

 

[sahin]

Welcome (back) Chris. I made my own stand. It's still not finished.

Here are some pics so far:

Once the main frame has been put together:

With part of the cladding and door left to put on:

The stand I made is MUCH stronger than the JBJ stand I would have bought. I also made it much taller than the JBJ stand as I have a two year old roaming around the place. It looks much better now as I have the door etc in place. I also have two shelves built into it now, but never took any photos after this point.

Regards the electrics, as I lve in the UK, things are a little different so I will leave my fellow US refkeepers to put thier ideas.

Same goes for the controller. I am using a TC-10 heating/cooling control system. This is generic and not specifically made for aquarium use. But it works very very well.

This tank can have temp issues depending on the environment temp, but I made a very effificient cooling system by taking apart an Azoo fan. See my post a few pages back I think.

I also upgraded the magnetic ballast to an electronic version so now my halide burns a bluer colour.

Did I read that correctly that you are going to build a custom canopy? I have been toying with this idea for a while, but due to the bow front design of the front I am not sure how to design a canopy around that.

Just like the stand which is a white colour, I'd like to have a custom canopy in white. I will then look to paint the top and bottom bracing/fixing in white as well.

I bought the tank in July, but, I still havent got any corals or fishes! With this third tank, I seem to have soooo much patience for some reason!

Anyway, please do post lots of photos of the custom canopy if you do that as no one has done that yet.

 

[TNT125]

Interesting but to much work

 

[sahin]

TNT125: Are you talking about the custom canopy? IMO it would be worth it as I can then have the whole tank/stand/canopy match the other decor in the room. As well as this, I also want to build LED Actinics, it would be much easier to have LED actinics if I were to build a custom canopy.

End of the day, I have most of the tools and am fairly competent at DIY so its not too much work for me once I have the design in place. But, I need to have an idea/design in place first.

 

[CAHamilton]

TNT125: Are you talking about the custom canopy? IMO it would be worth it as I can then have the whole tank/stand/canopy match the other decor in the room. As well as this, I also want to build LED Actinics, it would be much easier to have LED actinics if I were to build a custom canopy.

End of the day, I have most of the tools and am fairly competent at DIY so its not too much work for me once I have the design in place. But, I need to have an idea/design in place first.

When I get off of work I'll post my ideas and a drawing of what I have in mind. Thank you for pointing out the bow front design. Being that I don't have a tank yet. I'm going from memory from what I remember from the LFS. I have a fab idea for the bow front. There are some small design features and dimensions I need to work out.

 

[hppd432]

1 year 28G Nano Cube HQI

1 year 28G Nano Cube HQI

1 year did have to give in and get a chiller. Stock- There are 5 fish in tank now, Clown was starter fish and still thriving but spoiled rotten. 4 Line Wrasse who is awesome. 2 PJ Cardinals and 1 Royal Gramma. 1 Cleaner Shrimp and 3 peppermint shrimp. Clam who has grown twice its original size
Corals galore

 

[CAHamilton]

Looking good.....


So here is the design of the stand and canopy. The stand is going to be 40 inches high and being the ground moves here in cali it will be attached to the wall. Now the canopy will have some space between the top of the canopy and hood to allow for air movement. The top door will be able to swing open fully for maintenance and acces to tank. The front door is for feeding. The exact canopy depth is undetermined being I need too see what I need to make room for ie upgrade skimmer and if needed refuge and phosphate reactor. Which I haven't figured out why you need one of those.

The problem with the nano cube and canopy. Traditional tanks the canopy sits on top of the tank but the nano cube the hood opens for access to tank which makes it not work. What I came up with is using 1/2 x 1/2 inch angle steel and make a external frame with a lip that the canopy can sit on. The frame will be tied into the stand and cantilevered to the front of the tank to support the canopy. The back is simple with a opening in the top and bottom for wires and ventilation. Inside will have shelves for equipment and storage and 5 gal bucket for ATO.

The material foe the satnd and canopy will be Brazilian cherry. Which will be stained dark.

Let me know what you guys think of the design!!!!!

 

[es1887]

a little curious at to what people think? any advice would be great!

 

[thegrun]

I am looking into buying the 28g HQI Nanocube. Are there any common problems or tips I should know about the thank. I have read a few pages of this thread and the actinic upgrade has been mentioned several times. Is this upgrade needed sps/ lps growth or just personnal pref for more light? How is the overall performace of the stock setup?
Thanks
Chris

Upgrading the light is not that important, but it does bring out the color in your corals. I would definately plan on replacing the skimmer, that is the one big flaw in the system.

 

[hppd432]

Chris I have the upgrade on lighting did it myself with the kit from nanocustoms. Easy installation.
I do think it helps not only the look of the corals but the growth of certain corals.
I still use the stock skimmer and I think my tank looks pretty good.
I would suggest getting the chiller before summer it will save
you a lot of headaches in the long run.
Be patient with what you add and especially be aware of what order you put fish in
they can be so territorial even te ones that say they r peaceful.
Coral choice is also very important. Don't just put it in your tank because
it's on sale or cheap.
Stay away from pseudochromis fish just personal experience there
especially if you want shrimp in your tank.

 

[CAHamilton]

Tank on back order

Tank on back order

I just heard from the local LFS and he told me my HQI is on back order until 2nd week of December because of the new JBJ 28G LED version. He then gave me the option of buying a LED tank for 50 bucks more so that 600 for and LED tank. If I don't take the deal he'll match Marine Depots HQI price at 489


What should I do?:spin3: I just read a few pages of the LED lighting thread and there are mixed reviews. I must say this the guys that havem are loving them. The old school MH guys are skeptical.


They claim they are matching the PAR level of the HQI, with less heat, and 40% less energy.
I will be leaning towards a 50/50 mix of LPS/SPS and maybe a clam.

 

[hppd432]

Chris, I would get the LED I have only read
a few reviews myself but with what you are planning on
stocking your tank with you should be fine.
No chiller needed and same par in most
instances. Just my 2cents worth

 

[SlvrSurfRidr]

$50? I say do it

 

[CAHamilton]

ya 50 bucks more then what I paid for the HQI thats 600 buck for the LED version which they say are going to retail for 750. I think its a deal. Oh ya I am starting the build thread for this tank and I would like ur input. So check it out.

 

[karp12]

Welcome (back) Chris. I made

I also upgraded the magnetic ballast to an electronic version so now my halide burns a bluer colour.

QUOTE]

What ballast did you upgrade to? Did you have to change the connectors that come of the MH. I have the HQI magnetic now.

 

[drd]

I paid $600.00 for 28HQI, chiller, and stand.