JBJ 28 Gallon Nano Owners Club

[corrado007]

Thanks Corrado for your input, and i must say you have a pretty impressive setup. What is the apex light controller that you have mounted in your stand, is that a mod to your existing lighting? I will hopefully have my tank up and cycling within the nest couple of weeks, so i will need more advice soon!!

Hey Scott, you're welcome.
The Apex controller is an aquarium controller by Neptune Systems that is basically a controller module, a display module, and an outlet module. They all hook up together and it can be programmed to control your lights, heaters, chiller, pumps, skimmer, etc... The controller turns on/off the various outlets on the power strip it comes with and it can control them based on time of day, temperature of water, pH level, etc... It has a temp probe, a pH probe, and can be set up with some optional sensors also.

Here's a link to one if you're curious about it and want to read more about what they can do. They are an awesome investment and make reefkeeping a little easier and more stable if you ask me.

http://www.neptunesys.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=44&Itemid=40

 

[corrado007]

Yes, the magnet has to be removed so it can slide down. The cup just makes the skimmer work and I believe raise the hood w/o removing the cup

Pretty much right on, just a little clarification if you don't mind.

So, the stock cup won't fit on the skimmer on the Nano 28 without cutting a half circle little notch in the hood and the Stevie T, since it's rectangular will fit without any modification to the hood but unfortunately DOES still need to be removed from the skimmer to open the hood. It's super easy to lift it off though. I've forgotten it once or twice and when I go to lift the hood there's a nasty crunching sound which promptly reminds me.

 

[duncantse]

Well here is my Biocube pics

Teardrop Clam

Bubble Coral

Sorry for a lot of pics.

Nice fish and tank!

How big is your tank?

What is the orange fish with pink dorsal fins called? It looks really pretty.

 

[allaboutreefs]

can i do weekly water changes of about 5 gallons to avoid having to add any additives and avoid having to buy the skimmer?

 

[corrado007]

can i do weekly water changes of about 5 gallons to avoid having to add any additives and avoid having to buy the skimmer?

I do weekly 5 gal water changes but have a Tunze 9002 skimmer. Even without the skimmer you'd be able to get away with that with quite a bit of success depending on your bioload and what types of corals you plan to keep. SPS may require a skimmer.

 

[Wishman]

the stock media basket is a weak part of this tank and should be replaced to either the InTank Media Basket ,Urbanek's (on another nano reef forum) or DIY. Then you can put in Filter Floss, Purigen and Carbon in their respective chambers. Some people have good success with the weekly water changes and skimmerless.

 

[allaboutreefs]

is there a place where i can buy the tunze with the steviet collection cup or does it have to be purchased seperate? and also whats the best place to buy the Tunze DOC 9002 Nano Protein Skimmer

 

[corrado007]

I'd check the for sale section here, you can find a nice used one with a Stevie T cup if you're lucky. Otherwise, they have to be bought separately. The skimmer is the same price from most all of the major suppliers if you buy it online new. Aqua Cave and Marine Depot are about the same price at least.

 

[allaboutreefs]

ok so far i just purchased the 28 gallon jbj nano cube led the stand and two Hydor Koralia Evolution 750 Aquarium Circulation Pump for added circulation, is this a good start? and did i need so much water flow? and also what sand should i go with and how many pounds?

 

[Army_JAG]

ok so far i just purchased the 28 gallon jbj nano cube led the stand and two Hydor Koralia Evolution 750 Aquarium Circulation Pump for added circulation, is this a good start? and did i need so much water flow? and also what sand should i go with and how many pounds?

IMO, this tank needs a lot of flow, if you dont get the water moving you can get a film on top that makes the water cloudy. You should also consider upgrading the stock pumps to MJ-600 or 1200. You just have to figure out what you want to have in the tank. As for the sand, I have about 10 lbs and i do not feel that is good enough. I will be adding more when i get back from Iraq. I went with a medium grain but that too depends on what you want to do with the tank. Spend some time on LiveAquaria.com and research what you eventually want to put into the tank. If you want gobies you will need a deeper sand bed with finer grain sand. If you are just going to have some clowns and a few softies you can get away with a larger grain sand and less of it.

 

[corrado007]

ok so far i just purchased the 28 gallon jbj nano cube led the stand and two Hydor Koralia Evolution 750 Aquarium Circulation Pump for added circulation, is this a good start? and did i need so much water flow? and also what sand should i go with and how many pounds?

I agree with army jag, you'll need to decide what you want to keep as different livestock have different requirements. As for flow, that too depends on what you'll be keeping. I have only stock pumps and it is adequate as I'm keeping mostly softies. I have a Hydor nano but I'm not using it because it's a bit too much flow for my rics. I may try to get it in there to ensure no dead spots but it's good for now.
Good luck and let us know what you decide to keep.

 

[renogaw]

i've got a maxijet 1200 in the tank and it's got some decent flow, not too powerful. i think i'm going to try to hide it in the rocks like i've seen though next time i put my hands in the tank.

rock, try to find smaller pieces, i have two or three big pieces in my tank from my 90 and i don't like it. i may have to break it up to get something other than a piled up look. sand, go small and only an inch or two imo

 

[kevin21]

Quick question, I just topped off my tank in the back left chamber and now in my tank there are millions of micro bubbles. Its pretty bad. I have a tunze 9002 skimmer on the tank with the two stock pumps. Koralia 425 in display tank for extra flow. Anyone know why there are millions of microbubbles? Could it be because i topped off to much water?

Thanks!

 

[ir_danno22]

anyone using the wireless mp-10 with the apex controller and module? i'm thinking of going this route so i can automatically control the vortech during feeding and to calm things down at night. i can't turn it off for feedings via apex since it's connected to the backup battery.

 

[PietschBR]

Hello guys,

Does anyone has the jbj ATO unit from JBJ?
is it worth? Does it have any problem installing it at the lateral chambers, I'm saying this because when the pump is on the water on the same lowers its level a bit.

 

[corrado007]

Quick question, I just topped off my tank in the back left chamber and now in my tank there are millions of micro bubbles. Its pretty bad. I have a tunze 9002 skimmer on the tank with the two stock pumps. Koralia 425 in display tank for extra flow. Anyone know why there are millions of microbubbles? Could it be because i topped off to much water?

Thanks!

Are the bubbles coming from the skimmer or the returns? If you turn off the skimmer do the bubbles go away?

 

[corrado007]

Hello guys,

Does anyone has the jbj ATO unit from JBJ?
is it worth? Does it have any problem installing it at the lateral chambers, I'm saying this because when the pump is on the water on the same lowers its level a bit.

Are you saying that the water level changes on each side depending on which pump is active under the wave makers control?
Thanks

 

[ir_danno22]

i have my float switch attached using the jbj mounting parts hanging from the lip of the tank about 1" to 1.5" from the top. my water level stays steady at the water line for my tunze 9002 to work properly. the jbj ato works fine and i use it on my fresh water tank for evap. not sure if that helps.

 

[PietschBR]

Are you saying that the water level changes on each side depending on which pump is active under the wave makers control?
Thanks

Exactly!
I've been using the wave controller but I'm not sure if it's good or if it even makes a difference.
Actually I'm my flow comes mostly from the mp10.

 

[ir_danno22]

sorry got lost in what you were explaining.