JBJ 28 Gallon Nano Owners Club

[H2Ohio]

Stock pump

Stock pump

The stock impeller rods are ceramic, break easy and create a lot of noise when broken plus the loud click if you are running a wave maker. I bought a carbon fiber rod (+/- $10) and sanded it down until it was an exact match. No problems since.

 

[SeattleReef]

Shaft should be in a single piece, took one of mine apart to illustrate. I'd still say go for the Eheim Compact 600's as replacements.

Thanks Ange, good to confirm! Yeah I most likely will replace the whole pump but even if I do this is one DIY project I want to complete as I can still have these as backups.

The stock impeller rods are ceramic, break easy and create a lot of noise when broken plus the loud click if you are running a wave maker. I bought a carbon fiber rod (+/- $10) and sanded it down until it was an exact match. No problems since.

Yes, that is the exact sounds i'm hearing!!!

Funny you mention the carbon fiber...This weekend I was reading about someone else doing the same thing. I was going to buy one myself this weekend to try it out but there weren't any store near me that carried them. I did find one but I couldn't make it there yet. Also before I go I was trying to find the size or carbon fiber rod I would need? What did you buy? I don't have a caliper to measure.

 

[Pokerman11]

Suggested upgrades for stock LED

Suggested upgrades for stock LED

In Jan of this year I set up a 28g JBJ Nano LED. I'm running it stock, except for an upgraded media basket and an extra hydror nano pump. In the basket running chemipure and puragen as well as have a fuge light growing macro algae back there. Drip Kalk for top off. 5G WC every other week and 10G every other month.
I run another 90g reef is my main tank, so I use the same RO/DI, test kits etc. Last tests I had CAL 400+, ALK 9, MAG 1400. PHos tests .02 on the hanna. I run SP 1.025 Burn the moon/fuge lights for 14H and the main LEDs for 10
Just three small fish, the CUC, various mushrooms, chalice, frog spawn, torch, hammer and some xenia.

My plan was to run this tanked for 6-8 months and then evaluate what I am going to do with it. Right now I am at the deciding point. I'm looking for suggestions on what to do next. I might give up on trying to run reef here and use this as a FO. I don't need to go high end just like a nice easy maintenance nano reef.

I'm getting a lot of coraline growth, little bad angle, great xenia growth and some coral "“ but I'm not getting good coral color. Also the hammer/frogspawn don't seem to like these lights at all.

A lot of bleaching, still getting growth but things turning white. This is the stock light I bet. It's all white LED.

Any suggested upgrades? Mostly it's the lights that seem to be the weak link here. Is there a way to add in more LED's powered off the stock supply?

I know if I do much more will need a skimmer, getting by with WC and low load.

I really don't want to put a lot more $$ into this tank, mostly looking for some high value low cost options.

tks -

 

[H2Ohio]

Funny you mention the carbon fiber...This weekend I was reading about someone else doing the same thing. I was going to buy one myself this weekend to try it out but there weren't any store near me that carried them. I did find one but I couldn't make it there yet. Also before I go I was trying to find the size or carbon fiber rod I would need? What did you buy? I don't have a caliper to measure.[/QUOTE]

I bought the thinest carbon fiber rod the hobby shop had (i think they are for RC planes), cut it a few inches longer than needed and just using a drill, sanded it down until it felt like the same diamter as the ceramic rod and would slide into the impeller.

 

[SeattleReef]

In Jan of this year I set up a 28g JBJ Nano LED. I'm running it stock, except for an upgraded media basket and an extra hydror nano pump. In the basket running chemipure and puragen as well as have a fuge light growing macro algae back there. Drip Kalk for top off. 5G WC every other week and 10G every other month.
I run another 90g reef is my main tank, so I use the same RO/DI, test kits etc. Last tests I had CAL 400+, ALK 9, MAG 1400. PHos tests .02 on the hanna. I run SP 1.025 Burn the moon/fuge lights for 14H and the main LEDs for 10
Just three small fish, the CUC, various mushrooms, chalice, frog spawn, torch, hammer and some xenia.

My plan was to run this tanked for 6-8 months and then evaluate what I am going to do with it. Right now I am at the deciding point. I'm looking for suggestions on what to do next. I might give up on trying to run reef here and use this as a FO. I don't need to go high end just like a nice easy maintenance nano reef.

I'm getting a lot of coraline growth, little bad angle, great xenia growth and some coral "“ but I'm not getting good coral color. Also the hammer/frogspawn don't seem to like these lights at all.

A lot of bleaching, still getting growth but things turning white. This is the stock light I bet. It's all white LED.

Any suggested upgrades? Mostly it's the lights that seem to be the weak link here. Is there a way to add in more LED's powered off the stock supply?

I know if I do much more will need a skimmer, getting by with WC and low load.

I really don't want to put a lot more $$ into this tank, mostly looking for some high value low cost options.

tks -

Well I take it by the bleaching you must have the PRO version of LED's at 89w? I run this setup too and there will be some bleaching/color loss (I can see it a little on my corals) but my growth is really nice, and my frogspawn and torch like it fine!

There are people on this thread if you read though it all that have used the stock PRO LED's and been very successful and happy.

I do know that you can use the current stock LED wiring and replace some of the white 14k spectrum lights with different color options, i just haven't done that yet, although have also thought about it.

I too don't want go out and spend a bunch of money for LED upgrades although there are some good retrofit options out there that is easy to do. I may down the road see about switching out half of my LED's to get more of the spectrum. It might be a good idea to post about LED/hardware area if you can't find someone here that tweaked their lights by using the same hardware but just switched out some LED's. It would be nice to have someone who has done this that has our exact tank. :beer:

 

[SeattleReef]

Funny you mention the carbon fiber...This weekend I was reading about someone else doing the same thing. I was going to buy one myself this weekend to try it out but there weren't any store near me that carried them. I did find one but I couldn't make it there yet. Also before I go I was trying to find the size or carbon fiber rod I would need? What did you buy? I don't have a caliper to measure.

I bought the thinest carbon fiber rod the hobby shop had (i think they are for RC planes), cut it a few inches longer than needed and just using a drill, sanded it down until it felt like the same diamter as the ceramic rod and would slide into the impeller.[/QUOTE]

Bummer I was hoping you knew the size of the rod, I called around and everyone uses different minimum sizing.

I'm still hopeful that someone here can measure the impeller shaft with a caliper!:deadhorse:

 

[ange062]

I bought the thinest carbon fiber rod the hobby shop had (i think they are for RC planes), cut it a few inches longer than needed and just using a drill, sanded it down until it felt like the same diamter as the ceramic rod and would slide into the impeller.

Bummer I was hoping you knew the size of the rod, I called around and everyone uses different minimum sizing.

I'm still hopeful that someone here can measure the impeller shaft with a caliper!:deadhorse:[/QUOTE]
I'll measure mine tomorrow, have a calibrated caliper at work. I can say the hobby shop cf is going to be imperial (I've flown rc planes for several decades) while the JBJ pump will be metric.

 

[SeattleReef]

Bummer I was hoping you knew the size of the rod, I called around and everyone uses different minimum sizing.

I'm still hopeful that someone here can measure the impeller shaft with a caliper!:deadhorse:

I'll measure mine tomorrow, have a calibrated caliper at work. I can say the hobby shop cf is going to be imperial (I've flown rc planes for several decades) while the JBJ pump will be metric.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Ange! :dance:

 

[SeattleReef]

Any luck measuring it?

 

[SeattleReef]

Hi everyone,

Wanted to get back into the hobby and bought a used JBJ 28G HQI. However, due to other things, I cant setup this tank.

Also bought RapidLEDs retrofit kit, solderless non-dimmable leds. (still new in box)


My loss is your gain. I'd like to sell this quickly if possible. Comes with stand as well. I'm looking to offload this for $275 if possible. LEDs cost me $220 so mostly trying to recoup it. Let me know please

Thanks. Im located in Southern California....Rancho Cucamonga.

You might have better luck posting in the For Sale thread!

 

[Pokerman11]

Well I take it by the bleaching you must have the PRO version of LED's at 89w? I run this setup too and there will be some bleaching/color loss (I can see it a little on my corals) but my growth is really nice, and my frogspawn and torch like it fine!

There are people on this thread if you read though it all that have used the stock PRO LED's and been very successful and happy.

I do know that you can use the current stock LED wiring and replace some of the white 14k spectrum lights with different color options, i just haven't done that yet, although have also thought about it.

I too don't want go out and spend a bunch of money for LED upgrades although there are some good retrofit options out there that is easy to do. I may down the road see about switching out half of my LED's to get more of the spectrum. It might be a good idea to post about LED/hardware area if you can't find someone here that tweaked their lights by using the same hardware but just switched out some LED's. It would be nice to have someone who has done this that has our exact tank. :beer:

I'm not on the Pro version mine has 25x1W 14K LEDs. I'm a bit new with LEDs. I knew this was week for a reef, but my livestock is up pretty high so that things are only 6-9" underwater. But my guess is if I want to do more with this tank going to first need better lights.

Is there suggested easy/value upgrades I can do to improve my tank?

 

[maconreef]

hey guys i own the JBJ 28g Pro. I was a member before but lost my login stuff so i made a new one. i was MACONBITS lol. just officially restarted the tank 2 days ago. Now having said that i desire more blue then what it already has. Ideas ?
Also i will be doing a skimmer and refugium as well, ideas.
Im pretty new to the nano side, i have had big tanks where i can have sumps lol. So help me out with some ideas lol

 

[SeattleReef]

hey guys i own the JBJ 28g Pro. I was a member before but lost my login stuff so i made a new one. i was MACONBITS lol. just officially restarted the tank 2 days ago. Now having said that i desire more blue then what it already has. Ideas ?
Also i will be doing a skimmer and refugium as well, ideas.
Im pretty new to the nano side, i have had big tanks where i can have sumps lol. So help me out with some ideas lol

I have been thinking about this too! For just more blue that can be changed fairly easily by ordering more of the blue lights that are already used for the Dusk/Dawn LED's (4 x 3W/466nm). I have been thinking about changing out maybe half of so of the current daylight 14k lights and changing them with more blue, purple, red, green, etc. to hit a better spectrum/color.

I'm sure someone out there already has already done this to their standard JBJ PRO LED lights but haven't found it yet. Also this config below might be a little blue so you could cut keep 2 more 14k's and drop Royal Blue's by 2.

Current/Standard config:

25 x 3W/14k
4 x 3W/466nm

Moonlights:
2 x 1WATT/456nm

Maybe something like this breakdown (all 3w):

12 x 14K White,
2 x 6500K White,
1 x 420nm Purple,
11 x 450nm Royal Blue,
1 x 480nm Blue,
1 x 520nm Green,
1 x 660nm Deep Red

Moonlights:
2 x 1WATT/456nm

 

[SeattleReef]

How about this lighting/LED diagram I just made up for the PRO LED (see attached)...any thoughts? I think the placement of colors is good but not experienced here.

 

[Creative1]

Hi people!

I will have to go back and read through 109 pages of this thread when I have time.

I just have a question.. and not sure where to post since its a general coral question relating to JBJ 28 Intermediate LED cube.. (I ordered it, on its way!)

What corals should I AVOID for this tank? I am still learning the lighting requirements for corals, and I am not sure which ones will not fare well in these tanks.

 

[PeterBel]

Hi people!

I will have to go back and read through 109 pages of this thread when I have time.

I just have a question.. and not sure where to post since its a general coral question relating to JBJ 28 Intermediate LED cube.. (I ordered it, on its way!)

What corals should I AVOID for this tank? I am still learning the lighting requirements for corals, and I am not sure which ones will not fare well in these tanks.

You can growth pretty much anything in this tank. But if you are new to the hobby, you should start with the beginners Corals like suggested on live Aquaria
Link: http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=597+2856

Good Luck!

 

[Creative1]

thank you. I am not really new. I have a 9 gal nano with Zoas, Hammer, Duncan and frogspawn that's doing nicely I want to upgrade my 9 gal to the 28.

the link I am sure will be helpful, thank you!

 

[Pokerman11]

I have the stock 25x1W 14K LEDS, and pretty sure now that this is only enough light for a FOWLR or perhaps some really simple things. I've tried to use the stock lights, but it's a failure. Going to break the tank down today and move all corals to my main DT.

Now I need an upgrade. I don't need supper high end, but do need the ability to do some simple mixed reef with this tank

Right now I'm thinking of a Steve's LED standard 99% retrofit kit. That's still in the 300 range so don't want to get more expensive than that.

Is there any other suggestions to look at?

 

[PeterBel]

I have the stock 25x1W 14K LEDS, and pretty sure now that this is only enough light for a FOWLR or perhaps some really simple things. I've tried to use the stock lights, but it's a failure. Going to break the tank down today and move all corals to my main DT.

Now I need an upgrade. I don't need supper high end, but do need the ability to do some simple mixed reef with this tank

Right now I'm thinking of a Steve's LED standard 99% retrofit kit. That's still in the 300 range so don't want to get more expensive than that.

Is there any other suggestions to look at?

I installed the Steve's LED 99% Retrofit and i have mixed feelings about it.

The facts:

• Received the wrong Assembly.
• 2 channels on 4 are defective
• Ordered 12K Super Full Spectrum and received the JMB Special spectrum

Here are the details:

1 - Wrong Assembly

The service was good and fast but had to send the wrong assembly 1st then they sent to right one, 5 days turn around process.

email from Steve LED about it:

Pierre,
Thanks for your message. It appears that you have received the wrong LED system, I sincerely apologize about this. I would like to arrange to swap it out for the correct unit. The power supply and extension wiring is correct, so we just need to exchange heatsinks.

Please pack the unit back up, taking particular care to ensure the LEDs are protected, and let me know the dimensions of the box you are using (or if you have the original box), and the package weight. If you have a post office nearby, they have a free Priority Medium box that this unit fits perfectly in.

Once you provide me with the dimensions and weight, I'll email you a shipping label that you can print on your printer. Once you hand the package to an US Postal worker or USPS office, I will cross ship you the correct LED heatsink.

Again, sincerest apologies. We are trying to get some new technicians up to speed and they aren't up to perfection just yet.

Picture of the wrong assembly:

Picture of the good assembly:

2 - Defective channels

I ordered the 4 channels version for future expansion, after struggling with channel 1 & 2 and having intermittent problems, i decided to try channel 3 & 4 and it worked right away. I reported the problem to Steve Led and they offered to look at it but mainly said i broke it. I didn't want to loose my lighting for another week so i decided to keep it and use the 2 working channels. Here is the email i received from them about it:

All ACI units are required to pass a very rigorous quality control test on the oscilloscope, and perform within 1% of their signal tolerance. I checked your unit, and it shows that it passed fully on 8/7/2014.

You are free to return it for free diagnostics, and if a manufacturing defect is found, it will be replaced or repaired free of charge under its limited warranty. If there no defect found, and the problem was related to ESD, miswire, etc, then we can offer you a discounted repair charge. We find that 95% of all repairs due to customer damage or handling issues are under $10.

Thanks!
Jeff

3 - Wrong Spectrum

After a few weeks, i was not really happy with the overall effect of the lighting. My tank looked yellowish or greenish and i just prefer a more blueish color. I then figured out that they had sent me the wrong spectrum.

Wrong LED Spectrum
6x 4,000K
6x Lime
12x Royal Blue
4x Cool Blue.

Spectrum i ordered
10X 4,000K
4X Cool Blue
14X Royal Blue.

Again, they were fast to reply to my email but i honestly started to be ****! It was my third problem with the system, here are emails exchange about it:

1 - Me

Hi,

i bought the JBJ Nano 28G RetroFit Upgrade kit last August and at that time i was a total newbie to the hobby. Over the last few months, i notice that my corals color were fade and not really looking good. After investigating and trying different thing, i notice that i might not have the spectrum i ordered? At the time i ordered a 12k Super Full Spectrum (10X 4,000K, 4X Cool Blue, 14X Royal Blue).

Attached is the picture of what i have, it seems to me that i have 4 different colors of LED, not 3 as i should. Also i have Yellow led? I also certainly don't see 14x Royal Blue.

I am wondering if in the rush of building my LED System after i received the wrong one (the 1st one was the wrong assembly), another mistake occur?

Like i said, i am new to the hobby and probably it would have been obvious to an experience hobbyist. Let me know what you think.

Thank you,

Pierre

2 - Steve Led

​Because this was not brought to our attention within the initial system limited warranty period, our options are limited. If you send the panels out on a Monday, you will have them back on a Friday, this is acceptable. Most corals can survive about 10-14 days without ill effect. ​

Thanks!
Jeff

3 - Me

Which spectrum do i have?

4 - Steve

I show that you received the 12,000K JMB Special. This is one of our most popular LED combinations, and it is no more or less blue than the standard 12,000K. I believe we have since modified the 12,000K to use more royal blues​ than during the time that you ordered.

If it is not blue enough for you, perhaps we should exchange it for the 14,000K, which is about 20% more blue than what you currently have?

Thanks!
Jeff

5 - Me

So if I understand correctly, after 2 mistakes on my order (1st time was the wrong assembly and now I got the wrong spectrum of led's) I am the one to blame for not reporting/figuring it out fast enough? So therefore, I am limited in my options!

Please confirm so I can make a clear decision.

Thank you,

6 - Steve

No sir you are not to blame. For the mistake that we new about within the 30 days of your order date, it was taken care of. For this second mistake of incorrect LED combination, we are offering to fix it for free.

Just as if you purchased the item from a local store, they would require you to bring it in first, then correct the mistake, and that is all we are asking of you. I believe this is what is standard pretty much nation wide for USA retailers.

What **** me off is that they knew it was not what i ordered but sent it anyway! How can he see in his system that they sent the JBM special when i ordered the Super Full Spectrum???

The solution is to ship it to them for replacement! Again, i would have to wait 1 week without light on my tank. I was expecting to get a replacement then i can send it back, they can put an hold on my credit card in the meantime, but no!

Now the final analysis:

• Fast support via email
• Many mistakes
• exchange only via shipping with a 5 days turn around.
• Would i repeat and buy again? No!

 

[blackradon]

If you were to do it a again you would go this route? I'm just out through my options with lighting. I really like my MH but would really like to get some LED for color, just haven't really found anything that I could fit into my hood. Really would like to get my MH for mid day hours( 3-5hours ) and have the LED for the morning and evening lighting and also have them for colour 'pop'.