JBJ Nano advanced build thread

[wakeupneo]

Just figured I might share how my tank progresses...

The live rock has been in and has been cycling for almost two weeks now. Getting plenty of algae growth.

Protein skimmer and JBJ LED refugium lights on the way. Will put some cheato in the back chambers.

Question, due I want the protein skimmer on during the cycle? Due I want to put the Cheato in during the cycle?

Thanks

:bounce1:

 

[tommer725]

Put in the Cheato. You can turn on the protein skimmer, but it not do anything because there is dissolved organic material.

 

[ange062]

I'd say wait for the cycle to finish on both skimmer and cheato. I've seen people run into a lot of problems related to cheato die-off during cycles and in new tanks. Since skimmers pull DOC's including ammonia, nitrite, and nitrates running it may actually hinder your nitrogen cycle and cause it to take longer.

Just my 2c

 

[wakeupneo]

Thanks gang for all the good advice...

:fish1:

 

[NMC]

Look forward to seeing your progress.

 

[wakeupneo]

My aquascape is all setup and Im very happy with the results. I'm a fan of a lot live rock. There are a few nicks and crannies for the critters to cruise around in. Ill be looking to add a cleanup crew this weekend.

Been hearing mixed things regarding starfish. Are they reef safe or not? Like everything else in this hobbie, I guess it depends on who you talk to.

Thanks!

 

[klwheat]

I had a brittle star and a sand-sifting star in my 100g reef for a year with no issues
chocolate chips are a definite no-no

 

[wakeupneo]

At first I couldn't keep my temp cool enough not I can't keep it warm enough. In a day my tank fluctuates about 74-83 degrees wondering if this is an acceptable fluctuation? Is there something I can do to stabilize? What's more concerning the high end or low end. Thanks for all your help guys!

 

[ange062]

Holy crap, 74-83 is a HUGE swing!! Get a heater to keep that under control, ideally you want your temps to fluctuate about 2-3 degrees tops. 83 is also on the high range of acceptable, so you may want to look into evaporative cooling (i.e. a fan) or a chiller.

I had a red linckia for quite a while, it was fun to watch, a non-reefer favorite, and completely reef safe. Lost it to my MP10 unfortunately, but looking into getting another.

 

[wakeupneo]

Well I just bought a Tetra automatic water heater.

The dang thing doesn't work right out of the box. It powers up and never heats up.

If anyone has some recommendations for a quality heater, Im all ears.


Thanks!


:bounce1:

 

[ange062]

Eheim Jager 100w, reliable, effective, and inexpensive.

 

[Jacsubi]

eheim jager 100w, reliable, effective, and inexpensive.

+1

 

[Carl T]

Inexpensive might be misleading... Let's just say "worth every penny"

Sent via Tapatalk 2

 

[wakeupneo]

Bought the heater, thanks for the advice. Just tested my water using strips.

My general hardness (?) is 180, My Carbonate Hardness is 16, pH is at 8.0 Nitrite is at 0 and Nitrate is at 30. Salt level is in line, temp in line, cycling for over two weeks.

Time for the clean up crew? How do these parameters look?

 

[ahoDMV]

Looking great! found some helpful information in this thread.

just bought a 12gal jbj nano and am a newbie starting a saltwater tank.

 

[ange062]

Inexpensive might be misleading... Let's just say "worth every penny"

Sent via Tapatalk 2

$25 for a 100w heater is about as cheap as them come...

Bought the heater, thanks for the advice. Just tested my water using strips.

My general hardness (?) is 180, My Carbonate Hardness is 16, pH is at 8.0 Nitrite is at 0 and Nitrate is at 30. Salt level is in line, temp in line, cycling for over two weeks.

Time for the clean up crew? How do these parameters look?

Are you sure you bought saltwater test kits? Nobody measures general hardness in a reef tank. Your KH is way high (should be 8-12) but may be reading inarticulately? I see no reason it should be that far off if all your other parms are in line. Did you test for ammonia also and ensure it's at 0? Nitrates are a tad bit high, may be time for a water change.

The API test kits are cheap compared to others are work well enough, I'd recommend starting with the "saltwater master" and shortly after getting the "reef master" so that you have everything you need. Your LFS can also test for you to confirm the values that you are seeing are correct.

 

[peligro]

You could always get docking mounts for your lid and lift it off the tank so that the heat produced by your mh isn't directed into your tank but is allowed to disperse out of the tank. I am having the same problem, and saw a video of a guy who came up with this solution. Said is flux in temp is only 3 degrees. Also if you have the return pumps alternating on anything more then 30 sec. You'll get a lot of heat from them. Jbj told me the best is 30 And below sec alternating on the pumps. It allows the pumps to not heat up as much. And cool faster. Just my 2 cent. And experience

HTC EVO

 

[peligro]

What skimmer are you using?

HTC EVO

 

[wakeupneo]

You could always get docking mounts for your lid and lift it off the tank so that the heat produced by your mh isn't directed into your tank but is allowed to disperse out of the tank. I am having the same problem, and saw a video of a guy who came up with this solution. Said is flux in temp is only 3 degrees. Also if you have the return pumps alternating on anything more then 30 sec. You'll get a lot of heat from them. Jbj told me the best is 30 And below sec alternating on the pumps. It allows the pumps to not heat up as much. And cool faster. Just my 2 cent. And experience

HTC EVO

So the alternating pumps should be 30 seconds or less? Thanks for that tidbit, although it seems that this would make it heat up faster as the pumps are running more often, no?

I ended up with the JBJ skimmer, looks pretty solid actually. Much more solid than the biocube skimmer. The HOB was much too big for the space I needed.

 

[wakeupneo]

Well my water parameters seem a bit better. I did a 25% water change and added a light clean up crew( 4 hermits, 7 asteras, and 5 nassarius).

ITs been almost three weeks now. The guy at the LFS told me I should be ready for softies and fish in about a week. Seems a bit early, no?

Thanks gang for all your help.