my first jbj nano cube setup

[Atmosphere]

Ok so after 5 years of wanting to do a saltwater tank I decided it was time to give it a try. Ive been reading these fourms on here for a few months just kinda looking at what every one was using and how they were setting up there tanks ect ect. I got great ideas from every ones tanks on here and I have to say these fourms have so much information I catch my self on here looking at peoples tanks for hours wishing it was mine. So I broke down this morring and ordered my tank and gear from dr foster and smiths web sit also ordered some dry rock from bulf reef supply to add with live rock later so im not really breaking my pay checks on just rock for this tank haha. So heres what I ordered....

Diamond Chemical Filtration Media Activated Carbon 900 ml/10 oz

Mechanical Filter Pads Uncut Blue Bonded Pad

Purigen 100 ml. w/ mesh bag

Master Liquid Test Kit Saltwater

Portable Refractometer 0-100 ppt salinity and1.000-1.070 specific gravity

Thermometer 2-1/4" x 1-1/2"

Fine Mesh Media Bag 3" x 4"

Fish Acclimation Kit 3-pk

Mag-Float 20 Algae Cleaner

Nano Cube 28-gallon CF-QUAD Nano Cube Kit

Instant Ocean Marine Stabilizer 8.45 oz (250 ml)

Light Timer

15 pounds of dry rock

I havent picked up any sand yet or salt seems like the prices I could get cheaper at my local fish store and I was also thinking if I can wait till my next check ill just buy pre mix water and use that to start my tank off. Anything you guys think I may have missed or need please let me know. I plain on adding more as I get my gear in the mail and I slowly start to set every thing up. I dont think im in any rush to get any live stock in there untill I feel completley ready lol.

 

[W8lifts]

A power head might be nice

 

[Atmosphere]

Sorry forgot to mention I have two maxi jet power heads and a heater left over from my old fresh water tank. I was goig to use one power head just for water circulation. My question is i was wondering does any one use the stock media basket or is it better just to chuck it and go with a custom one from intank? And what kind of media is every one running?

 

[NyteGTI]

The intank one is awesome! Im running what a majority of people run in their bano cubes in this order from top to bottom: filter floss, chemical pure elite, purigen.
What maxijet powerhead do you have? If you have a 900 its fine as a return pump but as a circulation pump its just too much imo..

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[Atmosphere]

I guess i might have to invest in the intank one down the line here. Both pumps are the 1200 so i guess i better invest in another pump and just use them as returns and take out the stock ones. Sooooo much stuff to buy for this tank already! Haha

 

[NyteGTI]

I haven't seen anybody run 2 returns in the bano cube but its probably possible. The 1200 is perfectly fine for a return in the 28g but for a powerhead most people here run a koralia nano 240 or the 480 or the mp10 just to get into the dead spots of your tank.

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[john miller]

Check into a RO/DI (or just RO depending on your water supply). Kinda pricey upfront but it will quickly pay for itself. In the beginning you'll be mixing A LOT of water. Also check into some water storage containers. Most of us use Brute trash cans.

 

[Atmosphere]

Just ordered a new power head last night. Thanks John I acttully learned alot from your thread awhile back when you were throwing together your tank. I'm looking into maybe a ro/di system for maybe down the line. I was just thinking about going to invest in a bigger tub or something to mix the 29 gallons of water in I did pick up this cool plastic water jug from Walmart that has a drain valve on the end I was thinking of using that for my water changes.

I'm still trying to think of stocking ideas for down the line. I know I want to get a jaw fish and probably a pair of clowns and that will be it for fish.
As far as corals I really like Duncan's and Xenia.
I think I'll probably lean more with different types of odd ball inverts to give the tank some personality. Any ideas for stocking the tank? I know I wanna stick with those 3 fish and call it a day on them I don't wanna crowd the tank with fish.

 

[Atmosphere]

So a trip to petco and pick up some things i needed.
Instant ocean reef crystals, 20 pounds of sand, aqueon 500 circulation pump and a siphon vacuum with a hand primer so i dont have to put my freaking mouth on the dumb tube and get a mouth full of water!

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[ange062]

My thoughts are honestly to build as you go, you will learn a lot on the way and learn what you need to upgrade. Start stock, get a heater, and as you add things and learn what takes your liking you can adjust accordingly. I would suggest starting easy with damsels or clowns, they are very hardy fish. As your reefing skills mature, your coral pickings will go in a particular direction and you can add things to suit. One good thing that you won't regret is a GFO reactor, will save you tons of heartache in the longterm for fairly little money. I'd look into that and a skimmer.

Oh, a good powerhead should be #1.

 

[Atmosphere]

Ange062 tanks for the reply. I've been looking into maybe adding a reactor down the line. I was reading up on them last night but yes a skimmer is very high on my list of next to invest in. I think right now all I'm really worried about is buying some live rock to add to my dry rock that's coming tomorrow. I'll probably go pick some live rock next week when the rest of my equipment comes in.
So I have two questions and this is probably going to sound dumb. So I was planing on going to the store and buying 35 gallons of bottled water to start the tank. Now when I throw the sand in can I mix the salt inside the tank with the sand and all in there and should I leave the system off when I mix it and just have a power head on or what?
Also my second question is when every one did there cycles did you guys just leave the filter media out of the tank and just run filter floss until after your cycle? I'm sure some one some where on here asked those same questions but I was digging threw the forums here at work and couldnt find any thing. Thanks again for every one thats giving me tips I really appreciate it. Looks like my tank will be here today and my rock tomorrow just won't have anything to measure salinity till tuseday.

 

[ange062]

I would mix your water outside of the tank or buy premixed water from an LFS. Mixing in the tank could lead to problems like killing beneficial bacteria in your live rock. Add the sand before you fill the tank then use a plate when filling and you won't end up with a cloudy mess. And no need to run chemical media during the cycle, just the floss as you mentioned.

 

[Atmosphere]

Ok so today i rearranged the hole living room. Set up the tank. Did a leak test. And as soon as i did that.....everything i ordered from dr foster and smith came in the mail. So i just went ahead and finished the tank. I still need to drill the tabs in the hood out but i got a wicked sand storm going haha. And i have the dry rock soaking in a 5 gallon bucket. Still cant believe i made the jump to saltwater. Good way to bring in the new year!

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[boostd2valve]

just picked up one of these..im downgrading from a 150g...if you find anything helpful please let me know..I wont have mine home until tommorrow!

 

[Atmosphere]

Yeah ill defiantly let you know. It was a pain to set up but its up and running now just still cloudy. Mine has two small scratches on the front I hope it doesnt effect the strength of the tank. Good luck with you tank ill keep you updated if I have any tips.

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[boostd2valve]

right on...sounds good to me as i will return the favor!

 

[john miller]

To help with the cloudiness put filter floss (pillow stuffing) in the top section of your basket and change it out every hour whether you think it needs it or not. Should significantly clear up in a few hours.

 

[Atmosphere]

Thanks John! When I got up this morning its like nothing has changed and its still super cloudy. I almost feel like I messed up some where and it should be clear by now. I used a mix of sugar sand with some think sand to try and give it a different look but is like it has a residue on the returns and the glass.

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[ange062]

On top of what John said, for future reference it's much easier to add the sand first. Once it's added, use a plate on top of the sand to pour onto when you are filling the tank. This will eliminate cloudiness from the get go!

 

[Atmosphere]

Thats what i did. I put the sand in first had a small bowel in there when i poured the water in. Its still super cloudy I guess ill give it another day or two.

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