My first tank ever

K

Khaley

New member
Well I took the plunge! 26g Nano Cube. Would have written sooner but last night was a haze of live rock, saltwater and beer. I even took the night off from work to stare at the cloudy water. I think I’m in love.

Nano Cube no mods yet. Took the bio balls / ceramics out. Left in the carbon and added Bio Chem Zorb. Have 25pds live rock and 20pds Carib Sea live sand. I did throw in a 1200 Maxi-Jet for circulation. 24 hours later and the water is clear!

I have discovered 2 red legged hermit crabs and an unidentified brown snail (Larry Moe and Curly). Also some cool stuff on the rock. Once I figure out the camera I'll get shots of everything.

Question: How do I get rid of the Max-Jet? I want the circulation but I hate what it does to the look of the tank! Can I put something in the third chamber that will push more water from the existing outlet?

I will be installing a new canopy. My plan is to replace the existing lighting with 6 T5’s. I thought about MH but really like the look of the top cover. Also I am worried about the heat they generate.
 
If the stock pump is still in Chamber 3 you can swap that out for the MaxiJet 1200. That is what I am running on my cube.
 
Colin - thank you! I'll do that today. Do you use 1 maxjet or two in your tank? Also I do plan on SPS and a clam so I needed the extra lighting. I am trying to give myself options for diversity.

Jcarnahan - I wasn't worried about the T5'S but had heard that the MH would be a porblem without an auto topoff in a tank this small. I sometimes get held over for work and did not want to risk killing my new friends with spikes in temp and saline levels.
 
I just have the one MaxiJet 1200 in mine.

I have a MaxiJet 600 I have tried to add but it just causes a sandstorm. I am going to try attatching it to a hydor flo and see if I can find a spot in my tank where it works (probably just below the current outlet).

Here is a good thread with Nano Cubes and better lights, the people went with fixture tops, is this what you want to do?

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=765322&highlight=SPS+Nano+Cube

Also have you ever heard of www.nanotuners.com? They have all the mod kits.
 
Colin thank you again!
I have been on nanotuners and they do offer several options. I am worried about the chiller built into the hood because it looks like it has to be plumbed into a water source and I have nothing nearby. I may be misreading it though.

As for Amanda's set up. All I can say is WOW! I love the MH set up even though its open top. I am just not sure about the skimmer. I really wanted to go with the stock / slight mod set up and try to keep it simple. I may have to rethink and go with the MH and set up an auto top off.

I did put the 1200 in the back and that has increased the water flow. (After I accidentally disconnected the hose while running the unit and shot water into the living room). I was thinking about trying to put in a higher flow and running two outlets from the single line. (is that what you mean by hydra flo?) That way I can keep the look of the inside of the tank and still create some chaotic movement.

I am trying to figure out how to post pictures. I'll get there. Right now I love the look of the tank but I can't wait to get some corals etc. All readings are normal. PH 8.4 everything else 0. No bloom yet and the snail and red legged hermit crabs are fine.

I did have to treat all the rock for aiptasia and majano. I figure I wont get a better opportunity to get them out. Spent two days hunting for them. Lots of life on the rocks!
 
The hydor flo is a device that will replace your factory oulet that pumps water from the chamber into the display, basically it is a little wavemaker. (I heard you can use teflon tape to secure it, otherwise it flies off).
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/Prod_Display.cfm?pcatid=11363&N=2004+113782


To post pictures open a www.photobucket.com account and follow these directions
http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=531326


I installed the ICA chiller (old style, they have redesigned it). I regrett doing it. Over the summer the room temp during the day got to be about 85 where I am and I had the AC kick on @ 5 p.m. My tank never got over 82, which is a fine temp. I never needed it. Plus there are other ways to cool your cube in the summer (Aim a fan at it, float an ice pack in the back chambers, RO/DI Ice cubes as top off, etc....)
Now if you go with the MH's then yeah you'll need something to chill the water :)
www.marinedepot.com has a little chiller I might get next summer, check out their selection.
 
IMG_0109.jpg

IMG_0113.jpg
 
I will try to get some better shots. Lots of little caves and pass through areas. I tried to keep it open. Now I just have to make sure I get water movement through the back of the tank.
 
Thank You! I wanted caves and shelves. I have to figure out the settings on the camera so everything isn't so washed out and flat looking.

I will be making the lighting decision this week. I will also be adding some critters if the water parameters remain the same. So far everything has been very stable and I do have critters in the sand, on the glass, and in the rock. I keep waiting for the spike. So far nada…


Colin - thanks for the pic help! I like the hydo flo. It may solve my dead spot back of the tank flow problem. :rollface:
 
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