ange062
New member
Shouldn't take more than 30min tops. MJ sits below skimmer intake, you have to pull the skimmer (or just intake tube) off first.
My JBJ 28gal Nano Build Thread
- Thread starter ange062
- Start date
Shouldn't take more than 30min tops. MJ sits below skimmer intake, you have to pull the skimmer (or just intake tube) off first.
ange062
New member
I realized how much the tank has been neglected lately due to an intense past few months at work. I was getting by on the bare minimum, WC's every 10-14 days, cleaning the glass every 7-10 days, and not doing anything else besides feeding. Finally with the holiday, decided to give it a good overhaul!
I started by pulling the HOB-1 off and breaking it down completely to clean each and every piece. Since that was off, I pulled the reactors and MJ400 and did the same (and replaced media which needed to be done anyway).
Since I had all of that off, decided to pull the Eheim Jager heater and clean it. Then I pulled both stock Accela's for a full cleaning. And since all that was out I pulled the InTank basket and gave it a full cleaning.
With all this empty space I went ahead and grabbed my algae scrubber and cleaned out all of the back chambers then siphoned out the mess. I even pulled my temp probe and cleaned it off.
Only thing I didn't do was backwash my chiller loop, but that's because I was out of water. Will get that on my next WC.
I replaced my foam blocks with brand new stuff, then put everything back together and reassembled. Good as new!! Skimmer is working much better, I had to pull the cup up about an inch and it's still skimming too wet.
Threw in a couple bumble bee snails from the LFS since I've got no room to add anything else
Had a lengthy discussion about a 70-ish gallon custom built starphire glass tank with my own idea of a stealth coast-to-coast overflow with the LFS owner. May have to put this in motion soon. I want some anthias!!
I started by pulling the HOB-1 off and breaking it down completely to clean each and every piece. Since that was off, I pulled the reactors and MJ400 and did the same (and replaced media which needed to be done anyway).
Since I had all of that off, decided to pull the Eheim Jager heater and clean it. Then I pulled both stock Accela's for a full cleaning. And since all that was out I pulled the InTank basket and gave it a full cleaning.
With all this empty space I went ahead and grabbed my algae scrubber and cleaned out all of the back chambers then siphoned out the mess. I even pulled my temp probe and cleaned it off.
Only thing I didn't do was backwash my chiller loop, but that's because I was out of water. Will get that on my next WC.
I replaced my foam blocks with brand new stuff, then put everything back together and reassembled. Good as new!! Skimmer is working much better, I had to pull the cup up about an inch and it's still skimming too wet.
Threw in a couple bumble bee snails from the LFS since I've got no room to add anything else
Had a lengthy discussion about a 70-ish gallon custom built starphire glass tank with my own idea of a stealth coast-to-coast overflow with the LFS owner. May have to put this in motion soon. I want some anthias!!
tandldel
Member
Threw in a couple bumble bee snails from the LFS since I've got no room to add anything else
Sounds like you need to scratch this itch!! LOL! I want to hear about this coast to coast before I build my rimless upgrade if your willing to share! I'm planning gl...holes as of now. I'm going 33-23-22 about 72g but it won't be until fall at the earliest.
ange062
New member
LOL, yeah, it's definitely getting higher on the priority list!
So here is my idea, in rough form. I am planning on getting it drawn up in Google Sketch to bring to a tank builder, will post once I have it completed. Basically the idea is to have the back tank pane cut about 4" shorter than the other sides. Then I will build a dark smoked (or black) acrylic external overflow with one side having grates in it. This will be mounted and sealed to the 4" cutout section of the back pane and use a bean animal overflow system. Will keep the in-tank look super clean while still having full surface skimming and a quiet and redundant overflow system.
Then do a minimalist two-island scape with plenty of room for SPS growth, and load up the sump with LR. The stand will be oversized to give plenty of room for sump, doser, chiller, controllers, ATO reservoir, and all supplies and tools (plus give a nice work space close to the tank). Even toying with the idea of a granite surface for the stand.
I've got the look all mapped out in my head, now I just have to execute on it.
Whysoserious
New member
Ange, what kind model JBJ chiller do you have? Also how did you hook it up? I just purchased a 1/10HP one and hoping you can give me guidance before I experiment myself.
As of now I dont have the HOBB skimmer, FYI. Did you upgrade the stock return pumps on the tank as well?
Thanks!
As of now I dont have the HOBB skimmer, FYI. Did you upgrade the stock return pumps on the tank as well?
Thanks!
ange062
New member
Thanks for the comment drupy!!! Connection is exactly as you have described it, the return from the carbon reactor goes into the heater chamber.
But actually, just today I swapped the MJ400 for an Eheim Compact 600. Same size, actually the same price, but the Ehiem is SOOOO much quieter!! I am very happy again, the MJ was starting to seriously get on my nerves. I highly recommend the Eheim over the MJ. Though honestly, I think the 600 may be overkill at 160gph, I had to taper off a ton of flow on the restrictor. The 300 model's 80gph would probably be more then adequate. It's not making a ton of noise with the restrictor blocking flow like the MJ does though, so I guess having the extra power available on tap also doesn't hurt.
I've got the JBJ Mini-Arctica 1/15hp digital version. I think it's actually now discontinued. Hookup was very easy. I just used my heater chamber side (right) stock Accela return pump and about 6' of 1/2" ID Lee's pond tubing to hook it up. Pump goes straight to chiller, chiller goes straight back to the right side return to the display. Only thing I have thought about changing is adding some of those Eheim quick dry-break disconnects to make cleaning the chiller easier.
Both of my return pumps are stock, an MJ isn't an "upgrade" IMO as they push about the same amount of water but make a lot more noise. I have no complaints with the Accela's after over a year of use. If/when they go bad, I'll replace them with Eheim Compact 1000's, I'm seriously infatuated with these things!
ange062
New member
Yup!
UofTOrange
New member
Just a beautiful tank. Those clowns are making me really want some snowflakes
I need to update my build thread. Great job Ange!
I need to update my build thread. Great job Ange!
ange062
New member
I suppose I can accept a compliment even if it's from a tea-sip!! :lmao: Gig Em Ags!!!
In all seriousness, thanks for the compliment! And since you are local here in Houston, PM me and I'll let you know a couple good places to pick up an awesome pair of snowflakes (or any other designer clown you like).
It's normal for skimmer performance to decrease over time as things get clogged up. In your case, I'd suspect salt creep into your air intake line.
Take the silencer assembly off, take it apart and rinse everything out with warm water. While you are doing that submerse the yellow airline in the water in the skimmer body and leave it like that for a few minutes with the skimmer pump running. That'll flush out any salt buildup in the line and even help to clean out the needle wheel a little bit.
If that doesn't fix your issue, let me know.
ange062
New member
Good to know it worked out!
So contrary to my gut feeling, I decided to try this cool yellow coris wrasse I have been watching at the LFS for a little over a month. Yes, 7th fish in a nano, yes too small a tank, yes lidless, I've heard all the stories but wanted to try. It dug straight into the sand after a drip acclimation. Today (2-days after purchase) I started to get worried so dug into the sand where he originally went and found no sign. I figured he just moved into the sand in another spot in the tank.
A few minutes later, I looked over to the side and found that he decided to try carpet surfing and failed miserably (or succeeded, depending on how you look at it). Bummer, that was a cool looking fish.
My flame hawk is bullying my neon dottyback of all fish (which used to be the super-aggressive bully of the tank), and now I hardly ever see it. My royal gramma has always been shy and hardly ever comes out. The coral beauty as always is the king of the tank and not even the flame will mess with it, though 95% of the time it's pretty well behaved.
Despite my apparent luck with SPS and clams, fish remain a conundrum to me.
I'm tempted to move my prized clowns to a storage tank, stick an eel or puffer or something in the tank to eat all the other fish, then start over from scratch, LOL!!
My dream team would be my two clowns, a potters angel, and whatever the heck else would stay out in the water column and get along with those!
ange062
New member
I had a plane old barebones CF-quad when I started out. The Radion made a huge difference, you can easily see that in the pictures from before and after. Growth has exploded, color is better, and I am able to keep anything in my tank that I want no matter how much light it requires.
Throw on top of that sunrise/sunset simulations and IMO the Radion was worth every penny.
Only tradeoffs are that I'm now lidless so have had one fish jump so far and evaporation is through the roof (had to add an ATO)
dtum
New member
Thanks, and from all the fish that you've kept in this tank, what was(were) your favourite? And why?
plyle02
Active member
Love those clowns, your tank is looking superb... So the next one will be a hit, likely because any of your current design issues can be addressed and fixed by a new design. Should be a fun thread to follow when you pull the trigger Until then, keep up the great work, your reef skills and camera skills are top notch...
Until then, keep up the great work, your reef skills and camera skills are top notch...
