My JBJ 28gal Nano Build Thread

[MSeg]

As far as I'm concerned, this has been a great -and highly educational- thread. The outcome's pretty unfortunate, but the experience was good, right? Martinphillip03's right, you can store the equipment for next time. And if, in the next six months, you give in to temptation and start a (hopefully simple) tank, it'll all be there!

I'm looking forward to your starting up again!

 

[ange062]

Thanks for the kind words guys, glad to hear the thread has had some kind of positive impact on people. All said and done, after the 14-hr move I was pretty frazzled and didnt react well to things looking poor. The skimmer eventually settled, and the fish, clams, and shrimp stayed in the bucket for about 24-hr. Today the main tank looked just about normal, and all the corals were back at it even with just household light (havent hooked the Radion back up yet). So I may have overreacted some as I feared the worst.

I got some more fresh SW at the LFS today, then drip acclimated the remaining bucket for about 45 min and tossed everything back in. Things seem to have gone back to normal. The clowns are in their corner, angel and dottyback doing their usual thing, snails have borrowed into sand, clams look normal, etc... Scape is a total mess, but whatever.

So at this point the only real casualty is my scarlet cleaner shrimp. His antennae and some front legs are all but missing. I don't know if the CBS got him or he got too familiar with the Eheim powerhead he was hiding under. Not sure if he will make it, but still eating and moving around, so there is a chance.

I'm feeling reinvigorated with the house move mostly over and what seems at this point to be a very successful tank move overall. I've got the Radion succesfully ghetto rigged onto my "holding tank" but not yet connected. The chiller and ATO are also not in place, but tank is hovering at a perfect 78 oddly enough.

So, RL30 is again sounding sexy, lol. May venture over to the LFS in a few days time.

And Marty, drfinitely agree every tank has it's ups and down, but this was by far the most challenging to date for me even though I've been through countless problems with the tank over the years.

Tank as it exists today:

 

[Raptor72]

Is that the Aquamaxx HOB skimmer? If so, how do you like it? I've been looking for a new skimmer for my JBJ 30RL and have been eyeing that one.

 

[MSeg]

I'm gonna have to say it: I got a little too excited at the fact that your tank is still doing (relatively) well!

I'm really glad to hear it! And I look forward to the updates! You'll be keeping the tank for now, right? If anything, now you know what not to do when you move in six months!

Congrats on getting it more or less set up again! And +1 to the waiting for it to cycle--hope that goes well, too! :celeb2:

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Hey my friend,

Just caught up on your thread and I'm sorry about the move. It reminds me of my several weeks away from my tank to come back and see all my hard work and money down the drain. As you know, I started up a nano to keep my interest in the hobby, however, with time life got in the way and after about a year that too took a turn for the worst. As one mentioned a few posts earlier maybe taking a few months off isn't a bad idea. I start my first job after school in January and thought about starting my dream 60 gal cube build, however, the fact that I'll be living in an apartment, of which I'll eventually move out of, and be faced with the same obstacles as you makes me apprehensive to even start it in the first place. So, I guess the question you need to really ask yourself is will it all be worth it? Especially if you have to move in another 6mo-1yr, etc..


Wishing you the best my old friend!

SM

 

[ange062]

Is that the Aquamaxx HOB skimmer? If so, how do you like it? I've been looking for a new skimmer for my JBJ 30RL and have been eyeing that one.

Love it, been using for over 2yrs now and have no complaints. I havent rigged it up on an RL30 yet becuase I havent bought an RL30 yet. Will let you know how that turns out shortly

For NC28 and HOB-1, check this thread out: http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2027481

I'm gonna have to say it: I got a little too excited at the fact that your tank is still doing (relatively) well!

I'm really glad to hear it! And I look forward to the updates! You'll be keeping the tank for now, right? If anything, now you know what not to do when you move in six months!

Congrats on getting it more or less set up again! And +1 to the waiting for it to cycle--hope that goes well, too! :celeb2:

Yup, keeping it for now! Light and chiller are both setup again on the NC28 "holding tank" until I get the RL30 setup and cycled. Ill be working on selling off a lot of stuff until then so I can mostly start from scratch.

Hey my friend,

Just caught up on your thread and I'm sorry about the move. It reminds me of my several weeks away from my tank to come back and see all my hard work and money down the drain. As you know, I started up a nano to keep my interest in the hobby, however, with time life got in the way and after about a year that too took a turn for the worst. As one mentioned a few posts earlier maybe taking a few months off isn't a bad idea. I start my first job after school in January and thought about starting my dream 60 gal cube build, however, the fact that I'll be living in an apartment, of which I'll eventually move out of, and be faced with the same obstacles as you makes me apprehensive to even start it in the first place. So, I guess the question you need to really ask yourself is will it all be worth it? Especially if you have to move in another 6mo-1yr, etc..


Wishing you the best my old friend!

SM

What's up fella, long time no talk! Overall in retrospect, the move went pretty dang well. Lost the cleaner shrimp today but everything else looks happy and healthy after I got the Radion running again. Fish even ate a ton and have resumed their normal territories and behavior despite the drastically changed scape.

*fingers crossed* but I think I may have actually pulled the move off. Now to sell of some things, get the RL30 rolling, and start a new!

 

[Whysoserious]

Hey Ange, just read up on your status update. Seems everything is looking good so far with the transfer. I'll be looking forward to your update on the 30! Good luck again

 

[ange062]

Hey Ange, just read up on your status update. Seems everything is looking good so far with the transfer. I'll be looking forward to your update on the 30! Good luck again

Thanks! Ultimately everything but my cleaner shrimp pulled through the move. The whole tank, although totally rearranged, is looking very good. One lesson learned is that I'll be changing out the sand bed often on the next tank. Per previous research I'll use the Steve Weast method of vacuuming out and replacing about 1/8 of the sand bed with each water change. It was INSANE how nasty the sand was and I'm sure it at least partially contributed to my phosphate problems.

Anyway, a new chapter starts!

 

[martinphillip03]

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/ange062/JBJ RL30/20130819_191247_zpsd959fd01.jpg

Ange, one thing I don't have is mad computer skills. I can delete this if you want.

Marty

 

[chad p]

Uh oh. The journey begins. Are you setting it up to cycle in your regular place or you going to move it back when it's all renovated?

What are your plans for the new cube? Give us a sneak peak into your vision for it.

 

[calistyle]

Can you give me more info on your sand swap? I hate my sand, would like to slowly remove it all and maybe add something not as fine.

In regards to your move, I found building a check list before hand, helped keep my on track during the process, especially if dealing with stressful situation.

Tank Move
On final water change before move, blow off rocks for any loose debris and siphon out during water change.

Supplies:

• 5 – 5 Gallon buckets w/ egg crate at bottom, lids for top
• 3 – 5 Gallon jugs of new salt water
• 2 – Air pumps w/ hose and air stones
• 2 – Heaters
• Shims / Level
• Prodibio Bio Digest & Prodibio STOP Ammo (to help control any ammonia/nitrate spike)

Plan:

Prior to Breakdown:
• Box up and supplies and un-used equipment in advance

Breakdown:
• Unplug and remove all equipment from aquarium
• Siphon 3 gallons of water at a time into 5 gallon buckets. As rock is exposed transfer to buckets (leaving corals attached), carefully placing on egg crate to keep from moving around
• Carefully remove fish using clear cups to a bucket with 3G of tank water and insert air stone
• Leave sand bed (30-35 lbs.), base rock (15-20 lbs.), and about 1 inch of water in tank

Once rock, coral, fish are secure in buckets:
• Transfer tank from stand to moving stand (custom build one w/ wheels, same height)
• Move the tank on the moving stand to truck
• Carefully move from moving stand to 2x4’s in back of SUV. Secure
• Have car running at 77 degrees
• Bring out buckets and secure in SUV
• Drive to new eco-stadium (house) very carefully, minding turns and proper route

Once at new location:
• First unload buckets of livestock into controlled temperature house and use heaters if temperature has dropped below 75 degrees.
• Setup stand in new location, verify tank is level (If not, use shims)
• Add 5G-10G of new salt water (due to loss of water)
• Test for leaks
• Stack rock back in place, adding old tank water as needed
• Setup equipment (pumps, skimmer, media)
• Use Prodibio Bio Digest & Prodibio STOP Ammo (if needed)
• Add fish and remaining 3G of tank water
• Monitor parameters
• Perform a system check on equipment
• Pray

 

[ange062]

http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff12/ange062/JBJ RL30/20130819_191247_zpsd959fd01.jpg

Ange, one thing I don't have is mad computer skills. I can delete this if you want.

Marty

Haha, thanks, but according to Family Guy "It's a party". Why stop now?

Uh oh. The journey begins. Are you setting it up to cycle in your regular place or you going to move it back when it's all renovated?

What are your plans for the new cube? Give us a sneak peak into your vision for it.

It'll cycle in the new place, old place is out of the picture at this point. Right now, it's only a 6-mo lease but it'll probably end up going longer. No need to waste time! I pulled of a mostly successful move so when time comes again, I'll just figure it out.

Vision has an epic tank from "Best Tanks in the World" thread with a lot of open space and rock floating over sand. The only question is if I can pull something similar off in a nano. Rock will definitely be minimal.

Can you give me more info on your sand swap? I hate my sand, would like to slowly remove it all and maybe add something not as fine.

In regards to your move, I found building a check list before hand, helped keep my on track during the process, especially if dealing with stressful situation.

Tank Move
On final water change before move, blow off rocks for any loose debris and siphon out during water change.

Supplies:

• 5 – 5 Gallon buckets w/ egg crate at bottom, lids for top
• 3 – 5 Gallon jugs of new salt water
• 2 – Air pumps w/ hose and air stones
• 2 – Heaters
• Shims / Level
• Prodibio Bio Digest & Prodibio STOP Ammo (to help control any ammonia/nitrate spike)

Plan:

Prior to Breakdown:
• Box up and supplies and un-used equipment in advance

Breakdown:
• Unplug and remove all equipment from aquarium
• Siphon 3 gallons of water at a time into 5 gallon buckets. As rock is exposed transfer to buckets (leaving corals attached), carefully placing on egg crate to keep from moving around
• Carefully remove fish using clear cups to a bucket with 3G of tank water and insert air stone
• Leave sand bed (30-35 lbs.), base rock (15-20 lbs.), and about 1 inch of water in tank

Once rock, coral, fish are secure in buckets:
• Transfer tank from stand to moving stand (custom build one w/ wheels, same height)
• Move the tank on the moving stand to truck
• Carefully move from moving stand to 2x4’s in back of SUV. Secure
• Have car running at 77 degrees
• Bring out buckets and secure in SUV
• Drive to new eco-stadium (house) very carefully, minding turns and proper route

Once at new location:
• First unload buckets of livestock into controlled temperature house and use heaters if temperature has dropped below 75 degrees.
• Setup stand in new location, verify tank is level (If not, use shims)
• Add 5G-10G of new salt water (due to loss of water)
• Test for leaks
• Stack rock back in place, adding old tank water as needed
• Setup equipment (pumps, skimmer, media)
• Use Prodibio Bio Digest & Prodibio STOP Ammo (if needed)
• Add fish and remaining 3G of tank water
• Monitor parameters
• Perform a system check on equipment
• Pray

Thanks for the tips man, the move worked out already using some of the points you mentioned. It was very close (and hot in Texas) so a lot of considerations were not needed. My only lacking foresight was having a ton of extra SW and FW on hand, lesson learned.

 

[ange062]

So Restoration Hardware isn't exactly the long term lighting I had in mind, but will serve it's purpose for now.

Leak test was critical for me considering my recent crap (non-fish-tank-related) experiences with flooding. Got the new bad boy RL30 filled up with about 27g of fresh water and all is well.



The new back chamber, in comparison to the NC28, is interesting. I love the extra space for maintenance:


That being said, only one chamber is constant volume which is on the right (from a front stance). The other falls directly to the pump chamber, which creates some oddities. First, the right chamber receives substantially more flow at normal operation volume. The other chamber technically is "constant volume" but drains to the same level as the center chamber. It's not a bad design, just creates some new challenges. I foresee very inconsistent media changes between the two overflows. Here are pics from behind the overflow on left (non-constant) vs. right chambers respectively:






The two overflow design definitely seems to cope with the flow from the two monstrous (IMO) 266gph Acella's. And the new format of overflow and outflow is going to be tremendous for reducing surface scum and getting that crap to the skimmer IMO, just check this out:

 

[Charley Diesing]

Awesome upgrade, I always loved your 28g. But whats keeping you from going sump?

 

[SaguaroSteve]

Love it! That's a sweet looking tank!

 

[ange062]

Awesome upgrade, I always loved your 28g. But whats keeping you from going sump?

Just dont have the room for a sump IMO, nor a real need. When I eventually build out my custom build 100 it'll be sumped though. No point in an AIO.

Love it! That's a sweet looking tank!

Thanks dood!


So I've run into numerous setbacks. First my MP10 dry side went out, and right after that the chiller blew a coolant line. MP10 is still working but making a lot of noise, and I havent had time to determine if I can fix the chiller since I've been in and out of town nonstop. Sucks having to run my house at 74 nonstop during the Texas summer just to keep the tank at 82. Inhabitants dont seem to like the increased temp from the normal 77.

And all that to boot I broke my toe bad enough to where they thought I'd need surgery, which after a couple weeks looks like I wont. That being said I've been too incapacitated to concentrate on the new tank. At this point just trying to hold things together for a bit until I can figure everything out. Just hoping for an upswing in my luck, lol!

 

[martinphillip03]

Ange. I am afraid to say anything less I jinx you more. But here it goes,

May the Force be with you!

Marty

So I've run into numerous setbacks. First my MP10 dry side went out, and right after that the chiller blew a coolant line. MP10 is still working but making a lot of noise, and I havent had time to determine if I can fix the chiller since I've been in and out of town nonstop. Sucks having to run my house at 74 nonstop during the Texas summer just to keep the tank at 82. Inhabitants dont seem to like the increased temp from the normal 77.

And all that to boot I broke my toe bad enough to where they thought I'd need surgery, which after a couple weeks looks like I wont. That being said I've been too incapacitated to concentrate on the new tank. At this point just trying to hold things together for a bit until I can figure everything out. Just hoping for an upswing in my luck, lol!

 

[martinphillip03]

Ange, I think I saw your tank of the future. "Reef in the Sky" by V1...Rotate. Wow what a tank.
I saw the JBG 28 next to the JBG 30. Boy what a difference. I really like the 30.
Question on the 30. Since the water level in the back overflow is not level. Is there anyway a small alge scrubber could be incorporated? (I have been reading the alge scrubber thread and for whatever reason I thought of your 30.
Hope everything is ok.

Marty

 

[waddwadd]

Is this JBJ the intermediate version or the expert version? Thanks!

 

[chuckdylan]

That stand looks much nicer then the stock black one. Where did you get it?