Need 28g JBJ Build Advice

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cmsurfr22

Premium Member
a few years ago i had a 210 gallon reef tank that had been set up for three years. i'm now looking to set up a 28g JBJ nano tank.

The only thing i really want in the tank is a pair of False Perc Clownfish and an anemone for them to host in (carpet or ritteri)

I'm looking for advice on what kind of lighting, skimmer and any other equipment is necessary. i'm considering the JBJ LED canopy but wanted to hear your opinions on that LED hood vs metal halide. i was getting out of the hobby when LED was just starting to take off so i've been out of the loop.

Thanks for the advice!
 
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I have a JBJ 28 HQI its great but the only problem is the heat issue.. if you decide to go hqi it runs very hot you would def need a chiller which is not cheap..if i could i would of gone with led pro. for skimmer stock one sucks alot of JBJ owners go with aqumax hob-1 there is a guy on here by the name of ange062 he has a bad a** jbj build thread great read also ojonas81 great jbj build those guys have lots of good advice.
 
I purchased my JBJ 28 with the LED hood. Personally I didn't like the color very much. I do like the color of the HQI better but I hear about the heat issues a lot!

For the cost of the JBJ LED package I would go with the base PC package instead and use all the money saved to go into a better led fixture like the Kessil 150W 15k.

I have seen a few nano cubes and biocubes using this light and I think it looks really nice and dosnt have the heat issues of the HQI. Also I just like an open top look better than the hood.

6153977027_3d4eec70c3.jpg
 
I'm with kalgra. I'm like you except that I got out of the hobby before LED really even broke on the scene.

I got the HQI version used but the heat was an issue. Unless you're budgeting for a chiller I'd avoid this one. I did like kalgra and replaced the stock hood with a Kessil A150, only I went with the sky blue. I really recommend it. I love the look of it. So far I only have fish and ricordea in it but it's going well.

I would say if you like the open top look go with a Kessil, otherwise I'd go with the LED advanced version.

As for a skimmer, you can research the handful of viable options you have with the NC 28 but I love my JNS VS1 (Aquamaxx HOB-1). It came highly recommended from a few others with NC 28 builds and it didn't disappoint.
 
Actually just to clarify I didn't replace mine with a Kessil the picture above is someone else's tank I saw online. I went with an AI nano sol over mine but I didn't mention the AI nano because thus far i have not had much luck with it.
 
Oh gotcha. Have you had acclimation issues? I thought about going with the Sol but I'm loving my Kessil. If I find that I need more punch down the road I'll upgrade to the A350 at some point.
 
chad p said:
Oh gotcha. Have you had acclimation issues? I thought about going with the Sol but I'm loving my Kessil. If I find that I need more punch down the road I'll upgrade to the A350 at some point.
Click to expand...

No acclimation issues Ive been running the light for about 6-7 months now and things started off doing really well. I'm just having trouble maintaining good color. I have good growth and polyp extension the colors just seems to wash out with time. Not bleaching really but going from vibrant reds, oranges, yellows, etc to more pastel colors. I don't really have any issue with blues and greens.

I'm not certain its the light there could be other factors at play or possibly that with all the tuning ability of the AI I just don't have it setup optimally. I am seriously considering switching over to a kessil to rule it out though.

I am really tempted to get the new Kessil 350 with the wide lens.

Sorry for the hijack
 
cmsurfr22 said:
what about the ecotech marine radion? besides the price is there any downsides to that system?
Click to expand...

I think you will find a wide variety of opinions regarding the Radion. Personally im sold on it and will be running 6 over my 200 once the build is finished. I have often thought about trying one over the 28 and may do that since I plan on running them anyway. Just kinda seems a little over kill for the 28g.

One down side I can think of if having to hook the Radion up to a PC every time you want to adjust it but that is easily resolved by interfacing it with a wireless device. My thought there is just that the power supply is bulky and adding wireless is just more stuff to tuck away really only a down side if you have little space as many do with "nano" tanks.
 
I really like my Radion and have had great results with it! And not short term either, I've been running mine since I got one pre-release in October. Overkill for a 28g? Yeah, but I run mine at 70% so not THAT overkill. Customization is awesome, from tweaking spectrum, to creating clouds, to adjusting intensity, to creating awesome realistically colored sunrise/sunsets and mooncycles.

What's the downside? Price of course, but it does more than any other fixture out there so you get what you pay for. Hooking up to a PC really isn't a big deal, because once you get it setup you will never touch it again (or at least I haven't - in MONTHS). Plus they are coming out with a new software release to control wirelessly via your laptop, max, ipad, etc. Power supply isn't really that large either (no worse than an HQI ballast).

Check out my build thread, I've got video tank/stand tours and plenty of details on the lighting profiles I use, growth shots, etc. HTH


So all that being said, back to the OP! If you want to keep a pair of clowns and a nem, get the basic PC version and a koralia and you are set. No need for anything else with that little livestock, and nems don't require a particularly high amount of light.
 
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