Need help designing new nano. Help me nano gods!

Scuba_Steve

Premium Member
Hey everyone, I need a litle help setting up a nano for a friend. I am pretty reef experienced, but never bought an actual cube before, so I dont know quite a few details.
First off, here is what Im looking for. I want a 20+ gallon system with mh or t5 lighting. I want this system to be newbie friendly, and require no real modifications, or DIY, not even return pump exchange. Im going to leave that as an option for her when she sees the tank for herself and decides how easy it will be.

1. Lets start with a tank, I think I have chosen an aquapod 24G HQI. Suggestions are open to change any of my selections btw. How much of the filtration system needs to be taken out to make it reef friendly (bio material removal), and skimmer complient. I would really like a pic of the filtration system/sump, as I cannot find one online, just front views. Is the included fan sufficient?

2. Skimmer AquaC Nano I loved my Remora, can I expect the same quality? Does it fit on the tank without any modifications. How about an ASM Mini? I assume that doesnt fit in the sump section. Others that are quality?

3. Return pump I was going to get 2 Maxi 1200s. I figured if she wants to change the return, great! If not, the she will need the extra flow anyways, so she can just use the as intended.

4. Heater Ebo Jager has always been my fav. Or maybe hydor theo. Regardless will a 100w be sufficient and fit with the skimmer?

5. Test kits, refractometer, thermometer, salt, sand, rock, ro/di, mag float, net, food. Did I miss anything here?

6. Refugium With the skimmer hanging off the back, is there any type of HOB refugium that can fit? Remember, no DIY mods!

As I said, this is for a good friend, and I want her to have a great setup, done the right way the first time. I am not going to be able to help actually setup as I am in Iraq right now, so I want this to be easy for someone with little aquarium experience, and no DIY experience. But I will be with her the whole way to make sure everything is done right, at least to the best of my knowledge. I trust it to you, the nano experts, to guide her through me, down the right path. Any modifications to this plan, suggestions, or criticisms would be appreciated.
Thanx,
Steve
 
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Hey Steve, hows things? Havent heard from you in a while.

All I know is that I have had many problems with my Aquapod24, however I have the enclosed top. Make sure you get the one with the Sunpod ontop.

1) My pump sucked, changed to Maxijet 1200
2) Having heat issues, had to buy a ICA chiller
3) Fans broke, and had to replace them too

I was told to remove all the filters, bio balls and bag of stones from everyone on this site. My LFS told me I should atleast keep my filters in, that it is the only filter between the tank and your pump. I do clean it weeky, and yes it does stop alot of stuff from entering the rear sump area.

I have been dealing with current usa on my pod ever since i got it. They have kept in touch with me, trying to come to a solution to fix the problem. They did replace the pump too. Also due to my heat issues, they have a new nano skimmer that is comming out in a few weeks to replace the nano skimmer thats out now which has alot of issues. They said they were going to send me one for my feedback. I turned down a replacement top, since I already made my modifications. So they are giving me a new skimmer when it comes out. As long as i provide them feedback.
So yes, current seems to be legit.

I have been having other issues too. My flame angel now has something wrong with it, and noone in here seems to have an answer. You can see my thread on disease.

Well hope all is well over there, good luck!!
Michael
 
I changed my main return in my aquapod to a MJ-900 and I have an additional MJ-900 in the tank with a hydor-flo on it.. I was using MJ-1200's for both.. and it was making my tank temp rise to 86* during the day.. Soo I switched them both out with MJ-900's.. MUCH better..

As for the skimmer.. I went with a sapphire skimmer for mine.. And I'm not too happy with it.. Once I can get some money together, I'll be going with a deltec H.O.B. Skimmer, and switching to an open top with either a sunpod or T5's..
 
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