New Birmingham Reefer

A

aumfc

New member
Hi,

I am just now getting into SW tanks, or any tank for that matter. I am trying to decide on what to buy and have a budget of $500 for the equipment, i.e., tank, lights, filtration, flow, etc.

I'd like a nice softie tank with a few fish. If I can get more types of coral, that's great, but I definitely don't need that to start with.

It would also be nice to be able to upgrade later to better lighting or a sump (if I don't use one to begin with) or whatever.

I have looked at the 24g nano all-in-one tanks and wouldn't mind going that route. I'm just looking for advice and/or used equipment that I might could use and maybe some live rock or sand once I purchase everything else.

Anyone have any ideas or things for sale? I'd like (obviously) the best setup I can get for under $500. Being new, I want to make sure I enjoy it and have the time before sinking a great deal of money.

Thanks,
Jason
 
Jason,
[welcome] and when you get things set up and cycled, I've got some green stripe mushrooms, gsp and some pretty yellow polyps. Good Luck, read as much as you can before you get started.

Happy Reefing,
Brianna:rollface:
 
Hi Jason,

Nano reef tanks can be set up relatively easily and cost less initially. However, they generally require more maintenance than larger tanks. If you are new to the hobby, I recommend that you get the largest tank that you can afford to buy (including the cost of light, stand, live rocks, etc.) Generally speaking, the larger the water volume, the stabler the water quality.

If you are handy with tools, you can DIY a number of things to cut the cost down, such as skimmers, auto top off system, sump, etc. I don't know how many used setup's are available in your area, but it's worth checking, too.

I am sure there are many people in the area who would not mind donating some soft corals to your tank once it's cycled and matured enough.

As Brianna said, read as much as you can.

As a starter, I recommend checking out the old issues of Reefkeeping Online Magazine (the real old issues have a number of equipment primers that are really useful.) You can also check out wet web media site (a real great resources):

http://www.wetwebmedia.com/marine/index.htm

Tomoko
 
Thanks for the comments.

I think I will go with a 24g nano but haven't decided between the jbj and the aquapod. Any suggestions there?

I'm also trying to decide if I want to use the hood lighting or go with an open tank using a 70w MH light. Thoughts there?

I don't think I'll be able to have any tubes running out of the tank so i'll probably add a small skimmer and upgrade the pump to a mj900 or 1200 and that will do it for now.

How's all that sound?

Thanks,
Jason
 
You need to be prepared for topping off the tank frequently, unless you add an auto-top off system.

My 15 gallon tank is lit with two 55W PC's and it evaporates about 1/2 gallon of water every day during summer. A 24 gallon tank lit with a 70W MH can evaporate almost as much.

Tomoko
 
Why with an open top? That would increase evap right so I would have to top off more?

Honestly, what advantage do I have using the 70w MH over the stock PC lighting? Does that just mean I can grow a little bit harder corals?

And, anyone know how I can get a decent protein skimmer in the cube?

Thanks,
Jason
 
It seems there are pros and cons to everything with nano reefs!

I've been reading about the tanks being too warm with the closed lids and lights. So, an open-top would definitely help with that, but then you get more evap.

How expensive is it to top off 1/2 a gallon everyday? You just add fresh pure water correct?
 
I think people used to get RODI water for free from Aquarium Designs. I don't know if they are still giving away RODI water or not. You can buy RO water (Culligan?) from Wal-Mart inexpensively, too. I think it's most economical to get a RODI filter from an online source and produce your own.

As for skimmers, I would get a HOB type skimmer or something like a Sander's Piccolo into a HOB filter. I have a DIY skimmer (made out of a plastic water bottle) in a HOB filter on my 15 gallon. It works well. However, you can get away without a skimmer with a nano tank if you are willing to do weekly 10% water changes.

Tomoko
 
Hi anmfc, & Welcome!

I have the JBJ 24DX 2006 Nanocube and Love it! I am also using the stock lighting. I have soft corals and everything is doing great. I have 2 clowns and 2 spotted cardinal and 1- 6 line wrasse and 1 peppermint shrimp. I do a 5 gal water change every other week. I add water only maybe once in-between the water change. My lid is on my tank so the water doesn't evaporate very fast. I do not use a heater and temps are from 80 to 84.

Here is the link to my thread if you want to see it.
http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=778851

Good luck! But I do have to say that I do have over $500 in this. Closer to $1000.00 with Fish, corals, rocks and sand.
 
Hi Mary,

How do you like the fission skimmer? I've read it wasn't worth it. What do you think?

So, let me see if I've got all this correct. You have the 24dx NC with the extra mj1200, the fission skimmer, and the fuge (is that the correct term?) with the cheato. Is that all you've added or modded?

Thanks,
Jason
 
As far as the skimmer, I am using it but I would say it's just not that great. I wish it was better. The tank it's self came with the surface skimmer. I also added the extra return using the lockline and extra pump. The first chamber has the skimmer and in the bottom of the first chamber I have a bag of carbon. The 2 chamber I have rock rubble and cheato and a light and the 3 one the two return pumps. I only use the light at night on the cheato when the other light goes out to keep temps down. The light over the cheato gets pretty hot. I am very pleased with this tank. Just don't put your rocks to close to the sides of the tank make room for your mag-float to clean it and for your corals to grow.
 
AD is stilll giving away free RODI water, SW is $0.75/gallon.

Both locations (280 and Patton Creek) have it.

Marybeth
 
Is the 1200 with the stock pump not too much current for the small tank? I was thinking of just replacing the stock pump with either the 900 or 1200.

Thanks.
 
I have both. The stock pump and the other on the split return. No other powerheads in the tank. Great flow!
 
Aumfc, if you need any help with your tank I am working here in Bessemer and living in Hoover this summer. I am an Auburn student and have some experience with these nano tanks.

I have set up my firends Current Aqua-Pod 24 and am actually very impressed with how it is looking.

If I were going to suggest a tank it would be the 24 gallon Aqua-pod with the 70 watt Metal Halide or even the 150 if you can get someone to set you up with it.

Heat in the 24 with a 150 watt MH, mini UV sterilizer, Coralife Super Skimmer 65, and the return pump stays within +- 79 degrees. You are better off buying the Metal Halide because if you do decide to upgrade you can take the light off of the Aqua Pod and use it else where.

Let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
 
Thanks Whitten.

I have actually already purchased the Nano Cube 24g DX and have it full of water and rock in my living room! I got it all together this weekend.

I swapped out the stock pump for the maxi-jet 1200 with a hydro flo, removed all the balls, rings and 2 sponges. Left one small sponge and the bag of carbon in the first chamber. Put 2lbs of LR rubble in the second. And, I have the pump and a 100W heater in the third.

I got 20lb fiji pink agra-live sand and the 30lb uncured Lalo LR package from liveaquaria. The rock came in only 3 pieces with one huge (17in long) 20lb piece and two, roughly, 5lb pieces. The large rock was very cool so I did not bust it up. I just angled it a bit and placed it in with at least an inch clearance all the way around. Then I stacked the other two rocks on top.

Currently I'm just waiting and trying to figure out how best to get more moonlight in the tank. I bought the L2 moonlight with the 5 blue leds but I'm nervous of mounting it to the hood without a splash guard.

My water temp right now stays between 89 and 90, moving down when the AC kicks on.

I'll put some picks up when I take some in the next couple days.

Thanks again for all the help.

Jason
 
Yeah, I like to keep my house a toasty 87 in the summer, hehe.

Sorry, meant 79-80 with lights on. Goes down more without lights.
 
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