24g Nano Filter Question

[engine15]

Hi, New guy guy to salt water.. but have been lurking here for a few months now and have been getting a ton of great info , so thanks to all of you for that. I started cycling a 24g Nano Cube two day's ago and am watching everything closley.. My Question is, what I should really do with the "3 stage filter" set up.. that is on this system? I am planning to make this a Reef set up. I have the stock sponge in the first compartment, charcoal in the bottom of the second, have removed all the ceramic rings and bio balls, and filled up the second chamber with LR, ...any ideas on improving the configuration? Should I remove the charcoal and just run it like once a week?, remove the sponge?
add more rock? TIA...

 

[moray345]

ok i would remove the sponge they will clog it and i would make a little refugium there like with ls and macros
HTH,
Moray345

 

[engine15]

Thanks for the info.. I'll remove all of the sponges, would you recomend filling up the two chambers with LR on top of some LS? at least initialy... what do you think about the charcoal bag?

 

[vibe]

keep charcol at teh last stage. live rock in first stage, then plant life/marco algae in the second. so its:
LR--->plant/macro--->charcol
btw a good start with macro/plant is the red "lettuce-like" algae, or so i've heard. someone can correct me if im going the wrong way with this. im new to the whole "Fuge" thing too. i just recently am starting to turn my emperor 280 into a fuge. i still ahve the filter pad and i added a piece of lr. now its just a mtter of macro and stuff.

 

[engine15]

Hi, thanks for the info. This might be a super dumb question but waht kind of "plant/macro" should i get and will i need any additional lighting in there? also what about LS under that LR in the first chamber?
Thanks this info is very good and helpful

 

[diverandy]

turning the filter area of the nano cube into a fuge would require a larger pump would it not? this is a great idea but i dont think the stock pump has enough suction power to draw the water through live sand. has anyone done this with the stock pump?
andy (-: :joy:

 

[engine15]

Update, I have been cycleing this tank for a few weeks, and Am, Trate's and Trite's have all settled down and all water tests are now great, sponge in the first compartment, aprox 3lbs crushed LR in the second...stock filter in the third though I may upgrade that soon.. I added a small power head inside the main tank, and also have aprox, 25lbs Lr in there + 20 lbs, LS.. I put in a little feather duster, skunk/cleaner very cool and active.. 3 very small hermits (scarlet), a emerald crab (small), and 4 snails.. I'm going to keep an eye on everything for a week or so, then possibly add a couple clowns (not sure which type yet)... So, Thanks for all the help again..