A few quick questions about my 14g biocube

[wilks]

I posted this in the newb section but I was told this was the place to come for answers about my nano. Thanks for the help!
https://forums.saltwaterfish.com/t/354244/to-skim-or-not-to-skim-that-is-my-question-along-with-a-few-others

 

[swimmer4uus]

Well, first off the skimmer. Most people that I know of, and I think Nissan does this too, take out the skimmer. I have placed in it's place, Chemi-Pure and activated carbon. With a small tank, I believe you don't need a skimmer to have a functional nano reef. Now would it help? Probably, but I had no room to put the Chemi-Pure, so the skimmer went. If you don't feed heavy, and keep up on your water changes, you can pull it out.
With the live rock issue, unless you are using PRECURED live rock, then anything you add into your tank will have to be cycled. Best thing to do it just watch your test results, and when all your spikes have gone to zero, you can then add stuff....SLOWLY. Again, if you use precured, then you can start sooner.
Lastly, you CAN remove the bio balls for replacement with live rock. I don't recomend it, because then you also get debris settleing in and around that live rock. I prefer the method of getting enough live rock in the main tank (gives good places for corals) and then putting another filter in the bio balls place.
Hope that helps

 

[culp]

Originally Posted by swimmer4uus
http:///forum/post/2997216
I prefer the method of getting enough live rock in the main tank (gives good places for corals) and then putting another filter in the bio balls place.you CAN remove the bio balls for replacement with live rock. I don't recomend it, because then you also get debris settleing in and around that live rock.
i agree

 

[wilks]

Thanks swimmer. What type of filter would you prefer? Would this be in addition to the built in filtration system?
Another question for you guys. I've noticed a lot of photos and youtube videos that have power heads in nano tanks. I'm guessing this is a good idea...
If so, what would you recommend for a powerhead?

 

[d-dzel]

Originally Posted by wilks
http:///forum/post/2997437
Thanks swimmer. What type of filter would you prefer? Would this be in addition to the built in filtration system?
Another question for you guys. I've noticed a lot of photos and youtube videos that have power heads in nano tanks. I'm guessing this is a good idea...
If so, what would you recommend for a powerhead?
I had 2 koralias - 1 in my 29g nano and they worked great.

 

[wilks]

awesome, thanks!

 

[nano-newb1983]

i would get one Koralia 1 for your 14 gallon.. I got one in my 12 and its perfect

 

[wilks]

Excellent I'm just getting started, I'll try to post photos as I go along. Just doing prelim research right now.

 

[swimmer4uus]

Yeah, I would only recomend a Koralia 1 as well. I have a Koralia nano in my 9 gal, and it's almost too much. Also, pretty much any filter media will be good to go in there. I just bought a generic back of filter media from *****

 

[stanlalee]

my 2cents having recently purchased and putting one up too (couldn't help it, the local price was cheaper than I've ever seen it online). I dont plan on going crazy with it but the 1rst thing I did was remove the bioballs and filter pad before the pump. I dont keep any high maintenence filtration media in my main tank and certainly dont plan on being more involved in maintenence with this one. Right now I have the stock mechanical filter cartridge which is good for initial carbon polishing and removing new tank particles but I doubt I'll be buying any after that ones shot (may use common filter pad or floss from time to time). I do have a Koralia 1 in there I had laying around which provides good flow along with the stock pump. I see no need to upgrade the stock pump with the K1 in there.
My take on skimming is I'd prefer to have one but I'd rather have none than an air driven skimmer which requires too frequent replacement of the airstones to work best not to mention I dont want to run an air pump and line. I'm going to wait and see how the sapphire nano skimmers at nanotuners turn out as well as what euro reef comes up with to fit if any. In the mean time when I actually put in more than live sand I'll be using GFO media and possibly carbon in one of the chambers. I really dont want to cram a bunch of liverock rubble in the back chamber then decide I want to put a media tray or skimmer ect there.
If you buy FULLY CURED transported wet local liverock you will likely not have a cycle but even then you'd want things to settle a litte and I dont see why they would put a rush on buying fish and rock the same day.
I'm kinda p'd its suppose to be 14g but it only holds 10g (empty) with the rear chambers full! I feel they owe me 4 gallons. must be euro gallons or something

 

[shrimpy]

I have a 14g...........with live rock. I cannot keep snails/crabs alive.............I keep replacing the crabs and snails and my local marine shop has no answers as to why. Is this a food issue? I feed flakes everyday and mysis shrimp every other day. I've had emrald and sally lightfoot crabs.............and keep finding them dead after a couple weeks. I test my water regulary and take it to the shop testing as well. My water is fine.................any clues? Please help.

 

[hlcroghan]

Originally Posted by Shrimpy
http:///forum/post/3000306
I have a 14g...........with live rock. I cannot keep snails/crabs alive.............I keep replacing the crabs and snails and my local marine shop has no answers as to why. Is this a food issue? I feed flakes everyday and mysis shrimp every other day. I've had emrald and sally lightfoot crabs.............and keep finding them dead after a couple weeks. I test my water regulary and take it to the shop testing as well. My water is fine.................any clues? Please help.
You should prolly start a thread about this separately so more people will see it but my guess is that you have had copper in your tank at some point.......

 

[fishmamma]

It is most likely your water (what is your sorce) or acclimation. Some inverts are very sensitive to small changes in pH, temp, salinity etc. and require a slow acclimation even with similar parameters to LFS water. Have you tested LFS water in the bag to see how it varies from your tank?
Your water could be testing fine as far as nitrates, pH etc. but still have trace metals that are killing the inverts so maybe start a new thread and post your water source.