Calling all Nano experts....

kimber27

kimber27

Member
I need advice please. My mom has been spending alot of time at my house lately and has been biten by the reef bug. I have a 55 gallon reef so she just got a Nano Cube for her b'day & guess who is setting it up for her? Now is there anything I need to know specificly about these tanks? It's 12 gallons and she's going to need a heater I guess, I don't use a heater in my reef, it maintains around 75-78 on it's own , any suggestions on a heater? Also what about the mechanics of it, does anything need to be changed out or do these little tanks do well with what they come with. I plan to put sand, not live sand, just aquarium ready sand & a couple of cups of my sand in there along with 10 lbs of live rock, some softies, 5 or so turbo snails, 6 bluelegged hermits some type of shrimp, she loves my cleaner shrimp because I hand feed him but I don't know if he will outgrow her tank, and maybe a watchman goby. Of course I don't mean all of that right away, I know to cycle and add patiently over time but my point is - does this sound appropriate for a 12 gallon? Thanks for taking the time to read this, I know it's alot of questions but the people here are much better w/ advice on reef keeping than any lfs person. Again, thank you! :joy:
Kimber
 
firefish21

firefish21

Member
I have recently set up a 12g nano cube and I took out the bioballs and ceramic rings from the back.
I put a heater in compartment 3
As for stock, I am going to have 2 clowns and maybe a firefish, not sure yet.
 
kimber27

kimber27

Member
Thank you for the reply. So I don't need to use the bio balls or ceramic rings, why is that, if you don't mind me asking. What type/brand and wattage of heater do you use? Again, thanks!!!
Kimber
 
scubanoah

scubanoah

Member
I took everything but the stock pump out of the back. I use LR pieces in the first and second chamber, and put my 50w heater in the third. I would also suggest a small PH in there as well for surface agitation. You are gonna need some more light if she got the standard nano, if she got the DX she should be alright. All of the livestock sounds fine. A little more LR would help. Surface skimmer mods are also helpful in these little tanks. I have a couple of these tanks and have set up many of them so if you have any more ?s just ask.
 
firefish21

firefish21

Member
I believe mine is a 25 watt heater... i do not remember the brand but i know i HATE it... get one that actually has a dial to select the temp.
the one i have says its supposed to be easy to select the temp, but its NOT.
so save yourself/your mom from being frustrated and get a good one.
(btw, i would reccommend a 50 watt heater)
the nano cube box states to take out the bio balls and ceramic rings for saltwater on the paperwork
i believe its because they are nitrate factories.
some people even take out the carbon, but i've left mine in so far.
you could upgrade the stock pump for more circulation as well, (maxijet 900 is what most are using)
also, a "cassette tape" skimmer seems to be very popular right now as well.
 
bang guy

bang guy

Moderator
Originally Posted by FireFish21
also, a "cassette tape" skimmer seems to be very popular right now as well.
What are these?
 
jacksdad

jacksdad

Member
Bang Guy:
This is my version of the cassette skimmer. I make it out of black nylon and it's held in place with magnets. Magnets are epoxied in place.

 
jacksdad

jacksdad

Member
Pardon the slots cut into the back of the cube. I put those in before I decided to go with my mod. The nice thing about this mod on the Nanocubes is it give you some versatility when it comes to water level, since you can adjust it up and down.
This is my computer model showing the magnet bracket:
 
jacksdad

jacksdad

Member
If you notice on Nanocubes the intake for the filter compartments is rather low. Without any type of modification you need to keep the water level below the intake or a surface scum builds up (no matter how much you aggitate it). When the water is at this level you can see the surface when you look at the tank. IMO not the look I want. By adding the surface skimmer you create an overflow of sorts and the surface scum is taken care of. Also by using this skimmer the water in the viewing area never rises or falls. All of the evaporation takes place in the back chambers. Which is by the way the only real concern when using this, water levels in the filter area. My trigger when it's low is a bit more noise from the water cascading down into chamber 1. I hope this answers your question,
Bob
 
partsman

partsman

Member
aren't you a bit nervous about using magnets to secure your cassette skimmer ?
metal intrusion could be a bit dangerous for a few buddies in your tank - i would think.
even the rubber magnets have an iron base to them ................i like your skimmer and i made one myself - works really good too ..................instead of using magnets i used a barbed plastic trim screw .....used in a lot of automotive and trim applications to secure the tape housing to the intake wall .
drilled a hole in the cassette case and widened a slot in the grill work so it would grip and hold in place..................also still slides up and down to adjust with any water levels .
thanks for the idea guys .................
keep it safe !!!!!!!!!!!
 
partsman

partsman

Member
kimber ,
i recently purchased a new design jbj nano cube 12 gallon deluxe tank . i really don't think i'm going to need a heater because of the heat generated from the dual lights. even though it has 2 cooling fans - my tank still stays hot enough that i actually at times leave the access top open.
sounds like you have the right ideas of stocking your tank and time and patience will be very rewarding.
as far as changes - get rid of the bio balls - i kept the ceramic rings - only because i'm an old fish only guy ...lol ......but i did add some filter floss to the second chamber in a long narrow nylon bag to help filter the water better ........mechanical sponges only catch so much ...watch your water properties close as small tanks can change quickly .......enjoy .
 
jacksdad

jacksdad

Member
partsman:
The magnets used in my assembly are rare earth magnets encapsulated in marine epoxy similar the the magnets used in a powerhead. The largest of the four magnets are only 1/4" in diameter by 1/8" thick. The original design used screws, but I wanted to give people something that required no further modification to the tank. Just put it on and your done. Thanks for the input though it is appreciated.
Bob
 
thedocta

thedocta

Member
I think I've mastered the nano...or at least I hope and here's my take on it. Ditch the stock pump and replace with a maxi jet 900. Also add a mini tunze 70 GPH pump to the tank section. Add 12-20 pounds of LS, 10-12 pounds LR. Use a good salt like reef crystals. Cycle a long time like a month minimum. If you can get the 12 gallon nano cube DX with moonlights and dual fans...it's a very nice model. No lights during the cycle and change water...probably once a week 25 percent changes. Add a few nassarius snails, a couple astreas, and 1 turbo. Maybe a emrald crab too. Keep the bio load LOW. Take out the ceramic rings and bio balls, leave the sponges in and the carbon. Rinse the sponges every waterchange and change the carbon once a month. Once cycled do 2 gallon waterchanges every third day. Feed a variety of foods every other day. Keep lights on anywhere from 8-12 hours a day. SG shoudl probably stay around 1.026. Get a refractometer and a test kit and test as often as possible. I think I covered just about everything so just post back if you have any questions.
 
kimber27

kimber27

Member
I appreciate all the replys! I've saved all the info. I set up the tank yesterday & took out the bioballs and the ceramic rings. I've ordered a 50 watt heater & a maxi jet 900. I put in 10 lbs of sand and 8 pds of live rock so far. I told my mom to leave the light off for now & we will add some more lr next week. Ordered some coral vital too. Maybe I will be able to figure out the cassette tape skimmer and add that too!
Thanks again!!!!!
Kimber
 
wocka1

wocka1

Member
im thinking about doing the same to my nano, but i would like to use an adhesive, what would work best for plastic/acrlic material
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top