Changing to Nano

[bbailey231]

Well, my 125 is way too much aquarium for me. I don't have the $ to stock it properly and its killing me....soooooo my Aquapod will be delivered next week. I ordered the 24 gal HQI...and am very excited! I thought I could take sand from current tank, rock from current tank, water from current tank, put one of my sponges or something in the filter from the current tank for a little while and transfer my livestock.
Here is my question...what do I need besides the Aquapod? I mean, I have powerheads and such, but they are big...what would be good for an Aquapod? How much water flow will I need, do I need a protein skimmer, etc.?
All suggestions are appreciated!

 

[jake123]

Sounds like you have everything you need..
I would upgrade the stock pump to a Maxi-jet 1200..
As long as your water from your 125 gal is healthy, you should
have no problems.. Good luck!!!!

 

[susiestank]

In my 25 gallon I do run a protein skimmer. I have a aqua c remora and have been happy with it. As far as power heads - besides the maxijet 1200 thats on the skimmer I have 3. I am at work so I cant remember what flow etc I have. I have one going in the back top right to left , the skimmer is in the back left. In the front I have 2 - one low to middle left to right and one higher going the other way. They are all different strenghts etc. I wish I could remember what type of turnover I have haha. Obviously a heater - but you know that since you had another tank.
I would say one of the changes from your bigger tank is that since it is smaller make sure to top off since the evaporation will have a bigger effect on your levels. Hope some of this info helps.

 

[bbailey231]

Originally Posted by Jake123
Sounds like you have everything you need..
I would upgrade the stock pump to a Maxi-jet 1200..
As long as your water from your 125 gal is healthy, you should
have no problems.. Good luck!!!!
Isn't a maxi-jet 1200 too big for that tank??? I don't need a protein skimmer?

 

[bbailey231]

Originally Posted by SusiesTank
In my 25 gallon I do run a protein skimmer. I have a aqua c remora and have been happy with it. As far as power heads - besides the maxijet 1200 thats on the skimmer I have 3. I am at work so I cant remember what flow etc I have. I have one going in the back top right to left , the skimmer is in the back left. In the front I have 2 - one low to middle left to right and one higher going the other way. They are all different strenghts etc. I wish I could remember what type of turnover I have haha. Obviously a heater - but you know that since you had another tank.
I would say one of the changes from your bigger tank is that since it is smaller make sure to top off since the evaporation will have a bigger effect on your levels. Hope some of this info helps.
Thanks! Would you mind horribly posting a picture of your tank when you get home (if you can) so I can see how you have the powerheads directed and such? I will be ordering a protein skimmer today

 

[susiestank]

Originally Posted by bbailey231
Thanks! Would you mind horribly posting a picture of your tank when you get home (if you can) so I can see how you have the powerheads directed and such? I will be ordering a protein skimmer today

Let me hunt around I am on the office computer. I have the 1200 running on the Remora and I dont think it is too strong. I will get my other powerhead info later.

 

[bbailey231]

Originally Posted by SusiesTank
Let me hunt around I am on the office computer. I have the 1200 running on the Remora and I dont think it is too strong. I will get my other powerhead info later.
Thanks!

 

[susiestank]

Here is an ok picture to show how they are set up.
Im sure I have better at home.

 

[jake123]

Originally Posted by bbailey231
Isn't a maxi-jet 1200 too big for that tank??? I don't need a protein skimmer?
I think it's just the right amount of flow.... Plus you don't have power heads all over your tank..
If you do a weakly water change and keep your filter clean you should not need a skimmer..
I took out all the filter media 2) big blue sponges 1) bag of ceramic disc's
and the bio balls..
Replaced w/ 4 lbs of live rock rubble and cut my own fliter floss to set under the overflow to catch the debris.. I do a 4 gal water change every weak and swap out the filter floss every two weaks...
Hope this helps!!

 

[clay12340]

You've got a good start. Just make sure your livestock from the 125 is acceptable for such a small tank. If you overstock it too heavily you are going to run into a lot of problems with nuisance growths and such.

 

[bbailey231]

Originally Posted by Clay12340
You've got a good start. Just make sure your livestock from the 125 is acceptable for such a small tank. If you overstock it too heavily you are going to run into a lot of problems with nuisance growths and such.
Thanks for the heads up...luckily I don't have much in my 125...it has only been up for 6 months and the lr alone has cost too much lol...I do have some nice corals, a 6 line wrasse and maroon clowns (the devil damsels are going to the LFS!). Thought "maybe" one other fish like a blenny or something, but thats it. I just want CORALS

 

[bbailey231]

Originally Posted by SusiesTank
Here is an ok picture to show how they are set up.
Im sure I have better at home.

NICE! I hope mine looks so good eventually! how the heck did you get such georgous coraline?

 

[bbailey231]

Originally Posted by Jake123
I think it's just the right amount of flow.... Plus you don't have power heads all over your tank..
If you do a weakly water change and keep your filter clean you should not need a skimmer..
I took out all the filter media 2) big blue sponges 1) bag of ceramic disc's
and the bio balls..
Replaced w/ 4 lbs of live rock rubble and cut my own fliter floss to set under the overflow to catch the debris.. I do a 4 gal water change every weak and swap out the filter floss every two weaks...
Hope this helps!!
Thanks, definitely helps. Question, is the maxi jet in your tank and ummm is a penguin okay instead of the maxi?

 

[jake123]

Originally Posted by bbailey231
Thanks, definitely helps. Question, is the maxi jet in your tank and ummm is a penguin okay instead of the maxi?
I replaced the stock pump in the left chamber w/ the maxi-jet..
It's 1200 gph I think the penguin if it's the bigger one is 1190 gph so there's not much difference...

 

[bbailey231]

Originally Posted by Jake123
I replaced the stock pump in the left chamber w/ the maxi-jet..
It's 1200 gph I think the penguin if it's the bigger one is 1190 gph so there's not much difference...
Thanks, my AP won't be delivered until Tuesday so I have no idea what it looks like or how it is set up yet!

 

[yerboy]

Originally Posted by bbailey231
Isn't a maxi-jet 1200 too big for that tank??? I don't need a protein skimmer?
i run a mj 1200 in a aquapod 12 gallon so if anything you could go with a stronger pump imo

 

[kjohansen]

Here you can see the Hydor-Flo that I put on in place of the Y lock connector. It gives the tank a lot of flow.

I swapped out the stock pump for a Maxi-Jet 1200. I also ran 1/2 tubing off the MJ 1200 with a plastic hose clamp and right into the outlet where the L connector plugs in. This gives you a much smoother transistion than the L. I took out all the bio-balls, ceramic and foam. Replaced it with live rock rubble and a Magnum H.O.T. filter.

The Hydor-Flo gives good surface tension breakage and good oxygenation of the water.