Hey check this out. Please leave a comment or 2. I could use suggestions!

reefman22

reefman22

Member
Ok right now I've got a 24 Nano Cube but it's empty. Tomorrow I'm planning on going to the LFS to make some purchases. If you know about the hobby, please leave me some comments based on the size of my tank and if you think it will work. The tank is about a 20x20x20 cube (keyword nano CUBE). So here is what I'm thinking and feel free to leave suggestions or questions or comments. Here's what I'm planning on doing:
Tomorrow I'm planning on buying 22 gallons of pre-mixed water from my local LFS (I wanna leave some room for rock) . I'm also getting 20 pounds of live sand. And I'll get as much rock as I can with my budget pretty much spent. I'll probably end up getting about 20 pounds max. That will be a good start. I'll also get floating magnets for the side and a thermometer and test kits. Ya my LFS is makin a huge income from me tomorrow. haha. Does that sound right for a 24 nano? Here are some pics for a visual. Thanks ahead of time for the help. :)




 
T

tuningvis

Guest
yep sounds good... even though with rock and sand your water will only be about 10-15 gallons :p
they take up some space depending on the density of the rock
looks like you are off to a decent start ... dont rush into anything too fast or you will regret it :)
 
reefman22

reefman22

Member
k maybe I wont get 22 gallons haha but i just found 45 punds of rock on DR.Fos... for 99.99 thats a really great deal but is 45 pounds too much if i want corals and fish?
 
ericp2311

ericp2311

Member
I wonder...what if, instead of buying all that live sand, you bought just normal sand? With the money you saved, you could buy more live ROCK, which would turn that normal sand into "live sand" naturally?
Just a thought...
Eric
 
reefman22

reefman22

Member
well if you dont know, I live on the beach or close to it in south florida. so would it work to just go out and get some early in the morning befor the lifeguards get there? or would that not work in an aquarium? :notsure:
 
partsman

partsman

Member
reefman,
first thing i would do if it were i is check your tank for leaks ..there have been a number of people comment on their jbj tanks leaking . i myself were one of the fortunate ones that didn't have a problem.
tuningvis is correct also about the overkill with water - your displacement of water due to your sand and rock will probably only require you to need about 10-15 gallons of water. i personally wouldn't use sand from the beach - especially with hurricane dennis around ...lol - and not to mention the possible contaimination you might pick up with domestic sand. go live sand 4 sure ....i did and was very impressed with the arag- alive ...fuji pink .carib products.... you spoke of dr. fosters live rock - he also offers a nano package of 16 lbs. especially designed for small nano tanks for around $69.00 and i'll say this it's excellent hand picked pieces also.
get rid of the bio balls also - waste of time and just another place for nitrate. i took one sponge filter from chamber # 1 and put it in chamber # 2 on the bottom for extra filtration - then used the extra space in # 2 for my carbon packs and or amonia / phosphate packs when needed.. you really won't need the ceramic rings either if your using live rock and sand - so take them out also. i upgraded my pump in my 12 gallon from the original 103 gph pump to a maxi- jet 900 -230 gph pump for less than $30.00 - your tank only has a 290 gph pump and you'll need to increase your flow .
get a good test kit also - powdered chemicals are a real pain - as i found out and chose marine lab - master test kit over the master fastest kit which used liquid chemicals - much more accurate and easier to use.
thermometer .........digital only ......!
you probably have the 24 gal deluxe model that has the moon lights and 2 36 watt 50/50 lights already ..nice ..........!!!!!!
i used live rock and live sand - hardly had an amonia spike at all and to be safe after 6 weeks of cycling used marine bio spira live bacteria ( just in case ) to make sure my tank had cycled. i was amazed how well it works also. not like the old days ( 20 years ago ) when i first started this hobby.
i also bumped my water every couple of days with seachem stability to give the bacteria something else to eat .
test your water - watch your levels and go real slow - have fun as i am.
lots of room in your filter area to experment with also and you'll find your light will keep your water warm enough 4 now without the expense of a heater yet.
remember to arrange your rock so water can circulate around the back also - also to help trash and left over food from building up and spoiling your water also.
good luck and most of all - go slow and have fun doing it ................
after all - thats why we do this isn't it ?
partsman ..........covington , la
 
widowmaker

widowmaker

Member
partsman did a wonderful job of at least filling me in on a few things. i'm new to the nano tank idea (after settling on around a 200 gal, in wall). and i'm thinking that a nano might be good for me to start/practice with. so....in the case of dr f's 12 gal deluxe, or even a 20x20x20 model, how many fish can you put in those cubes. i like the coral and invert part of a saltwater tank, but i'm more of a fish person. i'm sure having the nano will help with getting used to the testing, checking, assembly and such, but i'd like to have a few fish to gawk while i'm "working".
 
fatmatt

fatmatt

Member
hahaha reefman its 89.99 and did you look at the shipping ya... its a killers its like $1.26 perpound for 2 day shippin and if you want 1 is $1.59
 
reefman22

reefman22

Member
haha omg i completely forgot about this post. wow well let me fill you in. I found a 55 with PC lights for real cheap and it came with a bio wheel 330 so i got it. tonight i transfered the water/rock/sand to the 55 (out of the 24 nano) and tomorrow I am going to try and return the nano for store credit. yeah i realized about the shipping right before I bought it .... whew. haha and I dont know what I will do about rock for my 55 now that I have it. Ill either get it from my LFS or this site. Thanks for all your input but i upgraded to a 55 (i hope it works out). Check the reef tank forum for updates on my 55. I will post pictures tomorrow.
 
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