My First Tank - 12 Gallon Nano

[redwarrior]

Ok, so I'm planning to take the plunge! (Actually a coworker who is experienced with tanks is going to start a nano on his desk and I'm starting one on mine and we'll split rock and sand and such.)
I'm trying to decide between the following 2 tanks:
12 Gallon with refugium - *************
Or 12 Gallon Nanocube deluxe -
***************************
One one hand, the first one is cheaper, looks cooler to me, and has a refugium. The second one looks more inclusive and has good lighting. Ideas?
Thanks! I'm excited to get started!

 

[blazin2k6]

The first 1 actually has more lights. if i was calculating correct it has 128 watts of lights verse the 2nd one with only 72 watts.

 

[m33flah24]

if i was to choose...i would pick the first one...base on the lighting & refugium and the way it looks...looks sleek.

 

[zeke92]

i agree with everyone else. first one looks best.

 

[redwarrior]

Then I think I'm gonna go with the first one. I also like how it looks...very modern. I think I'll order it tomorrow (payday...mmmm!) and I'll be sure to post pics when it arrives.
So...my plans so far...
My buddy is getting his tank shipped in 2 days and will be buying enough live sand and live rock for us both and we'll split the cost. I'm planning on setting mine up when it arrives and cycling it at work, rather than even attempting to move it. I'm thinking, since this is a bit of a splurge on my budget, I'll set things up and run it only with a CUC for a while and see what might hitchhike on my live rock. Will there be any harm holding off on adding any fish or corral for a while? Will my CUC get enough to eat without them? Will I need a special light schedule until I get some more critters?
I'd rather take my time and get things how I want than rush out and waste money. I am looking at getting in touch with a local reef club and see if any of the members have frags to sell to get me started on corals, but I'm in no hurry as far as fish go. I do REALLY want a fire shrimp though...love those little guys!

 

[triga22]

I would go with the first one as well. Looks more sleek and also has better lighting and a refugium.

 

[redwarrior]

Well, as soon as my "economic stimulus package" arrives from Mr. Dubya, I'm going to go ahead and order the first one. I'm wondering what I could put in the refugium to help with filtration...everyone around here just seems to toss the bioballs...is there a reason for this?
While I'm waiting (impatiently I might add), I'm planning to make my first trips to some of our LFS around here. Living in FL, I expect we have some pretty good ones. I'm trying to decide what type of live rock I want (I'm thinking 12lbs of some kind) and what type of sand. I want live sand, but I'm confused as to the difference in different types. So much to learn!
I'm planning on setting up the tank with the live rock and sand and sticking with just a CUC for quite some time due to budget and the fact I don't want to add anything I'll later regret, so I have plenty more research to do. So far, these are the ideas I have for the CUC:
2 peppermint shrimp
1 fighting conch
Several Narcissus Snails
Several Blueleg hermits
After I've recoverd from that purchase, I want a Fire Shrimp in the worst way.
Does this sound like a good start? Other than that, I plan on just seeing what develops with my live rock for a while and researching. So far, a way down the road, I'm considering:
A clownfish pair - probably the black and white clowns
Lots of Rics...LOVE the rics!
A Zoo rock here and there
1 coco worm
1 pistol shrimp
1 sun corral (if I can manage it...not too sure I'm up for that challenge, but I love them)

 

[silverdak]

might be a little more.... But I would strongly reccomend the 14 gallon Bio-Cybe. I LOVE mine. such a great tank for the price.. you cant beat it

 

[redwarrior]

Well, I'm back from my first trip to the LFS and...I wasn't impressed.
The prices seemed high compared to what I've seen online, the selection seemed limited and the tanks were covered in algae, more so than most of the tanks I've seen on here during their cycles. I don't know if that's how it usually is, but I was a little disappointed. They didn't seem to have much of a coral selection and most of what they had just looked kind of dull and earth-colored.
I did pick one of the employee's brains regarding nano reef setups and he actually recommended the bio-cube the most. He also said that the stock lights should be sufficient for anything that I would want to grow (Rics, zoas, frogspawn, etc) and that metal halide lights on any nano would be overkill. So, now I'm beginning to rethink my tank choice. I do like the idea of having a hood in case any of my aquarium inhabitants try to make a break for it.
I think I'm going to do most of my shopping online unless I can find a better LFS store in town!

 

[silverdak]

just keep in mind with online shopping... you will have to wait to get them you wont just get them and bring them home... and also there are shipping prices. I wanted a black clown.. online it was $34 a really good price.. then you add shipping and the LFS was cheaper. also you shouldn't worry too much about all that right now. work on live sand, base rock and live rock and mixing the salt and cycling the tank.

 

[flricordia]

Don't be swayed. GO with the CAD system. Much better lighting that last much longer and doesn't cost as much to replace. The open top will help with heat issues too. Biocubes have lots of problems with their lighting and fans. Be smart and go with you first choise. The CADs have a much better reputation then the Biocubes.

 

[keri]

Hads anyone else noticed that the 8 gallon nano tank from the same site is shown with THREE tangs and an angel?? tang police! tang police!!

 

[redwarrior]

I hope they took all those fish out after they took the picture!
Ok, I'm going to quit waffling and make a commitment to my first choice, the cool looking tank with the great lights and refugium. Now, I'm pricing some of the other necessities. (I want to be armed and ready when my ecomomic stimulus package hits the bank!!! )
Rock - I'm thinking fiji live rock simply due to price. I'm thinking 12lbs (1 lb per gallon)
Sand - Here I'm rather clueless as to how much I need. I'd like to go with the Araq-alive sand, either the fiji pink, special reef, or black. I'm thinking of getting a 10lb bag and seeing how it goes.
Salt - I think mixing my own salt water might be worth it in the long run, particularly if I can buy my salt with the rest of my supplies and get free shipping thrown in. I'm thinking reef crystals, but I'm open to ideas.
Food - Now here it gets hairy...once my tank gets to the point where I'm adding my CUC, do I need to feed them besides the cleaning they'll do? If so...what?
Powerheads - 2 korailis powerheads, one for each side of the tank, the smallest size.
Filter media - I've heard good things about filter floss, but I can't seem to find it anywhere online and couldn't find it in the LFS. Where are people getting this?
Books - I'm thinking of getting this book off amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nano-Reef-Hand...3481034&sr=8-1

 

[alexa11]

This sounds good. I dont know that you'll need 2 powerheads though with such a small tank. I have a 20 gal. and use one maxijet 600 along with my filtration. The fiji rock should be fine, and many people do small sandbeds so you should be fine with the 10 lb bag. Will you be cycling with a shrimp (

)? Also, your conch and cuc will sift the sandbed, so make sure your rocks are secure and low to avoid an avalanch. You will also need to wait on those so there is enough for them to eat i would think...conchs need a ton of algae and im guessing cucs need a more established tank also...and i doubt you would see the cuc much. I'd wait on those and start with nassarius and turbo snails, maybe some blueleg hermits or emrald crabs.

 

[alexa11]

reef crystals = good!

 

[flricordia]

Redwarrior. Probably need to edit your first post and take the links out. A no no to post links to competetors sites.

 

[redwarrior]

Sorry about that...I'm trying to figure out how to edit it...I also made this mistake back in the beginner's forum, so once I figure it out, I'll go back and correct that as well. Thanks!
There's no edit button on any of my earlier posts...only this one! Can a mod remove them for me? I have no idea why I can't edit any I've made before now.

 

[redwarrior]

Well, oddly enough I still don't have the ability to edit my own posts in this thread. I did remove any other references I have to other vendor's sites elsewhere. Mod help?!
I finally found the GOOD LFS in town after visiting the icky one on saturday. At the place today the tanks were pristine and they seemed to really be on the ball. Too bad the live rock started at $8 per pound!
So, since my work buddy and I are going in together, we're thinking of ordering live rock from a reef farmer in Florida and getting it flown to us. When you add up the amount we both need plus the shipping fee, it will still be cheaper than the LFS. I'm considering going for their "package" which includes live sand, live rock, and a CUC for about $214 plus shipping for a tank my size. The CUC even includes some things I hadn't thought about getting like a brittle star and 2 sea cucumbers. (We'll see how those work out.) The only downside I can see (besides shipping) is that I may end up with some nasty hitchikers to deal with since this rock is pretty much going from the Gulf of Mexico to my tank. I may have to read up on how to catch a mantis shrimp without losing fingers, but we'll see.
I'm buying my tank and some salt tonight!!! Wheeee!!

 

[iyachtuxivm]

No sea cucumbers they are bad!

If they die, and they probably will you will poison the entire tank! See if they will substitute something else, like fighting conch these are great, or emerald crabs. Other than that looks like you are on your way to a very nice tank!

post lots o pics

 

[redwarrior]

I have heard that the cucumbers will barf up their guts and poison the tank. Ewww!
If I did go the route of building my own CUC, how would this sound?
1 peppermint shrimp
1 fighting conch
10 snails - most likley nassarius
1 brittle star
5 blue-leg hermit crabs
1 emerald crab
To be added later (gotta budget for this fella) -
1 fire shrimp
Do I have too many of any one type? Again, this is for 12g.
Thanks!