New build///Need Help

[e-roc]

OK so here is the deal i have done Large thanks but never small. There are a ton of options
out there for nano tanks. I would like to be in the 24-35 gallon range. The first thing i would
like to ask is what is a better nano tank to use. I have talked to my local fish store. ( WET PETS)
There in PA. They have JBJ and another Innovative Marine. Both are really sharp but the IM comes
with about a 800 dollar price tag. More than i want to spend. So i Guess the 1st question i have
is what is the best Nano tank maker out there. I know they make tanks for different things. So
Let me say i want to do a mix corals, fish, inverts, and pretty anything else i can place in it safely.
Ahh 5 minutes in and im editing my post. A few thing i forgot. I want the tank to be like the JBJ
cube. I dont want edges i like the smooth look to them. I also want something with the Led
night lights. It does not need to be solid Led. I also dont plan to build a filter so it needs to
come with one built in. Man i just got picky
So please help me out. I will be buying the tank in a week or so.
So lets get this tank started
Thanks

 

[mr. limpid]

Since no one has replied I will. As for nano that term is new we just use to call them small tanks, lol. I personal like to piece my own tank and individual equipment, because replacement parts are expensive (they now they have you because you bought there nano tank). Most small tanks are not predrilled but you can do it yourself, you can go to you-tube to see how. Or you can use an over flow tub. I personally do not use a sump I have a 20 long with plenty of LR, protein skimmer, power head and HOB with bio wheel. I have ran this system for now over 20years still doing great.

 

[spanko]

Check out every all in one out there to see what you like. I have the 29 gallon biocube. If you want a mix of coral don't skimp on the light. Go with a tank that has the option of metal halide or full leds.

 

[e-roc]

Well yesterday was my birthday. So my girlfriend made up my mind for me. I got a new 29 gallon biocube.
This was going to be my choice. I was told the lights were enough for some soft corals so thats ok for me.
Here is a few pics. I have to do a water test tonight then it will be off to the fish store tomorrow. I have a
question thought about the bio balls. I hear they are not the best thing what can be put in that slot instead.
Also why is there a clear slot shown in the back of the tank.

 

[xandrew245x]

Quote:
Originally Posted by E-RoC http:///t/390379/new-build-need-help#post_3458641

Well yesterday was my birthday. So my girlfriend made up my mind for me. I got a new 29 gallon biocube.
This was going to be my choice. I was told the lights were enough for some soft corals so thats ok for me.
Here is a few pics. I have to do a water test tonight then it will be off to the fish store tomorrow. I have a
question thought about the bio balls. I hear they are not the best thing what can be put in that slot instead.
Also why is there a clear slot shown in the back of the tank.
Some piece have success with bioballs, others don't I'm not a big fan of them. If you use them, you need to rinse 25% of them everytime you do water changes. I swapped my bioballs out for live rock rubble, don't get me wrong you still have to rinse them to, but not as often.

 

[e-roc]

why would you have to wash either one. Ive never used bioballs befor and dont understand why you would have to wash live rock

 

[e-roc]

ok leak test in motion if all goes well ill empty it place it on its stand and get some live rock and sand tomorrow
Also before i head out tomorrow to get some stuff i would like to have inputs on a few things for this tank
1st would be filtration if any of you are familiar with this tank and I'm sure you are what are things i can
add to make it better
2nd UV Sterilizer i like the idea on this smaller tank any thoughts
3rd What does it take for this tank to hold some of the easier corals never done them before but this is
why think tank was bought so all help is greatly appreciated

 

[xandrew245x]

why would you have to wash either one. Ive never used bioballs befor and dont understand why you would have to wash live rock
Detritus will collects in your bioballs and live rock rubble, if you don't wash the excess detritus out, it will produce nitrates, and you won't be able to keep up with it. Bioballs hold detritus more than live rock rubble, that is why you have to rinse them more often.

 

[mr. limpid]

Nice gift, I to got a tank for my birthday 30 odd years ago. My thoughts on Bio-balls vs LR. Bio-balls need to be rinsed at least 3 times a year in section not all at once. LR are usual maintained by hermits or snails, so no need to rinse.

 

[e-roc]

Well here it is on a stand i found at Ollie's I went out today and got all the goods
heater live sand koralia thermometer new testing kits and a few other things gonna put
a new pic up once all that is done then hopefully ill add LR tomorrow

 

[e-roc]

Got a quick question
Got the LS and LR from the pet stores display tanks. I have everything running in my tanks right now.
It been a very long time sense i have cycled a tank. SO I'm thinking about 1-2 days before i add. anything
I was thinking of adding just a few crabs. As I'm pretty sure the sand and rock can already handle a Bio load
and i don't want to lose that.

 

[e-roc]

Nobody is really looking but i dont care

Im just happy the sand has settles and ive got all my stuff hooked up heres a new pic
Ahh forgot how much LR cost cured

 

[patrick8929]

you will definitely still see a spike, i wold give it a bit longer than a couple days. just test the water and see how its doing. before you add anything living.

 

[e-roc]

Well i just did another water test and the only thing that seemed to move on the test was nitrate
bit confused on that one

 

[mr. limpid]

what did you add to start cycle? You need to wait till you cycle your tank B4 you add anything.

 

[e-roc]

Well i checked it again today and the ammonia has gone up a little bit waited about 4 days for this little baby spike nothing is in the tank
right now was gonna get a turbo cause this hunk of LR i bought seems to love my lights and is growing algae pretty fast

 

[patrick8929]

the cycle can take up to a month to fully go up and back down. its hard to wait i know i have done it several times. but the more you wait the better. the more beneficial bacteria will be built up and the more stable your tank will be so you can start adding in live stock and be confident that it will thrive.

 

[mr. limpid]

You need to wait until all readings are at 0 B4 adding creatures. Adding sooner is just cruel, subjecting them to high levels of pollutants.

 

[e-roc]

Well so far nothing only thing that has happened was a small spike in ammonia and now its gone and nothing else has happened

 

[mr. limpid]

If your nitrates are 0 too, then safe to add 1 creature wait till reading all go back to 0, because each time you add bio load it takes time for bacteria to multiply. Also QT fish is a good idea that way if they come down with something you have the environment to treat them in. If you adding crabs or snails first no need for QT just wait 8 weeks B$ adding fish any parasite would of die out by itself in that time. So my advise to you is get a CUC in DT add a fish to QT wait 8 weeks then add fish to DT. Good Luck