new to SW and NANOS..please tell me your opinion

[emtguy]

Guys and gals,
I have been reading alot on these forums and kinda think i have a idea of how to start up a SW tank.I have been reading alot and asking questions in the new hobbyist forums but this question is for the nano guys...
The JBJ HQI 28 gallon nano is the one i am going to get and my question is, will this be a OK starter tank and is the accessories(for lack of a better word) that come with it ok or average or just awesome? I dont wana buy a nano and then have to modify it. Is this lighting OK for pretty much anything i wana put in the tank? I wana have a few fish and reef and if lighting supports it a clam.
My last question is that once the tank cycles can i buy alot of LS at once to put in the tank as far as corals and such go or do i have to put a peice in and wait a while before adding a new one. Im not loaded or anything i just have been saving to buy a SW set-up and i wana buy as much as possible once tank has cycled.
PS...how much LR and LS should i have in this tank?
Please do not post links to competitor's sites. Thank you.

 

[lion_crazz]

The JBJ nano with the HQI is awesome! It has an auto-shut off for the lights if the fans fail, a wavemaker, a good skimmer, awesome lights. It has everything you would want. You could keep pretty much any coral in there. You will probably need a chiller for it, though.
As far as live rock and live sand, I would go with 30-35 lbs. of live rock and around 20 lbs. of live sand.

 

[emtguy]

a chiller? Are most people with a HQI having to run chillers? Shouldn't the fans keep temp OK?

 

[qbnfreek]

If your looking at get that nano, don't forget a chiller!! Halides = heat good luck keep us posted

 

[emtguy]

anything i can do as far as changing bulbs so no chiller is needed?

 

[paintballer768]

The thing that I see with nanos is that either you use the stock lighting, or the MH/HQI is the other choice, assuming youd like to keep the hood on it. The HQIs come with a nice fixture and such.
The only problem with the metal halides is that they produce so much heat, to the point where the water temp might go up. Thats why everyone is sayin go with the heater. Id say buy the tank, and see if you really need a chiller later on or not, cuz its an expensive upgrade.
The prospective tank should be fine for whatever corals you would like to put in there. Fish is another issue cuz its a 28 gallon. All nano owners need to deal with that though

 

[perfectdark]

I know a few nano owners that run Halide lighting and no chiller. If anything a small HOB fan to blow across the top of the tank but thats all.

 

[emtguy]

Sorry about the link, did not know SWF sold the nano HQI to compete with nano tuners. Wont happen again.
Whats the best powerhead to buy for a 28g nano?

 

[perfectdark]

I have a few... a RIO 800 IMO ehhh so so. A maxijet 30 not bad. And I just bought the new Hydor Korilia nano power head.. So far wow its awesome.. I love it. Perfect for these little nano tanks not too strong and the vortex of current is a lot wider than typical power heads.