JBJ nano 28g build

[Wjcastiglione]

Hey guys, I'm brand new to SW systems. I had a quite in depth FW system (HOB FILTER, handmade plexi sump, auto evap refill bucket) in the past and always wanted a SW tank but couldn't afford it in college. Now that I'm out with a real job and a decent bank account - I'm buying a 100% stock 28g JBJ with compact lighting off craigslist. It's been established for a year and comes with sand and live rock.

 

I want a lot of coral. And like 3 or 4 fish. (2 clowns. A goby. And ______)

 

I've done some research and know what I'm getting into. What I'd like is a list of mods. (I am NOT AFRAID to mod anything. Ever.)

 

-what skimmer do I want? (Budget around $150) I prefer it not to sit too high above the tank and also be as quiet as possible while being efficient as it will be in the living room.

-I read you should probably replace the media basket. What do I want to replace it with and what media do I want to put in it?

-is the stock pump ok? Or should that be replaced?

- power heads? What is sufficient for this tank? I want some nice movement in corals.

- lighting - for budget concerns in the beginning, I'd like to keep the compacts. However, I want the blue glow. Can I just replace the bulb? How do I make the corals pop?

 

Any other suggestions?!

 

Mods, if this is in the wrong spot - please move. I apologize ahead of time. (Newbs, man, newbs)

 

Ofcourse I will update this thread with pictures. I pick up the tank Saturday.

[mrkotabear]

Hey guys, I'm brand new to SW systems. I had a quite in depth FW system (HOB FILTER, handmade plexi sump, auto evap refill bucket) in the past and always wanted a SW tank but couldn't afford it in college. Now that I'm out with a real job and a decent bank account - I'm buying a 100% stock 28g JBJ with compact lighting off craigslist. It's been established for a year and comes with sand and live rock.

 

I want a lot of coral. And like 3 or 4 fish. (2 clowns. A goby. And ______)

 

I've done some research and know what I'm getting into. What I'd like is a list of mods. (I am NOT AFRAID to mod anything. Ever.)

 

-what skimmer do I want? (Budget around $150) I prefer it not to sit too high above the tank and also be as quiet as possible while being efficient as it will be in the living room.

-I read you should probably replace the media basket. What do I want to replace it with and what media do I want to put in it?

-is the stock pump ok? Or should that be replaced?

- power heads? What is sufficient for this tank? I want some nice movement in corals.

- lighting - for budget concerns in the beginning, I'd like to keep the compacts. However, I want the blue glow. Can I just replace the bulb? How do I make the corals pop?

 

Any other suggestions?!

 

Mods, if this is in the wrong spot - please move. I apologize ahead of time. (Newbs, man, newbs)

 

Ofcourse I will update this thread with pictures. I pick up the tank Saturday.

1 of these and maybe another of the 200gph version I think that would be good for lps. http://m.healthypets.com/hydorkoralia1.html?mr:trackingCode=DC819EFC-909B-E011-8D66-001517B188A2&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=m&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=45500393087&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=26980394416&gclid=CN2ch7rmu8ECFQtgMgodEkgAPw

And for fish maybe you could go with a damsel, or another goby such as a firefish. They do jump though of course. When I first got my HOB I put some nuvo media in it. It comes with a carbon sponge, mechanical sponge and a phosphate sponge. This was to clear up any residue form the sand. Hope this kinda helps:)

[Wjcastiglione]

1 of these and maybe another of the 200gph version I think that would be good for lps. http://m.healthypets.com/hydorkoralia1.html?mr:trackingCode=DC819EFC-909B-E011-8D66-001517B188A2&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=m&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=45500393087&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=26980394416&gclid=CN2ch7rmu8ECFQtgMgodEkgAPw'>http://m.healthypets.com/hydorkoralia1.html?mr:trackingCode=DC819EFC-909B-E011-8D66-001517B188A2&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=m&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=45500393087&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=26980394416&gclid=CN2ch7rmu8ECFQtgMgodEkgAPw

And for fish maybe you could go with a damsel, or another goby such as a firefish. They do jump though of course. When I first got my HOB I put some nuvo media in it. It comes with a carbon sponge, mechanical sponge and a phosphate sponge. This was to clear up any residue form the sand. Hope this kinda helps:)

 

Thank you! Isn't two powerheads a lil overkill for a 29g? Lol

[BigRed10]

No, 2 power heads is usually better because it creates a more random flow pattern and makes it easier to eliminate dead spots. I run 2 k-nano 240s in my 10, and plan on replacing one with a wp10 because I want a little more flow.

[mrkotabear]

Thank you! Isn't two powerheads a lil overkill for a 29g? Lol

The more flow the better.

 

In some cases lol

[Wjcastiglione]

Got it, guys. Thanks for the help! I want some low profile powerheads. Can anyone make a suggestion?

 

Is a ATO necessary with a skimmer? Even if I do weekly water changes? I had a ATO with my FW system but that was a 55 gallon with a 20 gallon sump and a pump that created an awful lot of heat.

[mrkotabear]

Got it, guys. Thanks for the help! I want some low profile powerheads. Can anyone make a suggestion? Is a ATO necessary with a skimmer? Even if I do weekly water changes? I had a ATO with my FW system but that was a 55 gallon with a 20 gallon sump and a pump that created an awful lot of heat.

I'm not familiar with an ATO just because I've got a small 7.5 gallon. I bet it would do you good. It just all depends on if you want a wet or a dry skim. If it's wet i bet you will have to top it off almost everyday. But if it's dry there shouldn't be a problem if you check it and top it every other day by hand

 

Just read read read, that's what began to help me. My first tank failed. But my second was great after i listened to what people have been saying. I know this stuff just based off of reading, not really experience

[mrkotabear]

http://www.marinedepot.com/Tunze_Turbelle_NanoStream_Pump_Adjustable_Flow_Aquarium_Powerheads-Tunze-TZ1211-FIPHAD-vi.html

 

some good reviews on these.

 

Also those hydor nanos seem to be doing the trick for cheap and they look pretty good too. I'm getting one for myself tomorrow. I'll let you know about them.

[mrkotabear]

http://www.marinedepot.com/EcoTech_Marine_VorTech_MP10ES_Propeller_Pump_w_EcoSMART_Driver_Adjustable_Flow_Aquarium_Powerheads-EcoTech_Marine-EM1251-FIPHAD-vi.html

 

and these of course always get good reviews. Good luck

[jgaepi]

I want a lot of coral. And like 3 or 4 fish. (2 clowns. A goby. And ______)

 

 

-I read you should probably replace the media basket. What do I want to replace it with and what media do I want to put in it?

-is the stock pump ok? Or should that be replaced?

- power heads? What is sufficient for this tank? I want some nice movement in corals.

- lighting - for budget concerns in the beginning, I'd like to keep the compacts. However, I want the blue glow. Can I just replace the bulb? How do I make the corals pop?

 

Any other suggestions?!

Hi, welcome. I am about 14 weeks into the hobby. Slippery slope.

 

I bought my media basket from InTank. Very sturdy and convenient.

I would upgrade the stock pump. It will be quieter right off the bat. I bought a Cobalt MJ900. Very happy with it.

I first got a Koralia 240 and realized I needed more. Then I bought a second one and realized things were too constant and too hot. So then I bought the Hydor wave maker, which made a lot of clicking and I was above $100. Honestly, I broke down, returned the Hydor stuff, bought an Vortex MP10, and glad I did. Crazy what 3x the price can do for you.

Avoid the aftermarket retrofit kits. Trust me. Buy a legitimate brand like AI, Radion, NanoBox or something. You won't regret it.

 

Your eyes and wallet will hurt early on but things will equalize out and you will have quality stuff that you won't want to replace early on.

[farkwar]

Best mod would be a new tank without bent corners.

 

Nano Cubes and Innovative Marine tanks with bent corners are known to spontaneously crack at 3AM.

[reefernanoman]

An absolute necessary upgrade: Intank media basket with filter floss on top chemipure and puringen, or two small bags of chemipure blue and filter floss.

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Nano-Cube-28-Media-Basket-NC28MR.htm

Also I would get a jebao RW4 for extra flow that is necessary in the display

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-RW-4-Maker-wireless-control/dp/B00MUGDCY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413865640&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+rw4

The light upgrade can wait, but I would go with a retro kit from Rapid LED or Nanobox. Good Luck. I have my NC since June 2012 and it hasn't cracked or anything.

[jgaepi]

An absolute necessary upgrade: Intank media basket with filter floss on top chemipure and puringen, or two small bags of chemipure blue and filter floss.

http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Nano-Cube-28-Media-Basket-NC28MR.htm

Also I would get a jebao RW4 for extra flow that is necessary in the display

http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-RW-4-Maker-wireless-control/dp/B00MUGDCY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413865640&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+rw4

The light upgrade can wait, but I would go with a retro kit from Rapid LED or Nanobox. Good Luck. I have my NC since June 2012 and it hasn't cracked or anything.

I agree with all except the Rapid LED. My brain still hurts 3 months later after screwing around with a similar retrofit kit.

[reefernanoman]

I agree with all expect the Rapid LED. My brain still hurts 3 months later after screwing around with a similar retrofit kit.

It did take me all day to do it.

[jgaepi]

It did take me all day to do it.

And then the cheap, stupid, aftermarket computer fan in the power supply starting humming after 5 days and buzzing after 10 days and it took them 3 weeks to get me a replacement all the while my wife was annoyed and totally salted getting into this new hobby. Plus once you start adding color options and higher Kelvin levels you are approaching a quality, professional product like AI or EcoTech. I swear I am not bitter though :-)

[Wjcastiglione]

Hi, welcome. I am about 14 weeks into the hobby. Slippery slope. I bought my media basket from InTank. Very sturdy and convenient. I would upgrade the stock pump. It will be quieter right off the bat. I bought a Cobalt MJ900. Very happy with it.I first got a Koralia 240 and realized I needed more. Then I bought a second one and realized things were too constant and too hot. So then I bought the Hydor wave maker, which made a lot of clicking and I was above $100. Honestly, I broke down, returned the Hydor stuff, bought an Vortex MP10, and glad I did. Crazy what 3x the price can do for you. Avoid the aftermarket retrofit kits. Trust me. Buy a legitimate brand like AI, Radion, NanoBox or something. You won't regret it. Your eyes and wallet will hurt early on but things will equalize out and you will have quality stuff that you won't want to replace early on.

Whoooooo $200+ for a powerhead is a bit much for me right now haha. Good look on the stock pump though.

 

An absolute necessary upgrade: Intank media basket with filter floss on top chemipure and puringen, or two small bags of chemipure blue and filter floss. http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Nano-Cube-28-Media-Basket-NC28MR.htm'>http://shop.mediabaskets.com/Nano-Cube-28-Media-Basket-NC28MR.htmAlso I would get a jebao RW4 for extra flow that is necessary in the displayhttp://www.amazon.com/Jebao-RW-4-Maker-wireless-control/dp/B00MUGDCY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413865640&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+rw4'>http://www.amazon.com/Jebao-RW-4-Maker-wireless-control/dp/B00MUGDCY8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1413865640&sr=8-1&keywords=jebao+rw4The light upgrade can wait, but I would go with a retro kit from Rapid LED or Nanobox. Good Luck. I have my NC since June 2012 and it hasn't cracked or anything.

Nice suggestions! They're on the list.

[LynkUK]

Whoooooo $200+ for a powerhead is a bit much for me right now haha.

 

You probably wont be thinking that after a few months of fighting an over heating tank. Less watts of heat being dispersed into an enclosed tank like a NanoCube the better. You ask any one with one, and they'll tell you, heat is the biggest battle.

[Wjcastiglione]

Ok guys, change in plans. After realizing that the JBJ nano has a small back compartment and are prone to cracking, I bought a 29g biocube CF in the area for the same price. However, this thing is very, very poorly neglected. I've attached pictures to show you how bad it was.

 

What is the safe way to go about cleaning this and starting from scratch?

[Paandemonium]

I had my nano cube crack on me, hopefully biocubes are sturdier(but Ive been burned by rounded corners). When I had my nano cube I ran filter floss, chemipure, purigen, denitrate(because after it was exhausted it became biomedia) and a bak pak 2 protein skimmer. I ran this tank over stocked as heck(don't do this) and there was zero algae growth on anything. I may have gone a little overboard LOL

I say you just scrap the filtration stuff and give this tank a gooooood cleaning. Then get a media basket from Stevie, a jebao rw4, a crazzzyyyyyy skimmer(most people will tell you you don't need this in a tank this small but IMO its used as a safety net more than anything. if something dies in this little tank EVERYTHING will crash quickly but with a skimmer you buy yourself time to react), some really nice looking rock and sand if thats your thing(no sand makes life a lot easier but is less conventional and I assume you imagined your dream tank with sand)