Nano Cube 12g: should I go hoodless? What do you suggest for an upgrade?

[stellarsjay]

Hello!!

 

New member but dedicated lurker here. Please let me know if I'm breaking any posting rules or have terrible etiquette I like to babble so jump to the bottom to cut to the chase.

 

I'd love to upgrade my new-ish little reef. It's an older Nano Cube 12g, with power compacts. To give you an idea... it's in an office. Right now it just has the stock hood, all original setup (new bulbs, of course). I have had one or two scenarios this summer with temperature raising too high for my comfort. A cooler system would be great, but it's not imperative. I live in Canada so risk of overheating is minimal, but the office can get warm!

 

I'm wondering if going hoodless is wise in an office setup, and would love to hear from anyone who's done the same and if they're glad they did!

 

I've been browsing through NanoBox Reef like a crazy person, and looking at other products too. I must say, I'm really liking David's stuff. My concern is, I'm still pretty new. I don't want to make a purchase and have it be the wrong choice for my little tank, because of something I missed or failed to consider.

 

Livestock now includes 2 juvenile ocellaris (upgrading to a larger tank is all part of my plan!!! ), a cleaner shrimp, a small CUC. Corals include some mushrooms, xenia and devil's hand. All appear to be flourishing with the PCs. From here I would like to try some "easy" LPS (Duncan?) and try some zoas.

 

What are my best bets if I want to try and go hoodless? If I should keep the hood, what would you recommend for a fitted light upgrade for the hood? Ditching the hood, I'd be more comfortable getting some glass cut and cover the top... if one of the clowns jumped I would be absolutely heartbroken.

 

*Ultimately* I would like to get a new tank (larger, sleeker) for the office and keep the nano cube running at home! The goal for the 12g is to upgrade the light, with or without hood. Easier corals (softies, LPS). Something controllable would be amazing. I'm leaning towards hoodless as it opens up more options, and looks great. NanoBox Reef seems to be a good place to start.

 

Am I making any sense? Thanks guys! Will happily clarify anything. Appreciate the help!

 

[hinnenkm]

There's no problem going hoodless, there's a ton of tanks like that and 3 out of 4 of my tanks are rimless as well. What I would highly recommend though is some sort of cover for when you are not with the tank because any fish is able to jump, and they might or might not, but better to be safe!

[stellarsjay]

Just to add... this is about where I'm at. This photo is a couple of weeks old and the Xenia has already moved to the rocks and is splitting. The Devil's Hand is being finicky about location and the 'shrooms are glorious and big, but hiding behind the rock.

 

If you see anything that I'm doing horribly wrong, I am all ears!

 

There's no problem going hoodless, there's a ton of tanks like that and 3 out of 4 of my tanks are rimless as well. What I would highly recommend though is some sort of cover for when you are not with the tank because any fish is able to jump, and they might or might not, but better to be safe!

 

Thank you! Do you mind sharing what you do for covering your tanks? If you do, that is! I would be so uncomfortable leaving them without some sort of cover, so my initial thought was to just have some glass cut specifically to the dimensions to cover the top of the tank. Surely there are better alternatives?

[DaveFason]

Hoodless is great if you are planning on adding a ton of accessories and what not. If you are looking to keep it simple I would leave the hood on and do some type of retro kit. I have a few that would be ideal for this tank along with a few other companies.

 

Hope this helps in some way!

-Dave

[stellarsjay]

Hoodless is great if you are planning on adding a ton of accessories and what not. If you are looking to keep it simple I would leave the hood on and do some type of retro kit. I have a few that would be ideal for this tank along with a few other companies.

 

Hope this helps in some way!

-Dave

 

Hi Dave! Was just in the process of sending you an email, check your inbox! Interested in seeing which products you offer that you'd recommend! Thanks!

[stellarsjay]

As a quick update... I'm really leaning towards going hoodless with something like the AI Prime and Kessil A160! Or a similar product. I love the NanoBox but might save that for the larger tank, such as the Lagoon 25!

 

If anyone wanted to offer their opinion on the aforementioned lights for a 12g cube that would be great! Finding lots of good info as I surf through the other posts though

[Clown79]

I go hoodless. Its better for gas exchange and temp control.

 

The hood on is probably the cause of your temp issues.

 

I'm in canada- my 10g was fluctuating between 78-83, too much swing for my liking. Thats in a room with a blacked out window. If the ac isn't on in the summer- temp creeps up.

 

 

1 ai prime or 1 kessil will be more than enough on the tank.

 

Your tank looks good. Leathers are finicky, hardy but very particular. Make sure its getting decent flow on it. When there is lack of flow, things will land on it, algae may build and they will close up, wax up, and then shed. This can take a week or more. The more often it happens the worse it is on the leather.

 

Mine was waxing/shedding every 5 days until I changed the water movement. Now its finally happy.

 

Duncans, frogspawn, hammers, brains are all fairly easy lps. You will need to monitor calcium, alk, and magnesium to ensure proper health.

[stellarsjay]

Thanks for the info Really helpful! I hear ya on the temp swings -- it just creeps up like that, even if the room temp is "controlled". I decided to go hoodless and get some glass cut for the top! I would absolutely die if one of the clowns jumped. I ordered the AI Prime and it should be here Thursday. So excited!

 

Yeah... the leathers have given me a scare or two! I've been watching Ca and made the first leap into the LPS world with a Duncan which will be here Thursday. The tank is small but would love to look into the possibility of a head of frogspawn or hammer... thanks again!!

[Clown79]

No problem.

 

I have never had a clown jump but I use egg crate to prevent it. You can also order from BRS a cover that has netting. Its a better option.

 

The glass top will do the same as your hood. There will still be temp issues and it still effects gas exchange.

 

http://www.bulkreefsupply.com/diy-aquarium-screen-top-kits-1-4-netting.html

This what the net covers look like.

 

You can even diy with window frames and bird netting- lots of videos on it on youtube

[stellarsjay]

Will check that out! Just have a piece of plastic covering it for now to keep my mind at ease.

 

For anyone following along, here is a quick shot with the new light!