Filter setup and other setup?

[NickChambers]

ok so im new to a nano reef tanks but not new to reefing in general. I have heard alot of discussion on the filter set up so tell me if im wrong or if i should add or change anything. I was going to do the following to my nano cube 6 gallon

 

1. remove the bioballs and the ceramic thiings that it came with along with the carbon bag

2. i was going to every month add a new carbon bag for a week to clear up the water

3. should i keep the sponge? also i heard of people cutting it in half?

4. in the middle chamber that has my heater i was going to add pieces of live rock for filtration. good idea?

5. also i am adding the hydor koralia nano to help circulation.

 

for lighting i got the nano customs 36 watt setup but now i wondering if i should return it and add HQI to it by buying either the " cause i want to have clams and and colorful corals so i dont think the 36w will be able to handle it.

1. viper k2 70w

2. sunpod 70w 16" will this fit on my tank? i dont think it will

 

as for now i just started the tank yesterday and have put 3.5 pounds of live rock in there and live sand i dont want to add anymore live rock cause i want room for other things down the road like corals and stuff .

Should i add a couple more punds just to start the cycle?

[JustReef]

My comments in italics.

 

1. remove the bioballs and the ceramic thiings that it came with along with the carbon bag

Sounds good.

2. i was going to every month add a new carbon bag for a week to clear up the water

Wouldn't bother early on. Later it might be useful if you have contaminates or chemical warfare going on. And then you're better off changing it every 2 weeks.

3. should i keep the sponge? also i heard of people cutting it in half?

Cut it in half or use filter floss instead. If you use the sponge, rinse it twice a week.

4. in the middle chamber that has my heater i was going to add pieces of live rock for filtration. good idea?

Not bad, but doesn't really do anything extra. Might be a good idea if you want more rock, but want to keep your display looking open.

5. also i am adding the hydor koralia nano to help circulation.

Might be overkill, depends what you plan on keeping. You might be better off replacing the stock pump with something more powerful.

 

for lighting i got the nano customs 36 watt setup but now i wondering if i should return it and add HQI to it by buying either the " cause i want to have clams and and colorful corals so i dont think the 36w will be able to handle it.

1. viper k2 70w

2. sunpod 70w 16" will this fit on my tank? i dont think it will

 

Six gallons is awfully small for clams and SPS and there are plenty of colorful soft corals that will do just fine under the 36w of PC.

[NickChambers]

thanks for your help

WHat about upgrading to the 54 watt setup do you think i could house maybe 1 or 2 sps

[JustReef]

You might be able to to do some montipora, but acropora would be out.

 

If you're really into SPS and up for the challenge, go for a metal halide light. Then you can keep whatever, but in that small of a tank it will be hard to keep your tank stable. If you ever upgrade your tank, you can always put the metal halide on the new tank.