Advice for a Newbie UK Reefer

[JFK]

Hi guys n gals

 

As the subject says I'm after some feedback from your side of the pond as we seem to get most equipment at least a year later than you guys.

 

So basically I've decided to setup a larger nano reef (I have a 12gallon running fine) and I inteneded to use the RSM, then I found info about the new JBJ 28g Nano cube and it looked on paper to be just as good if not better with the 150W Halide lighting and the Wavemaker installed as stock. After searching for some good UK based reviews I've found none due to the product not been available for long.

 

So I thought I would ask u guys for advice as you've had the product longer anyway.

 

So hears my scenario I've just got out of hospital after major surgery and I've got time on my hands to take this slowly (can't do it any other way if i wanted to). I'm interested to hear what if any mods from the stock system would be suggested for either/both systems as I would want to do the mods b4 I set the systems up.

 

My location is Lincolshire, England(East Coast about half way up) the room I will be citing the tank in gets about 2 - 3 hours direct sunlight in from dawn onwards,then its in the shade all day, the temp in the room is pretty constant at 18-20Deg C.

 

I don't intend to use the stock filtration rings etc but not to sure what to use instead, LR Rubble with some Rowaphos? Any suggestions welcome?

 

Not using a skimmer on my existing setup how are the stock skimmers? I've seem to see alot of people remove the skimmer from the RSM and replace with a Tunze product.

 

How effective is the wave maker in the JBJ? Sound like a good idea to me but I've not seen on in used in practice.

 

Lighting - I see lots of reports of the lighting causing over heating how is this effected by the situation out side of the tank? I'm assuming that if I was in a hot climate a chiller would be mandatory but I can hardly classify where I as a hot climate is this a case of try it and find out? Is there an option to reduce the 150W Halide ligting down to 100W to run it cooler on the JBJ?

 

 

Any other of the stock components that aren't up to the job please advise?

 

Thanks

 

JFK

[abe]

can you find the current solana in the UK? i know the prices are crazy over there, but the current system seems to me like a much wiser buy, i just don't know if it is available in the UK. it looks like a much cleaner system with no canopy, but runs a 150w metal halide through a pendant mounted on the side of the tank. great system IMO.

 

as for the jbj 28 hqi, look into upgrading the return pump and drilling another hole for a split return (you can even get a bigger pump to split to 3 returns). that way you can get better flow straight off the return and not have the clutter of extra pumps in the display. also look into a decent skimmer, such as the tunze 9002. if possible, you can get a deltec MCE 600. even though rated for a much larger display and will cost ALOT more, its worth the investment. don't know if you have in the UK yet, but warner marine just came out with a line of awesome protein skimmer, and has one similar to the deltec. if you decide on the nano-cube 28 HQI, then a chiller is required. go for a 1/15hp if possible.

 

also, if you are planning on keeping sps, a phosban reactor is a good investment, but that could easily be added later on.

 

 

HTH

 

abe

[JFK]

can you find the current solana in the UK? i know the prices are crazy over there, but the current system seems to me like a much wiser buy, i just don't know if it is available in the UK. it looks like a much cleaner system with no canopy, but runs a 150w metal halide through a pendant mounted on the side of the tank. great system IMO.

 

as for the jbj 28 hqi, look into upgrading the return pump and drilling another hole for a split return (you can even get a bigger pump to split to 3 returns). that way you can get better flow straight off the return and not have the clutter of extra pumps in the display. also look into a decent skimmer, such as the tunze 9002. if possible, you can get a deltec MCE 600. even though rated for a much larger display and will cost ALOT more, its worth the investment. don't know if you have in the UK yet, but warner marine just came out with a line of awesome protein skimmer, and has one similar to the deltec. if you decide on the nano-cube 28 HQI, then a chiller is required. go for a 1/15hp if possible.

 

also, if you are planning on keeping sps, a phosban reactor is a good investment, but that could easily be added later on.

 

 

HTH

 

abe

 

Hi,

 

The current Sol

[JFK]

hI,

 

The Solano hasn't made it's way over here yet unfortunately looks like a great setup though.

 

So to sum up if I go for the HQI upgrade the return pump, and skimmer(the tunze 9002 seems to be the popular choice) you say a chiller is required is this due to the heating effect of the Halide lighting?

 

If i went for the RSM any recommended changes there? Is it a good idea to add a wavemaker in or is this just a nice to have feature?

 

thanks

 

JFK

[Urchinhead]

hI,

 

The Solano hasn't made it's way over here yet unfortunately looks like a great setup though.

 

So to sum up if I go for the HQI upgrade the return pump, and skimmer(the tunze 9002 seems to be the popular choice) you say a chiller is required is this due to the heating effect of the Halide lighting?

 

If i went for the RSM any recommended changes there? Is it a good idea to add a wavemaker in or is this just a nice to have feature?

 

thanks

 

JFK

 

Yes. Ditch the skimmer and go with a Tunze 9002. Think about doing a light mod to MH as the lighting in the RSM is good but MH is better. Cut the black sponge in half. If you go MH get a chiller. Other than that its a very good tank.