roll_the_dice Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Hi All--I have been off and on in the hobby for over 20 years. The last tank I had was in 2013...and had many tanks before that ranging from 10 gallons to over 400. When I had my larger tanks MH were the rage with actinic tubes...now I know next to nothing about LED's, but I like the less heat transfer idea along with the PAR they are able to achieve. I also like the shimmer on the water like halides give. So I am not a novice by any stretch on live stock...some of the new technology is well new to me. 🙂 My son started college this year and asked me to take over his tank. What that really means is, Dad--I want you to do what you used to do and set me up with all the best equipment and I'll take over when I graduate. Well I didn't mind taking it over. I went and picked it up and brought it to my house and made a stand for it and was just going to do a "few" things. Then I fell in love again... So this is the setup as he had it and what I have added and plan to add.Current Equipment 30 gallon JBJ DSB Current Orbit LED Lights Standard JBJ Filtration No Name powerheadLive Stock 15 pounds LR Montipora digitata frag 3 Mushrooms Small FrogspawnPurchased Tunze 6040 Tunze Osmolator 3155Future Plans ATO Reservoir (5 gallons) Media Basket(s) by In TankSkimmer PLS--50 By Cadlights Lighting--AI Prime HD, Hydra 26 HD, XR15W G4, (2) Kessil A160, or Nanobox Duo/(2) Mini Tide M 15-18 more pounds of LR So my main questions are about the skimmer and lighting. I have never had a skimmer on a tank this small...so not sure if I will get one, but if I do, I want it in place of one of the filter sections in the rear of the tank. That is why I am leaning on the PLS-50, since the footprint is small. So which skimmer or any feedback on the one above? Lighting...I am confuzzled over lighting. I have seen good reviews about all of these, but I want the best bang for the buck. I (we) will be keeping mainly SPS and a few small fish. There are currently no fish in the tank. I know everyone loves Dave at Nanobox and I have talked to him, but I am on a budget with this tank they are the most expensive light of the ones listed. With the Kessil, I was thinking of 2 lights to avoid shadowing, same with the Mini Tide...thoughts/suggestions? So any help or recommendations, real world experience would be appreciated. Thanks! Quote Link to comment
Nano Nano Boo Boo Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 All the lights listed are great options. I personally use the AI Prime and really enjoy it. With keeping SPS I would inertial some of the expensive lights but the AI would work. Protein skimmers are all a bit finicky but having the ato should allow you to tune it and forget it. I have one in my 32 and run it less and less. Tank seems happier with simple routine maintenance. SPS May enjoy the cleaner water however. Welcome back to the hobby!!! Quote Link to comment
specore Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 If it is a cube I would think one Kessil would be enough. Granted there will be some shadowing with only one, but the single point light source is also what will most closely mimic the MH look you like. At least I would recommend starting with one and then adding the second if you decide to down the road. I have owned Kessils and my current Nanobox and can tell you both fixtures will be top notch. You do have more color control with Nanobox; however, its hard not to love the shimmer and natural shadowing of the Kessils.. Quote Link to comment
specore Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 1 minute ago, Nano Nano Boo Boo said: All the lights listed are great options. I personally use the AI Prime and really enjoy it. With keeping SPS I would inertial some of the expensive lights but the AI would work. Protein skimmers are all a bit finicky but having the ato should allow you to tune it and forget it. I have one in my 32 and run it less and less. Tank seems happier with simple routine maintenance. SPS May enjoy the cleaner water however. Welcome back to the hobby!!! I agree. IME tanks 30g and under do fine with regular water changes and don't need a skimmer if you are diligent in about the maintenance. Quote Link to comment
roll_the_dice Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated. I like how the Kessils look for sure..great light, but I also want moonlighting. I had incandescent blue party bulbs over an old 75 gallon tank once that was hooked up to my Neptune Sys Gen1 controller and simulated the lunar cycle. I always liked the look...so I think I want that again...so that's a negative for Kessil. I received my Tunze 3155 osmolator today! YAY!! I am thinking of using kalkwasser in my reservoir to keep alk, CA, pH up in my tank. What do you guys do for Calcium management. I have always had calcium reactors before...so this "nano" tank is all new to me...Much more hands-on. Quote Link to comment
specore Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 Kalk is not ideal for a nano. Just too easy to overdose IMO. I would recommend a reliable 2 part such as B-Ionic instead. Quote Link to comment
KW NANOREEF Posted August 15, 2018 Share Posted August 15, 2018 25 minutes ago, roll_the_dice said: Thanks for the replies! Much appreciated. I like how the Kessils look for sure..great light, but I also want moonlighting. I had incandescent blue party bulbs over an old 75 gallon tank once that was hooked up to my Neptune Sys Gen1 controller and simulated the lunar cycle. I always liked the look...so I think I want that again...so that's a negative for Kessil. I received my Tunze 3155 osmolator today! YAY!! I am thinking of using kalkwasser in my reservoir to keep alk, CA, pH up in my tank. What do you guys do for Calcium management. I have always had calcium reactors before...so this "nano" tank is all new to me...Much more hands-on. As long as your use replenishing salt, you should control all your levels by doing water changes! Quote Link to comment
roll_the_dice Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 Keep the suggestions coming. I do travel a little that is why I wanted the ATO and be able to keep up with CA demands, so I don't have to worry when I am gone. Also, I want to get this stuff as bullet proof as I can before I have a huge CA demand and am out of town. Here is the tank as it sits today. Excuse the bad phone picture. Quote Link to comment
roll_the_dice Posted August 15, 2018 Author Share Posted August 15, 2018 I also got the osmolator in the mail today and set it up with a 5 gallon bucket for ATO until either I make a custom reservoir to fit in the stand or buy one. First osmolator I have ever had...previously used dosing pumps. I like how easy this is to setup and run. Always have loved Tunze products! Quote Link to comment
roll_the_dice Posted August 17, 2018 Author Share Posted August 17, 2018 Do you guys think the AI Prime HD is enough light for this tank that will be primarily SPS or one of the other options? I had a line on 2 Mini Tides, but it fell through.... Quote Link to comment
KW NANOREEF Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 3 hours ago, roll_the_dice said: Do you guys think the AI Prime HD is enough light for this tank that will be primarily SPS or one of the other options? I had a line on 2 Mini Tides, but it fell through.... 100%. Just find the right settings and you will be set for a long successful journey Quote Link to comment
roll_the_dice Posted August 18, 2018 Author Share Posted August 18, 2018 Thanks KW--Do you have a picture of your tank with the AI Prime on it? I think your tank and my tank are similarly sized with mine being 4" taller... Thanks!! Quote Link to comment
KW NANOREEF Posted August 18, 2018 Share Posted August 18, 2018 2 hours ago, roll_the_dice said: Thanks KW--Do you have a picture of your tank with the AI Prime on it? I think your tank and my tank are similarly sized with mine being 4" taller... Thanks!! Excuse the algae bloom 1 Quote Link to comment
roll_the_dice Posted August 19, 2018 Author Share Posted August 19, 2018 @KW NANOREEF Thanks! I appreciate it. I think I am going to get the AI Prime HD and if I need a second add it, but 1 to start! Quote Link to comment
2nafisher Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 Here is my jbj30. I run a Kessil 160we. 2 i tank media baskets and maybe a 4 gallon water change every couple of weeks. No sps, but has worked for me for a couple years for the corals I keep. I don’t even use media except carbon on occasion. Upgraded the pumps and have an mp10 hidden in the bottom corner in the back left. Quote Link to comment
roll_the_dice Posted November 25, 2018 Author Share Posted November 25, 2018 @2nafisher Nice looking tank. I just picked up an ATI 2 bulb sunpower with 4 nanobox LED pucks. I just got it last week. I need to mount it above the tank. I think I am going to powder coat the aluminum also. Quote Link to comment
2nafisher Posted November 25, 2018 Share Posted November 25, 2018 Man that’s going to look good. I’d like to see some pictures once you get it set up. I’ve been eyeing the Nova Extreme 4 bulb T5. It has legs which I’d prefer since I don’t have a way to hang anything above the tank. I have the 60” 6 bulb sunpower on my 150 and the t5’s are far superior for coral growth. While I love the looks of the kessil on my little tank, and everything does okay, growth is super slow under the light. I was thinking about going T5 soon can grow my stuff out in my jbj, lol. Quote Link to comment
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