Richie's 28Gallon JBJ NanoCube HQI build.
Printed From: Utah Reefs
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URL: http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30811
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Topic: Richie's 28Gallon JBJ NanoCube HQI build.
Posted By: Xacttech
Subject: Richie's 28Gallon JBJ NanoCube HQI build.
Date Posted: January 14 2009 at 11:15pm
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Just set it up today... no water rock or sand yet :D But figured I'd get the build started, and ask some questions. Given the 3-stage (sponge, carbon, ceramic bio tubes) sumpless filtration system of the nano, what do you guys recommend for a sand bed? I was thinking an inch of Crushed Coral, then a couple inches of Aragonite? Should I do more/less of anything? I also plan on between 30 and 50lbs of Live rock, depending how I can stack it. Any advice from successful sumpless small systems? Thanks in advance!! I'm sure I'll keep this thread full of images along the way.
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Replies:
Posted By: Cameron
Date Posted: January 14 2009 at 11:24pm
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I try to stay away from crushed coral because it can cut up your fish. I like the look and Function of a deeper sandbed. I would go 2-3" IMO ------------- [COLOR="Red"](801)664-4240 |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 14 2009 at 11:27pm
| I only use crushed coral as a base layer to allow for more pockets of good nitrifying bacteria... but thanks for the heads up!! |
Posted By: Cameron
Date Posted: January 14 2009 at 11:28pm
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Good idea ------------- [COLOR="Red"](801)664-4240 |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 15 2009 at 8:08am
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I've always used crushed coral and have not had any cut fish or heard of any.
Mike -------------  |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 7:08pm
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About 40lbs of Live Rock 4" Deep Sand Bed (mix of crushed and aragonite) 1 Blue Damsel  Front View:  Side View:  Still need to find the best settings for my point and shoot canon PowerShoot SD950 IS I welcome any pointers.
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Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 7:24pm
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I would not use the ceramic bio tubes. They are another version of Bio-Balls. Also I would get a Hydor Koralia Nano for added circulation. I have the 24 Gallon JBJ. That is what I have done to mine.
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Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 7:34pm
| Do you use something in place of the bio balls, or just run without? Makes sense not to use them since I have so much rock. Also the new 28 Gallon JBJ nanos use 2 pumps, with 2 outlets and a wave maker, instead of the single unit that the 24's use. Do you still think I need a Koralia? |
Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 8:02pm
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I run without the bio tubes. In my rear chambers I have a DIY sponge thing. Here is the link to that: http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30488 - http://utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30488 I don't know if that will work with yours but I love it for mine. I still like the more flow in mine. If those alternate then you are only talking about your tank being turned over 10x an hour. It is up to you. I would recommend it still.
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Posted By: Shane H
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 8:29pm
| I left the sponge filter in my JBJ, but the second chamber is empty (houses a heater and the occasional carbon bag). |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 8:45pm
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The tank is looking good.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: dukester48
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 9:19pm
| When I had mine set up I ditched the bio balls and tubes and added some rubble and carbon to the second chamber . At one point I added a light and was growing macro back there at night time but that ended up causing heat issues. |
Posted By: Underwater Monkey
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 9:59pm
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i have sponge in first,... carbon bag, phos bag, and a bag of chaeto in second...heater in 3rd with dual chamber. I have a 150 aqua medic MH. and about 2 in aragonite, going to add another inch of sand soon.
I would like a koralia nano in mine. but the coral is growing fine so far. ------------- 55 gl Reef 24 gl nano Reef copying what Eva does: " I would love to come. Just let me know when and where." Saltybuck |
Posted By: saltybuck
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 10:48pm
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I just posted my version of the 3 chambers in the back... http://www.utahreefs.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30920 ------------- Mike |
Posted By: Turbostud653
Date Posted: January 18 2009 at 10:48pm
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love the rockrock. I just have the stock filtration in my 24 gallon aquapod. Mine is doing great. ------------- Here is what a customer said while on hold Oh my gosh! Did you open the door? I told you not to open the door. Dre is in here completely naked and he's got freak'n Macaroni and Cheese in his hands. |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 22 2009 at 9:40am
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Tank Regressed a little :( Looks like a couple pieces I added to the tank weren't entirely "cured" and were experiencing a little die off... Or the changes in parameters caused Die Off in my tank?? not entirely sure. Tank has become very cloudy, and a couple patches on a couple rocks are getting the Die Off white film. Tank Parameters still Show: 0 - nitrate 0 - nitrite ~300Kh - Alk 7.8 - PH My test is showing 0 ammonia but I don't think it's accurate, My test kit has expired so I don't trust it... (they do truly expire, don't they?) Temperature: 79º-81º Salinity: 1.025 As a Reminder I added, 1 Bag of Live sand, and 1 Bag of Aragonite, 35lbs total between the two, and approximately 50lbs of live rock, all of which I thought was cured... And 15 Gallons of live water from Dukesters tank, and 15 gallons of newly mixed RO/DI Instant Ocean. I have a tank full of chitons, and Bristle Worms, I've noticed some are dying. My damsel doesn't seem distressed, but I'm worried it may have been too soon. I've hooked up the skimmer, and It's pulling a good amount of Dark Thick Skimmate. (which I thought was interesting cause I only have the damsel in there pooping, but the new die off must be causing it) Advice?? I can't remember if I ever went through this phase when setting up tanks in the past. Just wait it out? Water Change this weekend? (at the one week mark) If so, how much? Also what about Photo Period if my tank is acting like this? I'll go pick up a fresh Ammonia kit this evening, and recheck. Thanks for any advice, I'll also post a picture tonight.
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Posted By: saltybuck
Date Posted: January 22 2009 at 10:26am
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It might only be a temporary solution, but I would do a water change right away. Good luck! ------------- Mike |
Posted By: dukester48
Date Posted: January 22 2009 at 10:59am
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I would have to say.... ABORT!!! Throw everything out and give up. That is your safest bet. I find it strange that your nitrates are measuring at zero because the tank that the 15 of the gallons came from is always on the higher side as far as nitrates are concerned. I wouldnt do an immediate water change..., I would give it a couple days. |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 22 2009 at 5:09pm
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Definitely reading 0 on nitrates using brand new testing supplies... however, there may be some low level nitrates. I guess the 50% addition of fresh water would cut your nitrates in half, so if you had 10ppm, this would make it ~5ppm and perhaps that doesn't register on a broad level nitrate test. ??? I'm no expert (OBVIOUSLY)... I'm sure I just need to let it do its thing for ~10 days, I just feel bad for the dead chitons... And by them dying they increase my die off, so ammonia, nitrites, and nitrates may go up... Blech! Anyone else want to chime in, on my premature worries
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Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 22 2009 at 7:05pm
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Just got home from work... Dead Chitons, and Bristleworms all over... Yay... Sponge that was on the live rock has now turned to the white stringy film stuffs... I forgot the sponge wasn't supposed to be exposed to air... I'm sure my damsel will go any day, unless someone wants to rescue a damsel in distress... Wait out the storm?? (I'm assuming) Looks like 3-4 weeks out instead of 1-2 that I originally thought :( I feel bad with all the inverts dying... I really thought I was going to be up and running in no time.
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Posted By: Humuhumu
Date Posted: January 23 2009 at 12:13pm
| On my 12 gal, I only have a sponge and carbon filter. No bio-balls. With as much live rock as I have and you have (over 1lb per gal) the bio-balls can take away from the live rock's job from what I've been told multipul times. |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 23 2009 at 3:31pm
| Forgot to mention I removed my bio balls, left t he sponge and added more carbon... I have 50#'s of live rock, so I should be getting plenty of filtration... just now I"m getting die off... so I guess I'll just have to wait out the storm. |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 26 2009 at 9:47am
Tank is absolutely crystal clear now... I guess it was a mini cycle after all. It's more clear than it was the day after I set it up. Unfortunately most of my Chitons did die, and still have die off film on them, as did my sponge. Damsel is doing great, no rapid breathing or any ill symptoms. I haven't done a water change and will give it another week. End of the week I'll probably start slooowly stocking it :) Very excited. |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 27 2009 at 7:45pm
| Today I'm getting a major Diatomaceous algae bloom... Any advice?? |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 27 2009 at 9:21pm
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That is great! Things are going just as they should. My advice right now it patience. Once you start getting green algae you can start adding a clean up crew then a few corals then slowly add live stock over a few weeks time.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 9:16am
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Thanks Mike!! I thought I remembered this happening in my first tank... Should I water change at all before the green algae?
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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: January 28 2009 at 12:23pm
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Some people say yes, others say no. Take your pick. On a small tank I probably would go for the water change.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: February 01 2009 at 1:44pm
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Did a 5 gallon water change, and cleaned the glass... Diatoms almost gone, spots of green coming in. Clean up crew ordered, will be here first of the week. Added 2 tank raised, tiny maroon clowns, that stay together all the time. Water Crystal clear, no signs of chitons surviving the cycle :( but I do have a bit of pods, and feather dusters. :)  |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: February 05 2009 at 8:19pm
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Alright... Micro bubbles from hell coming from the skimmer... (the one that comes with the nano) It has it's own baffle, and is separated from the pump that goes back into the tank, but no matter what the water level, and no matter how high (dry) I skim, the bubbles still find their way. Suggestions?? I was thinking putting a bunch of filter floss around the pump may act as a bubble trap, but it'll probably slow the pump a bit, and I'll have to change the floss fairly often. I know bubbles can cause issues for corals in the future so I'd like to get the issue taken care of before I get the tank too stocked... Tank is looking Killer aside from the bubbles... Crystal clear, and even some new coraline algae... unless I'm crazy... Thanks in advance for any advice.
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Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: February 09 2009 at 9:21am
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Tank is still basically empty, but I have added some zoas, palys and mushies... a few polyps of Orange Envy, Some BLue and Purples, some true Yellows, RPEs, some mixes of greens, blues and pinks. Some simple purple mushrooms with blue dots on them, and a superman monti. Hope to get some Frogspawn this week, and a couple other LPS. Pictures tonight. Richie
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Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: February 10 2009 at 8:20pm
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Update with Images!!! 
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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: February 10 2009 at 8:34pm
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Very nice. Those zoas are sweet!
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: February 11 2009 at 9:20am
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Thanks! The nano HQI has 3 chambers in the back: |oU| | o| <- Like that the "o" being return pumps back to the main tank, the U being a skimmer. I am thinking of putting cheatomorpha in the middle chamber, and move my carbon to the chambers with the return pumps. Would there be any issues with doing that??
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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: February 11 2009 at 5:45pm
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Will that give you any flow through the area with the skimmer and through the area with the chaeto? If so then it should work fine.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: February 12 2009 at 8:02pm
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That's where all the flow comes from, since the new nanos have a center overflow, with two side returns... == I just added 2 Koralia Nanos hooked to a wave maker... Very nice flow... Probably going to upgrade my two factory return pumps to Maxi Jet 1200s, then I'll have a ton of circulation going through the back, and even more flow... Things are lookin' good, Water change this weekend. Levels pretty good, but nitrates at about 20ppm
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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: February 12 2009 at 8:19pm
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If you are growing macro in the back then you don't want more flow through the back. If I was going to replace the pumps I would consider the MJ900. It is less watts so less heat transfered to the tank.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: February 18 2009 at 9:14am
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Picking up some Chaeto in the next day or so... Picked up a bunch more frags from Jared this weekend (Watermelons, Bright Orange Palys, and Tangerine Dreams, as well as an orange rhodactics) Ordered Radium Bulb as well, It'll be here today :D, I'll take before and afters... |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: February 18 2009 at 10:56am
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I look forward to seeing those pictures!
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: February 19 2009 at 9:52am
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took pics haven't pulled them... Honestly not as dramatic an effect as I thought it was going to be. I was hoping the Radium would be more Bluish/Purple and it's a very subtle blue, where the stock 14K has a little more white/purple cast. Granted the Radium isn't broken in. I was really expecting that with the Radium I'd need some 10K PC supplements, but I'm going to add actinic supplements to make the corals a bit more colorful. Can't argue with the growth rate, and coloring of corals under the radium bulbs (I've read), but for plain aesthetic the stock JBJ isn't far off. Pictures coming soon :)
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Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: March 15 2009 at 9:20pm
Been a month I know  In that month I've added about 10 more varieties of Zoas/Paly's Had a bit of growth, added a few different SPS, slight rework of rock, changed the back to a refugium, and just purchased a reef keeper. Wheew... I eliminated the stock skimmer, it basically stopped working all together... Figure I'll get a Tunze nano skimmer in the future, but for now I don't feel I need one, I only have 2 small fish, and I only feed every few days. No signs of nuisance algae and my nitrates are down to >5. I just bought a canon 40D so I will have some decent pictures soon. |
Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: March 16 2009 at 9:49am
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Thanks for the update. I look forward to seeing those pictures.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 8:13pm
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Lonely Dreamweaver  Just some zoa's  more  Ked Reds  Some kind of PE with purple tips on the skirts  Nice Blues, and some RGNs  Bright Purple Deaths, 7 on this little colony, and a solitary Red something or other  FTS... Probably should have cropped oh well... (I'll do that next)  Side tank shot  Look down angle front  All shots taken straight from camera with auto white balance... didn't have a chance to clean them up :D |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 8:19pm
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New FTS 
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Posted By: Mike Savage
Date Posted: April 16 2009 at 8:38pm
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You have some beautiful pieces. I like the rock work too.
Mike ------------- |
Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: April 17 2009 at 10:06am
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Thanks!... It's hard to have patience to let things grow... Aside from the digitata and the superman monti, everything grows SLOW!! I figure 6 months from now things should be really looking good.. I have about ~50 varieties of zoas/palys 3 capricornis, 2 digitata, 1 superman monti, 1 millepora, 1 stylophora, 1 birdsnest, 2 acans, huge purple tip bright green frogspawn (in need of fragging), Indonesian blue clove polyps, nuclear green candy coral, 3 different color ricordea florida, 2 green yumas, a Superman rhodactis, a few superman mushrooms (purple with blue dots) Think that's it... No fish right now... HA! the Damsel that killed my two maroons is in the refugium. I'm not sure what fish I want, I'm' thinking a spotted mandarin (I have soooo many pods) and a pair of clowns, and not much more, Don't really want a large bioload. Fun Fun!
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Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: April 17 2009 at 1:00pm
Be careful with spotted mandarin. I had one in my nano and thought I had a lot of pods. It totally devoured them all within a month and eventually died. It would even eat prepared food but it still wasn't enough in the end I think you would like a firefish. I have one in mine and it is awesome. Really colorful and very peaceful.
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Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: April 17 2009 at 1:10pm
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Thanks for the heads up... I think it's a YMMV deal... I'll see how it goes, and if things aren't looking great then I'll take it back to the petstore or give it to someone on here... they're just such fun fish to watch. I like firefish too, but a wrasse and a firefish may not get along, and I'm pretty sure I'll be getting a wrasse... Who knows... :D
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Posted By: Ryan Thompson
Date Posted: April 17 2009 at 1:14pm
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I love spotted mandarins. I am hoping my 40 will be big enough for one. It was my favorite fish of all time. I don't think you will have problems with a wrasse and firefish. My flasher wrasse was calm as could be. It got some infection and died overnight. White cotton ball grew on his head? I have had terrible luck fish in my tank. Corals are very easy for some reason.
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Posted By: Xacttech
Date Posted: March 27 2010 at 4:01pm
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Tank is for sale in the For sale section. Tank has matured nicely... I did loose a lot of the good pieces from this thread :( tank just wasn't mature enough, and when I had my Kalk incident... well that sealed the fate of some specimens. Over all the tank is doing great though.
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