NanoCube Upgrades: Help Getting Ready for Corals

C

Claylewis

New member
I've had my 12 Gallon Nano Cube going pretty steady for about 6 months with LR, a clown and CUC. I think I'm ready to start accumulating the equipment needed to get it set up for corals.

Right now my tank is basically stock with the only upgrades being a sicce pump and intank media basket.

I am a little unclear on everything I will need and if I can even find some of this stuff to fit my 12gal cube (no sump, lid will come off).
If I could get recommendations on the best/most practical equipment for this setup I would really appreciate it. Looking to eventually doing SPS at some point (if even possible with this volume of water). Budget is not an issue but I doubt I will need the most high end stuff for this setup.

Lighting: Thinking about getting a nanbox reef(I like how it can be controlled from a phone), open to other suggestions
RO/DI
ATO
Protein Skimmer: do I need one?
Media reactor: Do I need one?

Looking for anything else that will make my life easier and result in less maintenance. Thanks!
 
Let's start with what kind of light do you have? What test kits do you have? What do they say? Don't buy anything until you know what your parameters are. What kinds of corals would you like to keep?
 
Right now I have the stock lighting included in with the JBJ 12 deluxe (two whites and two blue actinic bulbs). I will be upgrading to an LED fixture, looking at the nanobox mini, Kessil 160 or AI prime.

I have the API reefmaster test kit. I have not taken a reading in a couple weeks I will need to get back to you.

As far as corals go, nothing particular in mind. Ones suitable for beginners...Zoas, LPS. I would like something nonagressive that might host my clown, maybe frogspawn.
 
My buddy just got a nanobox on his nuvo and it is freakin sweet! Highly recommend if you're willing to spend the money.

Also upgrades I recommend: 1. Definitely get an RO/DI, makes everything easier when you don't have to lug jugs from the store. 2. ATO for sure, helps keep levels stable. 3. Mp10 or Jebao RW-4

No need for a skimmer or media reactor, weekly water changes (with quality salt) are better for nanos then a skimmer. I ran a Tunze 9002 on 29BC and it really never did much. But I put floss, chemipure elite, and purigen into my inTank basket and that worked.
 
RODI & TDS meter: It would be a rare occurrence not needing RODI. Perhaps, Sacramento water.

ATO, yes. Best advice I got which I initially thought was frivolous. Glad, I listened. While putting a cup of water in the tank is easy, taking an extended vacation away from the tank will be impossible. If the water gets low enough, you will get a tank gurgling full of bubbles. Additionally, the ATO is where you would regulate the addition of alkalinity/calcium without a doser.

Protein Skimmer, no. Large water changes are the best export and you can afford to do them at this scale. The best advantage of a nano. In nature, corals get the equivalent of a 100% water changes 2-3 times a day according to Shimek or Borneman.

Media Reactor: Definitely, not. You don't need that much efficiency for media use because you use so little.

Lights: A critical decision for you may be form factor in order for the unit to fit seamlessly with the tank. I went a different way. Working with a budget, I decided to go with the OR T-247B. It is very capable of handling a 30 cube, an ideal nano. The best value I could find irrespective of form factor. It has 2 channel timers for off/on, but no sunset/sunrise or moonlight. For those capabilities, people speak well of the AI Prime.

The choice of ATO and strong lighting, essential for SPS keeping, should also future proof you from an eventual upgrade.
 
Awesome thanks for the advice guys.

So it sounds like I definitely need an ATO, I've heard favorable reviews of the JBJ and Tunze ATOs for nanos. Any other thoughts recommendations on deciding what ATO system I should choose?

Quick question, salt quality was mentioned. I have been using red sea salt. Is it sufficient? What are other viable, possibly less expensive alternatives?
 
Also [MENTION=748]Fish_wiz2[/MENTION] mentioned a couple of different wavemakers. I almost forgot about that.

I have been using a hydor rotating water deflector attached to my outflow. It seems to me that it's moving the water around pretty well, I don't know if it's good enough for corals though. Any thoughts?
 
Claylewis said:
Awesome thanks for the advice guys.

So it sounds like I definitely need an ATO, I've heard favorable reviews of the JBJ and Tunze ATOs for nanos. Any other thoughts recommendations on deciding what ATO system I should choose?

Quick question, salt quality was mentioned. I have been using red sea salt. Is it sufficient? What are other viable, possibly less expensive alternatives?
Click to expand...

Skip the JBJ, never liked the build quality. Tunze is top notch, so is a smart ATO. I'm a personal fan of autotopoff.com kit, affordable and with an aqualifter, very nice.

Red Sea is fine, a bit expensive in my experience but definitely works. I'm used to Reef Crystals, dirt cheap compared to other reef salts but does have the drawback of high alk if you're into watching levels.
 
Claylewis said:
Also [MENTION=748]Fish_wiz2[/MENTION] mentioned a couple of different wavemakers. I almost forgot about that.

I have been using a hydor rotating water deflector attached to my outflow. It seems to me that it's moving the water around pretty well, I don't know if it's good enough for corals though. Any thoughts?
Click to expand...

For a 12, the hydor could be enough but it's nice to see a bit more movement in a tank. I have an RW-4 on my current 5G and love it but had to run it on the different power supply as it is wayyyy to strong stock for a 5G.
 
Fish_wiz2 said:
For a 12, the hydor could be enough but it's nice to see a bit more movement in a tank. I have an RW-4 on my current 5G and love it but had to run it on the different power supply as it is wayyyy to strong stock for a 5G.
Click to expand...

Yeah I've been looking at the RW-4s, thinking they might be a little powerful. Do you think it's possible to dial them down enough on the controller or is a different power supply the move?
 
For a 12 I feel like it can handle the stock power supply. But a variable voltage power supply only cost me ~$11 on ebay and that was the movement, gives you lots of room for adjustment.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top