12g Nano Cube DX build

[xiholdtruex]

Hello Everyone not my first saltwater build but my first in over 15 yrs. Back then the communication was bad we didnt have much info in my area about salt water and my tank failed miserably. Now after many years and 10+ Fw tanks sucessfully I have obtained a nano cube dx 12g from my boss who was about to toss it He had a establised nano reef for 8 yrs in the cube and during hurricane Irma he forgot about the tank -.- and all of the specimens died and he was going to toss it until he heard me speaking of my tanks and told me If i wanted it I could take it . it has all the components that orginally came with it running and he added a small wave maker other than that its a bare calcified tank. Look for any advice on upgrading or adding components and specimens once the tank is ready and cycled.Cleaned tank with vinegar and now waiting on dry live rock to start cycling.
Current components:
100 watt tetra nonadjustable heater till I can get a cobalt heater
hydorpico wave maker
Bio rings filling rear compartment with sponge filter
mj900 pump in rear
Stock lighting in hood double bulbs one white one blue

My plans so far are as follows
1. Add dry rock 12lbs and 20lbs live sand to begin cycling
2. Upgrade heater and wave maker (wave maker bracket is cracking)
3. Planning a clean upcrew for end of cycle
4. Planning stocking and begginer corals
5. play it by ear and take into consideration all the input you guys provide!

 

[Crabs McJones]

Those before and after cleaning pics though.....wow! You did a great job! (Would you like to come clean my home? )Another thing I would suggest, replace the bulbs with new ones. Hard to know how long those have been in there and if they're putting out good power. Especially if you plan on doing more moderate to high light corals down the road. But otherwise looking great!!

 

[lbacha]

I had this same tank years ago looking forward to see how it goes for you

 

[xiholdtruex]

Setup 12lbs dry reefsaverrock and 12lbs of sand tanks still settling then to start cycling

 

[xiholdtruex]

adjusted sand a bit and have some ammonia coming in tommorow to start the cycle

 

[xiholdtruex]

Update, Current tank setup after 4 months, 6 RFAs, 1 small clown, 2 hermits, 2 trochus snails. removed the wave maker. Tank seems to be thriving so far. fighting with a little bit of cyano on the side, Had 2 rfas melt inside the rockwork and dumped nutrients in the tank -.- my current peramiters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate. started changing water ever 2 days 20% to try to remedy that.The two green and purple rfas at the top dont seem to be opening as big as before if anyone can give me any recommendations I would greatly appreciate it.

 

[Cody3819]

Update, Current tank setup after 4 months, 6 RFAs, 1 small clown, 2 hermits, 2 trochus snails. removed the wave maker. Tank seems to be thriving so far. fighting with a little bit of cyano on the side, Had 2 rfas melt inside the rockwork and dumped nutrients in the tank -.- my current peramiters are 0 ammonia, 0 nitrite, 0 nitrate. started changing water ever 2 days 20% to try to remedy that.The two green and purple rfas at the top dont seem to be opening as big as before if anyone can give me any recommendations I would greatly appreciate it.

Looks very good brother, I also have a nano cube DX and love it.

 

[xiholdtruex]

Sounds good, went to vip reef today, they informed me based on the pictures and info looks like I am having a phosphate issue and recommended I switch over to mixing my own salt water with aquaforest probiotic reef salt. And changing 2-4 gallon a week on my water changes. I need to buy a phosohate test kit lol I have been holding off and the time has come. If anyone had any other recommendations for salt to use let me know. Also picked up two more trocheus snails. The guy was telling me I could put 12 in a 12g but I think that's too much and they would starve once the food ran out. Let me know what your input is .

Thanks in advance

 

[Mkus]

I would refit hood with leds like the trulumen which are stick plug and your up and running with their nano kit I have them on my 24..

 

[xiholdtruex]

So I'm currently performing operation remove any nitrate or phosphate or gunk from water that can throw my tank out of wack.

Wrapped a 20ppi sponge filter block in 50 micron floss mat and placed in the entrance to the over flow with two chemi pure blue baggies on top. have been pulling out the sponge and floss every 24 hours and rinsing it in Ro Di water to clean them out it's been 3 days and every time I rinse them out it's just pure brown water. Seems to me there is so much more in the water than we can notice even though it looks crystal clear.

Was thinking of putting some lps corals in the tank with the rfas, was thinking of starting with a war coral frag. What do you guys and gals suggest and where do you think in the tank would be good for the war coral.

Heres a pic of the rinse water looks like puree of detritus

 

[xiholdtruex]

I would refit hood with leds like the trulumen which are stick plug and your up and running with their nano kit I have them on my 24..

https://www.amazon.com/Current-USA-Truelumen-12-Inch-Striplight/dp/B008DGCQK0#customerReviews

this kit?

 

[Mkus]

Yes the nano it’s a great kit comes with dimmers

 

[Mkus]

 

[Mkus]

 

[xiholdtruex]

Wow those colors are popping, how long have you had the kid on?

 

[Mkus]

A couple years I had them in my bio cube 14 and I just upgraded my tank to a jbj 24 last dec and they work great

 

[Mkus]

For the money you can’t beat them just hit your hood and stick them in your up and running in about 35 minuets

 

[xiholdtruex]

Have been thinking of adding a few different corals to the tank, the rear left bottom rock has no rfas and there are a few holes that have no rfas close, my two considerations so far are some kind of euphyllia coral, war coral, chalice, blasomusa or mushroom. Does anyone have any experience or advice adding these with rock flower anemones in the tank?

 

[Mkus]

If you look at my tank I have two rock flowers a mini carpet anemone some hammer coral and frogspawn should have no problem just space them apart.
My flowers are on substrate and has never moved

 

[xiholdtruex]

If you look at my tank I have two rock flowers a mini carpet anemone some hammer coral and frogspawn should have no problem just space them apart.
My flowers are on substrate and has never moved

Wow you right did not even notice and they are pretty close. Do they ever hit each other?