28 JBJ Nano Cube!

[tureefik87]

The cad skimmer I looked up doesn't fit my cube and the Tunze 9001 won't fit either. I have an opportunity to get the IM for pretty cheap that was why I asked.

Thank you for your feedback. I will stay patient.

 

[tureefik87]

Thanks.

Because of the heat associated with MH, I choose to go with LED, specifically AI Hydra. I am an old school reefer so it was a hard choice, but I am happy I made the conversion. The JBJ used to come in an HQI model/mh. I believe they discontinued that model though.

Look at the link below, it used to offer hoods and replacement parts.
http://www.jbjlighting.com/

Tahoe61, the AI Hydra you have is it the 26 or 52?

 

[Tahoe61]

It's a 52. The learning curve takes commitment and effort. Dial down before you dial up. Most high end LED's can really over illuminate, corals have to be acclimated and changes have to be slow and consistent. If I had a huge sps tank with unlimited funds it would Radium MH all the way, but for smaller tanks wanting to get the best bang for the buck LED all the way. Corals grow and color up just fine under LED's.

 

[tureefik87]

It's a 52. The learning curve takes commitment and effort. Dial down before you dial up. Most high end LED's can really over illuminate, corals have to be acclimated and changes have to be slow and consistent. If I had a huge sps tank with unlimited funds it would Radium MH all the way, but for smaller tanks wanting to get the best bang for the buck LED all the way. Corals grow and color up just fine under LED's.

Do you use the light rail from AI or did you mod the light into the hood? What is the desired height of the light above the surface of the water?

 

[Tahoe61]

My current tank is a rimless JBJ no hood and yeah I used the rails. In my perfect world I would build a suspension unit or hang the lights, but I have cats!!!!!!!!! The current light is a foot off the water line, acropora are placed based on their lighting needs, and the thing about higher end LED is that you can adjust the intensity lighting to meet the needs of your corals.

If my intent was to have a soft coral tank I would be happy with T5 or PC. For clams and Acorpora and other Sps you really need more intense lighting to get the growth and coloration.

AI and Radion make amazing fixtures, and controllers.

The AI Prime would be ideal for the JBJ 28, and their are a couple other nice LED fixture that would work as well.

 

[tureefik87]

Thank you Tahoe61 for all the advice!

My current tank is a rimless JBJ no hood and yeah I used the rails. In my perfect world I would build a suspension unit or hang the lights, but I have cats!!!!!!!!! The current light is a foot off the water line, acropora are placed based on their lighting needs, and the thing about higher end LED is that you can adjust the intensity lighting to meet the needs of your corals.

If my intent was to have a soft coral tank I would be happy with T5 or PC. For clams and Acorpora and other Sps you really need more intense lighting to get the growth and coloration.

AI and Radion make amazing fixtures, and controllers.

The AI Prime would be ideal for the JBJ 28, and their are a couple other nice LED fixture that would work as well.[/QUOTE

Thank you very much for your advice. Looks like I will be saving money for an AI Prime light. I'm going to mod it into my hood and adjust the intensity according to my coral needs as you mentioned.

Happy Reefing!

 

[tureefik87]

As I mentioned previously I'm wanting to get the tank wet on a tight budget. Here are the items I look to purchase.
New IM Ghost desktop skimmer-75
eBay led 165w-80

Happy Reefing everyone!

 

[TD13]

Thanks.

Because of the heat associated with MH, I choose to go with LED, specifically AI Hydra. I am an old school reefer so it was a hard choice, but I am happy I made the conversion. The JBJ used to come in an HQI model/mh. I believe they discontinued that model though.

Look at the link below, it used to offer hoods and replacement parts.
http://www.jbjlighting.com/

I bought the 28 Gal Pro with the upgraded LEDs, the (25) 14k drown out the (4) actenic making everything look really white and washed out during the day and TOO blue when they're off. If you're thinking about getting a new light set up, the AI Prime is what the LFS has on theirs and it looks quite good. If you can swing it, a Radion XR15 would make that tank look amazing! Plus work with a larger tank if you decide to get a larger one in the future. There are a ton of lighting profiles downloadable at this site too.... http://www.aquaticlog.com/lighting_profiles

 

[nanoman28g]

What's everyone's thoughts on a IM Ghost Desktop Skimmer? I also was looking into an AquaMaxx HOB-1?

Any feedback would be appreciated!

I would get the HOB-1 since you can keep your media basket intact. Also HOB-1 is considered the best HOB skimmer out there by far. I would definitely upgrade the stock media basket to an Intank media basket. It's much bigger and better than the stock crappy one. I have one and love it! I personally don't use a skimmer on my NC 28G and just do 3.5G weekly water changes. I have easy SPS that do fine under those conditions. Good luck.

 

[nanoman28g]

As I mentioned previously I'm wanting to get the tank wet on a tight budget. Here are the items I look to purchase.
New IM Ghost desktop skimmer-75
eBay led 165w-80

Happy Reefing everyone!

That light might be fine for growing corals, but your colors might be like "meh". I have a Kessil A160we over my NC 28G and I love the color and growth of my corals. Check out my thread for pictures.