Help! I have a $70 amazon gift card to spend!

glb · Aug 2, 2017

I have a 12g nano I'm going to restart and a 40g fowlr breeder that's 6 mos old. I have some thoughts about what goodies to get and could use some input.

36" led light. It would be temporary and not for corals, just some light on the tank until I can get a T5 fixture. Might be a waste of money. Another option is a two-bulb t-5. Again, not sure this is the best way to use the gift card.

Tunze nano ato. I moved the one I had for the nano over to the 40g. The nano has been fallow for months now but I'd like to get it up and running. A little more than $70 but I know they're good.

Nano skimmer. I have the Coralife airstone skimmer and it's ok but not great. I know I don't really need a skimmer for a nano but I just love them.

Ph monitor for nano. Again, moved the one I have to the 40g.

HOB refugium for the nano.

I'd be interested in your thoughts!

code4 · Aug 2, 2017

Do you have an inkbird or something to control your heater in case it goes berserk? Could literally save lives!

glb · Aug 2, 2017

code4 said:
Do you have an inkbird or something to control your heater in case it goes berserk? Could literally save lives!

I don't run a heater in either tank. I live in South Florida!

ReeferMaddness843 · Aug 2, 2017

I'd go with the ato or hob fuge. Both great items to have. The ato will definitely save some hands on time and the chance of an oops. The fuge would be a great addition as well, pending the nutrients are there to provide for macros. (May be able to even pitch the skimmer if do the fuge)

glb · Aug 2, 2017

ReeferMaddness843 said:
I'd go with the ato or hob fuge. Both great items to have. The ato will definitely save some hands on time and the chance of an oops. The fuge would be a great addition as well, pending the nutrients are there to provide for macros. (May be able to even pitch the skimmer if do the fuge)

I'm trying to find a fuge that would fit on a 12g JBJ nano. I might have to hang it off the side.

ReeferMaddness843 · Aug 2, 2017

Could always get an aquaclear 50 and small lamp and convert it into a small refugium for macro and a little bit of rubble. 4"x9"x8"

ReeferMaddness843 · Aug 2, 2017

https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-turn-aquaclear-hob-filter-into-a-fuge.141718/

glb · Aug 2, 2017

ReeferMaddness843 said:
Could always get an aquaclear 50 and small lamp and convert it into a small refugium for macro and a little bit of rubble. 4"x9"x8"

What is that? My nano is an AIO.

glb · Aug 2, 2017

ReeferMaddness843 said:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-turn-aquaclear-hob-filter-into-a-fuge.141718/

Thanks! Didn't see this at first.

ReeferMaddness843 · Aug 2, 2017

Welcome! I did one for my 20 gal long when had it. Worked quite well.

glb · Aug 2, 2017

ReeferMaddness843 said:
Welcome! I did one for my 20 gal long when had it. Worked quite well.

I think this might work on the back of my nano. I could probably take the skimmer offline and run the light at night. So do you have to take the impeller out to do this? And is the flow ok as is for yours?

glb · Aug 2, 2017

glb said:
I think this might work on the back of my nano. I could probably take the skimmer offline and run the light at night. So do you have to take the impeller out to do this? And is the flow ok as is for yours?

Plus do you think this is the best size for a 12g tank? I know refugiums are bigger than filters. What light did you use? I know, tons of questions.

ReeferMaddness843 · Aug 2, 2017

I ran the 50 on a 20 long and used it more as a pod refugium with live rock than for the chateo/macro purpose. I trimmed the impeller with a razor blade and it definitely cut the flow a good bit. Seemed to work well and was definitely able to create a nice population for the display. Upgraded before I got to see if it would sustain for a period of time. I think any bulb in the 6500k spectrum or "red spectrum" I see on sumps now would work for chateo. The impeller is super easy to remove from the pump on these.

mcarroll · Aug 3, 2017

Spend on something to get you feeding live foods for your fish!

Get a brine shrimp hatchery and some cysts to hatch.

Tomm/Koller Craft's

Brine Shrime Direct's hatching dish.

San Fancisco Bay Brand's

The middle two options don't even require an air pump!!

Or maybe start with some Ocean Nutrition Instant Baby Brine Shrimp so you can test out feeding them to your fish and corals that way first. (Live is better, but sometimes easy is good!!)

2¢

glb · Aug 3, 2017

mcarroll said:
Spend on something to get you feeding live foods for your fish!

Get a brine shrimp hatchery and some cysts to hatch.

Tomm/Koller Craft's

Brine Shrime Direct's hatching dish.

San Fancisco Bay Brand's

The middle two options don't even require an air pump!!

Or maybe start with some Ocean Nutrition Instant Baby Brine Shrimp so you can test out feeding them to your fish and corals that way first. (Live is better, but sometimes easy is good!!)

2¢

They love mysis shrimp. I think they'd be over the moon over something live. Thanks!!

mcarroll · Aug 3, 2017

Baby brine is tiny, but some fish still go nuts for them. Corals will definitely love them.

pelphrey · Aug 4, 2017

I can help!! Hahaha

Sunblaster 2' T5 Fixture - http://amzn.to/2ujUhKh

Sunblaster 3' T5 Fixture - http://amzn.to/2uHKC2U

Selcon - http://amzn.to/2tHMpoS

Magnetic Cabinet Locks
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DIY Screen Top Frame
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Screen Top Netting
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Tripod
http://amzn.to/2rKblL4

Air pump and diffuser for bubble scrubbing
aPump Air Pump
http://amzn.to/2scXIn1

Lee's Wooden Air Diffuser
http://amzn.to/2sScXQa

Pond Matrix
http://amzn.to/2qFKZWd

glb · Aug 5, 2017

pelphrey said:
I can help!! Hahaha

Sunblaster 2' T5 Fixture - http://amzn.to/2ujUhKh

Sunblaster 3' T5 Fixture - http://amzn.to/2uHKC2U

Selcon - http://amzn.to/2tHMpoS

Magnetic Cabinet Locks
http://amzn.to/2sQodPy

DIY Screen Top Frame
http://amzn.to/2rZOOcb

Screen Top Netting
http://amzn.to/2sXLprY

Tripod
http://amzn.to/2rKblL4

Air pump and diffuser for bubble scrubbing
aPump Air Pump
http://amzn.to/2scXIn1

Lee's Wooden Air Diffuser
http://amzn.to/2sScXQa

Pond Matrix
http://amzn.to/2qFKZWd

Wow! Wish list-o-rama!

Tuffyyyyy · Aug 6, 2017

ReeferMaddness843 said:
https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/how-to-turn-aquaclear-hob-filter-into-a-fuge.141718/

Quoting this because I've been trying to think of how to do this for a while.

As for OP, I'm actually going through a similar situation. Deciding between an ATO or some Spin Streams and some other things. Anyway, I'd recommend getting the T5 light fixture if that's the direction you want to go. I have the 4-bulb 24" Odyssea fixture that was $70 on amazon. I swapped out the bulbs with ATI ones but that's like $20 once per month for a few months. Well worth it. Can't believe it's fully programmable.