Help with JBJ 12 gallon Nano

TripleT · Jun 28, 2012

I have added the intank media rack with floss, purigen, chem pure elite. Live sand and live rock. 2 fish and several corals. Do I need to keep the bio balls in the back of the tank?

I want a little more flow that the stock pump offers, what pump should i replace it with. I do not want mod anything but replace the pump.

Thanks so much!

1Snapple · Jun 28, 2012

My 18g nano has a korai nano 250 and a 425 and everything is happy, not for a 12g I'd do 2 250gph powerheads

wysiwyg · Jun 28, 2012

agreed i would go with 2 250gph powerheads

TripleT · Jun 28, 2012

There is only 1 pump in the tank

reid429 · Jun 28, 2012

I replaced the stock pump in my 12 nano for a maxijet 1200 and for flow inside I have a mp10. Tank has never been better

Mr. D · Jun 28, 2012

I also have one of these JBJ 12 nanos. Thanks for the advice on different pumps. I never considered putting a maxijet 1200 to replace the pump in the back. I would think that would be enough flow though.

Is it really necessary to add another power head in there?

Nano sapiens · Jul 1, 2012

The Bio-balls are not needed (or desirable) for a reef tank, so out they can go. If you have a lot of them back there, then removed maybe 1/3 each week or so to allow your LR and LS bacteria to get used to handling the load.

IMO a second powerhead would be especially warranted if you have Acropora and similar SPS. For a 12g with soft or LPS corals a single upgraded pump can work out, assuming your tank is not choked with LR. On my Cadlights 12g I've been using the stock pump (~250 gph) and a Hydor flow deflector for years. If you go with just the one pump I'd strongly suggest a complete breakdown and cleaning every 3 months or so to make sure that it is working up to par. Since these pumps are not very expensive, consider buying a second to have as a backup.