JBJ 28 gal Nano Reef Build

[Superd513]

Hi my name is Dave and this is my first tank build. I’ve had freshwater for years, but was always intimidated by the bad rep that saltwater tanks get. I have always wanted to do a marine tank. So here I am. So far I found a used JBJ 28 gal Nano with the led lighting in it.

 

[Superd513]

LFS live rock/sand vs Tampa Bay Saltwater live rock/sand. Tampas premium looks better.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Welcome to the saltwater world haha, best of luck with your tank!!!

 

[Superd513]

Welcome to the saltwater world haha, best of luck with your tank!!!

Thank you. I’m trying to figure out how to replace the return lines to the tank. JBJ uses some kind of strange fitting that goes through the plastic bulkhead into the tank and my half-inch lines that I replaced won’t attach to them and I don’t know what size these little fittings are

 

[Superd513]

Update. Went to my LFS and got everything I needed to begin cycling. Couldn’t believe it cost over 500.00. Dam. I hate my aquascape job. Oh well. Tomorrow I’m going to get 4 damsels I think. And 3 sailfish They said it would help tank cycle. Plus those species are hardy. Hopefully my equipment holds up till Wednesday. I get new return pumps and heater. What’s a good app to use to document my tank levels??

 

[j.falk]

Sailfish?

 

[Superd513]

Sailfish?

No that’s not right. I forgot what he said was on sale. Lol

 

[Superd513]

Update day 2: Went to LFS and had them test my water while I was there. Everything is good. As it will be with nothing to create bacteria. So I bought 6 saltwater black mollys for 25 bucks. I still loath my aquascape. My utter failure at attempting to gorilla gel glue some rocks together has lead me to the conclusion that I can cable tie and drill some holes in the flat rocks. And use masonry screws and angle brackets to get the results I want. That will have to wait until I have time. Here’s some pics of how it looks.

 

[Superd513]

After doing a lot of research and watching a ton of videos I have also come to the conclusion that I should’ve just ordered my tank start up from Tampa bay salt water. By the time everything was said and done at my local fish store. It cost me $550 to start this 30 gallon tank up, that’s with 30 pounds of live rock 20 pounds of live sand and 25 gallons of bright well salt water I looked it up on Tampa Bay’s website and I could’ve got a kit with everything for $455 plus they charge $1.30 a pound to ship it air freight that same day and water and they would’ve given me 60 pounds of live rock altogether rather than the 30 pounds that I have now and they’re live rock looks amazing. It has so much growth on it. They dig it straight out of the ocean and ship it straight to you within a couple of days of it being taken out it’s at your house according to what they say on their website and I believe it , I’ve seen plenty of videos of people unpacking the stuff and it looks incredible so that’s my big regret not being patient and working everything out instead of just running down to the store and spending $550 to not be happy but we’ll see at least I do know on the rock I have it doesn’t have any unwanted critters the Tampa Bay stuff could have anything from tube worms to flat worms to whatever last thing I want is an aquarium bed bug in my tank. Lol.

 

[Superd513]

I can’t wait until tomorrow day 3. I get my new Sicce return pump and a new heater and a refractometer. I might try and re arrange some rocks too

 

[reacclimating 2 the hobby]

Welcome, just remember that nothing good happens fast in this hobby.

 

[j.falk]

After doing a lot of research and watching a ton of videos I have also come to the conclusion that I should’ve just ordered my tank start up from Tampa bay salt water. By the time everything was said and done at my local fish store. It cost me $550 to start this 30 gallon tank up, that’s with 30 pounds of live rock 20 pounds of live sand and 25 gallons of bright well salt water I looked it up on Tampa Bay’s website and I could’ve got a kit with everything for $455 plus they charge $1.30 a pound to ship it air freight that same day and water and they would’ve given me 60 pounds of live rock altogether rather than the 30 pounds that I have now and they’re live rock looks amazing. It has so much growth on it. They dig it straight out of the ocean and ship it straight to you within a couple of days of it being taken out it’s at your house according to what they say on their website and I believe it , I’ve seen plenty of videos of people unpacking the stuff and it looks incredible so that’s my big regret not being patient and working everything out instead of just running down to the store and spending $550 to not be happy but we’ll see at least I do know on the rock I have it doesn’t have any unwanted critters the Tampa Bay stuff could have anything from tube worms to flat worms to whatever last thing I want is an aquarium bed bug in my tank. Lol.

You could buy a small amount of Tampa bay to supplement what you already have. Just bust it up into smaller pieces and disperse it amongst your current rock. The stuff living on the TB rock will start growing over onto your existing rock.

 

[Superd513]

You could buy a small amount of Tampa bay to supplement what you already have. Just bust it up into smaller pieces and disperse it amongst your current rock. The stuff living on the TB rock will start growing over onto your existing rock.

That’s my exact plan. They even have a nano catagory for their LR now!!!! I’m so excited about getting some. I’m going to setup a small 15-20 gal for a QT tank and switch out the LR. Check out some YouTube videos on them. It’s really amazing.

 

[Superd513]

You could buy a small amount of Tampa bay to supplement what you already have. Just bust it up into smaller pieces and disperse it amongst your current rock. The stuff living on the TB rock will start growing over onto your existing rock.

The more I think about it more I like that idea. Thank you!!!!

 

[j.falk]

That’s my exact plan. They even have a nano catagory for their LR now!!!! I’m so excited about getting some. I’m going to setup a small 15-20 gal for a QT tank and switch out the LR. Check out some YouTube videos on them. It’s really amazing.

You definitely want to put the TB live rock into a QT tank for awhile. There's usually some die off from things getting damaged in shipping as well as the possibility of unwanted hitchhikers. A QT tank will give you the opportunity to get that stuff out of the rock before adding it to your display tank.

 

[Rocktron1]

Welcome to the reef

As others have said, take it slow. Also don't use screws in your tank, they will rust and cause problems down the track

A lot of the guys set up the aqua Scape outside the tank 1st on a piece of paper or cardboard cut to same dimensions as tank to glue it together before putting it in tank

 

[Superd513]

Welcome to the reef

As others have said, take it slow. Also don't use screws in your tank, they will rust and cause problems down the track

A lot of the guys set up the aqua Scape outside the tank 1st on a piece of paper or cardboard cut to same dimensions as tank to glue it together before putting it in tank

I ordered those ceramic purple rods that are 1/2 “ dia made for aquascaping. Got them from Bulk Reef Supply.

 

[Superd513]

Welcome to the reef

As others have said, take it slow. Also don't use screws in your tank, they will rust and cause problems down the track

A lot of the guys set up the aqua Scape outside the tank 1st on a piece of paper or cardboard cut to same dimensions as tank to glue it together before putting it in tank

I couldn’t do that with live rock. Didn’t want to leave it out for long.

 

[Superd513]

So it’s day 4 and here are my levels:
Salt 1.0215. Down from 1.022 day before
P.h. 8.2. Same as day before
Ammonia. .25 same as day before
NO2 0 same as day before
NO3. 10.0. Up from day before of 5.0
5 black saltwater Mollys are happy and swimming and hungry and I fed them well. I dont know why nitrites are 0.
anyone have an answer. I get that this is basic cycling but I’m so new I don’t understand it yet. Feel like a idiot.

 

[Superd513]

So it’s day 4 and here are my levels:
Salt 1.0215. Down from 1.022 day before
P.h. 8.2. Same as day before
Ammonia. .25 same as day before
NO2 0 same as day before
NO3. 10.0. Up from day before of 5.0
5 black saltwater Mollys are happy and swimming and hungry and I fed them well. I dont know why nitrites are 0.
anyone have an answer. I get that this is basic cycling but I’m so new I don’t understand it yet. Feel like a idiot.

W