JBJ RL-20 Shallow Reef Build

tyler1993 · Dec 13, 2015

I am a little late on the build update. But I purchased this aquarium the 1st of November. I use to have a 125 gallon but I had to sell it due to moving, but I still didn't want to give up the hobby completely.

Tank:

JBJ RL-20 (obviously )
Black Sand bed

Equipment:

MP10 Quiet Drive (nonwireless)
Pacifica 108W LED light fixture
Ehiem Heater (use until nano size heater comes)

Reefrookie220 · Dec 13, 2015

I've heard some negative things about the PAC 108 light. Following to see results.

tyler1993 · Dec 13, 2015

Reefrookie220 · Dec 13, 2015

Also, inTank makes a media basket for this tank.

tyler1993 · Dec 13, 2015

Yes Reefrookie220 I did not like my Pacifica108w. But that could of been cause I had the Gen 1 version

Pro's:

Very Strong Light
Stylish Design (loved the way it mounts on the JBJ)

Con's:

Light was so strong grew to much algae on glass
Fan ran all the time (can not control intensity)
Wish there was a way to adjust how far the light was from the water. (loved the look, but was to close to water)
Put off a little bit of heat

tyler1993 · Dec 13, 2015

Reefrookie220 said:
Also, inTank makes a media basket for this tank.

Thanks for that. I was going start looking into that next or some kind of filter sock to put in the first chamber.

tyler1993 · Dec 13, 2015

11/6/2015 Setup/Cycle Begins:

Moon Lights

Day Lights (I believe its 20k)

Reefrookie220 · Dec 14, 2015

Looking good!

Brian Kim · Dec 14, 2015

Awww, that was the tank I had in mind for my next project but decided to go with a deep blue 60 gallon instead. Keep us updated!
Following

tyler1993 · Dec 14, 2015

That Sunday 11/6/2015 I started using Seachem Stability to help prevent the cycle from hitting my tank so hard, plus also I used CaribSea Arg-Alive sand. So my tank should cycle pretty fast or if not even see any crazy spike or shock to my tank.

Items:

By the way I only dosed the SeaChem Stability for only seven days.

tyler1993 · Dec 14, 2015

After seven days of dosing Seachem and then just letting the tank run for a week. I put my first batch of coral frags in

I had also purchased a Two Little Fishes Cleaner NanoMag. It does a very good job at cleaning the algae or just anything off the glass in general (very strong Magnet). But of course everything isn't perfect, I would advise putting a piece of filter floss or fabric in between the NanoMag and the glass to prevent any scratches to your aquarium. But a great product, love how small and slick it looks in the aquarium.

tyler1993 · Dec 15, 2015

So I ordered a skimmer and decided to go with the CAD Lights PLS-50 Elite Nano Pipeless Protein skimmer.

CustomerServiceCadLights · Dec 15, 2015

Thanks for the purchase! We'll be sure to get that out ASAP! Just waiting on the container to clear customs now.

Sincerely,
Jason (CAD Lights Customer Service)

tyler1993 · Dec 15, 2015

CustomerServiceCadLights said:
Thanks for the purchase! We'll be sure to get that out ASAP! Just waiting on the container to clear customs now.

Sincerely,
Jason (CAD Lights Customer Service)

Thanks Jason

sromero287 · Dec 15, 2015

Really nice, congratulations!!!

tyler1993 · Dec 18, 2015

Upgraded lights and added some coral. Pictures coming soon

ballz · Dec 18, 2015

tyler1993 said:
After seven days of dosing Seachem and then just letting the tank run for a week. I put my first batch of coral frags in

I had also purchased a Two Little Fishes Cleaner NanoMag. It does a very good job at cleaning the algae or just anything off the glass in general (very strong Magnet). But of course everything isn't perfect, I would advise putting a piece of filter floss or fabric in between the NanoMag and the glass to prevent any scratches to your aquarium. But a great product, love how small and slick it looks in the aquarium.

I just give my JBJ a hand job... some algae is just hard to come off especially if you slack on your cleaning.