new to nano cube jbj 24 questions

[81Shaun]

Hello, *new to nano cube aquarium but ive got a few questions . *how the heck are you suppose to get in to the filtration on one of these? *also should I just pretty much ditch everything or should I use some filter pads? just want to keep nitrates and phosphate levels down. *of course live rock will be my filtration. next could I do two clowns , yellow tail damsel , royal gramma basslet? and a Goby? I am doing FOWLR but want to go light on the bio load . next is should I use anything in the filter to help with nitrates and phosphates? im planning on keeping water change up and use live rock. anyhow thanks

 

[Reefing Madness]

 

[81Shaun]

ya bump bump , but if not answered guess ill find out one way or another.

 

[McAllyn]

By filtration, do you mean the media basket? The front slides off, but not very easily. Mine broke within months. I built a media rack out of eggcrate and have a top shelf that I use blue floss, then a shelf with Purigen, then a big shelf with Chemi-Pure Elite, but mine is a frag tank, not FOWLR. FOWLR could probably stay stock.

I'd pass on the damsel, just because they typically end up being terrorists.

Mac

 

[81Shaun]

what is a media basket? only thing I no is it would be impossible getting to the filters because the chamber is so small getting to them and thy are in bottom of the chamber. what is purigen and chemi pure ? what does it do?how often do you replace ? ya ill pass on the yellow tail damsel just trying to keep everything peaceful. I have never messed with any of these nano tanks but they are pretty nifty. but only complaint is having to get into the systems chamber to get to the filters. anyhow I appreciate you answering thanks

 

[McAllyn]

Ah, well, apparently there are some differences between the 28g nano that I have and the 24g nano that you have. The 28 has an overflow in the center with a media basket, the 24 overflows to one side with no basket. Don't know anything about any filters at the bottom, the 28 didn't have any. If they're some type of sponge, get some long tweezers or tongs and get them out. (I'm not a fan of sponges in almost all circumstances.)

Chemi-Pure Elite cleans the water, reduces phosphates, and maintains a stable pH. It needs to be replaced about every 6 months-ish. Google Chemi-Pure Elite to get the full info. Purigen is from Seachem and reduces nitrates as well as does quite a few other things. It is renewable and doesn't need to be replaced. Google Purigen and read up on it. Pretty good stuff.

Mac

 

[81Shaun]

hey, yeah mine don't have any way of getting in to the chamber unless you use tongs like you suggested. i found out you can get media basket for them after you mention it. only problem is is there pricy around $45.00 for one. so how do you go about recharging yours ? how much bleach do you use ? that is really cool how it charges like that. thanks for the help

 

[McAllyn]

I use the small pre-packaged bag of Purigen, so I don't use much to recharge it. Like 2 cups water and 2 cups bleach.

The inTank media basket is very nice, I used a couple of their pieces in my BioCube, but in my Nano, I just built a media rack out of eggcrate that I had left over from building a frag rack.

Mac

 

[81Shaun]

hello , thanks for the help. will be picking up some of that purigen and chemi pure. as far as the egg crate goes where can you buy that? ive never seen that stuff around here I don't think. that is what i would do just make my own if could find it. what kind of glue would you use to glue with? thanks

 

[McAllyn]

Home Depot or Lowes, in the lighting or ceiling tile section. It's the same stuff they put in 2x4 fluorescent light fixtures. Don't use glue, just some zip ties or cable ties.

 

[81Shaun]

thanks for the help. I will check in to it.

 

[Tek]

You can use live rock only and water changes to keep nitrates and PO4 low. It will be high the first few months while the tank is going through cycles but will drop once it settles down. Toss a bag of purigen or carbon into the back filter compartment if you want to polish the water.

I have 2 clowns, yellow coris wrasse, bengaii cardinal, lawn mower blenny, and a blue chromis and my tank is very clean with barely detectable nitrates and .03 phosphates. If you are just keeping it a FOWLR then you can have higher parameters with no worries.

 

[81Shaun]

Tek, so how often is your feeding schedule ? also do you have a cuc ? if so what do you have ? thanks and what do you run your sg at?