Setting up my first tank, few questions.

[shibbyplustax]

Ok so i recently purchased a jbj nanocube 24 aquarium used for a decent price. It also came with the stand and a aquac remora skimmer. The hood is all banged up and im going to upgrade to a 120w full spectrum led unit off ebay so i am going topless on this tank. Im thinking about taking the trim off to make it rimless but i am not sure about that at the moment. I plan on making a clear mesh screen top to keep fish in/ my cat out. I also plan on purchasing a controller in a month or two and here is where we run into some questions i have.

First off, as far as reef controllers which one would you recommend, the apex lite system or reefkeeper elite? For now i am just looking to monitor temp and ph but i would like to have the wave making capabilities, light dimming, and lunar modules in the future. I am leaning towards apex because i like the concept of being able to turn things on and off via the internet.

Second Would there be an advantage to waiting until i have the reef controller to start my tank? Im guessing the tank would overall be more stable with a controller but me being impatient would like to have the tank cycled by the time i get the controller.

Third, my plans as far as the rear chambers go is as follows: first chamber i will have just chemi pure elite, the second chamber i will have some chaeto along with a jbj fuge light for the back, the third chamber will contain heater and return pump. Does this sound sufficient as far as filtration? I dont plan on running the aquac remora skimmer but i am going to keep it incase i change my mind.

As far as stocking i would mainly like a single ocellaris clown, a single firefish and perhaps a goby or two. I would also like some easy to keep lps, softies and anenomies. Any suggestions?

Overall i just want to make sure i have all my bases covered before i begin on my first saltwater tank.

Thanks in advance, let me know if i forgot any important details.

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[whixley101]

I think you REALLY are missing out by not skimming. I much rather see you dump the jbj Fuge and keep the aqua c remora. With the bio-load of fish you are planning on and some LPS, you must get that waste out of the tank in order for it to thrive. That is just my opinion. Also would not messed with the controller and all the other gadgets until you learn your tank and it's quirkiness. All tanks do not respond to different items in the same manor, so this is why you really need to learn your skimmer and your tank.

 

[cdness]

First off welcome to Reef2Reef. You have found a great site with lots of information!

I personally run an Apex and I like it. Nothing against the Reefkeeper, just the Apex was familiar and the price was right. They can all control lots of devices, but I like the web control of the Apex as well.

No advantage in waiting for the controller. You need to cycle first anyway so that will take up your lead time. You can always do lights on timers if you have to for a little bit.

I would do a pair of clowns as they tend to have different personalities when they are together. It is fun to watch them interact. Regarding corals, if you are going with a 120W LED you should have no issues running anything. I would recommend doing your research on the LEDs though as not all LEDs are created equal.

 

[shibbyplustax]

Yea i figured i may want to start skimming thats why i planned on keeping it. I was under the assumption that with a tank this small skimming may have the adverse affect of removing important trace elements and such. I was also thinking the frequent water changes will give me plenty opportunity to siphon out settled waste. There has been alot of conflicting views on this, that is why i planned to atleast have the skimmer on standby just in case. I guess time will only tell if i should need to start running it or not. Would it be wise to run a skimmer and have a mini fuge in the center chamber? the bottom area would be for the pump for the skimmer and i would make some sort of container to hold the chaeto up higher so it wont get clogged in the pump.
Also i do not have a pump for the skimmer, is there a certain gph the skimmer needs to run or would it be similar to how i choose a pump based on the gallons of water in my tank?

As far as controlling, i just wanted the peace of mind of being able to monitor my tank while im away from home. Also i like being able to have multiple fail safes incase the thermostat on my heater decides to fail it wont cook my tank. Should i really hold of to learn how my tank works without it? Keep in mind i am new to saltwater tanks but i have kept freshwater tanks for many years so i am very familiar with the nitrate cycle.
Also keep in mind that the reason i planned on getting it in a month is because thats when my birthday is and thats the only thing i can think of that i want.

I have done some research on leds but i never found out exactly what i should be looking for in a good led. I was thinking of going with ai sol but i couldnt justify going that overkill at that price. I wound up buying a 120w cree fixture similar to that of wingoled from ebay for around $170. I know for sure this will not be the best fixture out there but i figured it would do the job and be a good beginner led fixture. I should be getting it tomorrow so i will let you know.



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[shibbyplustax]

Oh and by goby in my first post i meant blenny, dont know why i wrote goby.

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[steamer51]

Controllers are not magic. Not knocking the technology or quality but computer hardware and software can fail. A friend in our reef club has had trouble with his twice. The first time it failed to turn off a light and said it was off and the next day it mysteriously turned the light off. The second time it "lost connectivity" due to a failed circuit board and had to be sent to California for repair. He did not have it controlling any critical functions of the tank or he could have lost everything. He uses it for light control and monitoring when out of town on business, no heaters, pumps, reactors, powerheads, ATO or anything that can kill his tank if it fails.

 

[Paul C.]

First off Welcome to R2R. As a "neewbie" with just a year into saltwater, i would say that a controller is not the best place to spend ur money at this point. A skimmer like some others have suggested is just a necessity. And no matter how much you read or take as advice, your tank is not going to do the same as what someone else's does, or what u read to do will fix a condition. I think the best part, at least for me it was, is to get some knowledge from the great people here, and go at it slowly, but be informed. Baby steps, is what i think i'd suggest to person's getting into this hobby. Gotta cycle that tank first. No way of getting around that. Rush it, and u'll be buying new fish in a month. Take ur time, enjoy this.. Create ur own lil echo system. Its a cool adventure. Learn the basics, before you add complex things like a controller. Good luck, keep us posted. Paul C.

 

[shibbyplustax]

Controllers are not magic. Not knocking the technology or quality but computer hardware and software can fail. A friend in our reef club has had trouble with his twice. The first time it failed to turn off a light and said it was off and the next day it mysteriously turned the light off. The second time it "lost connectivity" due to a failed circuit board and had to be sent to California for repair. He did not have it controlling any critical functions of the tank or he could have lost everything. He uses it for light control and monitoring when out of town on business, no heaters, pumps, reactors, powerheads, ATO or anything that can kill his tank if it fails.

Wait so that magic controller slitherin sold me isnt real? All kidding aside i am in no way expecting to have this controller do everything for me, i want it so i can monitor my tank when im away and for an extra fail safe. If the thermometer on my heater fails and starts to cook my tank, the controller would be crucial to shutting the heater off before it cooked my tank. Another thing would be on a hot summer day it would be able to shut off the light or turn on a fan if it gets too hot.

Imo a controller will only make my tank safer. I do not plan on adding ato ori any reactors so there wont be any features that could ultimately prove fatal if my controller fails.

Another reason i am asking for controller preferences is there customer service. I wouldnt want to buy a controller that if something isnt working right, i would have no luck with customer service sending me a new one.

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[shibbyplustax]

First off Welcome to R2R. As a "neewbie" with just a year into saltwater, i would say that a controller is not the best place to spend ur money at this point. A skimmer like some others have suggested is just a necessity. And no matter how much you read or take as advice, your tank is not going to do the same as what someone else's does, or what u read to do will fix a condition. I think the best part, at least for me it was, is to get some knowledge from the great people here, and go at it slowly, but be informed. Baby steps, is what i think i'd suggest to person's getting into this hobby. Gotta cycle that tank first. No way of getting around that. Rush it, and u'll be buying new fish in a month. Take ur time, enjoy this.. Create ur own lil echo system. Its a cool adventure. Learn the basics, before you add complex things like a controller. Good luck, keep us posted. Paul C.

Yeah i hear ya, trust me if theres one thing i learned from the poison dart frog/ vivarium construction hobby its to take your time, research and plan everything out ahead of time. I am in no way going to rush into this.

Like i said i already have a decent skimmer, i am just unsure if i am going to run it or not. What would you suggest spending my money on instead? I just figured a controller would be a good birthday present as i cant think of anything else i would like.

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[Paul C.]

As i said in my earlier post, im just at a year now. My tank is a delicate mix of fish and chalices. Plain and simple, im out of room with my 75. Im in the middle of planning a 180 upgrade, and putting all the equipment in the cellar. If i wasn't scared a year ago, i would have went with a 6 foot tank vs the 4 footer. U will make mistakes, as we all do, Heck i do almost weekly. BUt they are getting farther apart. Lol. I'd tell you lighting, but, after spending the money for Radions, i am thinking about trying T5's. So, like all the rest, i am constantly playing, thinking something might be better than what i have currently.. But, as long as everyone is happy, and content, I dont change much now. I actually just started dosing 2 part to stabilize my alk and cal. So, after a year, im told my tank is finally close to being established.. Baby steps. Patience. Regards. Paul