i have no idea what im doing

i was handed a broke down 29g nano cube and i am going to start my first saltwater reef system with it i have a skimmer that came with it and no lights but i have a bunch of led lights to use i don't know if i should use them but i don't know how to set up the back three chambers in it i have 3 sponges that were back there and some bio balls and a pump that works can anyone tell me whats missing that i need to go buy

 

what kind of lights are they?

saltwater is needed, and a powerhead probably

 

Welcome to 3reef,

In the back chambers of nanos I use one sponge, placed immediately under the overflow, under that I put a bag of chempure elite, and in the next chamber a bag of purigen. I do not use bio-balls or live rock rubble. ( I always cut the sponge into a smaller pieces)

 

the lights are LED 3000kelven with 26 diods on each wafer ill add some pics



http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y286/yodamanmeat/photobucket-3337-1316145357052.jpg

 

those lights probably aren't appropriate for corals, but would work for fish

 

what kind of light would work for such a small tank without overheating it

 

I don't know your tanks dimensions, but you could either by appropriate leds or a t5 ho fixture.

 

+1 to sostoudt. I have a biocube 29 I have a 150w mh on. This would also be appropriate if you plan to add some corals. (Though it feels like LEDs are where the hobby is heading ) Good luck.

 

+1

I have a BIocube 29. And i use the Sunpod Fixture with a 150w MH 20k +

 

as for the lighting you could buy a stock hood for a 29 biocube, or they have the HQI biocubes now and im sure you could order the mh and glass tops seperate somewhere. i have the stock hood and lighting and its fine for certain corals but you could never keep a happy anemone or clam under those and in my biocube i use the filter cartridges that are made for it (you can get them at any petco or petsmart) and also i ditched the bioballs because they can be a source of nitrates if you do not clean them on a regular basis, also i put my protein skimmer in the 1st chamber (where the water enters in the back) because it was the only place i could fit it lol, you can stick your heater in the last chamber (where the pump is) if you need one, i found that if i keep my lid open while the lights are on and shut when off it keeps my temp at a perfect 78 degrees...and with the biocube and my 120 running any little bit helps with the electric bill haha...my best advice for you is read read read read as much as you can before starting...it can seem like a lot to swollow at 1st but dont let it put you off, it is well worth it! Good Luck!!