Jus got tank

I just got my tank which is a 12 gal nano cube. I'm so excited because i can really start planning now. I have asked before on here and another forum but get few replies with not to much help.

I know to take my time and was wondering if anyone new of any upgrades for this tank or links to them that could be beneficial to do before i start filling up satlwater and live rock and live sand.

Im not looking to get fish for at least four months until i get everything situated and needed before. was wondering if i would need another fan for movement in the tank, It also came with a 50 watt heater was wondering if i needed a larger one.

I know i need a test kit and working on that one now. I have done my research on fish and the tank cycles and stuff........OH yea what can i use to clean the tank out.

 

Well, I am not an expert by no means, but I know if you need to clean the tank, the only thing to use is HOT water. The cycle takes any where from 4-6 weeks usually at least. I waited 2 and 1/2 months to add any fish or inverts. But your tank is smaller than mine was also. You don't say what lights you have or if you have a skimmer. What equipment do you have?

 

I have no skimmer looking at them now and the lights are the stock lights. right now its just the stock jbj 12 gal nano cube

 

Well, you definitely need to clean the tank with hot water, then you would need to use ro water if you have it, and add your salt mix to it. Let it settle and check the salinity. Some people do this in buckets, but because you don't have any livestock in it, you could just do it in your tank. Only the first time though!! Then you would have to put something in your tank to cycle it. I keep seeing people say that they put a piece of table shrimp in the tank to get the nitrates ect. going. That I am not sure of. I used some ceramic rings from a friends tank, they also have some chemical stuff you can put in your tank to help it start to cycle. That you would have to see what others say about it. I hope this helps some, since I don't really see to many other people suggesting any thing. I would post again and ask something specific, like how do I start to cycle my tank. Or, something along those lines. Maybe post it in the newbie forum or if they have another forum it would fit under.

 

My main concern is i have read conflicting information on these tanks. I jus mainly wanted to know about any extra pieces to buy for it to run properly. I understand the cycle and saltwater process. I get confused on like sumps, refugiums, i know a koralia would be better these are jus a few small last minute things im trying to figure out to buy. I want to do this right its why im asking now .

 

Definitely a good idea!! I would post in the sump/ refuge forum then. I myself am not that keen on that part. I am going to be having someone walk me through it step by step. lol All I know is that most people on here say the sump/refuge is the best way to go. I also know they say if you can afford it to buy the best lighting system and also the best skimmer you can afford. Those are the two things you aren't to skimp on. Good luck!!

 

i would get new lights if you want corals, i believe it only has one 24 watt power compact
you want around 4 watts per gallon.
as far as the type of lighting it depends on the corals you want to keep.
if possible i would get a skimmer too.

 

Wash it out with hot water, no detergents. Then rinse it with RO water to make sure all contaminants like chlorine are washed away. Wanting to wait 4 months until it is fully cycled is a sign of good planning on your part and a conscious effort in making sure the tank is good to go before adding in things that depend on us for their survival. +K to you on that. Now that said, 4 months is a bit long and unneeded. You can get away with adding 1 fish after a month or 2.
I also have a JBJ nano cube, mine was one of the originals. It had just one 24w combo bulb. The new ones have 2 bulbs. The original was more than enough if you ran only a fish only with live rock (FOWLR) tank. It's not enough if you want soft corals though, which is where what Sostoudt said comes into play. Which tank did you get?
As for a skimmer, commercial skimmers that go into these nanos can be expensive. Doing weekly 1G water changes should help keep your tank nice and healthy without a skimmer. Personally, I get lazy and have an extremely busy lifestyle, so I have been making a skimmer to fit into the second chamber. I just need to make a collection cup and it will be done. I've been posting that I am making one and will post if it works well or not. If it works well, I'd put any extras I can make for sale on here, if not, then I would tell eveyone here that were asking about it to not waste their time on these nano skimmers, since they really don't allow for enough contact time to skim out the bad stuff.