new tank questions? nanocube 12

My 12 gallon nanocube will be here today so this weekend is when I will be setting it up to start its cycling, I have been reading alot and alot of people say to use the one rear chamber as a fuge by hanging a light on the back, which I have and extra small light sitting here, also read that the pump should be replaced with a better one. stock is 106GPH and I read that something like the maxi-jet 900 at 230GPH would be more apropriate for the tank, so if theres anything I should know about doing this stuff let me know, and how would I turn that chamber into a fuge...(is it just sand and liverock with a light to keep everything growing, or do i need to add other stuff as well) basically I need a shopping list since the place Im going is 45 minutes away....oh and its 24watts now with a 50/50 bulb, would adding a second 28 watt 50/50 setup be hugely benifical or can I hold off for a bit on that...sorry for the long read, and thanks in advance for any advice...

 

I added a sump to mine. I had it drilled and all that jazz. I didn't replace the stock pump i just added another one to remove dead spots.. I had the dx model with 48 watts of light so with the 24 watts you have heat shouldn't be an issue.. They are a clean looking tank. I loved mine..

 

My 12 gallon NanoCube is doing great with stock lighting..."24w"...

Better pump is good idea.

Use poly-filter in filter chambers, along with good carbon...

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Good Luck!

"Reef on..."

 

ok sounds good, I got it today and im bummed that my heater didnt show with the tank, maybe it got shipped seperate, I dunno, Im gonna call and ask...it seems to small to do a good fuge anyway so Ill leave that as is for now and just run good filtration...I have an old rio 400 powerhead here with some life left in it, should I use that to clear the deadspots or just upgrade it...I figured upgrading the pump was more so about the volume of water being filtered so, Ill do that I geuss...just gotta find out where the heaters at so I can get some rock and sand in it for this weekend to start cycling, with the live rock would it be worth the added cost of the live sand? if so I will cause that little bit of cash means nothing compared to a healthy tank....lighting will remain stock for awhile at least do to its limited space...beautiful tank though, Im very happy I went with the JBJ I think I saw some of the oceanic biocubes at the LFS last time i was there which looked nice as well...but for the price I paid for it and the 75watt heater(108 shipped) I figure i got a good deal

 

Glad your happy.

 

thanks, heater will be here monday, so next question, will liverock be ok at room temp for a day or two, or should i wait, its like 70 degrees in the room the tank is in, if so I will add that stuff this weekend, the little skimmer attachment they include with it seems to be functioning right, water is maybe 1/4-1/2 inch down from tank level in the skimmer box, filter is pumping well...needs a stronger pump for shure, lights are pretty bright in the small cube, fans are quiet...man I can wait for it to start cycling to watch it develop and grow...

 

These are good pumps IMO, have 2 #4's on my 75g and love them. Alot of good reviews on this site about this brand to. Hydor Koralia Nano (Mini) Pump/Powerhead 240gph (Saltwater Aquarium Supplies > Powerheads > Compact Pumps )

 

yeah, I thought about a small hydor for circulation, for in the chamber I need one to put a hose on though as it sits at the bottom of the chamber, glad to here you like the hydor stuff though, if i need more circulation ill check them out for sure

 

got the heater in today! so Im totaly stoked now, once I get it all setup to start the cycling this weekend Ill get some pics and during the process so if anyone else starts a nanocube 12 they will have some pics of whats normal...if all goes well that is, also thanks again for the help. 3reef is great...

 

good luck. let us know. here's some pics of my old nano 12 dx...


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