Setting up used 24g nano cube?

[Elo500]

This is my first marine tank. I bought a used nano cube and have some questions on setup.

It's the model with pc lights. The bulbs work but don't know how old they are. Should I replace bulbs now or after cycle?

It's has 3 compartments. One had sponges and one has bio balls. The other is the pump and heater. Should I keep the sponge and bio balls in there?

It came with an air driven coral life protein skimmer. Should I use or upgrade?

The comb thingy that goes over the rear compartment intake does not actually snap on or stay put. But sure if I'm missing a part or its warped. Should I just silicone it on?

Thanks

 

[philjust]

i would replace the bulbs if you are going to have corals in the tank.

 

[Smite]

The flow of the water going into the back chambers is enough to hold the surface skimmer on the back wall. If you turn your pump off it'll fall. Once I found the sweet spot o super glued mine in place.

I'm not a fan of bio balls, they are detritus traps so you consistently have to pull them and rinse them in tank water. I have a In-Tanks media basket from my 24 nanocube. Might fit? If so you can have it. That'll open up the second chamber for something else, like a refugium. Speaking of which I also have a 6500k underwater halogen light you can have if you want to grow some chaeto back there. < if your planning on keeping coral.

If it were my tank I'd keep my eyes peeled for a led upgrade kit or go rimless with a kessil or Ai 26. Not having the hood opens you up to a skimmer that's worth putting on the system. When you calculate cost of replacing the bulbs the cost of these led fixtures starts to make more sense.

My air driven bio cube skimmer constantly over flowed. Weekly water changes on that size tank should be enough to keep excess nutrients down as long as you don't overstock or over feed.

Hope that helps some.

 

[Elo500]

Thanks for the responses. [MENTION=7067]Smite[/MENTION] I might take you up on the offer.

Here are some pics.

I've cleaned up the glass and will clean up the light cover next. The stand is a little water damaged. I may try to paint it or just touch up the warped edges.

 

[Elo500]

I'm still not familiar with the different categories of coral but what am I limited to with these pc bulbs?

Do I need to add a korilla for more current?

 

[Smite]

I'm not familiar with PC bulbs. I had the metal halide hqi hood. After getting sick of the heat issues and constant top off I went with a AI sol nano.

What size return pump did it come with? I ran a mj1200 and I added a 240 nano koralia but that was hardly noticeable. If you go with the koralia go with the 420. Eventually I bit the bullet and grab a mp10 and loved it.

 

[Smite]

If you go to MAX Saturday shoot me a pm and I'll bring the media rack and refugium light.

 

[Elo500]

Looks like the return pump is 240gph. I'll plan for another pump. If I drop in live rock on Friday, is there any livestock I can buy at max on Saturday or do I really need to wait for the cycle before adding snails, etc?

 

[Smite]

Unless you add Dr.Tim's One and Only bacteria you'll need to wait out the cycle. If you do go Dr.tims you' want to add a fish the next day to keep the bacteria fed. I've used it before on a tank transfer with all dry rock and sand, worked perfect. Didn't lose a thing.

With it being your first tank it might be best to just wait out the cycle and keep it simple.

 

[Elo500]

I best be patient then and wait it out. Anyone know where to buy jbj nano parts? I'm looking for the rubber gasket for the plastic lens cover. Found one on jbjnanocubes.com but shipping is a lot. Also could use a new set of screws.

 

[swiftism]

Jbj is located in Inglewood, you can call them directly for replacement parts. Pick up or shipping is available.

 

[Son512]

I best be patient then and wait it out. Anyone know where to buy jbj nano parts? I'm looking for the rubber gasket for the plastic lens cover. Found one on jbjnanocubes.com but shipping is a lot. Also could use a new set of screws.

Home Depot. Bring one screw and look for the stainless steel ones. I found the exact fitting ones for my Jbj



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[Elo500]

Thanks [MENTION=7067]Smite[/MENTION] for the light and media basket. Fits perfectly!

 

[Smite]

Glad to hear it!

 

[Elo500]

How much live rock? Is it 1lb per gallon? I read to put the rock in first then the sand. Do most people use the plastic light diffuser under the rocks or just put the rock on the glass?