Gin's 28 Nano Cube LED Build

[GinMartini]

Hey Now!
After a few hiccups from 2 leaky tanks finally getting back into this money pit of a hobby. This time I'm trying to go as energy efficient as possible. I'll be running the stock hood with 29 3w LEDS, and 2 1w LEDS.

25 of those are 14K.

4 are 466nm.

Moonlights are 456nm.

The return pumps are sock with the provided wave maker.

The bulk of the flow will be provided by the Tunze Nanostream 6025.

I am blown away at the amount of flow these pumps put out a 6w!


I can barely wait for the end of the cycle to start some stocking. I just have to keep telling myself to go slow and do it right the first time. Anyone else using a similar setup?

[GinMartini]

Here are some shots with Live Rock and Crushed Coral. Any suggestions on a stock list. I want to do mainly SPS and don't have my heart set on any fish yet.





Here's an attempt at a pic with the moonlights on any advice?

[uscreef]

I really like that wiring mod into the stand... that's been one of my complaints with a BC14 and its stand, that looks beautiful. Did it compromise the integrity of the stand at all? Is it bowing or anything?

[GinMartini]

Not at all. I used 1/4 inch screws that held everything perfectly. I am not totally convinced of this stands strength and integrity yo begin with though. My fiance and I will be remodeling the kitchen after the wedding, I'll probably build a stand to match. It's good enough for now though. Thank you for the kind words.

[ziege]

+1 on questioning the stand integrity. I'm right there with you. Who builds an aquarium stand out of particle board? Or whatever they want to call it. Especially such a top-heavy stand. Still, haven't seen reports of the stands collapsing.

I have the same tank, and am about at the same point as you in setting things up.

Very neat arranging of power inside the stand. My cords are wire tied into a bundle (with a drip loop outside the stand) but once they go inside it's chaos incarnate. I used a small UPS for the pumps and as a power strip, but only one timer fits. I suspect I'll end up with a controller and a controlled strip eventually. And I'm in an area where a chiller will probably be necessary even with the LEDs so I didn't want to lock things down too much until I had experience with at least one full season w/ this tank.

Nice rockscape for all-around visibility. I am used to the "fill the tank with rock" school, and I can't resist leaning some of that rock against the back wall. Sometimes less is more though. Many argue against crushed coral substrates. I, years ago, used it for several nanos (well, two nanos and what today would be called a pico) and didn't have problems, but I'm trying fine sand this time around. Actually, I scattered a few ounces of crushed coral on part of the sand bed (in an area with LR rubble) for texture. Looks OK but you've got to really be looking to notice it.

I'm a stocking minimalist. I was considering a clown goby as the main fish for my tank. I've had good luck with them in the past. That's far below what most people would consider max for these tanks. In other words, I'm a bad person to give tips there. On the corals side, I would think you can go as far as your water quality stability (and budget) allows.

[GinMartini]

I really like the way the rock turned out also, thank you. I've also always done the "rock wall". Its just a shame to lose viewing angles though. Especially since this tanks three sided view is so uniform.
I have never read bad things about the crushed coral, always thought it was either bb or substrate. The last tank I had was a sand bottom and was a pain in the rear. It may have had something else to do with it, but that was the only different element about the tank.
I also don't really have an affinity towards fish, much prefer corals and other inverts. I just dont know if I want to have the standard clowns. I really like them, just get tired of seeing them everywhere. Maybe a onyx or something different. Are there any anthias species that are able to be kept in a small reef? I have seen some cool gobies, and blennys at the LFS, but would like have something that uses more of the water column.

[ziege]

Yep, the walk-around view is the whole point of the tank, optimize for it.

Crushed coral... shrug. I'm not the expert some people claim to be, but the "crushed coral = nitrate factory = evil" theme is pretty common places like here on RC. I'm basing that on your photo, which looks like standard crushed coral gravel instead of course sand.

I think naturally free-swimming fish usually need more space to swim than nano tanks can offer. We're stuck with clingers and hiders that end up, at best, as moving spots of color on the rocks, and at worst we never see after adding them to the tank.

Maybe chalk bass? Never had one but they look like they might have potential.

[fstar25]

Following along, just ordered the LED retro kit for my 29G biocube. Looking good so far.

[GinMartini]

Thanks Star.

Where did you get the retro kit from? Is it a brand new hood or all the pieces to install it into your existing hood? I'm excited to see all of this transition to leds. I truly belive when it becomes more affordable it will be the only option in aquarium lighting. Its the future man

Woke up today to see algae growth on the glass. Still showing some nitrites though. Shouldnt be long until the tank is ready for some inhabitants. Should I add cuc then wait a week to add a fish, and a couple frags?

I'm thinking about gettin a nanl glo led fuge light, anyone with any expierience, I would love some advice.

[fstar25]

got kit from nanotuners.com
i think you are right that more and more tanks will be going led. I am not sure it will be even the primary choice though for a very long time. the upfront cost will never drop as low as pcf's and the multitued of combinations wuth MH and T5 supplimentation will keep people using them.
i would add some inverts maybe a shrimp or sone crabs plus snails. let that ride a couple weeks before you throw a fish in there. you cab put small amounts of frozen mysis shrimp to feed the inverts and verify yout tanks ability to handle any bioload.



Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[ziege]

I'm thinking about gettin a nanl glo led fuge light, anyone with any expierience, I would love some advice.

It lights up a small area (4"x4"-5"x5" or so) very brightly, and is slim (less than 1" outside the tank, about 1/4" inside for the magnet)... seems perfect if you have the tank close to a wall or want a chance to use HOB equipment over the top of the light... which I did, otherwise I would've gone with a standard curly lamp type set-up with a reflector box sized to the window in the back. That would also prevent a little bit of light leakage, not that it's a big deal.

[GinMartini]

Awesome! I think I'll order one.

What type of temperature measuring devices do you use? I have a marin digital thermometer. Tank has stayed at a constant 80 and now this morning it says 77! I used a meat therm and a oral therm and got different readings. Do all therms give different readings?!

[ziege]

I use a cheap glass lab thermometer, about $5, in the overflow flow. Maybe not an ideal place but lab thermometers are long rods/stirring sticks so I can wave it through the tank water if I want a better reading.

Yeah, they all read a bit off unless you calibrate them, which involves ice, boiling water, knowing your altitude, and being obsessive.

[mv123]

I plan on getting one of those, as soon as I can get a stand built that matches the furniture in the room. Glad to see yours looking so good. A few questions:

1) That looks like a good amount of rock. How many lbs, and what kind of rock is it?

2) Why did you pick the nanotuners retro as opposed to just the standard jbj 28 led that the company is selling now? My LFS will do either for about the same price.

3) For SPS, I'd really love to see how it goes for you. Do you plan on doing 2 part alk /calcium, or another method? Id rather not have to plumb an ATO or reactor of any sort, so I'm hoping the 2 part will be enough.

4) How is the noise from the tank? Plan on having mine in family room, near tv, so loud pumps would be bad.

thanks,
MV

[GinMartini]

1. It is 22 pounds of Fiji i believe. At least thats what the lfs guy said. It was more dense than I would have liked, but got a good price for the qty I was buying.

2. It is the standard jbj led not a retrofit.

3. I will definitely be doing a 2 part b ionic dosing schedule. It worked so well for my last tank before I moved and sold everything. I wish I would have held onto the controller though.

4. The tank is virtually silent. Our T.V. chill room is 15 feet or so from the tank with no walls to block noise and I don't hear anything at all over the TV.

[GinMartini]

So the cycle has finished an the tank has 0 ammonia and nitrites. The Nitrates are at 10 ppm, not ideal, but I'll be ordering a nano glo to start a fuge next week! Showing some hair algae growth, or maybe its cyano, not sure. Added a cuc to help out.

[GinMartini]

A buddy gave me a small frag to test out the lights


Can anyone guess what type of camera I'm using?

[GinMartini]

I found this guy on the back of the tank wall. It's a terrible pic but its the best I can get. It is off-white with grayish spots. It seems to be in the shape of a starfish, but doesn't have real definition between its arms. It may measure 3mm at the most. Good or Evil?

[canesfan44]

asterina starfish, it's good. Those beautiful little harlequin shrimp love to eat theem.

[canesfan44]

I'm going to be tagging along on this thread. I've been looking at these for a couple months because I just moved to a condo and don't want to have one of my big tanks getting a leak going through the floor and costing me tens of thousands of dollars. I'll probably build my own stand because of the particle board and it doesn't look to be as balanced/stable as I would like because it will be on carpet.

[GinMartini]

I'm going to be tagging along on this thread. I've been looking at these for a couple months because I just moved to a condo and don't want to have one of my big tanks getting a leak going through the floor and costing me tens of thousands of dollars. I'll probably build my own stand because of the particle board and it doesn't look to be as balanced/stable as I would like because it will be on carpet.

About the leaking, my first two tanks leaked right out of the box. It was about a month long process to get one that didn't leak. JBJ did a good job of doing everything in their power to get me a tank that didn't leak. I don't think it was JBJ's fault, but that of cold weather and shipping. I live in Wisconsin and it was a cold January.

I really do like this tank all around. Clean look right out of the box, bright energy efficent lights, quiet. I would not put this stand on anything but tile or wood. I'm nervous every day to come home to a watery mess on my floor.

[Mrrealmadrid]

How are the corals doing under the leds? Did you add any more?

[GinMartini]

No more coral yet. I'm actually in Portland on vacation, but my friend who is tank sitting says it looks fantastic.

[raymorris]

very cool tank tank iam think of getting a supod but are the led better any know????

[Bouncer]

I'll be tagging along as well! Definitely gonna get one soon, but I wanna see how well SPS respond to these LED's (JBJ). IMO, it looks like you need some more rock.