New 25g Cube, Questions!

i2go · 12/06/2007, 12:46 AM

Hey,
Im starting up a 25g nanocube that i bought off a local, and I have some of questions that hopefully some of you guys can help me out with. Here are some pictures( i hope they show up) of my tank that may help you out. [IMG]

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I am planning for this tank have easy to medium types of SPS corals, acros, caps, procillapora, etc. My lighting is 150w MH 10k, with 36x2W actinics.

Questions...
Skimmer: What skimmer should i get, that can fit in the bottom left section of the sump(section is 9 inches wide and 10 inches long), and is efficient? I was thinking about the ASM G mini skimmer...

Return: I was thinking about getting a rio 8HF for the return pump, the return section is the upper right section( section is 4 inches wide, and 7 inches long, ya, tight fit). But i am not very clear of how much GPH the pump would do at 3ft. Any other small pump suggestions?
The return problem is that the return nozzles are on the bottom of the tank, so if the pump turns off or something, i need a backup plan, so the main display's water wont drain all into the sump. Someone told me you need a check value on the return pump? Never seen one of these, could someone direct me to some info on that?

Cal/alk dosage.
What is the easiest most efficient way to dose alk and cal?

Sorry if there are any grammar errors, 15 year old + internet talk= 10000 grammar errors

i2go · 12/08/2007, 02:17 AM

bbump

AdrianLee · 12/16/2010, 02:40 AM

I use B-Ionic 2 part buffer system for cal/alk on my 75g Reef and my corals love it. Before I started dosing my corals grew really slow, and once I started some of my corals almost doubled in size with the others having very good growth in just over a month. I would go bigger on your return pump. I also have a nano reef (29g biocube that I modded) and I use a Rio 2100 (692gph @ 0ft) which ends up being about 430gph once it reaches my return to the tank at about 3.5ft. I would go with at least a Rio HF10 or i Think the Rio HF12 would be best for you since it looks like you have two returns which you could run both off of the HF12 at the same time. At 4ft the HF12 does about 630gph so you could put some valves inbetween to throttle flow a little bit. If you are planning on having Acros, they love alot of flow (I have acros in my nano and they love the flow I have, they are doing well with 430gph and a Koralia nano for circ).

With your returns at the bottom of the tank, just run pvc up inside the tank to where you want your water line to be and then add a nozzle at the top and cover it up with live rock or eventually it will probably be covered by coraline algae anyway.

Hope this helps. Good luck

AdrianLee · 12/16/2010, 02:47 AM

With the sump, I would take that elbow off and use a filter sock around the drain and then I would get the AquaC Nano Remora Protein Skimmer with Maxi-Jet 900 Pump from aquacave.com. Get your pumps from here as well great prices and shipping is only $4.95.

http://www.aquacave.com/aquac-nano-r...pump-1122.html

mic209 · 12/18/2010, 04:54 PM

The way your returns are setup its just waiting to flood your house. The two black locline pipes inside the tank need to be extended to the top of tank with more locline, or swich it out for pvc. A check valve is more for convenience, don't ever rely on a check valve for preventing back flow, as there is a chance they will fail at some point. I personally don't use a check valve on my return pump, I have my returns high enough that when the pump shuts off, only about 2 inches of water flows back into the sump.

Carriegiesler · 12/18/2010, 09:37 PM

I agree is Mic209, it is only a matter of time before those check valves give out. Have you thought about running the Loc-line or PVC to the top them putting in a 90' angle to wrap is around to the sides then you can get alittle more directional flow. This could also be achived with Loc-line. The co. makes one that is has spouts on it called a circle flow assmebly. Its a little pricey but peace of mine you will have not to have a flood and ticked off parents.

As for a skimmer I just got the Precision Marine redline 100. After a few operator errors I got it up and running and its great pulls out a lot of gunk on my 70 gallon.

Mache62 · 03/01/2011, 07:24 AM

Do you have any updates on your tank? Would love to see what you did with it!

saltjohnswharf · 03/01/2011, 06:22 PM

Aqua C Urchin has a small footprint. Though it is fairly tall. 26.5" with clearance for the Urchin Pro. I use one and I love it.

12/06/2007, 12:46 AM	#1
i2go Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 674	New 25g Cube, Questions! Hey, Im starting up a 25g nanocube that i bought off a local, and I have some of questions that hopefully some of you guys can help me out with. Here are some pictures( i hope they show up) of my tank that may help you out. [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] [IMG] [/IMG] [IMG][/IMG] I am planning for this tank have easy to medium types of SPS corals, acros, caps, procillapora, etc. My lighting is 150w MH 10k, with 36x2W actinics. Questions... Skimmer: What skimmer should i get, that can fit in the bottom left section of the sump(section is 9 inches wide and 10 inches long), and is efficient? I was thinking about the ASM G mini skimmer... Return: I was thinking about getting a rio 8HF for the return pump, the return section is the upper right section( section is 4 inches wide, and 7 inches long, ya, tight fit). But i am not very clear of how much GPH the pump would do at 3ft. Any other small pump suggestions? The return problem is that the return nozzles are on the bottom of the tank, so if the pump turns off or something, i need a backup plan, so the main display's water wont drain all into the sump. Someone told me you need a check value on the return pump? Never seen one of these, could someone direct me to some info on that? Cal/alk dosage. What is the easiest most efficient way to dose alk and cal? Sorry if there are any grammar errors, 15 year old + internet talk= 10000 grammar errors

12/18/2010, 09:37 PM	#6
Carriegiesler Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 928	I agree is Mic209, it is only a matter of time before those check valves give out. Have you thought about running the Loc-line or PVC to the top them putting in a 90' angle to wrap is around to the sides then you can get alittle more directional flow. This could also be achived with Loc-line. The co. makes one that is has spouts on it called a circle flow assmebly. Its a little pricey but peace of mine you will have not to have a flood and ticked off parents. As for a skimmer I just got the Precision Marine redline 100. After a few operator errors I got it up and running and its great pulls out a lot of gunk on my 70 gallon. __________________ 5 gallons of Planted freshwater Current Tank Info: tech 70 w/ 25 sump

03/01/2011, 06:22 PM	#8
saltjohnswharf Conscientious Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Carmichael, CA Posts: 524 Blog Entries: 1	Aqua C Urchin has a small footprint. Though it is fairly tall. 26.5" with clearance for the Urchin Pro. I use one and I love it. __________________ If you had to live the rest of your life in an aquarium what would your minimum tank size be? Think before you buy Current Tank Info: 27 gallon Dying Reef Biotope

12/08/2007, 02:17 AM	#2
i2go Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Laguna Niguel, CA Posts: 674	bbump

12/16/2010, 02:40 AM	#3
AdrianLee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 3	I use B-Ionic 2 part buffer system for cal/alk on my 75g Reef and my corals love it. Before I started dosing my corals grew really slow, and once I started some of my corals almost doubled in size with the others having very good growth in just over a month. I would go bigger on your return pump. I also have a nano reef (29g biocube that I modded) and I use a Rio 2100 (692gph @ 0ft) which ends up being about 430gph once it reaches my return to the tank at about 3.5ft. I would go with at least a Rio HF10 or i Think the Rio HF12 would be best for you since it looks like you have two returns which you could run both off of the HF12 at the same time. At 4ft the HF12 does about 630gph so you could put some valves inbetween to throttle flow a little bit. If you are planning on having Acros, they love alot of flow (I have acros in my nano and they love the flow I have, they are doing well with 430gph and a Koralia nano for circ). With your returns at the bottom of the tank, just run pvc up inside the tank to where you want your water line to be and then add a nozzle at the top and cover it up with live rock or eventually it will probably be covered by coraline algae anyway. Hope this helps. Good luck

12/16/2010, 02:47 AM	#4
AdrianLee Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 3	With the sump, I would take that elbow off and use a filter sock around the drain and then I would get the AquaC Nano Remora Protein Skimmer with Maxi-Jet 900 Pump from aquacave.com. Get your pumps from here as well great prices and shipping is only $4.95. http://www.aquacave.com/aquac-nano-r...pump-1122.html

12/18/2010, 04:54 PM	#5
mic209 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Arroyo Grande, CA Posts: 1,338	The way your returns are setup its just waiting to flood your house. The two black locline pipes inside the tank need to be extended to the top of tank with more locline, or swich it out for pvc. A check valve is more for convenience, don't ever rely on a check valve for preventing back flow, as there is a chance they will fail at some point. I personally don't use a check valve on my return pump, I have my returns high enough that when the pump shuts off, only about 2 inches of water flows back into the sump.

03/01/2011, 07:24 AM	#7
Mache62 Registered Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Philly burbs Posts: 950	Do you have any updates on your tank? Would love to see what you did with it!