Back in the hobby...

[pandry15]

I've been away from the hobby for a while and I'm just getting back in. I bought a 24G Nanocube to get started. I'm currently cycling the tank with sand and 20# of live rock. I'm curious as why the bio-balls and ceramic chips need to be removed for a reef system. If these are removed what is the best filter material to put in the 2nd compartment? Also when adding a heater I can't see where to run my power cord with the hood the way it is, I want to put the heater in the 3rd filter compartment but it looks like I need to modify the hood to do this... any suggestions/comments?

PS - this website is great for the hobby! The last time I kept a tank and attempted a reef was in 1992BI (before the internet!)

[dobejazz]

Welcome to TRT! Congrats on a cool tank I love mine (most of the time) The ceramic rings and bio balls will collect nitrates and drive the levels up to high for a reef.

I don't use a heater on mine so I'm not sure about the power cord issue.

Some people have made a little "fuge" in the 2nd compartment or just add live rock rubble to help with filtration. My 2nd compartment had a sponge in there so I would remove that if you are going to add rubble or a fuge.

Plan on weekly 2-3 gallon water changes or 5 gals bi-weekly with your live rock will be all you need!
Keep us posted on your progress

[pandry15]

thanks for the reply... on another site there was a lot of discussion about having to modify the Nanocube, it sounds like you have had success with the cube without making any mods. What is a "fuge"?