Newbie Nano Reefer

Sophie's mom · 05-31-2006, 10:10 AM

Hi everyone! I want to start a reef tank-duh, so I just purchased a 12 gal nanocube.I thought someone would want to share some wisdom/advise/expertise on getting started. Any advise is appreciated! Thanks in advance.

Tim224DT · 05-31-2006, 10:13 AM

Welcome to TRT!!

Take your time nothing happens fast in a reef tank. Let the tank cycle on its own dont add anything to the tank like chemicals to help the cycle.

What kind of corals do you plan on keeping in the tank?

Tim

Sophie's mom · 05-31-2006, 10:27 AM

That's a good question! I know there wont be alot of room in there, and I'd like a couple of fish too. That's one of the things I was looking for advise on. I'm trying to read up on it as much as I can, but it's alot to take in at once!

dobejazz · 05-31-2006, 10:44 AM

Welcome to TRT!
Have you bought anything else yet?

Sophie's mom · 05-31-2006, 10:56 AM

Have to type fast-baby waking up!
Yes, 20lbs of live pacific black sand. That's it besides supllies!
I assumed i would have to let it run for awhile before i added live rock?
(help!)

Hardhead Cat · 05-31-2006, 11:06 AM

Welcome to TRT - yes, you want to set up every thing, maybe add a tiny piece of Live Rock and let it run....and run...and run! If you can, buy some test kits to check your water's progress - ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, pH and a salinity meter to check salinity. I have a 12-gallon nanocube too but the biggest issue I have had is with temperature - it heats up a lot if I have the lights on six or more hours - so I lift the little "feeding lid" and it seems to help.

Good luck!
HHC

Sophie's mom · 05-31-2006, 11:19 AM

Thanks alot! How long should I let it run?
Also, do you leave the lid up all day?
In initial set-up, how much water goes in?

is_that_a_fish · 05-31-2006, 11:23 AM

first off get your self a nice skimmer...im thinking either a coralife super skimmer or a aqua c remora. You may also want to get one or two powerheads for some flow. Get your live rock now and add it to the tank this will help cycle it. Thats pretty much all you need, oh and be sure you get test kits because without them you wont know when your cycle is done. patience is a big key in reefing, if you dont have patience nothing is gonna get done, did i mention this is the hardest part of reefing as well. Thats pretty much it, lighting you will need depending on what you plan on keeping. Hope this helps.

dobejazz · 05-31-2006, 12:11 PM

I would get live rock right away thats what is going to start the cycling process.
There really is no good skimmer for the nano cubes you will have to rely on good maintence and frequent water changes to maintain water quality

BigRay · 05-31-2006, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim224DT

Welcome to TRT!!

Take your time nothing happens fast in a reef tank.

Tim

patience, patience, patience.
I would also go ahead and get your live rock to help it cycle. it's going to be at least a month or two before you can add anything.

Keep us updated.

Sophie's mom · 05-31-2006, 03:29 PM

Thanks everybody! That's alot of help. Hopefully we can get the tank set up this weekend with the sand and rock. I do have one more question (for now)- Do I keep the lights on while I'm letting it "cycle"?

dobejazz · 05-31-2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sophie's mom

Thanks everybody! That's alot of help. Hopefully we can get the tank set up this weekend with the sand and rock. I do have one more question (for now)- Do I keep the lights on while I'm letting it "cycle"?

That is really up to you ! Opinion on here tends to run 50/50 for lights on or off

I prefer lights on myself

Cylenchar · 05-31-2006, 04:03 PM

Welcome to the Obsession!!!
Three rules for you:
1. Take your time
2. Ask lots of questions
3. Post lots of pictures

jenajet · 05-31-2006, 11:26 PM

I dont have a skimmer in my 12 or my 24 that is more for larger tanks. Do keep up with weekly water changes. If your just setting up go ahead and get whatever live rock you want so you dont recycle later. I waited about 2 weeks and added small cleanup crew. Personally I love turbo's (snails)they will wipe out algae fast. Cleaner crabs are good too.

If no one mentioned it get ro/di water(wal-mart) or at least purified we dont recommend tap water.

BigRay · 06-01-2006, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jenajet

If no one mentioned it get ro/di water(wal-mart) or at least purified we dont recommend tap water.

Yep, i forgot, i highly recommend you don't use tap water. It has elements and nutrients that algea(like hair algea) feed off of. RO/Di water doesn't contain these elements/nutrients.