Hi all. I have been browsing around for a while, and I have finally gotten the courage to post my questions. Any help is appreciated, but if the question has been answered before, just give me the link and I can go check it out. Saves you some typing time.
First, I am going to be starting a nano. I orginally planned on starting a larger tank, but restrictions on funds put a damper on that plan. It is still in the works, but it is going to be a while. However, since both my wife and I want to still do a tank, we discussed the nano route with our LFS. It sounds like a go, but I need some advice.
One route is the 12 gallon JBL nano deluxe. Our LFS has quite a few set up and it looks like it would be a good possibility for us. However, I have read that you want to take out the filter media and put in live rock. Would this be better for the tank or should I leave the filter media in? Second, the tanks seem to have a good water flow. Is a powerhead necessary for the cube or will the stock equipment be enough? Finally, I am unsure of what lights come with the cube. What lights, if any, would you suggest replacing the stock lights with. I know you can't answer without knowing what we want in, but let's just say we are making a mini reef setup. What would you suggest.
Our second option is to convert our 20 gallon freshwater into a
marine aquarium. While we both like this option, I am finding that we are getting into the larger money area where we were having problems with the larger set-up. I am not a mechanical person by any stretch of the term. So, creating a sump system or anything like that is out of the question without having to hire someone to do it. So, I am trying to look at options to help create somekind of filtration and water movement at the same time. One item that has caught my eye is the canister type filters with baskets for media. While not the size of a sump, they are greater in size than the hang on filters out there. I would take the media out of the baskets and again put chunks of live rock in its place. Is this even feasible? And if it is, would this be preferable to the hang on filters out there with their media that traps nitrites? I would also want to add a skimmer, but don't want to use the Euro-reef at this time (money). What type of skimmer would work well for this system and is cost effective at the same time? Finally, I know the stock light won't work. In this case, I would probably upgrade the whole lighting system. Assuming like above that we would be making a reef tank, what kind of light would you suggest?
If you are still awake after reading that, I applaud you. Any help given is greatly appreciated.
