MKFMedic
Aquarium Advice Activist
Hi Again!
I received my JBJ Nano Cube 12 gallon and was super excited to begin my set-up in my small home office! After a thorough cycling I plan to add a CUC, followed by some corals compatible with the DX lighting and then two, maybe three fish.
I visited my local fish store and was pleasantly surprised by the excellent customer service, patience and overall supportive attitude. I purchased sand, live rock, water and away I went. So the aquarium is in its cycling phase and I'm in no hurry to add anything and am content over-researching the tank, it's drawbacks, potential improvements, nano skimmers, upgrades, etc and it has led to me to need to ask some questions. I appreciate your patience as a new guy, being new to setting up a Nano Reef and would appreciate your insight.
1. Bio Balls & Sponges which came with the tank. I have read many opinions that recommend removing them.
2. Same with the Ceramic Rings (The Fish Store Guy recommended waiting until it was time to replace the rings and then just getting rid of them) and gave me the impression that they would not be needed in a well established system.
3. Protein Skimmers. Again, many opinions on both side of the aisle on this one. Hydor Slim Skim would fit in my tank if I removed the sponges, which some recommend and others don't. Any thoughts on a protein skimmer in a 12 gallon tank?
4. Finally, my local fish guy basically told me to be patient, establish a good starting point by being systematic and then maintain the tank through regular water changes. It sounded as though a lot of the other hubbub would be unnecessary.
Thanks again for your insight, patience and thoughts.
Mike
I received my JBJ Nano Cube 12 gallon and was super excited to begin my set-up in my small home office! After a thorough cycling I plan to add a CUC, followed by some corals compatible with the DX lighting and then two, maybe three fish.
I visited my local fish store and was pleasantly surprised by the excellent customer service, patience and overall supportive attitude. I purchased sand, live rock, water and away I went. So the aquarium is in its cycling phase and I'm in no hurry to add anything and am content over-researching the tank, it's drawbacks, potential improvements, nano skimmers, upgrades, etc and it has led to me to need to ask some questions. I appreciate your patience as a new guy, being new to setting up a Nano Reef and would appreciate your insight.
1. Bio Balls & Sponges which came with the tank. I have read many opinions that recommend removing them.
2. Same with the Ceramic Rings (The Fish Store Guy recommended waiting until it was time to replace the rings and then just getting rid of them) and gave me the impression that they would not be needed in a well established system.
3. Protein Skimmers. Again, many opinions on both side of the aisle on this one. Hydor Slim Skim would fit in my tank if I removed the sponges, which some recommend and others don't. Any thoughts on a protein skimmer in a 12 gallon tank?
4. Finally, my local fish guy basically told me to be patient, establish a good starting point by being systematic and then maintain the tank through regular water changes. It sounded as though a lot of the other hubbub would be unnecessary.
Thanks again for your insight, patience and thoughts.
Mike