Nano Reef Setup

[khrios]

Hey everyone,

I am setting up a 6g JBJ Nano cube, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips. I have been looking around the nano reef section a lot lately and getting tons of good info there but I figured many of you would probably be a good source as well. Ideally, I just want to stock it with some small softie frags from my 100g and possibly a small ocellaris or true perc.

[northbay-reefer]

Khrios, the fastest way to set up a nano is to find someone with a reef tank and get some live sand from them and some rubbles live rocks to seed your new tank, better yet get the water from a friend's tank that is doing a water change this will get your nano started pretty fast.

you will also need a good mini skimmer

[khrios]

I have a 100g reef which I am going to take some sand and rubble from. I am setting up the nano in my dorm room, so, I can't really bring too much with me on the plane. I will just pack it all into a box and check the box when I go. What are some good brands for mini skimmers?

[northbay-reefer]

Get this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120012206089&category=20755

[khrios]

As of monday, I have a nano cube! I wanted something for my desk in my dorm room, and it is the perfect size. I used some LR rubble, 1g tank water, and a few smal frags from my 100g reef at home to establish this one. I went to my LFS yeterday and bought some LR and they gave me some LS. My tank hasn't cleared yet, though, and there are lots of critters that came with the sand that I don't know anything about. Hopefully someone can ID them:

My zoas aren't opening that much. Not sure why. My test kits are on order, but with all of the established stuff, I woudn't think there would be a normal cycle. Could it be because of the cloudy water?
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/sakkos09/IMG_0689.jpg

sea star of some kind. not sure if it's the good or the bad kind

http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/sakkos09/IMG_0682.jpg http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/sakkos09/IMG_0686.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i161/sakkos09/IMG_0687.jpg

[jkreefer]

looks good, where are you going to school?

[khrios]

thanks. university of portland

[jkreefer]

Personaly i hated school, but good luck to ya.....mabe thats why im in construction now........mmnnnnnn

[sulcata1619]

how much did you dr ink tonight.
jeff

[northbay-reefer]

Krios, just because your water parameter is good doesn't mean your water is perfect. Personaly, I would not add any corals to the nano until the tank has gone through its cycles (even though you used water and rocks from your old tank) there are still alot of surface area in your new tank that the bacteria have to establish and cover.

[khrios]

I know, I would have waited, but I didnt want to have to ship my frags up here. My water is still cloudy today, and it's been 5 days since I setup the tank. I don't remember this happening when I stup my 100g. Can anyone ID the critters in the pictures above?