Jasonanatal's JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI Nano Reef Aquarium.

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by mmessing
Just got my tank and stand today. Did you glue the dowels that come with the stand? I'm worried about it loosening up over time if I don't with just those tightening pins.

Mmessing, I actually didn't glue anything on the stand. I just used the equipment that came with the stand. I'm not sure that it is gone to be subjected to enough movement to loosen the bolts over time but just make sure you follow the directions since it is common amongst people who purchased this stand to have to build it more then once to get it together. LOL

[jdokos]

Hi,

I just ordered my tank today. Should be here next week. nanotuners PC upgrade. Getting excited.

Have not ordered a chiller yet, but pretty sure I will have to living in Atlanta. Any problems with the JBJ 1/15 chiller? Any problems with any of your equipment, besides the skimmer? I am leaning toward an AquaC nano. I had the Pro on my 75 3 years ago and loved it, no tuning needed.

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by jdokos
Hi,

I just ordered my tank today. Should be here next week. nanotuners PC upgrade. Getting excited.

Have not ordered a chiller yet, but pretty sure I will have to living in Atlanta. Any problems with the JBJ 1/15 chiller? Any problems with any of your equipment, besides the skimmer? I am leaning toward an AquaC nano. I had the Pro on my 75 3 years ago and loved it, no tuning needed.

I have never had any issues with the JBJ Artica Titanium 1/15 Horsepower Chiller. Even though it is rated for 45 gallons of water I had it operating on 125 gallons without any issues. It's a great piece of equipment.

[racksteris]

Kool set-up u have..

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by racksteris
Kool set-up u have..

Racksteris, thank you for the compliments on my JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium.

[scottydo]

Well, this is certainly the most content I have seen in a build thread - your volcabulary is impressive - and very nice looking tank too.

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by scottydo
Well, this is certainly the most content I have seen in a build thread - your volcabulary is impressive - and very nice looking tank too.

Scottydo, thank you for the compliments on my JBJ Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium. It is greatly appreciated!

[yzquadracer]

I was wondering what substrates you are using in the filter box? is there room back there for a small light and some chaeto for a small fuge? awesome looking tank too!

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by yzquadracer
I was wondering what substrates you are using in the filter box? is there room back there for a small light and some chaeto for a small fuge? awesome looking tank too!

Yzquadracer, I'm not currently using any type of substrates within the Rear Chamber of the JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium. I utilize the Rear Chambers solely to house equipment such as Pumps, Protein Skimmer, Thermometer Sensors, Automatic RO/DI Freshwater Top-Off System. However, these pumps do connect to a 25 watt Aqua Ultraviolet Sterilizer and a Precision Marine Fluidized Bed Reactor containing Fauna Marin Ultra-Carb L (Ultra-Carb L is an acitvated carbon specifically made for permanent and long-term use, which is changed on a monthly basis).

[Jasonanatal]

Time for a Little Do-It-Yourself Modifications: Making Some Space

Due to my recent addition of the Tunze Nano DOC 9002 Protein Skimmer which has been one of the most beneficial upgrades to my JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium. However, in the process of solving one problem another problem managed to show itself. How about that for Murphy's Law? Even though the Tunze Nano DOC 9002 Protein Skimmer main body was able to just barely squeeze into the Center Baffle of the Rear Chamber of the JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium the collection cup was too large and occupied a substantial amount of real estate that caused me to have to disconnect the stock Integrated Hood to accomodate for the Collections Cup's space requirements.



Photograph - The Tunze Nano DOC 9002 Protein Skimmer Collection Cup occupying just a little more space then I had hoped for.


Photograph - The stock Integrated Hood of the JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium disconnected from the latches and hanging about 0.5 inch over the front of the Aquarium edge allowing light to spill out. Not the prettiest site especially with someone who has Obsessive Compulsive Disorder such as myself.

Now a couple of choices were available as possible resolutions for this issue. First solution would be to remove the stock Integrated Hood and purchase a pendant, hanging or bracket mounted Metal Halide Lighting System to replace the Integrated Hood. This option was indeed to most expensive and would wast a perfectly functioning Reflector, Electronic Ballast, and Moonlights. So I opted out of choosing this option. Second solution would be to get alittle creative and break out some tools without loosing an eye or finger in the process and reminding my wife that she cannot drive without a license and that the hospital is just a cab ride away! Plus this would save me money so that I could spend it on another form of equipment for my hobby. So I choose option two.

Here was the gameplan, I was going to use my Cordless Titanium Dremel tool in order to accurrately create an opening in the rear of the Integrated Hood so that it can be connected back to the latches while allowing suffiicient space for the Tunze Nano DOC 9002 Protein Skimmer Collection Cup to sit properly. I measure approximately 4 inches in Width x 0.75 inch in Depth in order to accomplish the end product. I made sure our son was out of the room and yes I wore safety goggles even though I didn't photograph them and went to work.




Photograph - The Cordless Titanium Dremel tool that will help me save some money and maybe lose a finger.


Photograph - The Integrated Hood disconnected entirely from the JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI Reef Aquarium.


Photograph - My work in progress no I just have to smooth the edges and clean up the mess before my wife yells at me that were having company over.


Photograph - The surgery is complete and it doesn't look half as bad as I thought and here the kicker I still have all 9 I mean 10 fingers.


Photograph - Now that looks just right! My Integrated Hood back on the JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium with smooth edges. Now what can I buy with $250.00?

[Jasonanatal]

Electricity, Saltwater & Living Creatures Not a Good Combination.

My wife is such a wonderful woman who wants to make our very first Christmas together as special as it can be so she decided to give me a stocking stuffer from Santa Clause a bit early. I'm glad she pays attention when I bore her to death about the Marine Aquarium Hobby. It shows how much she loves me! Okay back on track, she remember that I had mentioned something about a Titanium Grounding Probe and decided to pick one up for me.



Photograph - My stocking stuffer, the Rid Volt Titanium Grounding Probe.

This is definitely an area that I can see makes enough of a point through common sense. Unfortunately I don't own any devices that can measure the electricl current in water if any at all before I setup the probe in comparison to after using the probe. In theory it makes perfect sense and what does it cost me? Not a penny so I just connected it to a grounded outlet as instructed and submersed the probe into the Aquarium Saltwater within the Far Left Baffle of the Rear Chamber on my JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium.

[scottydo]

Does any light spill out the back after the mod?

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by scottydo
Does any light spill out the back after the mod?

Scotydo, actually it is almost impossible to see any light reflecting out of the modified area since the Tunze Nano DOC 9002 Protein Skimmer Collection Cup closed the gap that I created. Also the opening of the internal Metal Halide Lighting Reflector is almost alligned with the edge of the aquarium so even if the Tunze Nano DOC 9002 Protein Skimmer Collection Cup was not present only reflected light of the surface of the saltwater would pass through.

[scottydo]

Nice choice on the skimmer, too bad it takes up the whole chamber. I am planning on using that chamber for Chaeto. Are you planning on any type of refuge?

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by scottydo
Nice choice on the skimmer, too bad it takes up the whole chamber. I am planning on using that chamber for Chaeto. Are you planning on any type of refuge?

Scottydo, currently I have not planned on the addition of a Refugium but in the future if it is something that I will consider it will most likely be in the form of a Hang-On-Tank purchased from a manufacturer or some type of Acrylic Do-It-Yourself.

[Jasonanatal]

Something's Fishy with My Deresa Clam

Well I have all my thing packed for work and I'm just about to walk out the door and through the corner of my eye I see something unspeakable. My most priced possession and only Deresa Clam has an area of Pinched Mantel. Of all the things in the world why my Deresa Clam! Well out to work I go and hopefully in the morning I will see my Deresa Clam good as new. I'm come home the next morning and normally my Deresa Clam still has bout 0.25 Inch of the mantel extended during the Moonlight Photo-Period and brief time during the morning where both the Metal Halide Photo-Period and Moonlight Photo-Period are not in progress. But yet the same area that was experiencing the Pinched Mantel issue. With the Metal Halide Photo-Period about to kick in a few hours I decide to get some rest and come back to investigate.




Photograph - My Deresa Clam displaying signs of Pinch Mantel.

Now the Metal Halide Lighting is on and the Deresa Clam should have the entire Mantel Extended but unfortunately it is still displaying sign of Pinch Mantel. So I do a little looking around and what do I see causing the problem... an Aptasia Anemone! Now in the past this particular coral had an Aptasia Anemone growing on the side of it shell which was removed by using a Tweezers. This particular Aptasia Anemone was growing within the crevis of the already formed shell and the new layer that was growing. Precisely located underneath the normal Mantel extension area. The same method of using a tweezer to remove the Aptasia was performed and within an hour the Deresa Clam was fully extending its Mantel as normal. Thank goodness!



Photograph - My Deresa Clam feeling all better an hour after the removal of the Aptasia Anemone.

[martinphillip03]

About how deep is your sandbed? For clams, about how much do they need. Would you be able to move your clam if need be>

Marty

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by martinphillip03
About how deep is your sandbed? For clams, about how much do they need. Would you be able to move your clam if need be>

Marty

Martinphillip03, My Sand Bed is approximately 1.75 Inches in total depth. To be quite honest the total depth of your Sand Bed is not entirely relevant to you maintaining a Clam. I have had Clams in the past that buried themselves down into a 6 Inch Sand Bed until only their Mantel was exposed on the surface and I have had other the same Clam as well as other types of Clams placed on Rocks within the middle of my Aquarium not even near sand. This particular Clam doesn't like to stay faced in one position so he has not mounted his fot permanantly to their surface of the JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium. I'm sure this is due to the highly randomized flow that I have in my Aquarium. In the past I had very constant flow and those Clams within a day or two found the most optimal position and mounted their foot. The only way to move them properly was to take a raze blade and slize the foot as close as possible to where it is connected. I hope this information helps you.

[jdpierce21]

Very nice setup.

[jdokos]

Tank is looking great. I just got mine. Stand built and tank sitting empty on top. I will fill with fresh ro/di tomorrow and run it for a day or so before I add salt, etc.

I am thinking about the Tunze 9002 as well. Is there no other option other than the middle chamber? Did you get rid of the middle chamber 'cage' thing? Can you please describe your rear compartment layout?

Thanks,

[ke6guj]

Nice looking tank.

How are you doing your plumbing to the chiller and stuff. Additional pumps or just using the original pumps?

[Jasonanatal]

A More Detailed Look at Weekly Water Changes.

Hello everyone, I just thought I would go into a bit more detail on the processes that are included in the weekly water changes for my JBJ 28 gallon Nano Cube HQI SPS Reef Aquarium. As I have stated in previous post, the world of Nano Reef Aquariums is not forgiving in making honest mistakes or miscalculations which in the most minuscule amount can have devestating effects on the specimens your care for. This in turn means that I must pay careful attention to parameters of the newly mixed Saltwater as oppossed to the Saltwater already within the Nano Reef Aquarium.

Reverse Osmosis/Deionization or RO/DI Filtration

Well everything has to start somewhere and our first task is to ensure that nothing but the purist water possible can be used to in addition to a quality salt mixture. In order to do this I incorporate a Reverse Osmosis?Deionization or RO/DI Filtration System to purify the tap water coming from my bathroom faucet. Now some people might not now exactly what an RO/DI Filtration System is and how it works so here is a detailed explination. Water coming from you faucet has been chemically treated in order to bring it to any acceptable level for human consumption. Chemicals contained within the water can be anything from Flouride or Phosphates and here a kicker Arsenic. Well to be short about it their are many chemicals that vary from location to location that we do not want in our Aquariums. An RO/DI unit such as mine passes tap water at high pressures through Prefilters developed to chemically remove impurities (Carbon Prefilter) larger Solids (Sediment Prefilters and eventually extremely small solids (Reverse Osmosis Membrane) and finally removing the last amount of impurities both described as a chemical and mechanical filtration method (Deionization Canister) and into your bucket. Resulting in Freshwater that is reffered to as pure or scientifically have the least amount of Total Dissolved Solvents or TDS. Waste water is a byproduct of the filtration at a ratio of 1 gallon of purified water to an average of 4 gallons to 5 gallons of waste water which is expelled from the system at the Reverse Osmosis Membrane.

Notation: All Reverse Osmosis/Deionization Filtration Systems have a Reverse Osmosis Membrane labeled with a Gallons Per Day rating on them. This does not mean that you can leave your unit on for 24 hours and produce for example 75 gallons of Purified Freshwater on a system rate for 75 gallons per day. This means that your unit can process 75 gallons of water in that day which include both purified water in combination with waste water.



Photograph - A standard Reverse Osmosis /Deonization Filtration System with Carbon and Sediment Prefilters rated at 75 gallons per day.

In order to confirm that level of Total Dissolved Solvents of the purified water a hand held TDS Meter or Inline TDS Meter is required. This device works by measuring the electrical conductivity of the purified water by passing electrical current from one prong and receiving/measuring it at the other prong. The closer the reading is to 000 the more pure that water. This device can also ensure that your Reverse Osmosis/Deionization Filtration System is functioning properly.


Photograph - Hannah TDS Meter measuring the purity of the water.

Notation: Please ensure that your TDS Meter prongs are submerged in the water you are measuring the purity of. The photograph above was take for viewing purposes only. Also it is impossible to get the TDS Reading of saltwater so don't be alarmed if you place the TDS Meter in saltwater and the reading goes off the chart.

Mixing Synthetic Sea Salt for the Nano Reef Aquarium

Now this section is not meant to start a debate on what manufacturer of Synthetic Sea Salt will provide the optimal results for a Nano Reef Aquarium. Since I started in the Reef Keeping Hobby I was an avid Instant Ocean preffered hobbyist. But recently I have switched to Kent Marine Synthetic Sea Salt and I am quite pleased with the results so far. I measure my Kent Marine Synthetic Sea Salt at approximately 2.5 cups for 5 gallons of Freshwater which results in a Salinity Grade of 1.026 Salinity Grade or 35 Parts Per Thousand. I personally found standing at the bucket with a stick manually mixing the salt to be quite time cosuming. So I moved to a more aumated method incoporating a Mag-7 Water Pump to do the mixing for me. I also use a 200 watt Marineland Visi-therm Stealth Heater to match my Nano Reef Aquarium Water of 76 Degrees Fahrenheit and a Coralife Digital Thermometer to see when the temperature is an exact match.





Photograph - Kent Marine Synthetic Sea Salt Mix. The bag include a sealing mechanism like a Ziplock which is worth the high price itself. the seal it creates is airtight which ensure that your Synthetic Sea Salt Mix will not get clumpy from absorbing excessive moisture.



Photograph - My Pyrex measuring cup with Metric measurement for easy European measurements. Definitely comes in handy with European chemical dosing instructions.


Photograph - Beginning of mixing process.


Photograph - 10 minuts into the mixing process.


Photograph - 25 minutes into the mixing process and the Saltwater is ready for the water change.

Notation: The time allowed for the Synthetic Sea Salt to completely mix with the RO/DI Freshwater is a personal preference and will vary based on what manufactuer's Synthetic Sea Salt you use as well as the Gallons Per Hour ratiing of the Water Pump used to mix it together. It normally take me about 30 minutes for water temperature and salinity grade to reflect the water parameters of the Saltwater contained withint he Nano Reef Aquarium.

Removing and Replacing Nano Reef Aquarium Water

Now this method is personal preference but to keep it short and sweet I incporaate a Python Syphon to remove Saltwater from the Nano Reef Aquarium and use to also add the newly mixed water so that I don't injure my back.




Photograph - The Python Syphon one of the most useful items ever developed for the Aquarium.

[Jasonanatal]

New SPS Coral Frag Addition

On Saturday, December 15, 2007 I purchased a Coral Frag of Orange with White Polyp Montipora Capricornis from NaCl-H20 of the Manhattan Reefs Forum. It was dripped acclimated over a period of 2 hours and allowed 1 week before being photographed. It is honestly one of the most beautiful specimens I have seen.




Photograph - Orange with White Polyp Montipora Capricornis from NaCl-H20 of the Manhattan Reefs Forum.

Coral Family: Acroporidae
Coral Genus: Monitpora
Common Name: Montipora Capricornis
Common Morphologies: Plating
Origin: Pacific Ocean
Acquired: Saturday, December 15, 2007
Lighting Requirements: Moderate to high. Metal Halide Lighting is suggested, but these Corals are tolerant of a wide range of lighting conditions and have been known to grow successfully under Very High Output Lighting or on occassion Power Compact Flourescent Lighting.
Flow Requirements: Moderate to high flow.
Availability: High.
Growth: Fast.
Difficulty: Moderate.

[martinphillip03]

Nice, informative, well thought out post

Marty

[Jasonanatal]

Originally posted by martinphillip03
Nice, informative, well thought out post

Marty

Martinphillip03, thank you very much for the compliment. It is very much appreciated.