NEW 12 gallon nano delux- QUESTIONS- please help

[DizziDezi2]

here it is.....
my first question is...it came with bioballs and a bag of black carbon?? I left it in there when i filled it- should i replace these two with something different? live rock rubble and a sponge? What kind of sponge? should i clean it wiht saltwater once every two weeks? How long will it take this to cycle?
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/DizziDezi3/IMG_0311.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c313/DizziDezi3/IMG_0315.jpg

[kewliz]

The best thing you can do for your tank is throw away the the filters and stuff. People often figure out what works best for them over time. There are lots of threads here about what different people have in their back compartments.

In my NanoCube 12DX I have:
chamber 1: tons of live rock rubble (almost to the top) with a square cut piece of filter pad (http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES01218) sitting on top. I buy the large squares of the padding and cut a new piece every few days. I throw the old ones away, and then nitrates can't build up in it. Chamber 2 is bottom-lined with rock rubble, with a bag of chemi pure on top. Chamber 3 has a bit of live rock rubble in the bottom, my heater, and an (upgraded) Maxi Jet 900, which gives great flow. You can also buy a skimmer cartridge, but I've found with the Maxi Jet 900 I don't seem to need top-skimming as much anymore. Also, my old skimmer catridge needs to be modded as the extra flow backs up behind it.....

I'm adding a palm light to chamber 1 soon and am throwing some chaeto in there as well - great for pulling cleaning your water.

[DizziDezi2]

thanks!! good info- I would also like to upgrade the lighting with some more pcs- two more- would i have to change out he ballast? Anyone know a good diy instructions??

[BullDZR]

What have you got in that thing for Sand ?

[fishybusiness]

For the first chamber you can also look into getting one of the new nano skimmers.

Nanocusotms.com

[DizziDezi2]

Ive got blue sand in there- I really really wanted black but it was wayy to expensive. THey sold that blue at the lfs and it was a little bag for 4 dollars- its made specifically for saltwater i beleive.

[rogerwells]

if you put that skimmer in the first chamber then what do you do with the sponge that is in there?