Clueless Fascinated Newbie

[scramer74]

Hi All!

I'm trying out my first nano tank. It should be arriving tomorrow. It's a jbj 28 nano led. There's so much info out there that now I'm totally confused as to what is right and what I should do.

I know I need to cycle the tank first. I don't have an ro/di filter, but it seems like by the time I buy containers and ro/di water I might as well have bought the filter?

Anyone have any recommendations on what to put the tank on beside the standard nano stand. Something low cost that is deep enough and can support the tank?

Live rock, I'm sooo paranoid to get hitchickers. I was going to get my rock at The Fish Store? Good or bad?

Put crushed live rock in the sump? Some people say no some people say yes?

Any advice is MOST welcome!!!

Thanks :fish:
Sherri

 

[dball711]

HI Sherri, welcome. I have the same tank so I am familiar with it but I gutted mine and made my own false wall and filter compartment. Here are some thoughts on live vs dry rock. Live rock can have unwanted hitchhikers and is very expensive. Dry rock has no hitchhikers but can take longer to cycle but there are things you can do to move it along. I have some dry Fiji and Pukani that can be available fairly cheap if you want to go that route. Dry rock will eventual become live and you can avoid some of the problems with unwanted hitchhikers.

I would advise against crushed rock in the sump, I use larger pieces that can be removed easily for occasional cleaning of the compartments. Crushed rock might clog easily and be difficult to clean occasionally.

For a stand, they make a stand for that thank that looks pretty nice or look at what some folks might have for sale here. Best of luck and post pictures once you start.

 

[scramer74]

Thank you Dball!! I would much rather it take longer then have hitchhikers. I tried a saltwater tank about 20 years ago when no one knew much about it. I think I had a mantis that kept eating ALL my expensive fish, plus it just gave me the creeps.

How much would you be willing to sell some of your rock?

Thanks again!
Sherri

 

[rdnelson]

Welcome Sherri. The advice dball has given you is right on the money. This can get very expensive and frustrating if you are the type of person who acts before you have research. Slow and steady definitely wins the race here. Ask lots of question and read all you can and you will do fine. Come see us at our upcoming Feb meeting. It is a great way to meet fellow refers who will be glad to help you along the way.

 

[scramer74]

Hi rdnelson!

Thanks so much for reaching out! I just became a full member. Yippy! So I plan on coming out to the meeting!

Slow and steady.... I'm trying

 

[picoreefguy]

welcome to the club and the hobby. as far as ro/di goes on a small tank like that its a toss up, at least imo anyway. because you can buy containers and rodi water for fairly cheap and you wont need much water all at once you get the tank setup. all you need is two good 5 gallon buckets with lids that have a gasket so it holds water. in that tank you could do a 5 gallon water change every week or so and be in perfect shape. and an ro/di system can cost anywhere from 75 bucks all the way up to 250. and while its not a bad investment it could take years to pay for itself since you will only be needing 20 gallons a month. and you could spend $10 or less on a couple buckets. the real deciding factor would be the distance to your nearest source of ro/di water (your local fish store), if you have to drive 15-20 miles or more you'll spend enough on gas going back and fourth to cover the cost of an ro/di. but if you're like me and you live 3 miles from the LFS and are there almost daily anyway then don't bother getting a system. i hope that helped.

 

[tonymission]

I would definitely go the dry rock route and just be more patient. It will become live eventually!

And welcome (love your avatar)

 

[lsu_fishfan]

Hi Sherri, if your looking for live rock, I have some available. No hitchhikers amd its cheap. Shoot me a pm if interested.

 

[scramer74]

Thanks everyone!!

The bad news is my JBJ Nano arrived today totally shattered in the back. So bummed. Took me forever to get the dang thing back in the shipping box for UPS to pick it BACK up.

Now I'm thinking I might want to go a little bit smaller. The thing seemed huge. :mad2:

 

[redstang]

scramer74;1014593 wrote: Thanks everyone!!

The bad news is my JBJ Nano arrived today totally shattered in the back. So bummed. Took me forever to get the dang thing back in the shipping box for UPS to pick it BACK up.

Now I'm thinking I might want to go a little bit smaller. The thing seemed huge. :mad2:

Welcome! Nano tanks present their own challenges. I started with a 29gal biocube and I'm not sure that I would have wanted to start on anything much smaller. Might want to give your vendor/UPS another chance. Also might ask that they hold the tank at the UPS center for pick up. One less trip it has to make in the hands of someone else. Just be sure to inspect it before walking out with it.

As others have said, take things slowly. Buy once, cry once. Make sure that what you're buying is appropriate for your system and that you're comfortable with its quality. Research is your friend. There's 20 ways to do nearly everything in this hobby. You need to find a way that works for your setup. Also keep in mind the difference between fact and opinion. Plenty of people will offer you opinions that they pass off as facts. So look for corroborating information before accepting anything as fact.

Good luck! Great people here that can help you get started.

 

[camellia]

Welcome Sherri,

It's great to have another female in the club! You have great advice above and sounds like we will be meeting in person soon
See you soon.
Deb

 

[rdnelson]

RedStang;1014598 wrote: Plenty of people will offer you opinions that they pass off as facts. So look for corroborating information before accepting anything as fact.

Oh come on!!! That's just a bunch of hear say.

 

[scramer74]

Thanks Deb! I'm glad there are at least a few ladies the men have been fabulous! And very helpful though!

 

[redstang]

rdnelson99;1014620 wrote: Oh come on!!! That's just a bunch of hear say.

Case in point lol!