Final Desistion

[Jayarie]

This is what im going to go with.

1) Have i missed anything off.
2) Does it sound ok for a nano cube.

CharterHouse Aquatics.
1 x Orca TL450 Jumbo Nano Reef Aquarium = £125
1 x Live Rock Nano Boxes (7.5kg) = £75
1 x Seachem Marine Salt 200ltr Bag = £15
1 x Instant Ocean Hydrometer = £12
1 x Aquascape construction Putty (Grey) = £3
2 x Underworld Coral Sand (4Kg) = £10
1 x MaxiJet MP400 Powerhead = £13
1 x Test Kit = £28
1 x Hagen Glass Thermometer £2
Sub Total = £256.50

RO Systems
1 x Garden Hose Adaptor = £3
1 x 3 Stage Compact 36 Gallon Per Day Reverse Osmosis System = £50
1 x Tap Connector for 1/4" Tube = £4
Sub Total = £57

TOTAL = £350

 

[Colin_T]

I wouldn't get the food until you have the fish. Different fish eat different things.

If you plan on using the live rock to filter the water then you don't need a power filter. You might need more rock depending on how big the tank is.

You could put a prefilter sponge on the powerhead if it doesn't have one.

Putty for sticking corals to rock can be any colour and most will go brown (from algae) within a couple of weeks.

Light unit and heater if they aren't included with the tank and a stand to put the tank on if you don't have one.

Make sure the test kit can test for PH in seawater, ammonia, nitrite & nitrate. If you plan on keeping corals then you will need to test for KH, GH, calcium (for hard corals) & phosphate as well.
Don't bother testing for nitrates, phosphates, hardness or calcium until the tank is cycled.

 

[Jayarie]

Thanks ill edit it abit now to take out things and add. I just want to get this ready for when i get it. The tank is only 12g.

Thanks Jay

 

[westiemarble]

This is what im going to go with.

1) Have i missed anything off.
2) Does it sound ok for a nano cube.

CharterHouse Aquatics.
1 x Orca TL450 Jumbo Nano Reef Aquarium = £125
1 x Live Rock Nano Boxes (7.5kg) = £75
1 x Seachem Marine Salt 200ltr Bag = £15
1 x Instant Ocean Hydrometer = £12
1 x Aquascape construction Putty (Grey) = £3
2 x Underworld Coral Sand (4Kg) = £10
1 x MaxiJet MP400 Powerhead = £13
1 x Test Kit = £28
1 x Hagen Glass Thermometer £2
Sub Total = £256.50

RO Systems
1 x Garden Hose Adaptor = £3
1 x 3 Stage Compact 36 Gallon Per Day Reverse Osmosis System = £50
1 x Tap Connector for 1/4" Tube = £4
Sub Total = £57

TOTAL = £350

You will need to wipe out your new tank and put some water into it to make sure it doesn't leak. This water will be full of bits so you will then need to remove it before filling your tank with salt water. You will then need to heat up this water and have your tank running for a few days before you add your LR so do not order your LR with your tank and bits unless you can keep it in a bucket with saltwater, heat and flow.
The amount of LR is OK for your tank and will come with free P&P so I suggest you order it a week after you have set up your tank to give you time to spot any problems (I got my LR from Charter house. It was double bagged, wet and really nice pieces - good choice!)
Maxijet MP400? Is this for a faster return or to create flow around the tank? For flow around the tank most people seem to be using a Hydorkorali 1 or nano - not sure of the pros and cons - maybe someone else can advise.
The general advice on the bio-balls and ceramic rings which come in one of the rear chambers is to throw them away and use 1-2Kg of LR rubble instead (all to do with nitrate build up). Seek further advice from the more experienced.
You will also need some Phosphate removing media such as Rowaphos or Elimiphos. This is to stop the phosphate levels rising and causing excessive algae growth. Elimiphos costs £9 for two pouches with each pouch lasting 2-3 months, Rowahphos is similar.

 

[ben1987]

expensive live rock tbh. Your best shopping round for it. Off other reefers rather than shops. It can be had for half that price

 

[andywg]

That RO seems expensive. I paid about £70 for a 75 imperial GPD unit.

 

[JP-79er]

You may want to invest in a TDS meter to make sure the RO filers are running nicley (the RO-Man seems to good prices).

Also for a couple of quid more you can get a digital thermometer with LCD display. The glass ones over time tend not to stick or get knock of the glass by fish or hand and will spend more time floating about also less intrusive in the aquascape and easier to read.

PH buffer for any corals `n' stuff' to stop PH fluctuation during lights out.

A few general items:

Syphon/Jug to remove water and topup from evapouration
Bucket to mix freshwater
Bucket to remove water from
Mag-float of similar to clean glass and a toothbrush for them hard to reach places
Suitable size net (just in case)
Scales to weigh the salt (you will find x amount of water will require x amount of salt)

I hope this helps.

 

[xxBarneyxx]

Yeah all looks good, I wouldnt say you need a PH buffer to be honest and the less you add to the tank the better (in terms of additives) unless you are montior and testing everything very carefully (espeically in a small tank, it can all go wrong very fast).

If the maxijet is for the main water movement in the front of the tank I would suggest going for a korlia nano or tunze nanostream. Both of them are much better powerheads in my opinion and are only slightly more expensive.

For the price you are paying for a hydrometer you could add another £5 and get a refractometer. At these prices neither will be 100% accurate but personally I find the refractometer a lot easier to use (and less messy for doing quick checks).

 

[Jayarie]

Ok thanks for all of your help