28 Gal Jbj Nano Cube Questions

[TRAILRIDER]

Hello all, I recently set up a JBJ 28 gallon nano cube quad. I love the look of the tank and love the lighting. I made my own stand and prefer it to the stand sold with the JBJ tanks.
I was wondering about the pumps.....I have been reading about a lot of issues people have had and have had some of those myself. One pump is finicky and will not come on and off if used with the wave maker. If I leave both pumps on non stop it will stay on....for the most part. That's not a huge deal, I may just replace one or both. Here's a question, while unpacking the tank I found a thin piece of foam resting under each of the pumps. I thought it was packaging! Was I supposed to leave it there? I was wondering if that is why my pumps seem so noisy? Maybe it was cushioning to help quiet it? Also as a lot of people have mentioned if I run the pumps constantly (not using the back and forth wave maker) I get a tremendous amount of micro bubbles. Some have said to fill the pump chambers half full and this might help. Is there any chance I will cause an over flow onto the floor or will it balance itself out front to back? I appreciate your help.

 

[Coradee]

Giving this a bump up for you hope you get some responses today

 

[Culprit]

Hello all, I recently set up a JBJ 28 gallon nano cube quad. I love the look of the tank and love the lighting. I made my own stand and prefer it to the stand sold with the JBJ tanks.
I was wondering about the pumps.....I have been reading about a lot of issues people have had and have had some of those myself. One pump is finicky and will not come on and off if used with the wave maker. If I leave both pumps on non stop it will stay on....for the most part. That's not a huge deal, I may just replace one or both. Here's a question, while unpacking the tank I found a thin piece of foam resting under each of the pumps. I thought it was packaging! Was I supposed to leave it there? I was wondering if that is why my pumps seem so noisy? Maybe it was cushioning to help quiet it? Also as a lot of people have mentioned if I run the pumps constantly (not using the back and forth wave maker) I get a tremendous amount of micro bubbles. Some have said to fill the pump chambers half full and this might help. Is there any chance I will cause an over flow onto the floor or will it balance itself out front to back? I appreciate your help.

What pumps come with it? For the return pump, I like to keep a piece of foam or the sticky stuff you put under floormats to keep them from slidin. it cuishons it and reduces the sound. As for the micro bubbles, it sounds as if your water level is too low. In my Nanocube it definitely took some experimentation to find the right level, where the water was falling but not making noise and not making bubbles.

 

[TRAILRIDER]

It came with two 266 gal per hour pumps/power heads. A friend came over and said exactly what you said, Culprit.
I unplugged the pump that wasn't operating properly and kept only the other pump. Just doing that alone made the water level in all chambers rise. Now the pump isn't sucking in air. And the micro bubbles have stopped. I am okay with just one pump in my opinion since this tank will be stocked to the limit with live rock. I will have a few small fish for some movement but my main focus is pretty live rock. I would like some anemones but don't feel like I have the experience to keep corals. Thanks for your advice.

 

[Culprit]

It came with two 266 gal per hour pumps/power heads. A friend came over and said exactly what you said, Culprit.
I unplugged the pump that wasn't operating properly and kept only the other pump. Just doing that alone made the water level in all chambers rise. Now the pump isn't sucking in air. And the micro bubbles have stopped. I am okay with just one pump in my opinion since this tank will be stocked to the limit with live rock. I will have a few small fish for some movement but my main focus is pretty live rock. I would like some anemones but don't feel like I have the experience to keep corals. Thanks for your advice.

Did the pumps come with the tank? I know you can run too much flow through a sump or AIO chambers, I've done it before. But if they came with it they definitely shouldn't be doing that. Did you try just simply adding more SW?

Corals are very very easy to keep, especially if you stick with softies/easy corals. Anenomes are actually more difficult then corals. That lighting will definitely keep zoas, mushrooms, easy LPS and other softies. All you have to do is add them! We can coach you through it.

 

[MommaWilde]

The store I work at has one as a display. We run both pumps all the time. We keep it full. If someone buys fish out of that tank I refill it so we don’t get the bubbles.

 

[TRAILRIDER]

Interesting mommawilde!
Yes, the two pumps came with the tank. I do think the water level was low and it was sucking air....causing the bubbles. One pump is defective so I am only running the other side. With enough water in it, the bubbles disappear.
I have since added ALOT of live rock, some I bought from a private seller, some was beautiful rock from a store, some came from my other established tanks and also some dried corals I had. It looks phenomenal! Soon I will post pics.
I'm glad you mentioned the easy corals, Culprit. I have been debating where to go from here. I would like the zoas and mushroom corals. Plus I would eventually like a bubble tip and a clown fish.
My big question is.....do I need to purchase a RO unit? I have been using tap water in my other tanks. Thank you.

 

[Culprit]

Zoas and mushrooms are great corals. It looks like your PAR should be high enough for a BTA but I would do some more research on that first.

Yes, definitely should be using RODI water. You can either buy it from a store for around 25-50 cents per gallon, or buy it from a store, or make your own. In the long run making your own is cheaper and far more convenient.

 

[TRAILRIDER]

Culprit can you recommend a RODI unit? Where to buy, how to use, how much to spend? Also how long does it take to filter and prepare 15 gallons or 30 gallons? Thanks.

 

[Culprit]

This is the best value RODI unit IMO. Spend the extra $10 and get the 100 gpd unit. 4 Stage Value RO/DI System - Bulk Reef Supply

 

[TRAILRIDER]

I did a partial water change yesterday with store bought RODI water. I have added some rock from other tanks and some dried corals. So far I love the look. The question is what do I really want? Its only 28 gallons so I have to be picky.

 

[TRAILRIDER]

Good news! I purchased a gold striped maroon clown two weeks ago and a bubble tip anemone from different stores. And the clown has paired up with the anemone. She seems so happy now : )