It's been a while......have some questions

[Kyle46N]

Hey everyone, I'm getting back into reefing in a couple of weeks after a little break. I'm going to go the nano cube route this time due to time constraints and being busy over the next year. A smaller tank will be manageable and the all in one design should make it even better. I've only looked at prices and specs so far, but am currently looking at the JBJ Nano 28 gallon. My biggest question is lighting for these cube style tanks. I know the deal with power compact lighting compared to halides and t-5 lighting......but how does power compact do on these smaller tanks? The 28 gallon JBJ I'm looking at has 105 watts of power compact lighting. I'm okay with not having SPS, but I do want to be able to grow some of the nicer paly's and zoo's....and LPS's. The metal halide option is a 150 watt 14K set up. Of course one of my concerns with that is heat. But apparently they have a pretty good cooling system in the canopy. If I can get away with the power compacts due to them being over a smaller tank, I'd like to go that direction. Also, anyone have any experience with JBJ tanks? I appreciate any info, as the nano cube scene is new to me. Thanks!

Kyle

[hobogato]

welcome back kyle :)

[kkiel02]

I think you would be fine with the pcs as zoas/palys are fairly adaptable. There are some exceptions as it seems that some ppe are sensitive for example but for the most part I think you would be ok. What about a t5 upgrade? Less heat and being a shallow tank you should still get great par. I think some all-in-ones come with them or are at least an option.

[CoryDude]

Agree on the t-5 recomendation. A 4 bulb combo w/some Geissman bulbs would look really beautiful on that tank. I've got less than 100W of t-5's on my 24" cube tank w/a bta, pogoda cup, an open brain on the sand, and even an acro frag about 1/2 up.

And yeah, welcome back.

[FireWater]

I have always had good luck and results from t-5s. I currently run a 4 light fixture on my 30g cube (4X24 watt) and keep several sps, lps, and palys in it.
When I ran my old bio cube 29 it had PCs on it and I was able to keep lps and palys happy in it. No sps though. Here is an old thread of the BC29 w/ PCs http://www.maast.org/showthread.php?35082-FireWater-s-Sweet-29g-Oceanic-Biocube-%2856k-no-way%29&highlight=firewater . You can get an idea of what I was able to keep in it.

And welcome back.

[nubz]

you will be fine with t5s or PCs but i think halides would be best.... i dont have any experience with them, but i have seen nano cubes side by side, same type corals under T5 and MH and the MH make the tank look alot cooler, both because of the ripple lines and because the corals seemed to intensely glow under the bulbs, and as a bonus you can throw in a few clams a nano cube with some Croceas looks really cool!!! but like i said, i dont have any hands on experience with metal halides.

[alton]

I grew SPS with a 96 watt power quad on my 29 gallon. Change the lamp every 8months to a year and you should be fine. I have 96 watts of T5HO's on it now. The big difference is color combinations with the T5HO's versus the CFL's.

[Kyle46N]

Are people using retrofits or DIY for the t-5's? I can't find any nano all in ones that come with the T-5. Only compacts or metal halides.

[Kyle46N]

Also, after doing some reading I'm getting the idea that even though this http://www.aquacave.com/jbj-28-gallon-nano-cube-brdeluxe-with-150w-hqi--light--brfixture-with-free-stand-1872.html is sold as an all in one HQI setup, it's going to get hot. I really don't want to add a chiller or extra fans. I won't have the time to get into DIY stuff. Anybody have a nano all in one regardless of brand that has a metal halide setup and you don't need a chiller or have issues with water temps?

[kkiel02]

I thought either the new biocube or something came with t5. I will try and google some to see if I remembered right. lol

[kkiel02]

Well maybe not I only found them modded. Really thought I heard the new biocubes were going to have t5 or mh. The aquapod has the hqi lamp though. What about a solana with a mh over it? I like those more than the cubes anyway as they seem rather modern.

[ZeroHour]

I made a modded 12 eclipse with 115 watts of PC on 12 gallons. I had SPS, LPS, and everything else that shouldnt grow or be placed together. My Birdsnests and Montis grew like weeds in that system. Ill find some pics here shortly. It was a great set up but I had to change bulbs every 4 months or so to keep it consistent. Good luck in whatever route you go!