Getting Ready to Buy/Set Up Additional Tank

[SkiptomyLou]

Hey y'all -
I already have a 30 gal fish only tank but have decided I want to go reef. The problem is my canopy top won't support great lighting systems and I have fish that won't like some of the reef inhabitants. Therefore I have decided to get a 12g NanoCube. I have researched into them and surfed around this site to gain some more knowledge.

I am planning on getting the 12g, and starting it with live rock and sand as well as getting a heater. With my other tank not having any corals or anemones I don't have a lot of experience with them and have had to do some extensive research. Are there any sites out there that someone trusts well for outlines of inverts/corals (size, food, specifics, etc.) that they can recommend to me?

I wasn't sure if the powerhead/filter system that came with the 12g was enough to go with or if an upgrade or additional power head would be necessary - any suggestions?

Lastly, I know with my fish only I can have about 1 inch of fish per 2 gallons of water. Is that ratio about the same when it comes to the reef? My mom has her heart set on a clown and anemone but I was also thinking about a Yellow Goby and a Helfrichs Firefish. Those would be the only fish I would go for. Plus any shrimp or hermits I decide to get (though shrimp kind of creep me out and I wouldn't want to have to touch them!!).

I guess I am going to keep looking for more information around here somewhere but if anyone has anything that might help me I would appreciate it. I am especially interested in the feeding habits of corals and anemones, etc. since I don't have any now I am fairly uninformed. I don't want this tank to be too much more work since now I'll have two.

Thanks all -
LuLu

 

[djconn]

Hi SkiptomyLou and welcome to the site!

Its going to be a real nice bonus that you've already kept SW tanks and fish coming into the world of reef tanks. You already know how important filtration, lighting and water parameters are. I think you'll find the transition challenging yet fun.

You'll find many folks on this site with 12 gal cubes and I'll let them answer most of your specific questions. Gobys and clowns should be fine in your cube. I'd say 2-3 of the smaller species fish in your cube would work out fine. Remember that water quality is very important to your corals and fish produce lots of waste!

As for an anemone, I wouldn't recommend one in a 12 gallon tank. They not only require lots of room to 'float' around (they will constantly move until they find a spot that is just right) but they also require very strong lighting. They also produce a very strong sting that can and will harm your other corals that it may come in contact with. You'll soon discover, upon researching anemones, all these requirements. This is just my opinion from personal experience with a RBTA in my 20 gallon. He fought a hard battle with my powerhead and lost. :cry:

Just wanted to say welcome and see you on the boards.

 

[SkiptomyLou]

Thanks for the warm welcome and thanks for the experience on the anemone. I haven't talked to my LFS yet about it - they're still competing to see who gets to sell me the tank

Thanks again,
Lulu

 

[incysor]

The stock lighting on the nano cubes isn't enough to support an anemone.

If you're set on it, you might try nanocustoms.com. Mikeguerero and his brother Dragon79 have both worked with them and they do a great job.

B

 

[dragon79]

Did I hear my name? hehe. Welcome aboard man! Hey I can say my girlfriend nanoangel and I have our own jbj cubes. I own a 6 gallon jbj cube and my girl has the 12 gallon cube. You are inquiring about the 12 huh? and you have a 30 gallon fish only? Well if you like the size and all, I'd recommend going bigger and get the biggest one available that jbj makes......the 24 gallon. you'll have more space to work with and you can get more creative.

Anyway the others are right about anemones, I'd love to have um, but I know it would go around stinging everything, and constantly looking for a good spot to aquire good source of light that suits them right. The only way you could pull it off is by having an anemone tank only. Lights you could get modded by nanocustoms, he specializes in that. My brother "mikeguerrero" has modded his and he has a very small RBTA. As far as I know it's doing fine. He has over 100 + watts of lighting though (in a 12 gallon tank)

Be sure to continue researching before buying though, otherwise you might kick yourself in the rear for newbie mistakes you could avoid.

 

[SkiptomyLou]

Thanks! I thrive on research and information.
I'll let you know how it comes along.