JBJ Nano cube modifications? Best Nano setup pre-packaged?

islandcreation

islandcreation

New Member
I have been looking at the JBJ Nano cube's for sometime now. I'm pretty much mastered freshwater tanks doesn't take much, and want a new challenge but at baby steps. So I began looking at the JBJ cubes. I thought I wanted the new 24 gallon cube and did research about the first batch being prone to leaks. As I did more research and saw this site I was impressed what people pulled of in such a small amount of space.
Now I'm more opt to get a 12 or 6 gallon cube. As one keeps reading looking for more info bad news begins to come up about the tank setup. All I read was about modifications to the 3 stage system, cutting out pieces, adding a plastice piece for more flow etc... Is this all necessary? There isn't really a manuel to DIY especially for a pre setup tank? PLEASE HELP! I just want to know do I have to do these mods? Is there another setup or tank out there close to the same cost? A cheaper one to buy in seperate pieces etc..
I just want the pro's and con's in buying a JBJ nan cube and whats needed in order for it to succeed. Thanks for listening.... Jason
 
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reefman23

New Member
I wouldnt say that you need to make any changes to the structure of the nanocubes, but i would say that you should change what is IN the filtration of the nanos. for example, change out the ceramic bio-rings with live rock rubble and add a bag of chemipure. Others on this site can be more of a help with this seems how I dont own one of these. the other change that would greatly benefit you setup...especially if you would like some of the more light-loving corals or even clams...is to upgrade the lighting. Many people have done this on their own, and there are even sites such as nanotuners.com and nanocustoms.com (they are the same site) that do it for you. The other option that gives you a little more flexibilty is to put together a setup on your own, ie. a 10 gallon tank for $9-$10, a large HOB power filter for $30-$50, and a light fixture of your choice for $75-$115 (which would prvide much more light than the nanocube. However, this wouldnt look as "all-in-one" and "aesthetically pleasing" as the nanocubes.
 
islandcreation

islandcreation

New Member
Thanks Reefman23... If anyone has any other suggestions... Please give me any other cheap methods or alternatives. Thanks
 
skipm

skipm

Moderator
Staff member
Most of the modifications with the exception of lighting are changeouts as opposed to a true DIY. The first changeout is to upgrade the return pump to have more flow, most people use a MiniJet 606. It is as simple as pulling the pump up and pulling the hose off and slipping it on the new pump and dropping back in place. The changing of the bioballs and ceramic rings for bioballs with LR rubble is mostly because the rings/balls are not an ideal saltwater biological media. Again no biggie to change out. The other big mod is to add something to make the intake skim the surface, there are a few ready made products on the market that you simply put in place and you are done.
There is some good news for you so you won't become overloaded if you are planning on a cube though, in the 2006 model it already has an upgraded return pump and a surface skimming device. You still need to switch out the bioball/ceramic rings with some LR rubble. The lighting is also the same but in the DX model you have sufficient light for alot of softies, polyps, mushrooms, ricordias, and LPS corals. Unless you have you heart set on SPS corals you don't really have to upgrade the lighting.
www.nanocustoms.com sells already modified nanocubes and a few kits for upgrades, www.nanotuners.com is a part of the same company but it is set up for DIYers mainly selling parts to make modifications.
If you have any other questions feel free to ask. LIke Reefman already pointed out it would be cheaper to buy a plain tank and then fit it out but if you want a nanocube it is not out of reach even for someone that has never DIYed anything before. HTH, Skip

PS :welcome to nanotank!
 
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dragon79

New Member
nanocustoms may not be your sure shot, I hear good things from "Niko5 and SeanB" of Marshreef.com. They are an alternative, and their craftsmanship looks better. You could ask how happy the owner of the modded tank is, by following this thread...

http://nanotank.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2348

If you do go with nanocustoms for whatever reason, be sure to replace those fans, they suck! ( I know from experience, I've replaced them twice, but now using PC ball bearing fans 50x50x10 on my 6 gallon nanocube that are working awesome and proving better cooling)

Good luck to you and welcome aboard our humble site :)
 
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dragon79

New Member
reefman23 said:
Steven...mike might not like these comments!
Click to expand...
Haha, reefman, you are too much. I think it's fine, just laying it out how it is...I'd hate to see an unhappy purchase happen.

as for Mike, he doesn't own anything of nanocustoms anymore anyway! lol. He's just always been buddy buddy since the whole signature series thing. That's fine.
 
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khsys

New Member
islandcreation,

I too asked the same question a little over one month ago. I ended up going with a 12 gallon Nanocube DX. While it's a nice and clean setup, If I could do it over, I would have done a standard 10g tank instead. Because the standard tanks are rectangular, you have so much more visible area at the front of the tank...where it counts the most. Plus, you have the ability to add whatever light system, pump, etc. you want to the setup. One has to "hack" the NanoCube in order to upgrade the lighting...an option I found to be scary...see dragon79 and reefman23s comments above. Who wants to take those chances when you have hundreds of dollars worth of corals in your tank? You will never see those comments on a standard tank setup.
 
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khsys

New Member
Honestly, that is your best bet. Once you are up and running and start charging full force into the hobby you will see that you made the right choice.
 
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reefman23

New Member
may fovorite tank is a 20 gallon long...it is shallow so you get more out of you lighting, and you have alot of visible area and surface area.
 
Dickie52

Dickie52

New Member
I agree with reefman23....

The 20 long is a sweet tank!!!

Just don't over load it with rock, it is only 12" deep.....
 
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