Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan???

my name is mike · 01-07-2008, 06:53 PM

new to the marine hobby but not new to fish -- i have been keeping freshwater for years and more recently moved to brackish tanks (which has been very rewardiing) --

its time to get my feet wet with marines and have decided to go with a 24 gal aquapod modded tank from nanotuners -- after a ton of reading i decided a modded tank was the way to go for these nanos, which tend to get awful reviews when used off-the-shelf -- the tank i am looking at is the 2006 Nanocustoms Aquapod 24 - 3.36 Series (108w) with upgraded silentx fans and upgraded R2 moon lights - i also plan to change out the pump with a maxijet 900 and add a skimmer (tunze or saphire or aqua c) - or go with some macroalgae in rear with a fuge light --

my plan is to go slow - start with LR, LS and move to soft corals once all is established -- id like to start with a larger setup, as recommended by just about everyone, but i may have to move in the next couple of years and moving a cube and finding room for one is simply more feasible for my situation

any suggestions, words of wisdom, words of caution, etc are welcome

its great to have forums like this, im glad i found this one

vdituri · 01-07-2008, 11:35 PM

Going slow is a great idea.
Starting with soft corals would be the next step.
So far so good!

Use the search bar up top to search your pod type.
There are alot of people using pod tanks on here.

Welcome to Marine Land!
Enjoy the rides!

ninjataco777 · 01-07-2008, 11:38 PM

i have a tricked out 29 gallon biocube, and nanotuners is a good site for nano tank adjustments, scince a lot of them lack certain things when they come stock (lighting, skimmer etc.)

my name is mike · 01-08-2008, 12:53 PM

thanks for the welcome -- i am really exicted/nervous about the whole thing -- ive done a ton of reading over the last couple years, but reading about something and actually doing it is completely different --

ninjataco -- do you have the stand that is made for the biocube 29? i was thinking about getting that stand for the aquapod becuase im not a fan of the aquapod brand stand -- looks so top heavy and tippy (eventhought its probably not)

i was trying to avoid adding an auto top off or chiller -- but, are these things unavoidable if you go with a nanocube-type setup ?

BigAl07 · 01-08-2008, 01:01 PM

Auto-Topoff is a convenience more than NEEDED. I have a 12g cube here in my office and I just add Fresh RO/DI water twice a day. Chiller is NOT an option if you can't maintain a tank temp of approximately +/- 2 degrees over a 24 hr period and maintin a temp between 76 - 80

lcstorc · 01-08-2008, 04:59 PM

Welcome to RS!
Sounds like you are off to a great start with the research and going slow. Those are the two most important things. The other thing you will want to keep in mind with a small tank is that you need to monitor it closely. Things can go wrong very quickly with the smaller water volume.
I would go with a skimmer and a fuge if you can, but if you have to choose one I would go with the skimmer for sure. I love the AquaC but I don't know how you would run it on an Aquapod. I am almost positive the Saphire fits in the back chamber pretty well. I know that is what Caitrina has anyway.
The one other thing I always mention but you may already know is do not cycle with live fish. Use a piece of shrimp fromt he grocery store for your amonia source. Living through a cycle is very difficult on a fish and really any amonia source will do just fine.

my name is mike · 01-08-2008, 06:41 PM

Thanks for the chiller advice -- sounds like a conventional one is out of the question -- what about the -- Nanocustoms ICA 2.0 , sounds like its not a "true" chiller --- anyone used it ???
nanotuners

i forgot about the saphire skimmer -- i have read good reviews on that -- the aquac was the nano remora and ive read some so/so reviews on that -- saphire it is --- if i run a skimmer, is it necessary to do macro algae with a fuge light in one of the chanbers?

Through nanotuners, i can spec different options for my lighting -- basically i have 3 slots for 36w PCs -- the plan was to go one actinic, one 50/50 and one 10000k daylight -- what do you think ???

where do most of you get your RO water ??? from the LFS ??? Ive read some groceries have it --- does it need to be RO/DI or is that just better ? --- or, should i just bite the bullet and buy my own unit ?

sorry for all the questions , i really appreciate the input

-mike

JFK_Jr · 01-08-2008, 10:32 PM

my name is mike · 01-09-2008, 04:32 PM

Thanks for the chiller advice -- sounds like a conventional one is out of the question -- what about the -- Nanocustoms ICA 2.0 , sounds like its not a "true" chiller --- anyone used it ???

i forgot about the saphire skimmer -- i have read good reviews on that -- the aquac was the nano remora and ive read some so/so reviews on that -- saphire it is --- if i run a skimmer, is it necessary to do macro algae with a fuge light in one of the chanbers?

Through nanotuners, i can spec different options for my lighting -- basically i have 3 slots for 36w PCs -- the plan was to go one actinic, one 50/50 and one 10000k daylight -- what do you think ???

where do most of you get your RO water ??? from the LFS ??? Ive read some groceries have it --- does it need to be RO/DI or is that just better ? --- or, should i just bite the bullet and buy my own unit ?

sorry for all the questions , i really appreciate the input

-mike

my name is mike · 01-09-2008, 04:32 PM

lcstorc · 01-09-2008, 04:40 PM

I don't know anything about the chiller so can't help you there.
Having a fuge and growing macro is always an option. It will definitely help but you do not have to have it. It is just a nice thing if you can.
As far as the lights I would go with 2 10k and 1 actinic but that is more personal preference than anything else.
You definitely want to use ro/di or at least ro water. You can buy it from the LFS but be sure to test it yourself. Often the LFS will not change the filters as often as they should. It is definitely easier if you have your own unit.

my name is mike · 01-09-2008, 05:25 PM

thanks lcstorc --

2 daylights and one actinic sounds good to me -- i do prefer a set up that is not "too blue", but if something else is better for the inhabitants, i can handle it --- but i imagine the one full actinic will still give me that good balance

sounds like buying my own RO unit is the way to go -- should i spring for the DI attachment too -- any brand prefences (something not too high end?)

lcstorc · 01-09-2008, 05:33 PM

I don't have any brand preference but I would go ahead with the DI. I didn't and have regretted it ever since. In fact I have a new unit with DI waiting to be installed.

my name is mike · 01-09-2008, 05:35 PM

thanks lcstorc --

2 daylights and one actinic sounds good to me -- i do prefer a set up that is not "too blue", but if something else is better for the inhabitants, i can handle it --- but i imagine the one full actinic will still give me that good balance

sounds like buying my own RO unit is the way to go -- should i spring for the DI attachment too -- any brand prefences (something not too high end?)

01-07-2008, 06:53 PM	#1 (permalink)
my name is mike Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? new to the marine hobby but not new to fish -- i have been keeping freshwater for years and more recently moved to brackish tanks (which has been very rewardiing) -- its time to get my feet wet with marines and have decided to go with a 24 gal aquapod modded tank from nanotuners -- after a ton of reading i decided a modded tank was the way to go for these nanos, which tend to get awful reviews when used off-the-shelf -- the tank i am looking at is the 2006 Nanocustoms Aquapod 24 - 3.36 Series (108w) with upgraded silentx fans and upgraded R2 moon lights - i also plan to change out the pump with a maxijet 900 and add a skimmer (tunze or saphire or aqua c) - or go with some macroalgae in rear with a fuge light -- my plan is to go slow - start with LR, LS and move to soft corals once all is established -- id like to start with a larger setup, as recommended by just about everyone, but i may have to move in the next couple of years and moving a cube and finding room for one is simply more feasible for my situation any suggestions, words of wisdom, words of caution, etc are welcome its great to have forums like this, im glad i found this one

01-07-2008, 11:35 PM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 5,758 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? Going slow is a great idea. Starting with soft corals would be the next step. So far so good! Use the search bar up top to search your pod type. There are alot of people using pod tanks on here. Welcome to Marine Land! Enjoy the rides! __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

01-07-2008, 11:38 PM	#3 (permalink)
ninjataco777 Scopas Tang Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: south jersey Posts: 471 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? i have a tricked out 29 gallon biocube, and nanotuners is a good site for nano tank adjustments, scince a lot of them lack certain things when they come stock (lighting, skimmer etc.) __________________ "Take the warning labels off and let the problem solve itself" RS Nano Club My 29 Gallon Oceanic Biocube Reef Chronicle http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...c-biocube.html ANTI-WALDO ANTI-BIO-BALL ANTI-CARRIBEAN BRISTLEWORM

01-08-2008, 12:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
my name is mike Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? thanks for the welcome -- i am really exicted/nervous about the whole thing -- ive done a ton of reading over the last couple years, but reading about something and actually doing it is completely different -- ninjataco -- do you have the stand that is made for the biocube 29? i was thinking about getting that stand for the aquapod becuase im not a fan of the aquapod brand stand -- looks so top heavy and tippy (eventhought its probably not) i was trying to avoid adding an auto top off or chiller -- but, are these things unavoidable if you go with a nanocube-type setup ?

01-08-2008, 01:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
BigAl07 Reef Addict (hopeless) Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 12,661 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? Auto-Topoff is a convenience more than NEEDED. I have a 12g cube here in my office and I just add Fresh RO/DI water twice a day. Chiller is NOT an option if you can't maintain a tank temp of approximately +/- 2 degrees over a 24 hr period and maintin a temp between 76 - 80 __________________ ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸><((((º> ·´¯`·.¸. , . .·´¯`·.. >((((º> Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...(-NO3=WC%) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!! Allen's testimonial . . ."Let Me help you help YOURSELF" (Click Here) Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Now in STORAGE and Dry-Docked BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

01-08-2008, 04:59 PM	#6 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,778 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? Welcome to RS! Sounds like you are off to a great start with the research and going slow. Those are the two most important things. The other thing you will want to keep in mind with a small tank is that you need to monitor it closely. Things can go wrong very quickly with the smaller water volume. I would go with a skimmer and a fuge if you can, but if you have to choose one I would go with the skimmer for sure. I love the AquaC but I don't know how you would run it on an Aquapod. I am almost positive the Saphire fits in the back chamber pretty well. I know that is what Caitrina has anyway. The one other thing I always mention but you may already know is do not cycle with live fish. Use a piece of shrimp fromt he grocery store for your amonia source. Living through a cycle is very difficult on a fish and really any amonia source will do just fine. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

01-08-2008, 06:41 PM	#7 (permalink)
my name is mike Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? Thanks for the chiller advice -- sounds like a conventional one is out of the question -- what about the -- Nanocustoms ICA 2.0 , sounds like its not a "true" chiller --- anyone used it ??? nanotuners i forgot about the saphire skimmer -- i have read good reviews on that -- the aquac was the nano remora and ive read some so/so reviews on that -- saphire it is --- if i run a skimmer, is it necessary to do macro algae with a fuge light in one of the chanbers? Through nanotuners, i can spec different options for my lighting -- basically i have 3 slots for 36w PCs -- the plan was to go one actinic, one 50/50 and one 10000k daylight -- what do you think ??? where do most of you get your RO water ??? from the LFS ??? Ive read some groceries have it --- does it need to be RO/DI or is that just better ? --- or, should i just bite the bullet and buy my own unit ? sorry for all the questions , i really appreciate the input -mike

01-08-2008, 10:32 PM	#8 (permalink)
JFK_Jr Golden Moray Join Date: May 2006 Location: Hallandale Beach FL Posts: 2,108 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? __________________ *JFK_Jr's 150 Gallon Starphire*

01-09-2008, 04:32 PM	#9 (permalink)
my name is mike Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? Thanks for the chiller advice -- sounds like a conventional one is out of the question -- what about the -- Nanocustoms ICA 2.0 , sounds like its not a "true" chiller --- anyone used it ??? i forgot about the saphire skimmer -- i have read good reviews on that -- the aquac was the nano remora and ive read some so/so reviews on that -- saphire it is --- if i run a skimmer, is it necessary to do macro algae with a fuge light in one of the chanbers? Through nanotuners, i can spec different options for my lighting -- basically i have 3 slots for 36w PCs -- the plan was to go one actinic, one 50/50 and one 10000k daylight -- what do you think ??? where do most of you get your RO water ??? from the LFS ??? Ive read some groceries have it --- does it need to be RO/DI or is that just better ? --- or, should i just bite the bullet and buy my own unit ? sorry for all the questions , i really appreciate the input -mike

01-09-2008, 04:32 PM	#10 (permalink)
my name is mike Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? 1 Last edited by my name is mike : 01-09-2008 at 04:34 PM. Reason: duplicate post

01-09-2008, 04:40 PM	#11 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,778 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? I don't know anything about the chiller so can't help you there. Having a fuge and growing macro is always an option. It will definitely help but you do not have to have it. It is just a nice thing if you can. As far as the lights I would go with 2 10k and 1 actinic but that is more personal preference than anything else. You definitely want to use ro/di or at least ro water. You can buy it from the LFS but be sure to test it yourself. Often the LFS will not change the filters as often as they should. It is definitely easier if you have your own unit. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

01-09-2008, 05:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
my name is mike Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? thanks lcstorc -- 2 daylights and one actinic sounds good to me -- i do prefer a set up that is not "too blue", but if something else is better for the inhabitants, i can handle it --- but i imagine the one full actinic will still give me that good balance sounds like buying my own RO unit is the way to go -- should i spring for the DI attachment too -- any brand prefences (something not too high end?)

01-09-2008, 05:33 PM	#13 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 20,778 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? I don't have any brand preference but I would go ahead with the DI. I didn't and have regretted it ever since. In fact I have a new unit with DI waiting to be installed. __________________ Peace LYNN You can't change the past but you can change how you view it. A reef tank is like a racecar. The faster you go the harder you crash. Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Every 60 seconds you spend upset is a minute of happiness you'll never get back. In Loving Memory Of Z 01/22/07 - 08/19/08

01-09-2008, 05:35 PM	#14 (permalink)
my name is mike Tunicate Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 7 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Hi - starting new aquapod - how is my plan??? thanks lcstorc -- 2 daylights and one actinic sounds good to me -- i do prefer a set up that is not "too blue", but if something else is better for the inhabitants, i can handle it --- but i imagine the one full actinic will still give me that good balance sounds like buying my own RO unit is the way to go -- should i spring for the DI attachment too -- any brand prefences (something not too high end?)

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)