|
How to Set Up Your JBJ Nano Cube
Supplies
Set-Up Adding Livestock
Water Parameters
Supplies
Set-Up
- Decide where the JBJ Nano Cube will be
placed. The tanks have an optional cabinet stand or
s-stand but you can also place it on a sturdy
surface such as a counter or desk. Do not place on glass surface! The floor
or surface must be level.
- Add about an inch of sand. We
recommend Arag Alive Aragonite Fine Reef Sand
included in our Nano
Set-up Package.
- Add live rock. We recommend uncured
live rock to cycle your tank. Make sure that you
wiggle the bottom layer of rocks down through
the sand so that they rest firmly on the bottom
of the aquarium past the sand. For the next layer use longer
flatter rocks to bridge the gaps between the
rocks on the first layer. Make sure to wedge the
rocks in securely. When you are finished, tap
your hand around on the rocks to make sure they
are secure and not wobbly. You do not want rocks
to fall down or get knocked over.
- Or add live rock before sand.
- Mix salt and water in a
separate container. Stir it up with your
hand or pump. Use your hydrometer to test salinity (specific gravity). Salinity should be between 1.020-1.022 for fish-only aquariums and 1.023-1.025 for reef aquariums.
- Add saltwater to your aquarium.
- Turn on the pump and let it run for a day.
- Test the salinity
with your hydrometer and adjust the salt and
water accordingly. It is hard for us to advise
how much salt and water to add. You will learn
what is best through trial and error. Be sure
water and salt are mixed thoroughly for proper
testing.
- Let your tank cycle. You do not need
to turn on your lights during this cycling
period as unwanted algae will grow. Cycling will
take 1-8 weeks.
- Test your water.
Read about cycling
so you understand why you are testing your
water. Initially, you will need to test for
ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, pH, salinity, and
temperature. As you get more advanced, there are
other parameters to
check. See below.
- Add a 50 watt heater if needed. Temperature should be between75°
and 83° F and constant. It should not move than
2 degrees in one day.
- Add freshwater to top-off your water
as water evaporates from your tank. Remember,
the salt doesn't evaporate. That's why we're
adding freshwater -- as in reverse-osmosis water. DO
NOT ADD TAP WATER.
Adding Livestock
- Do some research while you wait for your
tank to cycle. Whether you are setting up a
fish-only tank or a reef tank, read about the
species of livestock you want to add to your
tank.
- Formulate a plan. Remember that you have
limited space.
- Do you have enough light and flow
for the corals you want. Do you need to upgrade
your pump or lights?
- What order will you add
your fish? Add aggressive fish last.
Water Parameters
Temperature: between 75° and
83° F and constant - Should not move more than two
degrees in one day
Ammonia: 0 ppm - Toxic to
livestock if not 0
Nitrite: 0 ppm - Toxic to
livestock if not 0
Nitrate: 0.0-30 ppm - Can be
toxic to livestock if too high
pH: between 8.1 and 8.4 - 8.2
is ideal
Alkaline: between 8 and 12
dKH
Specific Gravity: between
1.020-1.022 for fish-only aquariums and 1.023-1.025
for reef aquariums
Phosphate: 0
Calcium: 425-450 ppm
Magnesium: 1,300 ppm
Iodine: 0.06 ppm
Strontium: 5-15 ppm
|