NanoCube for Bday! Ideas?

Chris,

That nanocube would be a perfect candidate for a low light setup. Or, if you're interested in doing a little modification, a pair of 28w PC bulbs like they use at nano-reef.com would work out really well. Crypts, anubias, and mosses would look stunning in that aquarium. It would also work out really well as a Walstad style aquarium with a soil based substrate.

Best,
Phil

That's exactly what I was thinking Phil. Is there an online article about using that kind of substrate? And is that better for growing those kind of plants say, over eco complete?

Thanks
Chris

Chris,

I have a nano cube with Eco complete as the substrate, with Anubias nana petite, Anubias nana stardust, Dwarf hairgrass. and Cryptocoryne parva, with no C02. Its doing great. I have the 6500 k bulb in it. I have the bulbs for sale ifr you want one.

Chris,

There aren't many articles, if any, on keeing a soil based tank in general publication. However, Diana is the moderator of the "Natural" sub-forum over at Robert's site and has answered just about any question that could be asked about soil based aquaria. Short of buying her book (HIGHLY recommended) that's the place to find out about this method.

Eco-Complete works well too, but I'd add a little Excel and Flourish to it just to be sure.

Best,
Phil

Thanks Guys for the info. I'll do some reading today on the soil option, or just use eco to keep things simple...that Excel and Flourish sounds like they'd be a good addition.

I've got my eye on anubias petite, crypto parva, eleocharis parvula and bolbitis ferns, that I thought the standard 24wt. would be fine.

also plan on ditching the charcoal and using sponges in chamber 1, floss on top, ceramic rings on bottom of second chamber and pump and heater in third chamber...sounds good??
But ONe thing? I dont understand the way they layed out the back filter area. theres open slats as well as open bottoms to all 4 chambers! That's not going to direct all the water to flow thru the spongese->floss->and then Ceramics all the time; alot of the water will be 'sidestepping' certain 'stages' the way they have it now. Seems it should've had sealed bottoms every other partition to enable a contiuous and thorough flo?? Of am I missing something?

Chris
Chris

NO One knows why they put slats in the dividers in the sump area? Seems I've got to find some plexi to bond over these openings as to direct ALL the flow thru the media w/out bypassing it thru the openings. Just doesn't make sense to me why they did the sump the way they did...

Chris

Bad design or not, I really would not worry about it. One thing you don't have to worry about with the JBJ nano cube is filtration --it has plenty of it. The water in my nano cube aquarium was almost always crystal clear.

Carlos

Thanks Carlos for jumping in! What media in what chambers did you decide to use? I've never been a fan of activ. charcoal myself.

For the first chamber/slot, I used three black sponges. For the second chamber/slot, I used the fourth black sponge, under the bioballs, which were under the bag of ceramic pieces. For the third slot, I decided to go with a lot of fine filter floss and leave enough space to put a mini-vortex reactor (that backspace is thankfully spacious!) so that I could use CO2. The fourth chamber/slot was taken up by the powerhead, which has an adjustable flow by the way.

Carlos

Great Carlos! No 'mods' were done then eh to the back to ensure ALL flow went thru your filters? Good to know.

thx