32 EXT Fiji Cube -Branching SPS

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

What’s up everyone! It’s good to be back.

I’m a major Nano tank enthusiast.

This is my start into my “dream” nano setup.

I say dream in quotations because it’s actually a “stepping stone” tank as I collect more gear and more coral throughout my reefing life. This certainly won’t be my last!

Photo taken 6/7/24

All other photos from before.

This thread will follow this tanks journey.

Reef will be SPS dominant.

Tank was filled 2/18/24.

Going with a very patient approach for this tank since I went bare bottom and dry rock.

Thanks for checking it out!

Fiji Cube 12 sump

Fiji Cube “medium” refugium w/ Prime Fuge

Varios 4 return pump

Jump Gyre 2K

Ai Nero 3

Hydor coralia 400(lol)

Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite skimmer(not in use)

Fiji Cube NSK-70 skimmer(in use)

Aquatic Life T5 Hybrid with 2 Ai Prime 16
(Running 4 ATi Blue Plus 6 hours)
(11 hour LED schedule)

 

[ReefStable]

Nice start! Looking forward to seeing it in full swing!

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Thanks ReefStable!

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Protein skimmer is doing great and pulling out a lot. I currently only run filter floss during tank cleanings and heavy feedings.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

My thoughts on the Fiji Cube 12 sump.

For my application, it’s exactly what I wanted and I’m happy with it. It left the perfect amount of room for my refugium, kalk, or various dosing.

The Varios 4 return pump fits but not with the guard in place. I’m only running the pump on level 2 (out of 5). The limiting factor is actually the weir teeth can only handle about 400 gal per hour on this tank. I already owned this pump for a previous build but never used it. Figured being overpowered and turned down couldn’t hurt and maybe give some longevity advantages. I have a “Hands On Not In” type of theory. I do very regular maintenance on all of my equipment.

They advertise it for being able to do tanks up to 40 gallons(BRS). I don’t know how much more other tanks drain down after return pump shut off, but on this 32EXT, you cannot run this sump above 9”. At 9” it almost overflows the sump when the return pump shuts off. Luckily I run my sump at 8 1/4” and I’m left with about 1” of room with everything off. Definitely stay aware on your first trial run of the sump/tank and get that return pump back on quick if it gets too close. Remove some water and check again. Eventually you’ll find your safe zone. Yes, you can install check valves into your plumbing. No, check valves are not guaranteed and can get stuck open and let all the water drain anyways and cause an overflow. Yes, check valves limit flow/create head pressure. Those two reasons alone keep me from using them. I’ve included a photo below of the height when return pump is shut off.

Heaters can be challenging to fit so do your research.

My top off tank sits behind the stand and I have about 2 weeks of ATO water. The Tunze 3155 is turned all the way down but due to its minimum run time once it’s activated, the small water volume in the return pump section fluctuates probably 1/2”. Not a big deal but I did have to relocate to safety float switch. The safety float switch also acts as an alarm if my return pump failed.

YOU WILL WANT (NEED) A SKIMMER SAFETY DEVICE! If your return pump were to fail and the skimmer keeps running it will make a huge mess and potentially worse problems.
You can fit a huge skimmer in here, that being said, DON’T JUST BUY A BIG SKIMMER! I’m running a Bubble Magus Curve 5 Elite and I already feel that’s as big as I’ll ever need for this tank even when it’s packed with Acros and other SPS. SAVE ROOM FOR OTHER THINGS!

Long story short, it’s a very well made low water volume nano sump. I’m experienced in small volume tanks so I didn’t need a larger size, I needed room for my algae scrubber and dosing setup. If you are particular about things being perfect looking and neat in your filtration area, this sump is a great option(that’s not me if you couldn’t tell. As long as everything is functional and safe, I’m good. I put the panel over the front and enjoy my reef!)



Water level after return pump is shut off

 

[Cthulukelele]

That's a gorgeous clean tank to start out with. Definitely have some tank envy haha

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

That's a gorgeous clean tank to start out with. Definitely have some tank envy haha

Thank you! Very excited to be back! Can’t wait for it to glow blue

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

The bookshelves will get pushed closer in eventually. I love this view from my stairs and can’t wait for it to glow blue!

 

[kevgib67]

Very nice setup, following.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Very nice setup, following.

Thank you! A bit more gear to go!

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Officially a month in since start up.

I included a picture of how high the water goes once the return pump shuts off.

Water from tank definitely has a yellow tint to it in a white bucket.

Parameters this month
-Ammonia 0
-Nitrite ~.5
-Nitrate ~30
-Phosphate .25
-Alkalinity 9.8
-Salinity 1.026
-Temp 78°F
-I need a PH tester.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Big water change time!

I usually only do 5 gallon weekly.

This is how I’ll do really large ones.

Time to get those numbers down some and continue watching this tanks trends.

 

[Gumbies R Us]

Best of luck with the water change!

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Best of luck with the water change!

Appreciate that! It went fine. The rhythm is coming along for this tank.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

The refugium is in!

Fiji Cube “medium” 2.5 gallon refugium.

Usually these are “Hang On Back”. Mine is setting on a base next to the sump with an extension for the waterfall.

Right now I just have Miracle Mud and rock rubble. The screen material will hopefully give a place for algae to grow besides the rocks that can just be removed and cleaned.

I will most likely be putting clean chaeto and copepods from Algae Barn.

I also have adjusted the sump height to run at about 8 3/4” which makes the water come up WAY higher than I want it to ever go if the power goes out.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Must. Resist. Turning. On.

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

The glow is just so good!

 

[Ben's Pico Reefing]

Looking really.nice.

 

[nuxx]

Looking great! Almost looks like you have an LED strip under the tank lol

 

[JustAnotherNanoTank]

Looking really.nice.

Thank you!