Always full of questions. Think I am narrowing down my tank to a JBJ 24 Gallon Nanocube. About as large as I can get away with in my apartment. Local fish store has them in stock. Debating online purchase to save a little money. Worried about glass and the mail. I have seen my postal worker. Not sure he can lift the tank. But I have some other questions too as I gather my list of materials.
#1 - I will have to add in a powerhead into the tank. The return pump is only like 290 gph I think. Seems lots of folks are using the Koralia, 425 or the 625 is the better option? Will be fish, softies. Plan to use Bimini pink sand if that matters. How does these compare to the Current eFlux stuff. LFS was pushing the 1000 gph model. The 6005 I think. Is that too powerful? I like the idea of the having some undulation in the tank. What are some options here. Which brings me to...
#2 - Controllers. I really don't need anything fancy with just two pumps and 2 light switches. But is there an ecosystem you buy into as far as controllers? Seems everything has an app these days. I hope to integrate some monitoring into my system as some point down the line, curse of having an computer automation job. I am getting in Home Assistant for those that know that. Something to tinker with. Would like to here what set ups you have going.
#3 - GFCI Outlet and power strip. I was planning using something like this for the outlet and this for the power strip. I can use the 3 split to have lights on one port with dual outlet timer and the strip on another for the rest of the items. Near as I figure I will have 2 light plugs and 3 others. Would be nice to have things on hard switches. Want to know if there any concerns with that set up.
#4 - RODI. Will this system work? It has the TDS attached, not sure how accurate that will be. Do I need to get a handheld unit? I can get RO at my fish store. Probably won't use too much for top off but initial start would be a bunch of trips. Which brings me...
#5 - How much water to keep on hand, RO or salt? I am in an apartment scenario so I don't have too much storage. Was planning on hooking RO up to the tub shower when I need to make water. (I think they make an adapter) Was thinking 5 buckets on hand should cover the volume of the tank if I need to drain it for some reason. And I can have a tote to house the buckets and maintenance tools. Could double as water storage too. I remember once my last nanocube was set up and did not need too much top off. However I had a large brute trash can that I could use. New place is a bit smaller.
#6 - On the topic if salt, is it ok to go with the cheap stuff for the initial cycle? I am guessing just buy a bucket which should be plenty for my small of a system? I hope they still come with t-shirts lol.
#7 - Initial testing. What brand are good for the initial stuff during the cycle? I know specific brands are better at certain tests. But are there some must have brands for initial cycle or do you just get the cheap stuff because they will get used up before there is live stock in the tank?
Sure I will have more questions but I am getting closer to getting things set up.
#1 - I will have to add in a powerhead into the tank. The return pump is only like 290 gph I think. Seems lots of folks are using the Koralia, 425 or the 625 is the better option? Will be fish, softies. Plan to use Bimini pink sand if that matters. How does these compare to the Current eFlux stuff. LFS was pushing the 1000 gph model. The 6005 I think. Is that too powerful? I like the idea of the having some undulation in the tank. What are some options here. Which brings me to...
#2 - Controllers. I really don't need anything fancy with just two pumps and 2 light switches. But is there an ecosystem you buy into as far as controllers? Seems everything has an app these days. I hope to integrate some monitoring into my system as some point down the line, curse of having an computer automation job. I am getting in Home Assistant for those that know that. Something to tinker with. Would like to here what set ups you have going.
#3 - GFCI Outlet and power strip. I was planning using something like this for the outlet and this for the power strip. I can use the 3 split to have lights on one port with dual outlet timer and the strip on another for the rest of the items. Near as I figure I will have 2 light plugs and 3 others. Would be nice to have things on hard switches. Want to know if there any concerns with that set up.
#4 - RODI. Will this system work? It has the TDS attached, not sure how accurate that will be. Do I need to get a handheld unit? I can get RO at my fish store. Probably won't use too much for top off but initial start would be a bunch of trips. Which brings me...
#5 - How much water to keep on hand, RO or salt? I am in an apartment scenario so I don't have too much storage. Was planning on hooking RO up to the tub shower when I need to make water. (I think they make an adapter) Was thinking 5 buckets on hand should cover the volume of the tank if I need to drain it for some reason. And I can have a tote to house the buckets and maintenance tools. Could double as water storage too. I remember once my last nanocube was set up and did not need too much top off. However I had a large brute trash can that I could use. New place is a bit smaller.
#6 - On the topic if salt, is it ok to go with the cheap stuff for the initial cycle? I am guessing just buy a bucket which should be plenty for my small of a system? I hope they still come with t-shirts lol.
#7 - Initial testing. What brand are good for the initial stuff during the cycle? I know specific brands are better at certain tests. But are there some must have brands for initial cycle or do you just get the cheap stuff because they will get used up before there is live stock in the tank?
Sure I will have more questions but I am getting closer to getting things set up.