Nano Cube 14

[Lcars]

Hi everyone this is my first post on this forum so here I go. For christmas I got a 12 Gallon Nano Cube for a reef tank. So over the past few days I have been researching and working on it nonstop because this is my first saltwater though I have done a huge amount of studying because I was planning one anyway. So I want to make it a reef tank. And I have a few questions but first, the stocking and equipment list (The coral is coming from Live Aquaria in a special nano softie pack).

Fish:
Yellow-Tail Damselfish
Black Sailfin Blenny

Invertebrates:
Dwarf Blue-Leg Hermit Crab
Scarlet Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
3x Turbo Snails
5x Nassarius Snails
2x Super Tongan Nassarius Snails

Coral:
Random Mushroom Coral
Random Polyp Coral
Random Soft Coral
One random coral from one of those categories

Equipment:
12 Gallon Nano-Cube with modified chambers
(First Chamber:Sera filter wool, and Purigen)
(Second Chamber:Stock Carbon, and LR rubble
(Third Chamber:Maxi-Jet 900 Pump, Heater and Aquatic Life Internal Mini Skimmer 115)
Hydor Koralia Nano 240 Pump

Supplements(Alot!):
Kent Essential Elements
Kent Iron and Manganese
Kent Liquid Calcium
Kent Marine-C
Kent Strontium and Molybdendum
Kent Iodine
Kent Superbuffer-dKH

I have test kits for all those as well as for copper,alkalinity,phospate,ammonia,nitrite,nitrate ,ph,and silica

I am planning on using one and only nitrifying bacteria

Now for my questions:
Some people say I shouldn't use a protein skimmer for such a small tank. What do you think?

I don't know how I am going to be able to get the cords out of the aquarium. Anyone with experience, please help!

Thats all for now!

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

If you are doing nothing but soft corals, then a protein skimmer is not an essential. However, if you have it, it won't hurt to run it. The corals you have listed though, will actually use the stuff that a skimmer typically takes out. Many experienced hobbyists who do an all softie tank do not run skimmers.
I personally wouldn't use the carbon either, you just don't need it.

As for all those supplements, don't bother. Save yourself a lot of trouble and money and skip them. Your corals will get what they need from your regular water changes.

As for getting the cords out, there should be some kind of opening in the back provided by the manufacturer. I personally don't have a Nano Cube, but I have seen them.

[Lcars]

Ok I will get rid of the skimmer, its not like I will be doing anything but softies:). I had a feeling some of those supplements were overdoing it but are there any I should keep, and should I still keep the test kits? Thank you and I will wait for more replies.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I wouldn't dispose of any of the supplements just yet, but keep this one thing in mind; never add anything you don't test for. As I mentioned earlier, your regular water changes will take care of all those.

I wouldn't completely ditch the skimmer. Sorry if I made it sound like you shouldn't run it. It is perfectly ok to run it, but you will really need to keep up with your water changes without it. Without it I would want to do changes every 7-10 days.

[Lcars]

Oh I guess I forgot to mention I still have to order the stuff but I do already have a calcium supplement. So I think I will stay away from the skimmer because I have gotten a few other peoples advice too and they say PWCs will do the job much better. Still don't know if I should order the supplements but if it makes a difference I am planning on using Instant Ocean salt. Also, I can't decide between a ocellaris clown or a yellowtail damsel, but am for sure getting the black sailfin blenny.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

I personally would not use Instant Ocean. They may well have fixed their problems, but in the past, they were lacking in some of the essential elements. If you are looking for a good inexpensive salt, you might want to consider the Coralife salt. My LFS reviewed it not too long ago, and found it to be a very very good salt for the price.

[Lcars]

Ok i'll try that salt. But what do you think about the supplements, do you think I should still buy them or use the money for something else? And I still can't decide between a damsel or a ocellaris clown, what do you think?

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Save the money and buy something else. Personally I would go with the Clown. Damsels are pretty, but they are notoriously mean.

[Lcars]

Ok thanks that really helps. I now am ready to buy everything and set it up. But I was wondering if you think in such a small tank that a mantis shrimp would survive.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

If you are going with fish, don't do the Mantis. Besides, a Mantis could damage that tank.

[Lcars]

I wasn't going to do the mantis, in fact I have a huge fear of them. I just wondered if it would be able to hide in that size tank.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Well, since they generally come in in the holes of live rock and only come out at night, they could definitely hide in a tank that size.

[Lcars]

OK that helps (gulp). Thank you very much for all the advice you definitely saved me a lot of burden and money! After I gain more experience with it I have a 29 gallon I can use or I might get a bigger one like a 55 or 60.

[ILuvMyGoldBarb]

Go bigger. 55-60 is nice. I would highly recommend something like a 40gal breeder, or even a 36" 50gal. shoot, why not go 75gal. :D