[nanoreef11]

I am considering a hang on the back skimmer for a 14 gallon biocube. I want to do the sunpod HQI mod and am wondering if there is room for a HOB skimmer dropped in the 1st or 2nd chamber. Which brands would you recommend if this will work?

[gimmito]

I have a deltec mce 600 and it's great. I would also recommend a remora hang on.

[nanoreef11]

what size tank do you have?

[gimmito]

I have the deltec on a 75 gal (which I'm breaking down). I just traded a vortech pump for a 34 gal red sea max and will be using the other one on it. The rsm is a plug and play, but I'm not too sure about the stock skimmer. I may try modding it or using a tunze.

[nanoreef11]

I was looking at the Tunze Nano DOC Protein Skimmer 9002 but it doesn't seem to be an HOB skimmer. Would this fit in the first chamber of a biocube because the middle chamber will be growing chaeto with the heater placed here?

[gimmito]

I was looking at the 9002 also. The rsm has a skimmer in it, so I was going to just take it out. I don't know about the biocubes, but i would imagine it would be similiar.

[nanoreef11]

The tunze will fit in the second chamber but that leaves me with no room for a fuge. Maybe a hang on the back fuge is what I need. What brands are out there that work good?

[gimmito]

I had a cpr hangon fuge...nice unit.

[nanoreef11]

what type of lighting do you recommend for it?

[gimmito]

I'm a big fan of T5's, especially for small tanks.

[nanoreef11]

for my tank itself would the sunpod HQI 150 watt be overboard?

[nanoreef11]

HOB skimmer and 2nd chamber fuge

or

HOB fuge and tunze skimmer in 2nd chamber?

[gimmito]

Originally Posted by nanoreef11

for my tank itself would the sunpod HQI 150 watt be overboard?

That's 10+ watts per gallon !!

IMHO 5 watts per gal is plenty, especially in a nano.

Remember your going to have a heat issue also and will need a chiller.

[nanoreef11]

So I should probably keep my hood and go with a light mod for the hood?

I was thinking about this
nanotuners
but this is very pricey.

Or what I will probably will end up doing is this
nanotuners
way cheaper and same watts per gallon just different bulbs

[gimmito]

Nanotuners has some cool stuff, although pricey. I talked to one of the guys there and he said it's hard to fit a T5 retro in a typical nano hood. That's why they usually have mh or pc upgrades.

It's really comes down to what you want to keep & how much you want to spend.

[nanoreef11]

Well im probably going to just go with the nanocustom mod. I probably am not even going to do a skimmer after thinking about it just weekly water changes. I'm gonna convert the middle chamber into a fuge with chaeto and velcro a light behind it.

[gimmito]

Water changes are the cheapest & most effective way to keep your tank & inhabitants happy !

Show some pic's when you do your mods.

[nanoreef11]

I definitely will start a thread probably after i tear my tank down. So next Monday I might start a thread and I will make sure to keep you guys updated there. On another forums I got hardly any feedback and I would like to thank you personally for helping me out since I have had some questions that you were able to help me with. Look in the nano sections within the next week.

[gimmito]

Happy to help. I'll try to post some pic's when I get my red sea max up and running. I'm busy having a fire sale (moving for the summer during a remodel & breaking down my 75 gal).

[nanoreef11]

oh good luck with the move

[gimmito]

Thanks,
I'm going to need it... I hate moving tanks.

[dinor2]

Originally Posted by gimmito

I have a deltec mce 600 and it's great. I would also recommend a remora hang on.

Hey Jim, I'm getting my mce600 this week! Sooooo excited! Any suggestions or tips for starting it up or running it? I read the manual on it, seems pretty simple! LOVE that the pump does NOT go in the tank! Going on my 55gallon!

Thanks in advance!

[gimmito]

Dana,

It's a great skimmer choice ! Very versatile (hob or in sump), aquabee pump runs very effeciently, etc. I would recommend cleaning it with warm water and white vinegar once a month or so. Take out the pump and give it a good cleaning (makes a big difference in bubble production). Take some r/o water and pour it down the air tube regularly to eliminate any salt buildup. Go easy on adjusting the air valve...various things effect skimming production (hands in the tank, water level, etc.). This way you will avoid over flowing the collection cup.

I did'nt know you were looking for one ....I'm actually selling mine !

[dinor2]

Originally Posted by gimmito

Dana,

It's a great skimmer choice ! Very versatile (hob or in sump), aquabee pump runs very effeciently, etc. I would recommend cleaning it with warm water and white vinegar once a month or so. Take out the pump and give it a good cleaning (makes a big difference in bubble production). Take some r/o water and pour it down the air tube regularly to eliminate any salt buildup. Go easy on adjusting the air valve...various things effect skimming production (hands in the tank, water level, etc.). This way you will avoid over flowing the collection cup.

I did'nt know you were looking for one ....I'm actually selling mine !

Awww, I wish you hadn't told me that! You don't want to know HOW much I paid for mine! I tried ordering it from Deltec USA but they never called me back! I tried a few times over the course of a week, I'm praying their customer service on trouble shooting and warranties are better than sales! ya, turns out I'm not getting it till June 2nd and my turbo goes back and forth with the bubbles, probably getting clogged... again.... I think I'll like the needle wheel better than the venturi style for sure!

Thanks for the cleaning tips! Will definitly do that.

[gimmito]

I know they cost an arm and leg new...I have mine posted on rc and craigslist for $350 w/ the output mod.