Newbie in Gilberts

R

rmeugene

Premium member
Gilberts is in the Far NW Burbs out by Elgin/Dundee...

I just purchased a 24 gallon nano from someone on the forum and will be working on getting things going. Hoping to find someone local that will be willing to work with me on things! I was in the hobby about 28 years ago and it has changed!

From the add for the tank I bought this is what I have:

24 gallon nano cube with factory LEDs
Drilled in back with 2 returns in tank
Custom acrylic fuge underneath
Holds filter padding, skimmer, refugium,
Return pump, and ato float valve
Coralife nano uv sterilizer connected to factory return pump
Hydor slim skim skimmer located in sump
Hydor heater
Return pump in sump
Black stand with doors
Jbj surface skimmer

I am open to hear from anyone - especially if you are local to me - on setting things up. I know there a couple of LFS so I will be hitting them up. Just curious with the question of getting live rock and/or sand, what to put in the sump/refuge, etc!
 
There are at least 3 of us that live in Gilberts too, though I will be moving to Algonquin in a couple weeks. But it's not like that's too far...

Welcome to the site, and back to the hobby!
 
Welcome! Great to have you back. If you want to save yourself money and have the patience to wait, I would suggest using dry rock instead of live rock. Dry rock is much cheaper and doesn't carry any pests with it. The downside is you have to wait longer for your tank to cycle and lose out on some of the biodiversity that comes on live rock. I used all dry rock and seeded my tank with some pods after it cycled, this along with frags from other people has given me plenty of pods and biodiversity without any of the pests (knock on wood). I will let others welcome you and add more suggestions. Please ask any question, you will find a very helpful core group of people on this forum. Have fun.
 
:welcome:
There are plenty of people here to help answer any questions.

I have started tanks with both live rock and dry rock, and much prefer the dry for the reasons jm23 explained. Another benefit is it's easier to aquascape. You don't have to worry about keeping the rock in water, so you can take all the time in the world trying out different arrangements until you find the one you really like. I don't think this is much of an issue with the 24G you have now, but it will be when you decide to upgrade to a larger tank like most of us do! :yes4:
 
Also new and from Gilbert's. I love the area!

Anyways I have a 56 fresh water and a 55 salt water. Nothing crazy going on there yet. I started the salt water to see if I would enjoy it. And, I really do. About a month ago I started buying the components for a 180 gallon build. So far I have a 180 gallon tank, RODI system some lighting, lifereef sump on order, Apex on order, planned the base, and a bunch of other things to figure out. It's going to be a long while because I have to finish the basement at the same time.
 
Hello and welcome to CR. it nice to have another nano guys here. even though it wont last (meaning you will go bigger). This hobby is like crack and this the is the dealer. lol you can find anything and everything you want on here if your patient. Feel free to ask away, and also know that you have a dream team of reefers with you out there in gilberts. Lot of top notch guys.
 
Love the area your in bro , a lot of bang for your buck , I can't wait for the 180 build bro , what LEDs u thinking , Razor (Matt's fave ), ecotech , I love the AIs personally but Kessil seems to be a forum favorite
 
Chicagofishguy.com said:
Love the area your in bro , a lot of bang for your buck , I can't wait for the 180 build bro , what LEDs u thinking , Razor (Matt's fave ), ecotech , I love the AIs personally but Kessil seems to be a forum favorite
Click to expand...

Cc-120 from coral compulsion. Woo!!!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2
 
I have the rapid kit now and I have enough not used pieces to build out the full 180. Since they are controllable with the Apex I'm going to stick with them when I start the tank to save some money. You and I will have to figure the lighting out well after the tank is running because I will eventually want to upgrade these. But, I'm sure the old lady will kill me at that point and that is an argument I can wait to have until later.
 
However you have me convinced on the mp-40s over the Tunze. I'll be ordering them once I can and swap them into this tank until the 180 is ready
 
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