nano - reef question

I decided im going to go with a Nano Reef and was wondering the type of
water to use, i have an apartment with not alot of space. I was going to
purchase a jbl 12 gallon nano cube. i figured distilled water would be good
what i was going to do is just fill the tank with nothing in itand leave it
for like a week. then add the salt live rock and then sand. then do the
cycling is this good?

Also the guy at the store said with the nano cube u need to do like 50
percent water changes each week and vacuuming, is this true.

Lastely for water changes can i use distilled water with salt in it? And
also when i doa water change what is the best method, should i use a tube
suck 50 percent of the water out and then add the new water through a tube.
I didnt think i should just get a cup and dump the water out figured it
would disturb the tank too muc. Also with the live rock if i take 50 percent
of the water out wont the live rock be exposed to air?

Im looking for a beginners faq that outlines everything in plain english.
exactly what i need test kits etc.... aside from what im purchasing at the
link below...

http://www.thehiddenreef.com/sal****...ano_cube.htm--

I would go to the local fish store and purchase the salt water there. They
usually sell it by the gallon for like $0.30-$0.50 per gallon, so you're
look at 5 or 6 bucks for 12. It comes ready for use, all you would need to
do is fill the tank, put the LS and LR in, and let it cycle.

Also the guy at the store said with the nano cube u need to do like 50
percent water changes each week and vacuuming, is this true.

Very NOT true. Only do about 10-15% weekly.


Lastely for water changes can i use distilled water with salt in it? And
also when i doa water change what is the best method, should i use a tube
suck 50 percent of the water out and then add the new water through a
tube.
I didnt think i should just get a cup and dump the water out figured it
would disturb the tank too muc. Also with the live rock if i take 50
percent
of the water out wont the live rock be exposed to air?

Instead of distilled, look for RO water (reverse osmosis). It's a lot
cleaner for tanks. Some stores will sell this by the gallon as well.
Otherwise go to your local supermarket and read the labels on the arrowhead
or sparkletts water bottles.

Another thing, with nano-reefs, you will have to top off the tank every
couple days due to rapid evaporation. When you do a top off only use RO or
distilled water, never salt water. This is because the water that is being
evaporated is fresh water (the salt gets left behind). So unless your
salinity drops for some reason, only use fresh water.
Depending on your filter, you may be able to just slowly pour the new water
into it instead of your display tank. It shouldn't take long since your
only looking at changing 1-1.5gallons per week. You should try not to get
the live rock exposed to air, but it's really not that big of a deal.
However, if you are going to have star fish, don't let them get exposed to
the air (if they climb up the glass). they are really sensitive to that.


I really recommend you surf around this site before starting your tank. It
is really helpful.

http://www.nano-reef.com






"MICHAEL FLANAGAN" wrote in message
news:hAOfd.2218$eU2.1728@trndny05...
I decided im going to go with a Nano Reef and was wondering the type of
water to use, i have an apartment with not alot of space. I was going to
purchase a jbl 12 gallon nano cube. i figured distilled water would be
good
what i was going to do is just fill the tank with nothing in itand leave
it
for like a week. then add the salt live rock and then sand. then do the
cycling is this good?

Also the guy at the store said with the nano cube u need to do like 50
percent water changes each week and vacuuming, is this true.

Lastely for water changes can i use distilled water with salt in it? And
also when i doa water change what is the best method, should i use a tube
suck 50 percent of the water out and then add the new water through a
tube.
I didnt think i should just get a cup and dump the water out figured it
would disturb the tank too muc. Also with the live rock if i take 50
percent
of the water out wont the live rock be exposed to air?

Im looking for a beginners faq that outlines everything in plain english.
exactly what i need test kits etc.... aside from what im purchasing at the
link below...


http://www.thehiddenreef.com/sal****...ano_cube.htm--

There is a company that sells sea water in 4.4 and 2 gallon jugs that I have
been seeing in stores lately. I don't have the name right off hand. If you
can get this, use it. It is too expensive for a larger tank (although I
bought a couple to get the jugs it comes in), but for a nano it should be
economical to use for all water changes and for the initial fill.

Also, you can keep a supply of salt water ready to go just in case you need
a large water change.

Distilled water should be good for top-off or if you want to mix your own
salt water, although most fish stores sell RO/DI water, which might be a
better idea.







"MICHAEL FLANAGAN" wrote in message
news:hAOfd.2218$eU2.1728@trndny05...
I decided im going to go with a Nano Reef and was wondering the type of
water to use, i have an apartment with not alot of space. I was going to
purchase a jbl 12 gallon nano cube. i figured distilled water would be good
what i was going to do is just fill the tank with nothing in itand leave it
for like a week. then add the salt live rock and then sand. then do the
cycling is this good?

Also the guy at the store said with the nano cube u need to do like 50
percent water changes each week and vacuuming, is this true.

Lastely for water changes can i use distilled water with salt in it? And
also when i doa water change what is the best method, should i use a tube
suck 50 percent of the water out and then add the new water through a
tube. I didnt think i should just get a cup and dump the water out figured
it would disturb the tank too muc. Also with the live rock if i take 50
percent of the water out wont the live rock be exposed to air?

Im looking for a beginners faq that outlines everything in plain english.
exactly what i need test kits etc.... aside from what im purchasing at the
link below...

http://www.thehiddenreef.com/sal****...ano_cube.htm--

Something I've seen elsewhere and should say here is some distilled water
has been run through
copper tubes or kept in copper containers. If you want corals this is a bad
thing. I would stick with the ro water. -Chris


"MICHAEL FLANAGAN" wrote in message
news:hAOfd.2218$eU2.1728@trndny05...
I decided im going to go with a Nano Reef and was wondering the type of
water to use, i have an apartment with not alot of space. I was going to
purchase a jbl 12 gallon nano cube. i figured distilled water would be
good
what i was going to do is just fill the tank with nothing in itand leave
it
for like a week. then add the salt live rock and then sand. then do the
cycling is this good?

Also the guy at the store said with the nano cube u need to do like 50
percent water changes each week and vacuuming, is this true.

Lastely for water changes can i use distilled water with salt in it? And
also when i doa water change what is the best method, should i use a tube
suck 50 percent of the water out and then add the new water through a
tube.
I didnt think i should just get a cup and dump the water out figured it
would disturb the tank too muc. Also with the live rock if i take 50
percent
of the water out wont the live rock be exposed to air?

Im looking for a beginners faq that outlines everything in plain english.
exactly what i need test kits etc.... aside from what im purchasing at the
link below...


http://www.thehiddenreef.com/sal****...ano_cube.htm--

I've been using distilled water from the start, about 6 months ago, and havent
seen an ill effect yet. I should get a Cu test just to make sure. The
distilled water I get is just the Giant brand, and has less than 2PPM TDS.
~John

I have heard people worry about that possibility, but I have also heard many
people using it with no problem. I have never heard of anyone claiming that
distilled water has poisoned their tank.

"Chris Gentry" wrote in message
.. .
Something I've seen elsewhere and should say here is some distilled water
has been run through
copper tubes or kept in copper containers. If you want corals this is a
bad
thing. I would stick with the ro water. -Chris


"MICHAEL FLANAGAN" wrote in message
news:hAOfd.2218$eU2.1728@trndny05...
I decided im going to go with a Nano Reef and was wondering the type of
water to use, i have an apartment with not alot of space. I was going to
purchase a jbl 12 gallon nano cube. i figured distilled water would be
good
what i was going to do is just fill the tank with nothing in itand leave
it
for like a week. then add the salt live rock and then sand. then do the
cycling is this good?

Also the guy at the store said with the nano cube u need to do like 50
percent water changes each week and vacuuming, is this true.

Lastely for water changes can i use distilled water with salt in it? And
also when i doa water change what is the best method, should i use a tube
suck 50 percent of the water out and then add the new water through a
tube.
I didnt think i should just get a cup and dump the water out figured it
would disturb the tank too muc. Also with the live rock if i take 50
percent
of the water out wont the live rock be exposed to air?

Im looking for a beginners faq that outlines everything in plain english.
exactly what i need test kits etc.... aside from what im purchasing at
the
link below...


http://www.thehiddenreef.com/sal****...ano_cube.htm--