Riptide_Reef’s JBJ 45g Rimless Flat Panel

Riptide_Reef · Apr 9, 2019

Good day R2R!

Getting back into the hobby after a 10 year break and picked up a new JBJ 45 Rimless Flat Panel to get started! It was a very close call with the Waterbox 40.2, but I saved a few hundred with the JBJ...I figured more $ for equipment and livestock down the road!

Parts so far:

-JBJ 45g Rimless Flat Panel
-Cadlights PLS-150 Elite skimmer
-AI Hydra 26HD
-150w Cobalt heater
-CaribSea Arag Alive reef grade sand
-40lbs STAX rocks
-Tunze Osmolator Nano
-IM Hydrofill ATO reservoir
-Reef Octopus VarioS 4 (to replace the two smaller ones that came with the tank)
-SeaChem Matrix (to replace the ceramic media rings that came with the tank)

Future parts:
-Battery backup for wavemakers
-Santa Monica HOG or DROP algae scrubber
-Dosing of some sort... planning on Kalk for now, maybe it’ll change in the future
-Apex additions for testing, automation, etc as needed(and as I can afford them, lol)

If you’re into IG, follow along with me @Riptide_Reef !

Riptide_Reef · Apr 9, 2019

So the first thing i was contemplating... where can i put this tank in my house? We have a pretty small place, so it ended up in the corner, next to the TV unit. It’s pretty much the only place that is constantly viewable from everywhere in the living room and kitchen.

The downside, is the big window next to it. It does not get direct sunlight, since there is a big covered patio outside, but it does have indirect light coming in all day of course. I may eventually try and cut down on this with an additional patio roll down sunscreen from where the majority of the light comes from. However, this is not my first rodeo with a tank next to a window... my last tank was a 70T that fit directly between TWO windows with direct light... definitely not ideal, and it took more work, but it was fine in the end.

So far, this is the placement...

Riptide_Reef · Apr 9, 2019

I made a cardboard frame the same dimensions as my display, and have been working on some rockscapes with the STAX rock. It’s been very fun to play with, but I can’t seem to get the exact look I’m going for, so trying a few things out.

Unfortunately, I didn’t make the simulated tank until after I had made the arch structure... so far that’s my favorite one, and I’ll probably try stacking something similar with a few modifications and see how it looks.

TheWB · Apr 15, 2019

Isn’t the Stax Rock fun to use? I messed around with mine for months outside the tank before it got wet. I really like the Arch if you’re going to do a single structure. Following along to see your progress.

Riptide_Reef · Apr 15, 2019

TheWB said:
Isn’t the Stax Rock fun to use? I messed around with mine for months outside the tank before it got wet. I really like the Arch if you’re going to do a single structure. Following along to see your progress.

Yes, STAX is super fun to play around with! I still haven’t finished my rockscape since I keep unstacking and restacking it, lol... so many options and little tricks I’m seeing along the way. At first, it was hard to not just stack it all and just make pillars, but I’m getting better at using the smaller pieces to make small little “risers” in order to prop up the larger pieces and make ledges, better shelfs, etc... once I’m satisfied with my scape, I’m going to use some E-Marco 400 to tack key pieces together in order to make it nice and secure.

So far, I’m still leaning towards the arch type structures... seems to be what I’m liking in this size tank. I kinda wish i got the 65 gallon version for the 36” width, as I realize most of the rockscapes I’ve seen and really liked, needed the additional width. Thanks for the comment WB!

TheWB · Apr 15, 2019

Riptide_Reef said:
Yes, STAX is super fun to play around with! I still haven’t finished my rockscape since I keep unstacking and restacking it, lol... so many options and little tricks I’m seeing along the way. At first, it was hard to not just stack it all and just make pillars, but I’m getting better at using the smaller pieces to make small little “risers” in order to prop up the larger pieces and make ledges, better shelfs, etc... once I’m satisfied with my scape, I’m going to use some E-Marco 400 to tack key pieces together in order to make it nice and secure.

So far, I’m still leaning towards the arch type structures... seems to be what I’m liking in this size tank. I kinda wish i got the 65 gallon version for the 36” width, as I realize most of the rockscapes I’ve seen and really liked, needed the additional width. Thanks for the comment WB!

Funny you should mention the 36’ width. I had a wider structure for my tank built and ready to go but it ended up being too crowded for my 30’ wide tank. I had to downsize. We always want more width than whatever we have, right? I didn’t have room for a 36” tank so I had to go with the 30”.

BestMomEver · Apr 15, 2019

That’s gonna be one gorgeous tank!

Riptide_Reef · May 7, 2019

Finally have rock, water and sand in the tank! Added Dr Tim’s ammonia yesterday to kick start the cycle... moving forward!

My biggest dilemma right now is trying to decide on what Powerhead to buy. I cNt decide between the Gyre, MP, or Nero 5. Biggest problem is i don’t want to spend 500-600 on two units at the moment, to looking at the Gyre in hopes that I can get total tank movement in front, under, and behind the rock work. Eventually i could add a second one to add back and forth gyre, or just add a small Powerhead to help create more random flow.

Although, my favorite movement in peoples tanks I’ve seen has come from the Nero 5... i just don’t know if I can get away with a single pump for the time being, and not have dead spots in the setup. Decisions decisions

TheWB · May 7, 2019

That scape turned out great. For flow you might want to start with a couple of VCA’s Random Flow Generation nozzles and see how that goes, then decide on a powerhead. I have two RFG on some locline and two Current USA wave makers aimed behind my rockscape. That keeps everything randomly blowing around pretty good.

Alexreefer · May 7, 2019

Following! Used to have the old jbj 45 with rounded corners until.... Yea. But anyway looks great! I found that 2 gyres worked really well in the 45 with almost no dead spots in my aquascape.

Riptide_Reef · May 8, 2019

TheWB said:
That scape turned out great. For flow you might want to start with a couple of VCA’s Random Flow Generation nozzles and see how that goes, then decide on a powerhead. I have two RFG on some locline and two Current USA wave makers aimed behind my rockscape. That keeps everything randomly blowing around pretty good.

Thanks a ton!! The funny thing is, it was completely different when creating the scape in the garage... once I moved it, it ended up way different, lol go figure!

I actually have a set of the random flow nozzles in my cart from BRS, glad to hear a good review from you!

Riptide_Reef · May 8, 2019

Alexreefer said:
Following! Used to have the old jbj 45 with rounded corners until.... Yea. But anyway looks great! I found that 2 gyres worked really well in the 45 with almost no dead spots in my aquascape.

Oh man... I’ve heard about those rounded corners cracking ... those stories almost steered me away from the JBJ, but I’m hoping that this new generation of flat panels have a better success rate

Which gyres did you end up using on your tank?

TheWB · May 8, 2019

Riptide_Reef said:
Thanks a ton!! The funny thing is, it was completely different when creating the scape in the garage... once I moved it, it ended up way different, lol go figure!

I actually have a set of the random flow nozzles in my cart from BRS, glad to hear a good review from you!

Mine was the same way in the garage. I documented it a little bit in my thread. It got too big and I had to pare it back down. Even if you mark out your tank footprint I think when you work outside the tank it just keeps growing. I really liked my scape that was too big and it was a real bummer when I realized it wasn’t going to work. Yours turned out well though, great job.

Alexreefer · May 8, 2019

I used 1 1k icemax and A 3k Icemax. Great flow and come at a cheap price

Riptide_Reef · May 8, 2019

What did you think about the 1k? Would two of them work well, or did you definitely need the additional power from the 3k?

Alexreefer · May 8, 2019

I believe if you use the tunze as a return pump than you should have plenty of flow with 2 1k's. Sorry if it was stated before but sps or lps?

Riptide_Reef · May 9, 2019

Alexreefer said:
I believe if you use the tunze as a return pump than you should have plenty of flow with 2 1k's. Sorry if it was stated before but sps or lps?

Mainly going for LPS, so don’t need a ton of flow, but definitely don’t want any dead spots. I’ve got the Tunze return in there, and it’s not too bad, but definitely questionable if it’s really reaching the back corners behind the rock work. I’m hoping the gyres would be able to get around everything there by placing them horizontally on the left and right panels.

I don’t have any experience with any of them though, so not sure what to realistically expect for water movement between the 1k and 3k... so thanks for your input! I had been thinking about going with dual 1k’s, but just wasn’t sure if they would be underpowered or anything.

Did you have yours set to random? Or have them sync’d up with the Icecap interfaces at all? Sorry for all the questions, but I really do appreciate the input of someone who’s used them in the same sized tank, so thanks again!

Alexreefer · May 9, 2019

I liked random for mine. It created an interesting flow and would see dead spots full of detritus blow around. I Got mine from BRS and It comes with a one year warranty which is nice.

Riptide_Reef · Jun 18, 2019

Been a little bit since my last update as I’m more active on IG... but cycle completed without a hitch about two weeks ago. Ended up adding a pair of Icecap 1k Gyres which i love so far.

Added an Azure Damsel post cycle and he’s been doing great, eating well and exploring more and more each day. Last week I added a small clean up crew, and I think he was happy to have some other life in the tank with him, lol...

Next up will be a pair of clowns, followed by first frags! Can’t wait! It’s hard to not go out and stock my tank in one day, haha! I’ll be giving it at least a week or two between small additions, with some testing in between to ensure stable parameters.