12 gal nano-cube questions

[atrocity]

I purchased a "JBJ 12 gal Nano-Cube", and have had it up and running with Live sand/LR for about a month ½. I eventually would like to turn this tank into a Nano-reef setup, but I recently looked over the instructions for the tank, and it recommended I remove the ceramic rings and bio balls from the back of the tank. (The filtration system of the tank is setup into three compartments Sponge Filter -> Ceramic Rings and Carbon -> Bioballs. I'm curious as to what these two components do for the tank, as opposed to an absence of them, and if I really shouldn't have started the tank with them because it stated that removing them later could through off the tank. So, If I have to remove these for a reef setup, how should I go about doing so? Also, how will this stay under control without a skimmer? Because I know this tank is designed for a nano-reef setup, but has no skimmer.. seems like it would have a problem with organic buildup.

[MikeS]

the rings and bioballs provide surface area for biological filtration, but can be problematic in a reef setup because of nitrate production. Removing them would be a good idea.

It would be a good idea to use a skimmer IMO, but I'm not sure which one to recommend for a tank of that size. Hopefully one of our fellow nano keepers will have a suggestion on this...

Mike

[atrocity]

Is it going to disrupt anything after the tank has allready cycled to just remove them?

[MikeS]

yes, a swift reduction in your bacteria levels can cause ammonia and nitrite levels to spike....remove the biomedia slowly over time, giving the tank time to adjust...

Mike

[atrocity]

So Remove 1 ball every couple days, then do the ceramic?

[gman0526]

Unfortunetly there's no way to hook up a skimmer to the Nano cube with out doing major mods to the tank, the tank is one of those "all in one" deals.

On the bioballs issue that plan seems about right.