Trick-Out My Tank Part One: AquaMaxx 12 Gallon Long Aquarium.
Everyday we receive questions about aquarium accessories and how they will fit on our customers tanks. So, we thought it would be a good idea to feature some of the best accessories to help build out some of our most popular aquariums. In this particular blog, we are going to dive into some accessories that will best position an AquaMaxx 12 Gallon long aquarium for sustained mixed reef success. The dimensions of this aquarium give it a really unique look and it can even be replicated on a slightly larger scale with the 22 gallon long. Keep in mind however that the accessories recommended in this piece may not all be the perfect choice for the 22 gallon. Just because we don’t mention a specific aquarium accessory in this piece does not mean that it wouldn’t be a great choice for the system. If you have any questions or, you are seeking a particular recommendation our customer care team would be more than happy to assist you.
Within the article, we will first dive into a filtration recommendation and a media recommendation to go along with it. Then, we will provide our choice for a heater along with a perfect lighting option. Finally, we will make our pick for an ideal protein skimmer for this tank. In total, all of these accessories would help create the perfect setup for a mixed reef within this aquarium.
Summary:
The ideal filter choice: Seachem Tidal HOB Power Filter 35
Our filter media selection: Chemi Pure Blue Nano Packets
Keep the tank warm: Eheim Jager 75 Watt Heater
Illuminate and grow corals: 2X AI Prime 16 HD’s
Skim away the waste: ReefGlass Nano Skimmer Bundle
The ideal filter choice: Seachem Tidal HOB Power Filter 35
Filtration is one of the most important factors in a successful aquarium and the Seachem Tidal HOB Power Filter 35 is our pick for the perfect filter option for our 12 gallon long tank from AquaMaxx. Due to this tank not being drilled, we felt that a hang-on-back filter would be the best option. Despite its small size, this unit can pack some serious punch. This filter also has some premium features that are not common in most other hang-on-back systems. These include a self-cleaning impeller, a built in surface skimmer, and a maintenance alert feature that tells you when it may be time to replace the media. Another excellent component of this unit is its ability to hold a large amount of media considering its compact size. This allows hobbyists to fully customize their filtration based on the current needs of their aquarium. Overall, we feel this unit is a great selection to be the filtration powerhouse needed to maximize the potential of a 12 gallon AquaMaxx aquarium.
Our filter media selection: Chemi Pure Blue Nano Packets
Without the proper filter media, the filtration within an aquarium can turn from excellent to poor rather quickly. In order to maximize space without sacrificing the quality of media within your filter, we recommend using two Chemi Pure Blue nano packets within the Seachem Tidal 35 filter. Chemi-Pure Blue is a mix of carbon, GFO, and other elements designed to maximize the removal of excess nutrients while simultaneously polishing the water and making the display nice and clear. Additionally, the small size of the nano packets make them perfect for squeezing into a hang-on-back filter. Pairing Chemi-Pure blue with some filter floss such as Poly-Filter will create the perfect combination to maximize the performance of your filter. For its small footprint and ability to perform multiple tasks within filtration, the Chemi Pure Blue Nano Packets are our choice of filter media to maximize the appearance of the AquaMaxx 12 Gallon Long Aquarium.
Keep the tank warm: Eheim Jager 75 Watt Heater
While a heater may seem like a relatively straightforward selection, keeping your tank at the proper temperature is one of the most crucial factors in ensuring success. Therefore, we have selected the proven Jager
Heater from our friends at Eheim. The Jager has been around for years and it is relied upon by thousands of aquarists to keep their systems at the right temperature. For our 12 gallon aquarium, the 75 Watt model will have more than enough power. For a mixed reef, we recommend keeping the aquarium between 78 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a heater made of shatter-proof glass where the temperature can be adjusted on the top of the unit. Another excellent feature of this heater is that it has run dry protection that will automatically shut the heater off should it be removed from water. With each of these features at such an affordable price point, the Eheim Jager 75 Watt is the perfect choice for our 12 gallon long aquarium from AquaMaxx.
Illuminate and grow corals: 2X AI Prime 16 HD’s
With this tank being 36 inches long, in order to create a full mixed reef, two light fixtures would most likely be necessary. Therefore, we selected two AI Prime 16 HD’s as our choice. We have chosen this light due to its power, controllability, and reasonable price point. Regardless of whether you want to fill the tank with LPS, SPS or softies, you can create a fully customizable schedule that will allow you to get the output needed for sustained success. Each light can be mounted with a flex arm to complete a unique look and position the lights perfectly over the tank for even coverage. In regards to control, the MyAI smartphone application has been improved over the years to make creating a schedule simple and easy. Additionally, a new feature of this light is a moonlight mode that will keep your tank looking beautiful and slightly illuminated even after peak lighting hours. The improved fan design will help preserve and protect the light from overheating. Each of the features on these fixtures make it our choice to maximize the mixed reef potential within the 12 gallon AquaMaxx tank.
Skim away the waste: ReefGlass Nano Skimmer Bundle
Beyond just standard filtration, it is important to have a way to remove excess nutrients from your aquarium. Running a protein skimmer on this tank will allow you to do just that. However, in a tank this small that lacks a sump, space will be at a premium. Therefore, the Nano Skimmer from Reefglass is the perfect choice to maximize the performance of this aquarium. By purchasing this skimmer as part of the bundle, everything you will need to get the skimmer up and running will be included. The ReefGlass has a small diameter of 1.25” which makes it ideal for squeezing into this aquarium. In terms of maintenance with this skimmer, we recommend keeping an eye on the limewood airstone which should be replaced at minimum every 6 months. The skimmer itself is powered by an air pump and airstone which pushes excess proteins out of the skimmer and into a collection cup. Each of these features make the ReefGlass Nano Skimmer the perfect choice for maximizing performance on the 12 gallon long aquarium from AquaMaxx.
Final Thoughts:
We hope this article has been helpful and has introduced you to a variety of some of our favorite tank accessories for this aquarium and many other nano tanks. Keep a lookout for our next article in this series and don’t hesitate to contact us if there is a particular aquarium you would like to see “tricked-out”. Selecting the proper equipment for your aquarium can make all the difference when it comes to setting up your tank for sustained success. Our Customer Care Team will be around for any questions or recommendations you are seeking.
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