5 Gallon Corner Eclipse...

[Hollymolly4]

I have this extra tank now and eventually I'd like to try a nano tank. Probably no fish. Don't worry, I have no plans to do this in the near future. I want to know everything there is to know before I get started. Any book suggestions? What is best for a beginner? I've only kept freshwater fishtanks.
Any advise for a newbie would be greatly appreciated!

 

[SkiFletch]

I'd start with the stickies atop this section. As for books, tbh, I'm not very sure about nano ones... I'm sure somebody will though

 

[chrissaysyes]

The Nano-Reef Handbook by Chris R. Brightwell

 

[Hollymolly4]

Thanks for the replies. I scanned thru the stickies already. Wasn't sure if a 5gallon corner tank would be ok. I've always wanted to try this but it looked to hard.

 

[chrissaysyes]

It's certainly tricky and not the size I'd recommend for a beginner but if you're up to it, by all means, dive in

 

[Hollymolly4]

What size would you recommend for a beginner? I have a 10 gallon with a betta. By the time I actually start this mini reef up the betta will probably be in the great big fishbowl in the sky.

 

[timpetty]

The bigger, the better when it comes to SW tanks. The larger water volume will dilute the toxins that build up. There are also other options such as adding second tanks as sumps (im sure you can find many examples on this site). Bottom line though, especially for beginnners, I would go with the 10gal if possible because it has double the capacity.

 

[connorsbala]

Id go for the 10 gal
I started my marine keeping experience with a 12 UK gal and it wasnt too difficult, as i did my research, had the help from this site and have employees discount at the LFS

 

[PRW1988]

The bigger, the better when it comes to SW tanks. The larger water volume will dilute the toxins that build up. There are also other options such as adding second tanks as sumps (im sure you can find many examples on this site). Bottom line though, especially for beginnners, I would go with the 10gal if possible because it has double the capacity.

The reason why a big tank is a better thing is not so much the dilution of toxins, however it's because the tank is a more stable enviroment because it has more water. I'm having the same delemia as you are currently, I've a 5 gallon eclipse hex, and I'm planning on nano, but not 100% sure as to what I can keep.

 

[chrissaysyes]

The bigger, the better when it comes to SW tanks. The larger water volume will dilute the toxins that build up. There are also other options such as adding second tanks as sumps (im sure you can find many examples on this site). Bottom line though, especially for beginnners, I would go with the 10gal if possible because it has double the capacity.

The reason why a big tank is a better thing is not so much the dilution of toxins, however it's because the tank is a more stable enviroment because it has more water...

...which dilutes toxins and nutrients making larger volumes more stable...sort of redundant here

 

[PRW1988]

Shhhh... nobody needs to know...

 

[timpetty]

 

[xxBarneyxx]

You could do it in a 5g but I wouldn't for the first tank. My first marine tank is around 14g and was simple enough to maintain and keep stable. I dont think I would have wanted to go much smaller though and if I had the space it would have been bigger.

I would go for the biggest tank you can get Also use RO water as it will make it a lot easier to keep the nitrate and phosphate down. If you have space under the corner tank then you could add a sump. It doesnt have to be anything special, just something to hold more water which is connected to the display tank.

Definetly have a good read around here. Dont worry too much if some stuff doesnt make a lot of sense to begin with. I read up on marine tanks for months before I got mine and a lot of it seemed really complicated or confusing until I actually did it for mysef. It really is no more difficult then FW once you get used to it. Like FW tanks tough you can make it a lot more complicated/advanced if you want to (or just keep some easy soft corals and then pretty much all you need to do is regular water changes, just like a FW tank).