Going To Start A Nano Tank...

[l.michelle]

Hi, I have never posted on this side, but I wandered in one day and found out what nano reefs are. And quite frankly, it is what I have been looking for. I have wanted a saltwater aquarium and have been doing research but am so scared to try it on such a huge level as having 100 gallon + aquariums. The nano reefs look like just what I need.

I read through the faq, I have the Encyclopedia of Salwater Aquariums and I have Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies. I am thinking about a ten gallon to start with, but I want to know what other people think.

Also I don't know too too much about corals and whatnot, so I will be looking into those, but what do people prefer? What do you find works the best.

Sorry for needing to pick your brains, but I really want this to work out. I haven't bought anything yet as I thought I would see other experiences first.

Thanks in advance!!

 

[Mr Miagi]

Hi, I have never posted on this side, but I wandered in one day and found out what nano reefs are.

Sweet! Welcome to "the dark side" of TFF, where us Salties hang out!

Nano reefs are great! Although they have their downsides, so do larger tanks. I think for a starter tank, something a little larger than a 10g would only be beneficial. You may have read the reasons why. WAY better stocking options, and a greater water volume leads to stability, and stability is something we strive for in SW. Something like a 30g or even a 55 arnt difficult to keep, and many of the tank journals you can find in the Marine and Reef Chit Chat forum are larger, and should give you a rough idea of cost, methods used, and benefits/disadvantages.

Corals are probably one of the last things to go into a marine tank. Easier, hardier corals could go in earlier, say mushrooms, LPS and Zoas, but its best to wait until you've established a mature, stable tank. Lighting and flow also dictate what corals can be kept.

Its best in SW to decide what you'd possiby like to keep stock wise, then plan your aquarium around them. Books like you have, and sites like Liveaquaria.com should get you on your way to deciding what corals/invertebrates/fish you'd like to keep.

Hope that helps, Ben.

 

[SkiFletch]

to the salty side of life. I totally agree with everything Mr M said, especially considering a tank larger than a 10g. If you still like the smaller size of a nano tank, consider going with a model that is at least 24-36 inches long. Longer and shorter (top to bottom) tanks are more desireable in saltwater as they allow easier aquascaping, allow fish to setup better territories, and are also much easier to find lighting for

Other than that, research research research, figure out what organisms you like, find out if they CAN be kept in a nano, and then design your equipment around them . Dont forget, even us experienced salties are still learning

 

[l.michelle]

Thank you very much I am dragging my ever-so-loving boyfriend to a few petstores tonight to start hunting out things, probably won't buy any tonight though as I want to maek a master list of what would be best, otherwise i will get too impulsive.

I am getting so excited!!

 

[SkiFletch]

Good luck resisting the urge. And make sure you take pics

 

[l.michelle]

I went to a petstore on Friday to start looking at tanks and such, but the tore I went to doesn't have saltwater stuff, but the tanks should be well enough. I am assuming I shouldn't buy one of those box tanks that includes the light, filters, nets etc? Because the ones I will need will be different, right? So would I be better off just buying a tank, then all the other stuff separate?

Sorry for the silly question, I don't want to mess anything up. And I have decided, that seeing as though my anniversary is on this friday, I am going to decide that I want to go to the best pet store I have seen thus far for the anniversary They have huge saltwater setups

 

[steelhealr]

Hi I.... ...welcome to the hottest area of aquarium keeping. A few thoughts. A ten gallon tank is fine to start out with if you want to start out small and challenging. However, what everyone else here has posted is true. "The solution to pollution is dilution". The larger the tank you buy, the more it is able to handle insults and trust me...these tanks take insults even in the best of hands. The problem with a smaller tank is the eye is larger, that is, once you get going with this, a 10 will limit you to fish, corals, etc. Corals will fight to the death if they encroach on each other. You'll have to resist overstocking with a small tank.

Decide if you want to have a few fish...then you should push your nano limits...29-30Gs. If you want a small beautiful tank and don't need more than 1 fish, a ten is fine. Overall, a 20G long is an EXCELLENT starter tank. Also, the larger the tank, the more the need for extra equipment, i.e, a skimmer. Smaller tanks do just fine with regular frequent water changes.

As Mr. Miaggi stated, corals are far off and the sooner you put them in your tank, the more you are asking for trouble. I recommend that you start off with Borneman's book on Corals and just start to read and educate yourself.

Good luck.

SH

 

[@ombomb]

IMO you're MUCH better off buying a bare tank and then buying seperate components to go with it.

That way you get exactly what you need rather than having to modify / work around certain features.

 

[l.michelle]

Awesome, thank you both very very much. I will definately look into a larger tank (20gallons or more) and make sure it is long. To be honest, I never knew corals were so active

I have a lot to learn about this, and I will go to the bookstore tonight to get that book recommended.

Also, a question, what I was wondering about this morning, is that would a nano tank work at the office? I am here monday - friday 6:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. I already have a 5 gallon FW tank here with one betta, but I wonder how the nano would do over weekends? And I suppose holidays might be a problem, although I can come in here anytime I want to as I have a key, I have a rather large office so I know it would fit, I also know the lawyer I work for wouldn't mind, I am just wondering how it would do over weekends/holidays, if I came in?

Thanks! And again, sorry for silly questions.

 

[@ombomb]

Something as small as 5G will probably need some attention at least every other day.

I've thought about it at work too and ultimately it'd be nice, but a right pain to look after.

 

[l.michelle]

No no, I have a 5 gallon but that already has a fish in it, I am going to go for a 20gallon, but I am wondering if over the weekend would be fine to leave a nano for.

 

[SkiFletch]

I've seen people make office nano tanks work, especially if you keep the salinity lower so that evap wont kill you over the weekend. The things I would really be concerned with would be "conflict of interest" issues as far as your employer was concerned. I'd make absoloutely sure that your employer was not just OK with it but supportive and encouraging. The last thing you want is to be told that your job performance is suffering because of a fishtank .

 

[l.michelle]

Ah I won't have to worry about that lol the lawyer here loves me, I have been with her for about 4 years now, I am her only full time monday to friday 7:00 - 5:00 assistant lol. and I got lots of room ontop of my filing cabinet for the tank or i can put it to the other side of my office there is great room for a tank and stand. I know she won't have a problem with it. I have another silly question, I know this is way far in advance, but do you think that I could possibly have one of these little guys? I love them so much, they are adoreable

 

[SLC Flyfishing]

Ah I won't have to worry about that lol the lawyer here loves me, I have been with her for about 4 years now, I am her only full time monday to friday 7:00 - 5:00 assistant lol. and I got lots of room ontop of my filing cabinet for the tank or i can put it to the other side of my office there is great room for a tank and stand. I know she won't have a problem with it. I have another silly question, I know this is way far in advance, but do you think that I could possibly have one of these little guys? I love them so much, they are adoreable

In a 20 gallon long you'd be able to get away with it I'd think.

SLC

 

[l.michelle]

ooh, that is quite good, and stupid question, 20gallon long means it is longer length-wise than height? Roughly how long is ideal?