Help on 12 gal Nano cube

[m4_next]

Hi. I am a beginner on saltwater fish (but have some experience in freshwater fish). How many fish and corals can I realistically put in a 12 gal Nano cube? Is it easy to maintain the corals w/ stock lighting? What other non-stock equipment do I really need (extra power head for flow, etc.?)? Thanks.

 

[impur]

I would suggest you stay away from the nano-cube. They may be a neat size tank, but the cost just doesn't justify all the DIY and additional equipment you must buy to turn this into a good reef tank.

You cannot keep any corals under the stock lighting. You will need a powerhead or 2 for additional water movement. You can keep a couple of small fish in there, and as far as coral you can keep as many as you can fit if you give them sufficient lighting and water parameters.

If you really want the cube, go for it. Be prepared to rip up the hood for better lighting & rip out the overflow stuff since it will become a nitrate farm. I would suggest you look into a standard AGA 10 gal or 20 gal long.

 

[ChriX]

Here's a couple of stock Nano-cubes, to give you an idea of what can be achieved without any modification or further equipment. The second even keeps all of the original bio-media in the back.

http/www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...highlight=stock

http/www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread...&threadid=28445

 

[Great Lakes]

Depends on what the stock lighting is.

 

[bugsy66]

I currently have a 10 gal nano going for the past 9 months. All is well and beginners luck is what i call it.

I have two fish in mine, a tomato clown and a green chromis, along with a camel shrimp, two small hermit crabs and a turbo snail. If I were doing this again and wanted fish I would strongly go with two percs. There is nothing wrong with the fish I have but the chromis do like to be in schools of their own kind. The clown and the chromis really get along well and are so funny. So it is possible to have two fish like the percs.

I also have lots of rock and mushrooms and xenia too. My lights are the screw in 20 watt 50/50 powercompact coralife flourescent bulbs. My hood is an incandescent and this is the only type of lighting I can use without changing my whole hood. But for more harder to keep corals you would definatley have to use a different light setup. Many marine people use the 96 watt strip light in their 10 gal nanos.

Mine is just fine for what I need and want. Now keeping this size of tank balanced is something else. You must, must, must be up to par with your water changes, water top ups, vacuming the tank if you use crushed coral. It can be done, but do alot of reading before attempting this.

I just love my nano and have thought about going bigger but I also have a 25 gal freshwater and a koi pond to I have to take care of. For some good sites about marine fish email me and I will give you some great sites. [email protected]

good luck....bugsy B)