My Nano Diary.

[Die_Grinder]

ok i have a 15uk gal tank and its a freshwater trop set up at the mo. no fish in all died over time.

the tank:
15uk gal
50w heater
fluval 104 external
Co2 system

its fully planted but i am gonna move the plants to my bigger trop tank downstairs.

what do i need to add/remove to the tank to make it into a nano reef?

was plannig a live rock filter aided by the fluval 104.

was only planning on having a couple of fish in it

any feed back welcome

 

[demonmagus]

you would need LR (duh lol) and live sand, RO water would be very good and you can buy from LFS, but most people just buy a unit, and you may some powerheads <--- don't quote me on that because I don't know much

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

ok i have a 15uk gal tank and its a freshwater trop set up at the mo. no fish in all died over time.

the tank:
15uk gal
50w heater
fluval 104 external
Co2 system

its fully planted but i am gonna move the plants to my bigger trop tank downstairs.

what do i need to add/remove to the tank to make it into a nano reef?

was plannig a live rock filter aided by the fluval 104.

was only planning on having a couple of fish in it

any feed back welcome

I'll try and help you out a lil

In a 15uk gal - 18US gal(ish) you could keep three smallish fish. A good example for this tank could be a true perc, firefish and a small goby like a clown goby etc.

I'd personally put a 75w heater on it at least, if not a 100w just for the extra stability. Don't skimp on heaters. Ebo jagor and stealth a highly rated among nano-reefers

You could use the fluval for more LR just fill it up with rubble for that extra bit of filtration. Sponges are touch and go in nano's as they can become nitrate factories
You'll need a powerhead also to get the water moving

Did you use any copper based medicines in the tank?

Dan

 

[Die_Grinder]

no copper that i am aware of.

so i fill tha fluval up with LR, get LS and a better heater oh and a hydrometer? is that all i need?

oh and a RO unit but do i need to get a RO unit asap?

how many powerheads we talking here?

 

[Aquascaper]

Basically chuck everything form the existing setup; substrate, filter pads, etc. as it's all useless for a Nano.

As the others have pointed out the best thing to do with the external would be to gut it and fill with live rock for extra filtration rather than using the mechanical filtration in it at the moment. Upgrade the heater to 75w/100w and get at least one powerhead, you shoul be looking for one rated at about 300gph, and that should start you off. I'm assuming as this is a planted tank at the moment that you have sufficient lighting so you may only need to change the tubes rather than the fittings.

 

[Die_Grinder]

kool thx
just hope my lfs stock live rock
they sell marine salt and fish and everything so i assume they do will ring em in a sec to find out.

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

no copper that i am aware of.

so i fill tha fluval up with LR, get LS and a better heater oh and a hydrometer? is that all i need?

oh and a RO unit but do i need to get a RO unit asap?

how many powerheads we talking here?

Well as long as you didn't add any medicines like ich control and so on you'll be fine

You don't need LS, a bag of carribsea live-arog sand will be fine for you and probably alot cheaper.
Most people are now getting refractometers as hydrometers are unrealible and cause your tank to crash with big SG swings. They are only about $40 so won't break the bank (The LR has already done that job for you )

You'll have to use RO water for your tank as tap water contains too many additives like phosphates, nitrates and high TDS levels. This will cause massive algae blooms, unless your as lucky as bunjiweb you'll need an RO Unit. About $100 for a good unit on Ebay.

A single MaxiJet1200 will be enough for the tank. If you have the fluval running also a 900 will be fine instead.

Dan

 

[Die_Grinder]

humm i did use ich med. tho i didnt think it had copper in. will it affect anything?

 

[Aquascaper]

Copper will kill Inverts if it leaches back out of the silicone where it will have leached into (assuming the meds had copper - most do)

 

[Die_Grinder]

kool may just buy a new tank then, or could i go over the old silicone with new?

 

[Aquascaper]

If you have the means to get a new tank do so IMO

The bigger the tank the easier it is to keep water parameters stable so go as large as you can and go for a long, wide tank rather than a short high one as the former will be a lot easier to illuminate should you choose to get corals later on.

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

I'd say get a new tank, a standard 15g will only cost you $20.....compared to the 100's of $'s that will go down the drain if your copper leaches back out the sealent

Dan

 

[Die_Grinder]

just been out and got one. ok so can i put the LR in at the same time as the RO water and coral sand?

oh and how much % water change should i do and how often?

 

[steelhealr]

Test your tank first. Set it up and run it for temperature, leaks, etc. wiht plain water. Make sure all is good..there is a lot more to lose with SW than FW. I DO advise you to read up so you have a good feel for salt if you haven't done so already. Check out the Realm of knowledge pin in the marine chat area.

Then...mix up sw in the tank. Bring it up to the specific gravity you want. Remove 1/3rd and add your live rock and substrate, aquascuape, cycle. I highly recommend investing in a refractometer over a hydrometer. SH

 

[Die_Grinder]

ok i got it all set up. just waiting for the temp to rise to 80 till i add my salt.

lemme see if i can get a pic.....

ok there we go, soz its bad quality, could not finsd my digi cam.