Nano Marine Tank

[lilacamy931]

My partner is looking into Nano marine tank. He is looing at a small set up with a couple of bright fish. I have steered him from anemones and the such as we are beginners.

Most probably get some clown fish, he likes really bright coloured fish and wondered if you had any better suggestions?

One tank we have seen is a 23 litre, just for the tank for £79.99 with filter pump, etc or with stand, salt, hydrometer etc for £179.99. I wondered if this was a good set up or are their any recommendation on models, websites, prices and what we can expect to set up?

The shop mentioned gobies and blennies?

We are in the early stages of our research. What would be a recommended literage as a minimum to keep the water params stable?

Many thanks for any guidance.

 

[BigC]

Hi and welcome to the salty box,
TBH 23ltrs is very small even to be classed as a Nano. Certainly not much good for clownfish. Would you consider something a little larger at least 70ltr and bigger if poss.
First things first... Have you got a cash figure in mind for the tank alone. Then we can take things from there.
Regards
C

 

[youngfisher]

If you check out my recent marine post.
You will see a few tanks recommended to me for beginners.

YF

 

[lilacamy931]

Hello will go look at that post now! tbh this store doesnt really ever give accurate advice as from what I can remember it was about the same size as my 38 litre but squarer.

My partner would like to add live rock, on a small tank like this would you need a protein skimmer over a filter?

Just asked on a figure, he is willing to buy in bits and pieces over the months, say 80-100 a month, he would buy the tank outright, though obviously the better pricing the better. Obviously things like rock and fish would be extra etc (and salt and hydrometer).

Also recommendations on some fish would be great, he quite likes clowne fish (would not definately get them) but a small community would be great.

Right... off to have a look at that post

 

[lilacamy931]

He is happy to stick with small and limited fish such as the gobies, clown fish, shrimp, we would not do corals to begin with as beginners. If it is good we may get bidding.

What sort of gallons are we looking at per clownfish (one of the smaller species), best shrimp for first marine setup? Recommended gobies etc? We have seen a very cool looking goby (dont know the name), it was bright blues, greens and oranges with stripey sort of pattern, any good with clown fish and what sort of gallons for this little guy - edit - actually just seen it is a mandarin dragonet.

http/www.seapets.co.uk/products/aquarium...nd-cabinet.html

This seems really nice it is a 90 litre roma wth stand, seems a much better choice, comes with internal filter, most likely replace or run alongside live rock?

So 90 litre tank - have live rock, comes with heater and light. Would need to swap or add extra filtration to the internals that are supplied (recommendations welcome). Fish most likely from research - 2 percula clownfish (think that is the right one, recommended 10g each). Would you recommend shrimp with these or alternative tank mates or two clowns limit?

Extras also are salt and hydrometer, thermometer, coral sand, missed anything? Many thanks! Sorry for all the questions.

 

[Trod]

Hi,

Link not working

I would personally say get at least 120L, if you really want Clownfish and gobies.
Live Rock will be your filter.
A protein skimmer is a nice to have but there are plenty of people who run tanks without them

There are lots of gobies that are suitable for that size tanks and will get along nicely with the clowns, Shrimps you can look at cleaner, fire or peppermint to start with.

Have a look here on a bit of info on clownfish http/www.fishlore.com/Profiles-ClownFish.htm but honestly if you want to keep a pair, then 120l is your bare minimum tank IMO

 

[youngfisher]

I started off the same as you.
Buying bits and bits over the month.
But it would seriously be easier to buy a 'Plug & Play' tank.
It puts most people off because of the price.
But if you save up for a couple of months then can purchase it.
And you just need a few other things.
Just my opinion though.
Either way good luck!

YF

 

[bagu]

take a look at

Red Sea Max
Orca
D-D you will see around aswell =]

all very nice starter reef ready tank tbh although the Red Sea Max can be costly but looks like the cats pyjamas

like Trod said, try and aim for 120L but if worst comes to worst settle for 95L++++++++ the bigger the better it allows you to have a bit of leeway if a mistake was to occur =]

looks like you have everything! you might even want to invest in a RO unit ^^ may be costly in the start but in the long run it'll pay for itself

hopefully someone will correct me if i have gone wrong ^^ if a tropical fishkeeper; i just lurk around in the salty side

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks guys - passing all this on to the man with my research as well! Possibly looking at common clownfish. IF live rock which I understand acts as the biological filtration but would we then perhaps need some sort of canister filter at all for anything else happening in the water?

We have seen some good deals on 60,90 and 120 litres (really is up to him ) Thank you so much for all the help so far, he is going to research a bit more (with my help!) the links are really welcome and will most likely be on here shortly to let you guys know on our findings. If any further suggestions, please let me know!

LOL hello again Bagu didnt get a chance to read your post! Brillo will see what we get in the UK!

 

[milkton]

haha, 23 litres? try to beat my 2.5gallon marine (9L)

oh yeah, welcome to the salty side!

 

[BigC]

In essence the smaller the tank the harder it is to keep in balance/stable. Smaller tanks will require much more work (hands on) than larger aquaria and the margin of error is much smaller.
I would consider a Plug n Play(ready to go out of the box) type of aquaria for starters, either an Boyu Orca TL550 or a Second hand RSM. This will negate a lot of the hassle of collecting individual bits and pieces and trying to fit them in here and there and spoiling the look of you main aquarium viewing area.
By going down this route it gives you more time to concentrate on the main reason why you want to set up a marine tank.
There are a few great Nano based journals around, written by folks who have been there done that, sit down and systematically go through them you'll find a myriad of information within those threads
ATB

 

[lilacamy931]

Thanks for all the great information, believe my partner has settled on the Orca 550, really likes the idea of a all built-in system, so now it is researching the fish and corals (he really would like some but as said research!) and he will start saving.

Apparently it is my fault with all my excitedness with my new tanks and fish! Had bought him a small tank to get a betta for his birthday but now it he realises his dream is marine! LOL

We have got the Dummies Guide to Saltwater Aquarium which is great on set up and requirements etc and gives basic dispositions and sizes of fish, we now are going to look at gallons per fish and stocking. It does look like the ever popular clown fish, he does quite fancy the small...ummm..is it butterfly fish? Think it grows about 4 inches, but we need to look at spacing and if suitable with clowns and stocking, etc.

(p.s. my beloved will be signing up to fishforums himself due to all the friendly people and great information ) Thanks guys!

 

[tropic_john]

Hey, for some small fish you could possibly have;

False Grammas/Royal Grammas
Mandarin Gobies [need mature tank & live rock to eat off]
Could get in some golden mollies or black mollies?

 

[Trod]

Hey, for some small fish you could possibly have;

False Grammas/Royal Grammas Yep, but can be agressive
Mandarin Gobies [need mature tank & live rock to eat off] No NO NO Don't even think about these fish yet
Could get in some golden mollies or black mollies? Excuse my ingnorance but aren't these Freshwater fish

If you are definately going with the orca have a look here http/www.fishforums.net/index.php?showtopic=253399 it is my sister and my journey from when we first ordered our Orca to setting it up

Fish choices for this tank are numerous but you will definately get 2 clownfish in there with possably 3 or 4 others, depending on size.
Soft corals, like xenia, recordea's, mushrooms, toadstool leathers, polyps, feather dusters are all easy to care for and would do well in the tank. You could also try some Euphyllia corals e.g. frogspawn or hammer.

Not sure if butterfly fish are reef safe or not

 

[lilacamy931]

EXcellent thank you...did I see 36 pages! Having a good read through now!

P.S. think I must of meant small angelfish?