Nano reef for a me?

[Oddball]

Hi, many of you wont of met me here, so let me introduce myself, im oddball, a tropical keeper!

I've just skimmed through members pics and seen Aquascapers gorgeous nanoreef and fell in love

I gotta ask how difficult would it be to maintain and set up a nanoreef? Also i would be interested in a similar sized set up in keeping a small goby style fish as well, is this possible?

Anyway I know this is a vague start point but lets see what results i get, thanks guys

 

[StingrayKid]

I'm not as familiar with the saltwater world as most of the people on this section of the forum are, but I can tell you this. Do your research if youre going to start your saltwater hobby with a Nano tank. I am doing this, but I have local information and help resources and have been looking into it for months. Keep in mind if one thing goes wrong, the tank may go with it. Im not trying to turn you away from the idea, but please do your research or it could turn into a desaster. Good luck!

 

[Oddball]

Theres no local marine store here so ive gotta ask u guys before i go and buy something and do just that stingraykid, thanks for the concern, this is all part of my research

 

[parker313]

If you take the time and do it right, a nano is not hard The problem comes from rushing things or adding too many fish or any number of things. The reason a nano is harder than a larger tank is because when something goes wrong, it can kill everything in your tank very quickly - the corals and fish are sensitive and you've got a SMALL body of water to deal with.

Check out my nano-tank diary for how I did it step by step. You can also surf the forums at www.nano-reef.com - I did a LOT of research there.

Good luck if you decide to take the plunge, it can be a LOT of fun!

--Kristin

PS - You can easily keep a smaller goby in a 10g

 

[Navarre]

Well a nano is possible though i dont recomend them for beginners.
There is so many things that you need to be aware of that a larger tank would not cause a problem etc.

Stability is the worst problem.. temperatures and chemistry is a major problem.

Temperature can rise very fast.. this can change PH fast as well.

Also, be aware that should a problem arrise then it usually happens very quickly in a nano tank. Now this doesnt mean it cant work but it does mean that if your new to marines then you might not spot the warning signs fast enough and problems occur.

ok with this warning done now comes the rest of my advice.

10 gallons is the smallest i would choose with fish. With this size i would go no more than 2 or 3 fish.. maybe a pair of clowns and a goby.

 

[Oddball]

15 Galls is the biggest i can go so heres hoping, im doing a lot of reading and BOY is it confusing! I appreciate the advice so far

I am aware that the small bodies of water concerned in a nano are really unstable, but i dont have the space to go any bigger so its this or a blasted goldfish bowl *shudder* im not that cruel!

Perhaps a few recommendations on marine basics, i.e. salinity, pH, hardness, temp and the all important cycle! Thanx guys

 

[Aquascaper]

Take a look at

Live Aquaria

Head to the Nano fish section for some ideas on what can be kept in a nano tank. As Navarre says, keep to 2 or 3 fish max.

 

[Oddball]

Hey advice noted, as always i shall obey the crab!!!!!! I understand the lower stocking ratio, i inted to keep mostly inverts but would like a coupla gobies or something along those lines te hee
Great site cheers for the link

 

[Oddball]

Call me an idiot but liverock, isnt that suposedly chock full of inverts? if so wouldnt that be able to cycle the tank for me? or do we require more bio load to cycle it?

 

[Navarre]

Liverock doesnt necessarily mean it has invertson i t.. it might have a small few polyps etc but the life is more to do with the tiny macro algaes, pods and crusteacieans and most importantly the bacteria inside it.
A tank full of matured liverock will not need to cycle as its done instantaneously.

Lastly.. if you have room for a 15 gallon then i recomend you get one. the larger the tank the more stable its perameters. And of course more stocking options!

 

[Oddball]

15 galls here i come...................mmmmm looking into the other equipment, let ya know what im considering 2morrow