New To Nanos

[delryn]

Hey Folks
20 years ago I had a1200g (roughly) reef w/ fish tank, that had been built into our basement - it was primarily corals, crustaceans with pipefish as centre peices
This was my intro to aquariums (prior owners left the tank occupants and equipment behind - with highly detailed instructions)
since that house I have only had freshwater tanks, but I continually hear the call of soft corals swaying in the current (thank god I'm not a tiny fish )

I have a few extra 10g tanks around and have been hankering to set up a mini reef
After reading the sticky posts above, and doing a bit of research online, I am asking for opinions outside of written doctrine as to what steps to take, shortcuts that are safe, recommended products etc


Delryn

 

[Ethos]

Good.
Nanos are fun, but slow......But in the end they are awesome.
I wish I had a house with a large tank built in....

 

[steelhealr]

First off, 'nano reef', not mini reef. Sorry..just being a stickler. A 10 gallon AGA is a good tank to start. Give us an idea what you'd like to keep in it and we'll spin you around and point you in the right direction. Welcome aboard. SH

 

[delryn]

Thanks for the replies

I have to say, it has been 20 years since I ran a SW tank, so I would start with the basics
I figure a few good pieces of live rock, maybe one soft coral (undecided on type, end size will be a factor)
I would love to have pipefish again, but I will probably start with something a little more basic and beneficial, probably stick with a few shrimp / crabs etc

One thing I would like to maintain - all my tanks are self contained, no external pumps or filters
I know this will be difficult to do, but I would like to keep my "nano" the same in that reguard

Steelhealr thanks for pointing out my mini mistake, caught myself this time

Delryn

 

[bunjiweb]

Both my "nano" reefs are self contained. The 15G has an internal air-driven protein skimmer and filtration with luminaire lighting on top of the tank. My 5G is the same, although no protein skimmer.

Its perfectly easy to keep them self contained, as most if not all nano equipment is designed for use in the tank, unlike the skimmers and reactors used on larger reefs.

Ben

 

[delryn]

Both my "nano" reefs are self contained. The 15G has an internal air-driven protein skimmer and filtration with luminaire lighting on top of the tank.

For your air driven skimmer is there not an external pump?
I haven't been reading the nano specific articles, just articles on larger tanks - so I'm unfamiliar with the equipment, time for a bit more research

thanks
D

 

[bunjiweb]

Theres an external air-pump but this is no worse than a power supply? You could intergrate it into your tank or get yourself a powerhead-driven skimmer.

Ben

 

[steelhealr]

Delryn..you can do it. My 24G is basically self contained. Two pumps for circulation. No filter per se. That's the beauty of a nano reef...if you become an 'expert' at keeping water, you won't need it...just your LR and pumps to circulate water. My tank has three back chambers, so, keeps my equipment hidden. But..you could aquascape your pumps away if you want. The only thing is ....it would be helpful to have some type of filter media IMO....you could bend the rules a bit and put an AquaClear HOB..use it for media or create a small fuge out of it. SH