[ACE]

Step by step for how to setup a nano

(BY ACE)_(Aaron)


The first thing I did, you should do to, started before I got my nano ((RESEARCH))
I know it is not the most exiting thing to do but ((trust me))it will help big time!!!
Research everything from corals to fish threw water chemistry it will help!!!

((~TIP~)) hear some links to help your research!!!
Saltwater Fish: Marine Aquarium Fish for Saltwater Aquariums
((~TIP~)) Request magazines they help!!!

((~TIP~)) Books help by having a book for quick reference you have instant help!!!

The second step is to find a place for it
(REMEMBER) not in direct sun light that will make nuisance algae in your tank
and make sure the stand you set it on will hold the Waite or you will have a problem on your hands.
The third step that I did you should do comes after you get the nano you should
wipe it out with warm water and a rag but don't use chemicals they could harm you
tank.
The forth step is to buy all of the equipment hers a list to help out~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Nano tank ~ If you don't have one the size depends on what you can afford.

HEATER ~ one that is really good

DIGITAL THERMOMETER ~ they are much more accurate ~~~

SKIMMER ~ so you wont have the film on the top of the water

REEF SALT ~ make sure you get ref salt it has lots of minerals necessary to set up a reef aquarium ~~~

LIVE SAND ~ the finer grain the better plus it has allot of good bacteria

LIVE ROCK ~ it is what you will use to aqua-scape your aquarium

TEST KITS ~ you need ~ nitrate~ nitrite ~ ammonia ~ Ph ~ phosphate ~ alkalinity

HYDROMETER ~ to measure the amount of salt in the water

RO WATER FILTER ~ it is much cheaper to than to buy it buy gallon out of the store!!!

The fifth step is to put water in it, use RO water it is the best
if you don't know what Ro water is than hears a link
Howstuffworks "How does reverse osmosis work?"
Use RO water all of the time not just to start out use it when you do partial water changes and even when you top it off from evaporation!!!
Don't forget about adding the salt.
When you put the salt in get the salinity between 0.0123-0.0125
Use reef salt so it has the necessary minerals to help start out your tank right!!!
Don't for get that corals take minerals from the water so you will need to add minerals.

((~IMPORTANT~)) just make sure you use that same salt through the life of the aquarium)

The sixth step is to put the substrate in(sand/crushed coral) I prefer live sand it has to many benefits over crushed coral especially for the nano.

((~TIP~)) The rule is one to one and one half pounds of substrate per gallon))

When you put live sand in the tank make sure the water is a good temperature some ware in between 72-80 so you don't kill the live sand and also make sure to turn off all filters so no sand gets in the filter!!!
After you have put the live sand in the tank it will be cloudy don't worry just turn on your filter and it should clear up in about a day or two.

((~FACT~))Live sand is not actually alive it is the the bacteria in the sand that is alive
((hint live sand))

The seventh step is to put the live rock in the tank generally you can get many different type's of live rock, Fiji is generally better than many other types of live rock to help filter the tank.

((~IMPORTANT~)) Make sure that your base rock is touching the bottom of the nano so critters cant get crushed if they dig under the rock!!!

((~TIP~)) Don't stack live rock to close to glass it makes it to hard to clean the glass!!!

((~TIP~)) Make sure when you get the rock to ware you want it you putty or super glue it in plaice so that critters cant be crushed by live rock!!!

((~TIP~)) If you want a unique look you can mix different tips of live rock!!!

((~FACT~)) Live rock is not really alive it is the bacteria in the rock that is alive
((hint live rock))

So now comes the eight step in the setup proses ~cycling~ this step takes patients allot of it.
So to cycle the nano all you need is a fresh uncooked store bought shrimp
set it in the nano let it be!!!
I thank this is the most tempting part of the set up proses if you add fish to quick you could kill them but the weight mite kill you .
So in the cycling proses the shrimp decomposes and lets the good bacteria
(that feeds off of the bad bacteria the decomposed shrimp) start growing witch is good very good!!! to properly set up the tank you need a lot of god bacteria!!!

Hear is the ninth step after about 5-7 days you can put a small cleanup crew a few hermits and snails are the best things to put in right now.
They are neat to watch to.
To tell if your tank is cycled you should test it with the test kits after you put the tank together test it every day,write down the results, so you can keep an eye on how its doing!!!
You will see a ammonia spike, when it goes down to 0 your tank is cycled this mite take 3-4 weeks, so the best advice that I can give you is to be (((patient)))
the final product is worth the weight!!!

After your tank cycles you can put fish in not allot at one time put them in over a
period of a months time.

((REMEMBER)) Your nano has limited space and can get over stalked very fast so keep fish to a minimum.

(( RESEARCH)) the fish that you want so you know what to feed them and how to take care of them.

((TIP)) Don't get a fish that will get to big for the nano that can be a pan.

[Coma]

How in-depth... i'll definetely read this when I win the 12 Gallon at the end of this month.

[glampka]

Nice write up Ace. The only thing I might change is the order of putting in the sand & rock. If you plan on having burrowing fish the rock should go in first to keep it from toppling over when the fish start to burrow. Once the rock is in & secure you can back fill with the sand.

[ACE]

glampka good advice If I could still edit it I would!!!

[rstroede]

Ace excelent write up, the only different things i did was I used Florida crushed coral, instead of sand and now I have been contemplating changing to sand, but not sure how to do this without messing the tank up, and I did not get the skimmer. I need to change these 2 items. I have been thinking about the skimmer and researching. I see one that is designed for nanos that i am looking at. I might have to drill a hole in the back of the tank. If I am not incorrect I need to take the water out of the sump right or am I wrong. Please correct me here. swapping the crushed coral I might do by moving everything to a larger tank maybe that 55 gal dust collector I will get going here soon.
Randy

[ACE]

OK switching to live sand is really really beneficial (good for your tank) how to switch it out I thank moving everything to another tank is a really good idea so you can take all of the cc out.

Just make sure your other tank is set up before you put every thing in it so you don't kill every thing that was in your nano.

and if I'm correct you wont have to drill a hole in your nano for the skimmer.

what type of skimmer are you looking at???

how big is your nano???
It has a sump!!

[rstroede]

I got the Oceanic 14 gal, but when I filled it initially with water it only fit 10 gal of water. It has the wet dry filter system on the back with the bio balls in and a very small, (and I emphasize small) sump that fits the return pump and that is all. All of this is housed in the back of the tank. I will paste the specs on the skimmer I am looking at here.

*****
Current USA Fission Nano-Skimmer
The Fission Nano-Skimmer is the smallest protein skimmer in the world, measuring only 6.5” high and 2” in diameter. Powered by an efficient air injection pump, the patented design rips bubbles into a vortex foam froth, breaking apart proteins and organics, removing them from your nano-home. Easy-to-install, this nano-skimmer packs the power of fission into pint sized perfection.
Recommended for aquariums up to 12 gallons.
Step into a world that fits in the palm of your hand
Power pump - Air injection submersible pump pushes 84 gallons per hour through the skimmer, mixing bubbles and organics in a tornado fashion. The result - a dry foam froth that will make you go yuck!
Patended design – Unique submersible design fits into almost any nano-style aquarium system. Put the pump next to it, beside it, or under it - it fits almost anywhere.
Pint size – The compact size of 6.5" H x 2" Dia. makes it easy to hide in tanks and filters.
Whats included:
Each skimmer includes a submersible venturi pump, protein skimmer, suction cups for mounting, hanging kit and two connection elbows.
*********

I know this will not fit in my tank. It might fit in the 29 gal. Again Thanks ace for all the help you have provided. Sorry ace I just saw it can either be in sump or hang on. It sells for $29.99 at www.marinedepot.com , but I will check out my LFS before I buy. I always check a couple of sources.
Thanks Randy

[ACE]

is this the skimmerCurrent USA Fission Nano-Skimmer - Marine Depot - Marine and Reef Aquarium Super Store

if so I was thanking of getting it to after my nano gets some more fish in it.

[rstroede]

Yes that is the one I am thinking of getting. That is the spot where I saw it also. Does it sound good.
Randy

[glampka]

There has been a lot written about the Fission Nano Skimmer. Most people think it is not good & a few love it. From what I've read it is tough to set it up right. Sapphire (Zen Cart!, The Art of E-commerce) makes skimmers that fit a compartment of the cube's filter. They have various models depending on the type & size of cube you might have.

[ACE]

Aside of bing really expensive it sounds like a good skimmer

[rstroede]

Glampka sounds great, but they do not make one for mine specifically. So I would have to adopt one, and their price is more.
Randy

[glampka]

I'm guessing the NC12 would work for yours. Send them an email & ask. They're pretty good on getting back to you with an answer. Also check out nanotuners They have all sorts of stuff for cubes.

[rstroede]

glampka thanks so very much for all this information. I will look into these 2 different types of skimmers before I buy
Randy

[Chunkmuffin85]

What is the difference between a hydrometer and a refractometer? Besides price is there a huge difference? and in your opinion would you say hydrometer's give too many false readings? I've seen a lot of people saying they can be off by quite a bit, but if some people with experience say it is reliable then I may just go for the hydrometer, but if it is as bad as some claim, i'll spend the extra money when I finally get done researching and get my tank!

[ACE]

OK I thank the hydrometer is accurate I have one and it seams to give constant readings but they say that a refractometer is more accurate then I would go fore the refractometer if you have the money if you don't a hydrometer will be fine I have one (hydrometer) and it works fine so I thank it is really your choice!!!
hears a link so if you wanted a refractometer Refractometers discount - Refracts.com price breakthough

[liveal7]

Great information for us newbies! I think that i'll put my rock in first to make sure it really stable and the burrowers won't make it fall. I also like that you included the links-very helpful.
Thanks!
LIV

[ohmud]

i just want to bump this up for all the newbies like my self this has great info