[reefer]

I am thinking of starting a nano tank? Any advice?
I've heard they are harder than larger tanks.

[phat]

yeah nano's are supposed to be harder as the water volume is obviously alot less therefore making it alot harder to keep water parameters stable esp temp

[Olliereefer]

Hello Reefer
As Phat mentions they are harder to keep than a large tank

Olliereefer

[dno117]

I myself was considering a nano setup. Probably the 24 gallon version. I dont want many fish, just one or two. If my project crashes and burns, so be it. My question is does anyone have any suggestions as to which setup to go with? I didnt really know if one may have an advantage over another. I had a saltwater tank many many years ago and want to get back into the hobby , but I am sure some things have changed. Any specific componants or set ups to be aware of? Thanks

[volitan_fa]

Originally Posted by dno117

I myself was considering a nano setup. Probably the 24 gallon version. I dont want many fish, just one or two...

I'm assuming you mean like a JBJ, Eclipse, or some similar nano tank? Well those are pretty good starter packages if you want a nano reef. I went the hard way and bought a 10 gal glass tank and set up from scratch. My opinion, read up a lot, use Oceanic salt (one of my little quips), use sand/live sand and not crushed coral, use a protein skimmer if you can, and finally use 2 smaller heaters that are high quality. I lost an entire tank once by using a less-quality brand of heater.

[phishpzz6]

Does anyone have any info or exp with 12 gal nanos Im considering a mini protein skimmer in my nano this guy at a pet shop out here has a mini and all he did was cut part of the fan out to fit the skimmer but his water is crystal clear I did purchase a skimmer that hangs by the water intake it is just sucktioned there and hangs but it is growing a thin layer of brown algae. Need any info about this topic please!

[crazinezz978]

what nano skimmer do you have on it currently?

[andy]

hi im new to this but i did see a video on nano set ups i think it was on
Practical Fishkeeping magazine | Britain's number one tropical fish magazine (dont qout me on the address)!! or try typing PFK into you search engine i found plenty of rescourses here in the uk good luck

[glampka]

I've been watching the used JBJs that have been on eBay. They all seem to have 1 problem - broken feeder door hinge.

[baycity20]

They are hard I have a 55 and a 6 gallon nano. My nano gets algae and I have to clean it every week but it is a great reef tank and you can make it really cool in ways you cant to a 55 they are great tanks and I would get one. They also act as hospitale tanks when you need them so they are very handy. They dont need a lot of supplies like salt, sand and a filter is included I would get one if I were you

[BEKAHBOO1981]

i HAVE A 29 GAL. FRESHWATER TANK AT HOME AND HAVE BEEN THINKING ABOUT STARTING A SALTWATER TANK AS WELL. i WENT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND THEY HAD THE 24 GAL NANO CUBE. i FOUND ONE FOR A REALLY GOOD PRICE & i LIKE THE FACT THAT IT IS A KIT. BUT, MY BROTHER IN LAW HAS A 30 GAL TANK (I BELIEVE) THAT HE USED FOR A FRESHWATER TANK AND NOW HE IS DOING NOTHING WITH IT, AND i HAVE PONDERED JUST GETTING IT AND TRYING TO CONVERT IT INTO A REEF TANK. (BUYING JUST THE NECCESARY ADD ONS TO ADAPT IT). aLSO i HAVE BEEN READING ALLOT ABOUT THE PROBLEMS OF THE CUBE. aNY SUGGESTIONS ON WHAT I WOULD BE BETTER OFF DOING? WHAT THINGS i NEED TO BUY TO UPGRADE THE UNUSED TANK? PLEASE SOMEONE HELP.

[boombadan]

it would probly cost less to upgrade than buying the 29g cube. The only thing that would get pricey is the light.

[mestupidcat]

Any freshwater tank can be converted to saltwater with new equipment. This is what I did and I have a working DIY 5 gallon nano from an old freshwater hex tank.

1. Clean the old tank thoroughly. I just use water and scrub with towel or brush.

2. Clean the filter thoroughly if you are going to use for saltwater and replace cartridge. Some filters will die if they suck in any sand so be careful not to stir up sand so it can get sucked in. New power filters for small tanks can be found for under $20 at Aquarium Power Filters: Marineland Penguin BIO-Wheel Power Filters

3. Fill about 2/3s with saltwater, add live rock and live sand. Wait a couple of hours for sand to settle and turn on filter.

4. Add a protein skimmer if desired. Recommended and required if you want more fish. Visit site above for the nano skimmer.

5. Add a fluorescent light/bulb (or power compact) for soft corals or something stronger for hard corals.

6. Let the tank sit for a couple of weeks to stabilize. Check salinity, temp, pH, etc. When required parameters are met, it should be okay to add one fish (no more fish for a month). You can add a few crabs/snails/shrimp in meantime.

[mestupidcat]

P.S. Here's my 5 gallon DIY "nano".

[teajay33]

2. Clean the filter thoroughly if you are going to use for saltwater and replace cartridge. Some filters will die if they suck in any sand so be careful not to stir up sand so it can get sucked in. New power filters for small tanks can be found for under $20 at Aquarium Power Filters: Marineland Penguin BIO-Wheel Power Filters




bio wheels SUCK. they just throw up salt and make more salt creep. i'd go with a aqua clear 30 or 50 depending on size. always overshoot with those things. like for my 10 gallon, i'm using the 50 and it says 20-55 gallon tanks. better to have more than not enough

[mestupidcat]

Teajay, you're right that getting more power than you need is good. Maybe the filters I suggested aren't the BEST, but they work well for the price. I have on my 5 gallon a "Cascade 100 Power Filter" (what the LFS had for $20). So far, so good. Its sucked up some sand and made bad sounds, but it still works good. Says up to 20 gallons, but its small enough to fit one side of a 5 gal hex (6" long). For people on a budget, the cheap power filters WILL work if you don't stir up sand under their intake. A protein skimmer is good to have too; those little nano skimmers fit in almost anything! Probably best to research any piece of equipment before buying to make sure it will fit and work with your set up. Online, most filters should tell you if they can handle saltwater use.

[rstroede]

I got the Oceanic Nano in the 14 gal version, they come in 8 gal, 14 gal, and 29 gal. What I liked about the oceanic is that it comes with a self contained wet dry filter, and comes with a 10,000K daylight compact fluorescent lamp, actinic blue fluorescent lamp, and 2 lunar blue moon glow bulbs, the only thing missing is the skimmer; which from what I am reading should be my next investment. I believe the cost for the 29 gal at my LFS is just below $300.00. Mine is working fine right now going on 5 months old.
Randy

[tayRavage23]

would i be able to bring a 12g nano to college with me in a year? what about a 24g?

[glampka]

You should be able to take either with you to college.

[Batfish]

The first saltwater tank I ever had was a 10gal. There not as hard as everyone says as long as you keep an eye on it. You don't need a protein skimmer as long as you do freqwent water changes.(I do 1/2 gal every week on my 10gal) Also when doing water changes do them slowly. When you change the water in a nano it changes very quick. When adding the new water try using an air line tube. Also be careful not to over feed. Feed the fish slowly so that they can catch it all before it hits the bottom. Any food that is not eaten will just ruin your water quality.

If I could do it with no experiance so can you. Good luck!!

[gmflex]

go with a bio-cube..

[patrick1234]

nano's are not hard to keep you just have to give them a little ...TLC...
but if i was going to go with one look at the cube master i have one right now and i had some truble with it but its really good tank for the money

[patrick1234]

look for my post for the link to it