6 or 12 gallon nano cube reef system

skeletonhand

skeletonhand

Landscaper Extraordinaire
Sep 9, 2006
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Lincoln, NE
I'm toying with the idea of starting a 6 or 12 gallon nano cube reef aquarium. Here is what I was thinking of getting http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=10677&rel=1

I've never tried the saltwater thing before, but I do have a few years experience with freshwaters. So here's my major questions.

Should I use sand as a substrate? If so, should I get live sand?
How long does it usually take to cycle a smaller tank?
Which is better? PC lights or metal halide?
Are there any reef safe fish that could be housed in tanks this small?

Basically I know nothing about this, and just started searching the forums tonight.

Thanks for the input!

SKEL
 
Go with the larger setup, smaller setups can be really unstable with regards to water pram's and given how sensitive marine critters can be...

Use sand, or nothing as your substrate. Live sand is optional, but a little bit of it will help make your tank more bio-diverse in micro fauna and flora (wich leads to added beuaty and/or water quality).

I personally would go with PC's in a tank of that size, due to all the heat that MH can put out.

Many reef safe fish can be kept in your tank. Actualy, most of the non-reef safe fish won't deal with the small tank to well. Just off the top of my head, some fish you could keep would include the smaller clown fish (percs and occeleris, probably some others), certain gobies, the yellow tailed damsel (with nothing else though...) and the three types of firefish. You can also keep a small group of shrimp (<3) as well as the usual cleaner crew (hermits and snails).
 
Good to hear that the PC lights are the better option. I have them on my freshwater 55g and have been pleased with them thus-far. It's not much more expensive to go with the 12 over the 6 either.

I just thought of another couple of questions also:

What would you recommend for live rock? cured or uncured?
How much would I need for a 12 gallon?

I like your fish recommendations. Thanks dorkfish!!

SKEL
 
I personally prefer un - cured. Cured rock is almost the same as un - cured after it goes through being shipped dry/ moist (wich causes a die off, which is what causes the need to cure the rock), meaning the rock has to go through two die offs instead of like uncured rock would go through. This translates into uncured rock being more bio - diverse. You'll want to mix and match a few different types of live rock, this way, you will get a much wider aray of critters coming in on the rocks.

Also, please not that you can use a mix of live and base or "dead" rock. This will cut down on the both the enviromental impact as well as the impact on your wallet.

I'd use about 12-15 pounds.
 
So if I were a purchase, lets say 5 lbs of base rock, and then get some live sand (depth?). Then pick up 1 or 2 lbs of un-cured live rock. Will this be sufficient to cycle the tank? After the tank is cycled is it better to go with cured rock, since I don't have a place to cure it?

Thanks again,

SKEL
 
Can't say for sure wether it will be enough, but you can let some shrimp or fish food rot in the tank to bump up the ammo. levels during the cycle.

Even cured rock needs to be cured in most cases. A bucket will work for the curing process.
 
That makes sense, rising the NH4 with fish food.

Thanks again dorkfish!

SKEL
 
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