How big is Nano?

Cyberpaddy66

Cyberpaddy66

Fast Learning Novice
Apr 16, 2007
173
0
0
Plumstead, London, UK
I read a great article on starting a nano tank and the fact that it didn't need a skimmer made me all the more excited and as such the GF and I have been planning a 24" nano tank for ages.

Recent developments with our MTS have led us to finalise our plans for the tanks in the flat (that's correct we live in a 1st floor 1 bedroom flat in London) and as such we have now decided to make our marine tank a 36" one.

My concern is that I might not be able to follow the nano guide at all and would have to buy skimmers and other equipment before I can get the tank up and running (technically a fish less cycle using live rick and live sand), so I was wondering if anyone out there with a large IQ and lots of experience in Marine tanks could tell me what's the largest that can be classed as a Nano?

:worthy:
 
personaly, i would not concider it a nano..for me, my deffinition of a nano stops at 24...the only real difference between a nano and a larger aquarium is only really a skimmer..they dont cost that much for one a tank of that size...no need for filters as the live rock will do all that for you as long as you go for the rule of 1KG per 2 gallon of tank water..on the cycle, i would also use a raw shrimp or prawn as a good boost in creating the ammonia source..remove it when the ammonia gets to around 4 or 5 ppm..

Niko
 
atnixon said:
as long as you go for the rule of 1KG per 2 gallon of tank water
Click to expand...

Thanks, is that UK or US gallons :raspberry:

My only reason for not wanting to use a skimmer is that it strips some chemicals from the water that then have to be added back in from bottles thus causing me more expense :(

To be honest I don't actually know what the skimmer IS for and why I need one :help2:
 
Hmm not quite sure which chemicals you'd read that will need to be replaced due to a skimmer. It is natural for trace minerals to need replaced but that is typically done by waterchanges since salt mixes have those in them. Once you start stocking certain reef life you may need to dose but that would need to be done skimmer or not if your trace minerals were low.

I think you'll find that most on here and even large forums like reefcentral don't use most of the "cures in a bottle" sold.

Just saw your question about what a skimmer is for, it basically removes excess proteins in the water. You know how when you walk along the shoreline you'll often see that frothy foam on the edge of the sand? That is nature's own skimmer in a sense.
 
Cyberpaddy66 said:
Thanks, is that UK or US gallons :raspberry:

My only reason for not wanting to use a skimmer is that it strips some chemicals from the water that then have to be added back in from bottles thus causing me more expense :(

To be honest I don't actually know what the skimmer IS for and why I need one :help2:
Click to expand...

That is for UK gallons dude...same as where i am... ;)

Grins pretty much wrapped the rest of it up for you..

Niko
 
Grins said:
Hmm not quite sure which chemicals you'd read that will need to be replaced due to a skimmer. It is natural for trace minerals to need replaced but that is typically done by waterchanges since salt mixes have those in them. Once you start stocking certain reef life you may need to dose but that would need to be done skimmer or not if your trace minerals were low.

I think you'll find that most on here and even large forums like reefcentral don't use most of the "cures in a bottle" sold.

Just saw your question about what a skimmer is for, it basically removes excess proteins in the water. You know how when you walk along the shoreline you'll often see that frothy foam on the edge of the sand? That is nature's own skimmer in a sense.
Click to expand...

I can't seem to find the article I read but I'm sure none of the stuff that was needed to add when a skimmer is in use were "cure in a bottle" types. From memory it said if you use a skimmer on a nano then you'll need to add X,Y&Z trace chemicals back into the water during your normal water change/ top up routine.

I was hoping to not have to keep buying stuff to add to the tank as I'm on a fairly limited budget (also the reason I didn't want to have to buy a skimmer - Oh well :nutkick:).

Is there a comprehensive list of things I'll need equipment wise, I know I'll need heaters, lights, live rock (was hoping to make my own as shown on the GURPS site) and live sand as well as a skimmer apparently, oh and a good strong water pump but what else?

Also what do people recommend as far as salt-mix's and chemicals for a UK based newbie? :1zhelp:
 
Cyberpaddy66 said:
I can't seem to find the article I read but I'm sure none of the stuff that was needed to add when a skimmer is in use were "cure in a bottle" types. From memory it said if you use a skimmer on a nano then you'll need to add X,Y&Z trace chemicals back into the water during your normal water change/ top up routine.

No, all the trace elements will be replaced when you do a 10% weekly water change..providing your using a good salt like Reef Crystals, nothing else is needed..

I was hoping to not have to keep buying stuff to add to the tank as I'm on a fairly limited budget (also the reason I didn't want to have to buy a skimmer - Oh well :nutkick:).

Is there a comprehensive list of things I'll need equipment wise, I know I'll need heaters, lights, live rock (was hoping to make my own as shown on the GURPS site) and live sand as well as a skimmer apparently, but what else?

Have a review of this blog...should help you with this one..
http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/blog.php?b=21


Also what do people recommend as far as salt-mix's and chemicals for a UK based newbie? :1zhelp:

Just go for Reef Crystals for your salt, its great, hardly any buffering of trace elements is required unless you start to add a lot hard corals...
Click to expand...


Niko
 
Grins said:
Hmm not quite sure which chemicals you'd read that will need to be replaced due to a skimmer. It is natural for trace minerals to need replaced but that is typically done by waterchanges since salt mixes have those in them. Once you start stocking certain reef life you may need to dose but that would need to be done skimmer or not if your trace minerals were low.

I think you'll find that most on here and even large forums like reefcentral don't use most of the "cures in a bottle" sold.

Just saw your question about what a skimmer is for, it basically removes excess proteins in the water. You know how when you walk along the shoreline you'll often see that frothy foam on the edge of the sand? That is nature's own skimmer in a sense.
Click to expand...

I can't seem to find the article I read but I'm sure none of the stuff that was needed to add when a skimmer is in use were "cure in a bottle" types. From memory it said if you use a skimmer on a nano then you'll need to add X,Y&Z trace chemicals back into the water during your normal water change/ top up routine.

I was hoping to not have to keep buying stuff to add to the tank as I'm on a fairly limited budget (also the reason I didn't want to have to buy a skimmer - Oh well :nutkick:).

Is there a comprehensive list of things I'll need equipment wise, I know I'll need heaters, lights, live rock (was hoping to make my own as shown on the GARF site) and live sand as well as a skimmer apparently, but what else?

Also what do people recommend as far as salt-mix's and chemicals for a UK based newbie? :1zhelp:
 
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