mini reef set up questions

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srmsmg5

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Jan 6, 2004
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I have a fowlr tank, but would like to have a small reef tank as well, now that we know what we are doing. I have read alot about "nano tanks". It seems based on that info that it is possible. Here are my questions:

1. Can I just by my own small (12 or so gallon) tank, not buy the "nano" set up.

2. If I do, what equipment do I need. Being new to reef keeping I don't know the lingo to well, so be basic.

3. What is the purpose of fans on the on the Nano?

4. What exactly can you put in the tank. Can anemones go in? How many different things? I know only 1 or 2 small fish, but what about numbers of inverts, corals etc.

5. Should the substrate be sand? I plan to cycle with sand and live rock.

Thanks so much for your help! :p ;) ;)
 
Here's what I have for my nano:

10 gallon tank
15 gallon sump
Incandescent hood light, running with PC screw-in bulbs
one AC 100 in the tank for circulation
AC 300 filter, not plugged in, with a hole drilled in the bottom of the media box for a drain, and a u-tube overflow with a specimen box as the in-tank overflow.
2 AC 400's as returns from the sump
150 W Jager heater

There's about 1 inch of sand, about 15 pounds of rock. A few small corals, and a single yellow tailed dottyback. I do 4 gallon water changes weekly.
 
my nano is a 20L
filtration is a HOB refugium. 4inch sand bed 10 lbs LR Orbitz light (40w)
Other is 6 gallon JEBO with 3inch sand 5lbs LR carcoal and filter pad.(not sure toatl watts 20)
 
Although Nano-cube is like a name brand, we call all small reefs "nano-reefs." Some people get really specific and say pico-reefs are <2g, nanos are 2-30g, minis are 30+g, but whatever, most of us don't care. I've got a nano! i love it so far!

If you wanna see my tank specs, click on the link in my sig.
 
i have a 10 gal nano.
96 watt coralife powerquad pc lighting.
ac 500 moded now working as a fuge
10 pounds lr
20 pounds live sand


1. yup
2. depends on what you want to keep. get either a hob filter, or a small powerhead.
3. fans help from the temperature riseing too much. i wouldnt worry about it unless you have a lot of lighting.
4. anemones can go in depending on sepeices and the amouth of light and flow that you will provide. 1 or 2 small fish, what type of inverts do you plan on keeping? corals you can keep all different kinds, again depending on lighting and flow, just steer clear of something that has long sweeper tenticles.
5. yup it can be sand. i would just go and buy a bag of live sand. they charge $1 a pound for live sand up my way.
 
Thanks for your help...

Here is what I would like to keep...pulsing coral, anemone of some sort, mushrooms, a starfish, a shrimp, and some sort of fish. I would like a perc with an anemone to host. I love watching that.

What kind of lighting exatly?

What kind of filter...is the powerhead to provide current?
 
Hmmmm...

Out of everyone who replied, no one mentioned a skimmer. Why haven't you used one? Is it something you'll think you'll ever need? Your personal pro's and con's......?

Planning a 12g nano out myself, lurking and learning so far. Appreciate any help.

THX
 
I used a bakpak skimmer on the 20 for years. I think it helped a lot with aeration and keeping water quality high in a densely packed system.

I can't physically put one on the 10 right now, so it has to live without. Because of the small size of a nano, a skimmer is actually a good insurance policy against things going bad. On the other hand, it's much easier to do large, regular water changes when you only have to mix up a few gallons of ASW.
 
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