Help on setting up a Nano tank! What to buy?

Cyruskayos,

Oh ambitious one...

​

A tank like this probably took years to develop, by a very experienced Reefer.

Be patient and think small to start.

All I found I needed to get my Nano going was a heater and some good Live Rock.

Also changed internal pump to get more water flow.

Not much more you can do with a 12 gallon.

You are definitely going to have to get some very high quality lighting to create tank like above.

I get buy with the stock (measly) 24w light that came with it.

But I have only pretty low light demanding livestock.

In place of a skimmer I adjust by doing frequent water changes.

Go Slow.

Have Fun.

Keep us informed how going...

Learn to Live With It
​

Adam Blundell M.S. ​

"...As surprising as it may seem your tank will look ugly at first. This happens to all new marine aquariums as they cycle through their initial filtration phase. Your tank may go brown, and then green, and then red, and then just look junky. It happens. Consequently the one coral you really want to keep may not live. You may struggle to raise the prize fish you originally intended to acquire. It's okay; just learn to love whatever is working for you. Remember, not only is this a hobby, but we are keeping living ecosystems. Special efforts should be put forth to enjoy and appreciate what we are keeping, whatever it may be. It takes time and patience to turn a glass box full of rock into a beautiful, thriving reef tank..."



;D​

]

My 12 Gallon NanoCube - Jan '08

 

I had an Aquapod 24G for a while, oh what fun it was. I had upgraded the lights to MH and return pump to a maxi-jet 1200. I also added a aqua-c remora protein skimmer , great skimmer, lot's of gunk. My advice, don't use the bio balls, just use LR (24G=24Lbs) as your filtration w/ the help of a skimmer. Not a lot of room for error in a small tank, so take it slow and read on. I loved my nano, only 3G water changes weekly (fo me).

 

thanks for all the help guys! i found out about this fish store about 30 mins away when i was at petsmart last night. so i just bought the tank and some chemicals there. I'm going to go look at that store today for a sump, skimmer, etc. Ill keep you guys posted :-D

 

Keep us posted!!!!

 

alrighty, just got back from the fish store. I got $240 worth of live rock, $20 live sand, and $20 for 20 gallons of salt water. =$284.76!!!!! Here is a picture of what i have going so far. Please let me know if this is looking ok. I'm going to get a sump/skimmer, etc tommorow. They are building a custom all in one thingy for me. ;D Heres the pic.

 

Great start! R you going to add more rock to the display tank or the sump? Get yourself a refractometer to check your salinty. If your salinty is a little high, add some ro water to top off. Everyone has their way of cycling a tank, I cycle my tanks the natural way...meaning no additives, to fish, no skimmer and no lights. It takes longer, but worth it in the end. Cycling a tank in like croc pot cooking..."fix and forget about it". Set it up and look away for about 4 weeks, than start checking the water parm's just see where you are standing. I don't believe in 2 day cycling, you are asking for trouble IMO.

 

Wowser!!!!

Great start!!!!

Thanks for pics...keep us posted on progress.

Am really interested in seeing what they are setting up for you.

 

ok, i went out and bought a stand, and added some more salt water. I have 5 more gallons im going to be putting in the sump and ill top off the tank. I don't have any more money for rock right now. My LFS charges $11.99 per pound of cured live rock. I will take pics of the setup i get tommorow.

 

$11.99 per LB!!!! where do you live?? good grief.

 

I live in Virginia. Uh-oh. Lol. Is 11.99 per pound expensive? The guy said it was tonga rock I think...is it possible to return the rock? And buy some online?