A nano newbie needs some advice

[Redcastle]

Fellow Reefers,

I have a 50 gallon tank that is basically eating me out of house and home and the maintence is starting to bug me. Therefore, i am thinking about downsizing to a nano, either a 24 or 12, or one of each.

I have read alot about all these Modifications people are doing to their cubes. If i just want to have softies, zoa's, shrooms and a clam or two, am i basically good to go right out of the box?

What about heat from the lights and keeping all of the levels stable? Is that a problem?

Thanks for the info.

 

[moussa]

no you cant just do a sraight switch because your filter media isnt in the new tank

 

[moussa]

that has all the bacteria of the old cycle

 

[mels95yj]

You should be good for the shrooms, zoas and softies out of the box. At least with the Nanocubes. I don't know the Aquapods. Clams are a no.

As far as the heat, it depends on the ambient temp in the room. My office tank stays between 79° and 79.9°. I did have to add a desk fan to blow on the light I've got set up for my fuge in the back.

A smaller tank, in my opinion, requires more upkeep to keep the levels stable. A small change can have a larger effect than with a larger tank. Water changes are more important with a smaller tank.

What maintanance on your current tank is starting to bug you? Just because you get a smaller tank doesn't mean you still don't have the maintanance.

Mel

 

[beyondtheblue]

Gee Moussa I think he knows THAT!!!!

 

[Redcastle]

I keep hearing from some people in the aquarium profession that the Nano are alot of work and that it really does not make sense for me to pull down my 50 to get a Nano, that it will take more time. It really does not sound that difficult for me to take out 3-4 gallons a week and other minor maintence.

 

[Illuminati]

Nano's are a breeze. The biggest pain is cleaning the curve on the glass but I have a microfiber cloth from a LFS that works wonders on that.

I have a stock 24 DX with an upgraded pump, went to a MaxiJet1200.

With me keeping my ac set at 80 (when I'm not home) to 75 (When I am home) my tank has never gotten above 82 during the day and would drop to the mid 70's without the heater at night, but I live in Northern IL, if you live in Arizona or the jungles of Bolivia it might be a little warmer for you

I keep all sorts of corals in mine:
Yuma
Bullseye Mushrooms
Candycane (4 types)
Torch
Blasto's
Acan Lords
Frilly mushrooms
Tubinaria (Pagoda Cup)
Zoa's
Hammer
Crater Coral


The bigger question is what kind of fish you want to keep? That is where limitations might set in.

Click on the little red house above to see pictures of my setup. I'd be happy to tell you what works for me if you have any specific questions.

I've found there are a million ways to set up a nanocube, it's all about what you want. If your hellbent on keeping a clam then you'll either get a MH retro kit or a Viper hang on light (which takes away the sleek look the hood provides).

I see your point with a nano being easier, no sump/skimmer/fuge to mess with if you keep up on water changes.

 

[schnell76]

In my 12 gal dx water changes take about 10 minutes and cleaning out the sponge in there takes about 2 minutes. So, less than 15 minutes a week, besides cleaning the glass as mentioned, thats all I do. I went into this from my old 58 reef thinking it would be much more time consuming, but I have just not experienced that.

Oh, almost forgot the time to go collect natural sea water. That makes my maintenance a bit more fun, but I only use about 2 gallons a week though. On second thought it might be the non-mixing of salt water and making RO water that makes my maintenance that easy

 

[Redcastle]

That is good to know. In regards to fish, i was just thinking a couple of gobies probably. Thanks for the info, I am going to keep you in mind for any further questions i have.

 

[firefishbrain]

noi clams, sorry, those need the same lighting requirements as sps basically, so you would have to do some modding or get the new HQI MH fixture for the nc.

 

[gboo]

I've had a 12g nano for 2 years. I wish I had gone for a "bigger" nano. You would be surprised how quickly you run out of room on the 12. It barely holds 10g with no rock or sand. The maintenance is pretty easy though on these small tanks.

 

[Redcastle]

I just picked up 2 12 gallon JBJ Nano DX's. One is going to be for my wife as a fish only tank and the other as a mini reef. I will have to post later to let people know how it turns out.

 

[klhscooter]

I have had a great time with my Nano 12 gal dx for 6 months now. Unlike you wanting to go smaller...now I want a bigger tank. I am thinking a 30 gal cube after we make it thru this hurricane season. You and your wife should have great fun with these tanks. I spend about 1/2 hour a eek on mine. There are few pics in my gallery. Have fun

 

[noschmo]

I have three nano's JBJ going in my Ventura office. No hugh time issue with maintenace. Let nano customs in Newbery Park set you up with a nice 24 gallon with mods and their minature chiller.

 

[saltyESQ]

go with the aqua pod, I have a 24g with 70w hqi. paid 350 out the door.

it requires almost no maintance, I have a aqua C remora on the back and a hang off the back refuge with cheato.

30 or so lbs of LR and 20lbs of LS

and I have only 3 fish in it 1 purple firefish and 2 OC clowns. my nitrates have never been abovve .5 ppm
and it can support a corcea clam as I have been doing for a couple months.

and as for corals:
assorted mushrooms
candy canes
yellow gorg
purple bush gorg
hairy blue shrooms
favia
closed brain
frogspawn and hammer
different coor zoas
2 different kinds of toad stools
a large devils hand
coco worm
ricordias
hmmm, there is more I just can't think if it atm.