A question of ethics...

[FTDelta]

This is a question I always ask myself concerning beginners starting out with Nano tanks. I am well aware of nano aquariums is best left to those with experience. However, I have been doing a lot of reading on saltwater aquaria keeping as well as on Nano keeping and am aware what's involved. My question is by no means I want to start with a smaller tank but am curious to hear your honest answers.

Is it very possible for a beginner to start out with a nano tank?

For the sake of argument, if I were to start up with a nano tank with a few corals, a single Fiji Barberi clownfish and a CB shrimp and I wanted to start off using this tank:

Nano 16

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3730+18534+24832&pcatid=24832

Can it be done even with the choice of livestock intended?

Also please note the above product has no space for a Protein skimmer - which I found odd - yet has a space for a refugium.

I imagine simple corals - ie:zoas. mushrooms, kenya tree coral (?) and easy anemone (?) can be kept with the lighting it comes with.

 

[EllieSuz]

If you are diligent with your husbandry, there's no reason why you can't have this tank. I see for another $50 you can get the 38 gallon one. Unless you have space restrictions, I'd go that route. That would give you enough room for a pair of clowns, for instance and a nice assortment of inverts which add so much interest to a tank.

 

[FTDelta]

Doesn't seem odd there is no protein skimmer to the 16G Nano tank? Thoughts?

I guess I've always thought a skimmer is almost required for any SW tank and this one doesn't require one.

 

[jgraz]

Skimmers are not "required" for a saltwater tank. They are just another option for filtration.

 

[justin_freebord]

My first ever tank was a 5.5g so its definitely possible. The key is to just know the tanks limitations. I only kept 1 small goby and some inverts to keep my bio load down. In all honesty I could have probably had 2 small gobies if I really wanted to.

A skimmer is not required on any tank let alone a nano. Success in a nano is really based on consistency and water changes. Ideally you want an automated top off system to keep your water level perfect to prevent large swings in salinity. Additionally you need to keep up with weekly water changes of about 10-15% to replenish nutrients that may have been used up and to also help remove waste.

I would highly recommend running a fuge to house a macro algae like chaeto to help keep nitrates down.

The only reason nano reefs are hard is because you have a much smaller margin for error and little problems are often exaggerated into large problems. I had any fair share of problems but I always managed to research the cause and do something to correct it.

PM me of you're dead set on a tank under 30 gallons and I can point you in the right direction as far as a quality nano reef information source. RC is great but outside this nano section there isn't much info about small reefs and the info that does exist is pretty limited.

Don't be discouraged, I managed to keep a variety of softies, lps, and sps in my 5.5 and eventual 10 gallon tank as a busy college student on a pretty modest budget.

 

[Mr Cob]

It is not a requirement to run a SW setup with a skimmer. Many systems go skimmerless, both large and small systems.

I have ran a few systems without a skimmer, a small 14g biocube, 55g, 75g and a 144g half circle for awhile.

Besides...if you do regular water changes with premium salt you can get away with a lot.

I prefer to run with a skimmer with regular water changes.

 

[FTDelta]

Thank you Justin. I may take you up on the offer for help IF... I do decide to take a walk on the 'dark side' of nano keeping. LOL!

 

[Orm Embar]

For someone with no experience, I'd recommend a 20 to 40 gallon as a starter. Truth in advertising - I started out with a 20 gallon high and really enjoyed it. Enough space for some stability but small enough to not be overwhelming. I'd think that a 16 gallon would be reasonably close. If you can go the 38 gallon route, I'd go that way as other than the initial cost of the tank and stand it would cost about the same and give you more options for livestock/corals/et cetera. A standard tank (not an all-in-one) would give the options of an overflow box/sump or HOB skimmer/refugium.

My concern with all-in-one's stems from a bias against needless complexity (the more chambers/whatever, the more you need to clean and perform maintenance) since all you really need is a refugium (and a HOB one would give you lots more space) and/or a skimmer (and a HOB would be much better than the enclosed/included ones). I just think that for the same money, and a little research, you can get a better system. For a HOB skimmer, a Reef Octopus BH-90. For a HOB refugium, a modded Aquaclear 70 or CPR AquaFuge. For lighting, you could go with 4 T5HO's (good individual reflectors!), or for the LED route 2-4 PAR38's (depending on tank size and shape) or a Maxspect Razor or Kessil A350. If you went with a 20 high, I'd think that 2-3 PAR38's with good spectra would keep low to moderate light stuff alive well, and you could keep the anemone close to center of one of the bulbs. This is based off of internet research, however, and not personal experience.

The fish sounds fine, except the coral banded may go after fish/corals if I recall correctly. I personally recommend Lysmata species (skunk cleaners or fire shrimp for fun, L. wurdemanni for aiptasia control).

Hope this helps. Good luck!

 

[Nano sapiens]

Yes, a 16g is fine. It's small enough to be easy/cheap to maintain, but large enough to offer some stability and let you clean inside easily.

'All-in-One' tanks are popular since they typically provide what is needed for basic reef keeping. Many people who stay in the hobby either upgrade the equipment or move to a larger tank.

Any of the shrimps will try to steal food from LPS corals' insides, which can sometimes lead to injury. In a small Nano this can be an annoyance, but depends on the owner's tolerance. Cleaner shrimps *should* be less destructive than a Coral Banded and less likely to sample any of the corals.

Looks like 16w of LEDs with the Dr. Foster & Smith. Should suffice for lower-light corals (Mushrooms, some LPS, some soft corals). However, not enough light for the more popular anemones, such as the ones hosted by Clownfish.

If you keep up with WCs and regular detritus removal, then you should have no problem not using a Skimmer. The fact is a Nano tank can run successfully with quite a basic setup and an attentive aquarist.

 

[TundraGuy]

The use of skimmers is only a mandatory piece of equipment for tanks that are supper heavily feed such as seen in NFC tanks. Like everyone has said above your fine without one. But IM dose make one that fits your future 16 gallon. You may find adding this latter down the road helps a lot even with regular water changes.

I have been doing the saltwater thing sense 1985 (dates me a little) and can tell you that most people that start on the road to salt water start on tanks less the 75 gallons more are closer to 10 gallon or 29 gallon tanks. With that said your new you will make mistakes we all do (I know I do). There is a learning curve to this hobby. I have to add that your already way ahead of that this curve then most people starting on this hobby. Your open to suggestions and have joined arguably the best forum to use as a reference.

This being your first time out with it I would suggest you start with live sand and live rock that is very holly. Leave the lights off most the time for the first month to get you past the algae blooms that happen during the tank cycling. Don’t rush on anything wait a month and do water test looking for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate levels. Post your findings on here for tips on where you’re at in the cycle and if you’re ready to add live stock. People will help I assure you of that.

Try not to get discouraged if something dies, it may be out of your hands or it may be something to learn from. I think your tank selection is a good one, with the ability to easily mod that tank to your liking as you learn what suits your life style.

Good Luck and Welcome.

 

[FTDelta]

The reponses I'm getting here very encouraging and positive. I do appreciate the input from all of you. With that being said, I may go this route at some point in the near future.
My son had been breaking my chops about wanting a saltwater tank (he's 9 yrs old) ever since watching Tanked on Animal Planet. I told him they're more work than a fresh water tank. However, I did tell him i would get one but not right away or until he's a little older,

Seeing the positive responses that it's possible for a beginner to start up with a 16G means something. I am willing to learn and be extremely patient and diligent in SW aquaria keeping with a nano tank.

My plan has always been to have LR & LS. I have been reading alot on saltwater aquaria keeping off and on for 3 - 5 years now. Hell, I'm still learning right now! LOL!

First step I need to do before a nano tank, is a RO/Di unit, salt, etc... the tank will come soon after as well as LR & live sand.

I'm also fully aware there will be trials and tribulations as I move along in succeeding a successful, healthy SW tank up. This is a great opportunity for my son and I learn all about saltwater aquaria keeping. Heck, this can be a stepping stone to move on to a larger tank down the road.

Again, thank you for all your positive input/advice/and kind words. I appreciate it.

 

[Tinpanva]

My current reef (my first) is in a 29 gal bio-cube. No issues at all, I'm diligent with weekly water changes and have joined a local reef club for advice and any (many) questions I have. So is it possible? You betcha! Do you need to do your homework and know the limits? You betcha.