First nano - some questions..

[crichard6069]

After about a year or so out of the saltwater hobby I've decided to venture back into it. I've had experience with reefs, having run a fairly successful 150g for two years and a 55g. I ended up selling the setups last year because my wife and I purchased a new house and I did not want to tackle trying to move all of that along with the rest of my house.

So today I ordered the AP 24 gallon tank with the 150 watt metal hallide light. Very anxious for it to get here.

My intentions are corals (duh) and probably one or two gobies for livestock.

The first question I have is substrate.. what in the heck goes in the bottom of a nano? I had DSBs in my other tanks but they weren't nano's. Does that concept apply here? What are my other options?

Any other thoughts/opinions/inputs are welcome!

Thanks!

 

[sir_dudeguy]

For the substrate, i say go with whatever you like. Personally i like really deep sand beds, so in my 16 bowfront that i just set up this weekend (actually it was somewhat of just a transfer w/all live rock and the corals from my 29) i set it up with at least 4 inches of meridian oolitic sand.

 

[schnell76]

I have about 1.5"-2" of agra alive sand and it seems to work fine for me. Only thing I suggest with the shallower sand bed is a couple cerith snails to keep things moving and eaten. I have two in my 12 nano and they do a great job.

 

[sir_dudeguy]

Only thing I suggest with the shallower sand bed is a couple cerith snails to keep things moving and eaten

I'd recommend them with ANY sandbed Best snails imo. I usually have way more than people would recommend, but i never see any dieing so having a high number is fine imo.

 

[crichard6069]

Thanks for the responses. Sounds like the same basic rules/concepts apply for a 24g nano as a 150g.