Help I am confused

[Amyh24]

I was all set to buy a 90 gallon set up from someone on here. After thinking if I could get into the hobby financially I decided to hold off on my purchase. I feel that I have so much to learn still.

I have read about Nano Cubes. Are they a "all in one" package? Is it a good learning tool? I want to have some live rock, live sand and fish. Maybe dabble in corals, little ones. I really want to learn more about the hobby then jump into the 90 gallon tanks. I am afraid that if I do not have the time to dedicate to the tank then I am stuck with this huge tank and all the money I sunk into it.

Suggestions?

 

[L and L]

Hey Amy,

<img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>

I would not recommend you start with a Nano tank. Things happen quickly in smaller tanks (salinity, pollution, temp....etc) and can crash your tank if you don't know what you're doing.

The old cliche my environmental professor stessed was:

The solution to pollution was dilution

My first tank was actually a 30g, but most aquarists recommend a 55g or higher to start of with.

It's really not as hard as it seems, plus you have Reef Central to steer you in the right direction.

It's a little scary trying something new and hoping it doesn't fail and be out a bunch of money.

But, the reward for having a functioning saltwater tank is incredible!

 

[smleee]

Nano tank = less room for error.

Keep doing research like you are planning. I think a 30g is a good size to start with also.

eee

 

[Amyh24]

I was looking at at 24g. How much would I be looking at for a 30 gallon with MH's?

The 24 gallon Aquapod is $299.

 

[Sk8r]

There is a Nano Reef section of RC. You might read-up there. It is harder, more exacting---helpful to be in a situation where you can monitor what's going on especially during early stages. And to be of a mindset that doesn't mind futzy work. A big established tank can easily be let go if you really don't have time for several mornings straight to run the scheduled tests or do the water change: it might even laze by for a week. A nano will need you to be much more regimented and organized about your reef-keeping, because a little mistake or a little neglect is not little, on its scale. It's a good teacher, because it is so precise, but it's like learning a bicycle never having been on a trike.

 

[klhscooter]

Hi,
I disagree...I started with a 12 gallon Nano Cube and I am very happy with. It is a great system and requires very little maintenance. I have soft corals and two fish and a clean up crew. It changes daily and is great fun to watch. If you have a good local fish store...they can help you with the water testing and the tanks are small so I just buy water for water changes. I have only been at this since January and I already want to go bigger but I will wait out this coming Hurrivane season first. Best of luck to you....

 

[smleee]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7332362#post7332362 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
It's a good teacher, because it is so precise, but it's like learning a bicycle never having been on a trike.

That's a great analogy. Didn't think about "bad" husbandry techniques that can be learned from not having to be so regimented.

eee

 

[L and L]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7332362#post7332362 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Sk8r
There is a Nano Reef section of RC. You might read-up there. It is harder, more exacting---helpful to be in a situation where you can monitor what's going on especially during early stages. And to be of a mindset that doesn't mind futzy work. A big established tank can easily be let go if you really don't have time for several mornings straight to run the scheduled tests or do the water change: it might even laze by for a week. A nano will need you to be much more regimented and organized about your reef-keeping, because a little mistake or a little neglect is not little, on its scale. It's a good teacher, because it is so precise, but it's like learning a bicycle never having been on a trike.

Harder, time consuming and less forgiven in a nano reef. Sounds like three keys things you don't want a "New to the hobby" to have IMO.

But, Sk8r, I understand the point you're getting at. It's being forced to do it right and keep up with it. And this might be fine for people having plenty of time to spend on it.... but, if your life is busy with work, family, friends, other hobbies.... having a "buffer zone" is paramont.

A little mistake in a nano could equal crash or loss of life, cost more money and more time getting it going again. Could certainly have a "burnout" effect and cause the person to give it up.

I disagree that a nano is good starting point for a newbie.

It's a good teacher, because it is so precise, but it's like learning a bicycle never having been on a trike.

But, the truth is that everyone does learn to ride a trike first before a bike.

 

[Konadog]

Nanos are less forgiving. Some of this may have to do with where you live. The temperature of a nano can fluctuate 10Ã"šÃ‚° in a few hours in an unventilated house, where a larger tank may only fluctuate 3Ã"šÃ‚°. If a fish/invert dies in a nano for unknown reasons, it can take out the entire tank before you know what's happening, where in a larger tank you may have a few more hours/day to figure out what is happening. It's things like that you must consider before making the leap.

I do like you asking questions before your purchase of any system, you will have a much greater chance of success what ever your decision is.

 

[Amy83820]

I have a Nano and there definitely isn't much room for error. There is no 'i'll do it tomorrow' or 'i don't have time to test the water'. I have also spent just as much money on my nano than i have on other larger tanks i had or the 90 i'm cycling right now. Once the big tank is up and running, I'll be shutting down the nano. Where are you at? Try checking out Craigslist if you are by a big city. I know some people have gotten great deals on stuff there. If you want to do a big tank, then don't settle for a nano. Once you get the little one running, you will end up getting the big one anyway (can anyone here back me up on that statement?). Do it the way you want it the first time. Do some research. 'The Conscientious Marine Aquarist' is a really good book...spells things out great for beginners. It's a good guide for figuring out what you would need for different types of systems.

 

[Altpers0na-old]

Iv only been doin this SW thing for a few months now and all i have is 2 nanos...

I think there the best to learn on... for exactly the reasons most people have said to go bigger first.

There is lots of error, and trouble.. nearly constantly. but it makes you learn what your doing. If you start w/ a bigger tank then you do have more time to handle problems. With my nanos all the troubles have been fixable or fixed with a major water change.

Not to mention $$$. I might have a couple hundred bucks in my 2 tanks combined. The 70 - 150 gallon tank I want to start wont be so easy on the bank. I did not want to sink a few grand in to a tank and six months later decide its too much work or that I was horrid at running the tanks.

I say get a 10 gallon walmart special with the incandescent hood, some 50/50 10k/actinic incandescent/florecent lights, a bag of sand or two, 10 - 30 lb of live/dead rock. a large volume HOB filter, something big enough to put plants in. Assemble it , let it run for a month or so with the lights off (i think) when the water gets right add some inverts, crabs n snails... then if all goes well for a month or two throw in a couple fish. The hard part there is looking at an ugly tank for 2 months.

If it all works out, then worst case you have a staging tank ready to go.

And if it dont work out you havent spiked your electric bill, spent thousands on a tank and pumps and rocks and sand and possibly dead critters that youll be lookin to unload.

 

[L and L]

hmmmm you know what... I see your point and I agree that if a newbie wants to start a nano tank as their first tank... why not?

There I said it. hehe

When I started offering advice to Amy, this statement was my controlling factor:

I am afraid that if I do not have the time to dedicate to the tank

That statement is tied to big tanks and loss of cost tho.... but, If you are worried about free time.... then certainly a nano tank would be time consuming and force you to pay attention to it. Which is not a bad thing if you have the time to spend.... With controllers, precision peristaltic pumpsââ"šÂ¬Ã‚¦ etc on the market, one could certainly automate a nano as well as reduce time spend on it. But, there lies an increase in cost.

But, in my statements I inadvertently grouped all newbies together and that was wrong and I apologize. Not everyone is alike as you have demonstrated.

I am impressed that you started with a nano tank as your first tank and thank you for opening my eyes to a side of newbies that I didn't know existed.

Best wishes,

 

[Altpers0na-old]

It is time consuming. And you have to be ready for a quick education, chemistry 201, HVAC, Fluid dynamics, Electrical wiring, Animal husbandry... that list goes on and on...

I think for alot of people a nano is the way to go, I think most people have had the FW experiance to some degree... and a tank where you dont have to worry about overflowing or under performing skimmers, balanceing sump pump flows, fish compatibility is right on.

For a 10g nano you make up a spare 5g bucket of water, maybe with di water from wally world, keep the empty gallon containers, refill them with your SW and you have a months worth of water changes ready to go.

Of course I cant wait to set up my Real tank once I get my living room rehab finished...

As far as time goes, I dont know how much time you have to give to the first 6 months of a large tank. I think my 10g needs 10minutes a day, really between 5 and 20... depending on if im prepared and what needs done. The time factor seems like alot more due to my lack of knowledge and thinking of ways to do things better or researching what im doing wrong...

 

[Marinemom]

It is true that most saltwater aquarists would recommend a bigger tank, usually as big as you can afford and have space for.I would recommend get the bigger tank because it is more forgiving of beginner mistakes. However, I do see the point about the nano cubes. I guess it depends on the person and how much they can really put into thier system. By this I mean both financially and timewise. This is an expensive hoibby and some of us just do not always have the money and time necessary with a big system. My advice is if you do a nano cube, stay on top of the water changes so things do not go sour from the getgo. Remember there are people here at reef central ready and willing to help if we need to.

Marinemom

 

[davocean]

If someone came up to me wanting to start a new tank 1st time
I would say start w/ something like a 60.
Big enough for some error, small enough to afford, and easy to get equipment for.
I'm helping someone with thier 1st tank right now, 24 nano, and it's a drag trying to make stuff fit, even for me and I've been doing this for a while.
Either way, welcome and good luck!