HELP, I NEED IDEAS!!! Starting a Nano

[Boydx2]

I am hoping that you guys could offer some good advice as to how to situate my first nano. It is your standard run of the mill 10 gal tank from WalMart, with 2-3 inches of live sand, ten pounds of live/base rock.

I only have crabs/snails in there now, and hope to add some nice corals and fish soon!!! Any suggestions? My lighting and filtration can handle just about anything, so sky's the limit there. Any pics of your setups would also be great! Thanks in advance!


John

 

[edwar050]

What kind of lighting do you have and how many watts? Sky's the limit but most people wouldnt advise putting say mushrooms under what a thriving sps evironment would be in a small 10 gallon.

If you have PC's I would say a couple of mushrooms would be cool and easy. I suppose you could add a small pair of clowns or many other fish like a firefish. There are a ton of possiblities but you are highly limited in ammount.

 

[Boydx2]

I have to 36w PC's, I was thinking of moving my firefish from my other tank into this one as my clown fish have been harrassing him as of late. You are right as to being limited in quantity, but how many is too many? I was thinking of going with maybe a goby or two. I have two clowns in my other reef tank, so I dont want to do that again. Thanks

 

[rich415]

I had a ten with 2x36 watt PC's. My set up was amixed with softies and LPS. I would go with Ricordia, Blastmussa, Zoa's and other corals that do not put out stinging tentacles. Ten Gallon's are pretty small and you can pack more colors in there with "friendly" corals.

As for fish, I would choose one fish that stays small and does not swim that much in open water. Gobies are always a good choice.

 

[Boydx2]

cool, thanks for the advice! I think I am gonna go that direction. I am putting my firefish in there, and I think Ill putt in a small goby and call it a day. Any other advice?

 

[gearqueer]

Don't buy JBJ whatever you do.

 

[falcondob]

Zoo, GSP, polyps, m'srooms, soft corals like Anthelia, Colt, these seem to be consistent favorites.

 

[midknight]

Boydx2

If you have a little extra time you could try this little DIY. I am putting a mini refugium inside my 10.

http://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=831443

 

[mtfish]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=7331087#post7331087 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Boydx2
I am putting my firefish in there

A FULL lid. My firefish took a carpet dive and didn't survive. There only was a 1"x6" gap in the back of the lid.

 

[Boydx2]

lol, yeah i heard of them doing that, this lid covers everything so hopefully he wont jump out! Thanks for all the advice guys and keep it coming as I love to learn from more experienced vets! The refugium idea looks pretty good and I might see If i cant do something similar, thanks again!

 

[mtfish]

oh another source for nano's is : www.nano-reef.com You'll find lots pictures there too.

 

[Boydx2]

wow, I really like that site mtfish, thanks alot!

 

[mtfish]

No problem, It has helped me out. The more opinions you can get the better descision you can make

 

[Boydx2]

Just curious what filtration methods do you guys find to be the best when working with a nano?

 

[rich415]

On my last ten Gallon I used an aquaclear converted to a fuge and a Prizm skimmer. These two took up the entire back of the tank. The skimmer is rated for 100 gallons but it was a Prizm so it works just enough for the ten. I had a small power head that was pointed at the cascade created by the two filters and that was it.

The beauty of a ten gallon is that you just need 2 one gallon jugs for water changes. 1 for dirty water 1 for new water. Do that weekly and your good to go. I did not use any additives at all. I do miss that.