How to Best Setup a Nano (Asking, not Advising)

[ca1ore]

I'm increasingly out of the 'dispensing' game ...

So, let me ask. Setting up a zooanthid-based nano for one of my sons. It's basic, a 10 gal rimless all-in-one, kessil A80 light and an adequate heater. Never done a nano before, any word of wisdom from folks that have? I've no room for a skimmer, so W/C (somewhat easier than on my main 500 gallon system :lol will be the main nutrient export technique. Will likely add a nano-osmolator ATO at some point.

Seems like fun - other than answering the constant question of why a tang is not a good fish choice.

 

[fastest302]

On my 20g long I do a water change every week even with a skimmer to keep the trace elements in check.. definitely put a ato on it.

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[dutch27]

I'm increasingly out of the 'dispensing' game ...

So, let me ask. Setting up a zooanthid-based nano for one of my sons. It's basic, a 10 gal rimless all-in-one, kessil A80 light and an adequate heater. Never done a nano before, any word of wisdom from folks that have? I've no room for a skimmer, so W/C (somewhat easier than on my main 500 gallon system :lol will be the main nutrient export technique. Will likely add a nano-osmolator ATO at some point.

Seems like fun - other than answering the constant question of why a tang is not a good fish choice.

That right there is all you need. A 10g softie tank only needs a decent light, regular water changes, and an ATO. The cleanest tank I ever had was a 24g AIO with a 50/50 CFL, started with actual live rock, not base rock. I tried a skimmer and it was useless, 4g weekly water changes was all it took. Tanks that small are best served with good basic husbandry more than equipment. Best of luck, I've tried starting zoa tanks in the hopes of a tank full of beautiful bright zoas, and at some point I always end up sticking acros in it, lol.

 

[ca1ore]

That's kind of what I figured. Thanks chaps.

 

[mcgyvr]

Just adding another.. That's everything you "need" comment..

I started in SW with a 10G tank with only a small powerhead, heater and a coralife power compact light..
It was full of corals of all types (even a 4" long clam) and I relied only upon water changes.. It ran great for a year or so till I upgraded and went to the "sump side" 120G long with ALL the bells and whistles ..
Now I'm back to a sumpless/skimmerless 40b mixed reef.. More equipment is sometimes just more work even though you think its going to make it easier on you..

 

[ca1ore]

Ah yes, the power of the sump side .....

 

[jda]

Keep the surface agitated to make sure that there is enough gas exchange and you should be all set.

Fresh live rock and some sand can handle the phosphates and nitrates for you (after the cycle). Water changes can make good on everything else. Zoas will eat up the trace elements in a small volume and some can shrink and die if you forget to change water or supplement, so don't do that.

 

[journeyman]

Love the nano osmolater! If you can squeeze in about 5 inches of room behind the tank, might I suggest a small HOB refugium. Stocked with chaeto, I find it's a great source of nutrient export as well as food if you get pods in there.

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[Nano sapiens]

Ditto, suggest a basic system. My old 12g has done quite well with no mech or chem filtration, just a pump, heater, lights, simple ATO, regular WCs and detritus removal.

 

[moondoggy4]

I have a 12'' cube tank I use a fluval hob filter and I use the chemi-pure blue nano I bought them at DrF&S for buy one get one. I also like the Cobalt heater easy for the wire to go over the rim of the tank.
I have the Tunze Nano ATO failed on me two times, both on vacation. The glass is too thin and the magnet pulls on the float. I tried the computer mouse but the magnet is still too strong.
I have had great success with this little tank, I only lost one coral, mostly acan enhinata's and acan enchartas and chalices. I use a Kessil 160 yea too powerful.

 

[thaitopher]

I'm increasingly out of the 'dispensing' game ...



So, let me ask. Setting up a zooanthid-based nano for one of my sons. It's basic, a 10 gal rimless all-in-one, kessil A80 light and an adequate heater. Never done a nano before, any word of wisdom from folks that have? I've no room for a skimmer, so W/C (somewhat easier than on my main 500 gallon system :lol will be the main nutrient export technique. Will likely add a nano-osmolator ATO at some point.



Seems like fun - other than answering the constant question of why a tang is not a good fish choice.

I have had a nano for 12 years. Never had a sump. I think all you really need is one power head if you plan to keep coral. The two most critical steps are water top off every day and very consistent with weekly water changes at 20%. with that and good lighting you should be all set. I do use a skimmer but I don't believe it is necessary.


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[Rybren]

I ran a 3G pico for 4 -5 years. No heater, a MJ-400 for flow, and a DIY 18W LED light. I was very consistent in doing regular daily top-offs, but not so much on the WCs. I would sometimes go for months between changes.

Livestock consisted of zoas, mushrooms, leathers, montis, hydnophora and a sexy shrimp.

 

[ajm83]

Don't use lightweight/fine sand, it's a nightmare managing flow in a small tank if you do.

 

[Mrs. Music]

I ran a 3G pico for 4 -5 years. No heater, a MJ-400 for flow, and a DIY 18W LED light. I was very consistent in doing regular daily top-offs, but not so much on the WCs. I would sometimes go for months between changes.

Livestock consisted of zoas, mushrooms, leathers, montis, hydnophora and a sexy shrimp.

that sounds adorable! How were the temps?

 

[Mrs. Music]

I'm increasingly out of the 'dispensing' game ...

So, let me ask. Setting up a zooanthid-based nano for one of my sons. It's basic, a 10 gal rimless all-in-one, kessil A80 light and an adequate heater. Never done a nano before, any word of wisdom from folks that have? I've no room for a skimmer, so W/C (somewhat easier than on my main 500 gallon system :lol will be the main nutrient export technique. Will likely add a nano-osmolator ATO at some point.

Seems like fun - other than answering the constant question of why a tang is not a good fish choice.

are you going to post pictures?

 

[Rybren]

that sounds adorable! How were the temps?

They stayed in the low 70s. I don't think that they ever made it above 74.

 

[AlSimmons]

Plenty of rock, plenty of flow, an efficient heater, the proper lighting and a little elbow grease is really all you need IMO. Vacuuming your sand bed or just stirring it every now & then right before a water change wouldn't be such a bad idea either. Having an ATO would be nice, but if you've got the time to feed your fish everyday then you've got the time to top the tank off as well. Don't overstock, don't overfeed etc. If you feel as though you need to run things like GAC or GFO in a HOB filter then go right ahead, but try to keep things as simple as you can. Good luck!

 

[ca1ore]

are you going to post pictures?

Do I have to? Hate photobucket. :lol:

 

[jacksonpt]

Just adding another.. That's everything you "need" comment..

I started in SW with a 10G tank with only a small powerhead, heater and a coralife power compact light..
It was full of corals of all types (even a 4" long clam) and I relied only upon water changes.. It ran great for a year or so till I upgraded and went to the "sump side" 120G long with ALL the bells and whistles ..
Now I'm back to a sumpless/skimmerless 40b mixed reef.. More equipment is sometimes just more work even though you think its going to make it easier on you..

I've had similar experiences. I ran a 12g AIO for about 3 years with a PC light and had great success with it. I don't recall if I had an ATO on it or not, but I'm betting I did. Otherwise, just heat, flow and water changes. I managed to keep some basic SPS, but it was mostly LPS and softies. It was a very easy tank to manage.

In hindsight, I wonder if it's success was in part due to the fact that I wasn't constantly messing with some aspect of it... because there wasn't anything to mess with!!

 

[cody6766]

I ran a 2.5g nano with a small tetra heater, some little cfls and a tiny little powerhead back when I got into reefing. I kept up with top offs and water changes and it was running strong for 6 months. I rolled it into another tank at that point.

If I built one today, I'd put some decent LEDs on it, use a small heater and powerhead (or return if it had rear chambers), toss in an ATO and control the whole thing with a Reef Keeper Lite. The controller would be the first thing I'd delete from the list, but I like how convenient they make life. The ATO is huge for keeping a nano stable. I don't have the discipline I had when I was younger...I'd let it get too low now.