Nano for a newbie!

[Limey1]

Hi Guys,

It was suggesed by Lonnie that I pay a visit to the board for information and assistance new my new project!
While I have kept FW for many years this is going to be a first for me. I want to set up a 24/29 gal nano tank that will contain soft corals, shrimp and a couple of fish (I must have a green banded goby)
As of now I have nothing, but ideas. So please feel free to throw suggestions in my direction. I need to know a good place on Long Island to buy live rock and live sand.
I was thinking about this set-up
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Category_Code=Aquariums

Thanks!

 

[Spracklcat]

Welcome aboard! You'll get lots of advice here (not always in agreement with each other ).

I've run a 29g for a bunch of years now. sort corals are a nice easy way to get started in SW, and are pretty hardy and forgiving to miscalculations ...

My first advice is...go slow! Get the system up and running with water, LR and sand, and then wait....and then wait some more.

Get good testing kits--you'll need them to start out at first.

Given the choice, while an all-included system sounds good and looks good, my personal preference is away from it. As you grow in the hobby you'll find it is unforgiving with regard to modifications. One big down side to this particular setup is no skimmer--and you'll definitely want one. Also, 72W of lighting for this system seems a little light--fine for most softies and fish, but if you want to upgrade later it will be murder.

Sand and rock--good question. Most local shops have it, but I can't vouch for the quality, and I know it is a bit pricey. Hopefully someone else will chime in here because I need some new rock for my systems too. Best bet actually is if someone is breaking down a system you can buy "used"--much cheaper and usually great. For Sand, don't bother buying "live sand" in a bag--it's nice, but also pricey and doesn't have the bigger worms and stuff. Get aragonite sand from the pet store (usually about $1/lb) and get club members to give you or buy some of their sand to "inoculate" yours. This trick works with rock too--you can mix a bit of live rock in with a bunch of "dead" and soon enough the critters from the LR will populate the other.

Also our club is having its meeting this Saturday, which should be a good one--and a good place to meet the people who can help you, plus there will be a workshop on building your own tanks. Try to make it if you can

Good luck--pics as you go please.

Christine

 

[eboonaman]

Christine is right on:thumbsup:
I would go with a 29 gal and set it up myself. IMO alot cheaper than $449.95 for a 32 gal...

when are you looking for this? I'm converting to a 120 in the next week or two and I can hook you up with my already running 55 gal oceanic tank and it's pickled white washed stand . It will be ready when I move it's contents to the 120 .
For say $200.
chuck

 

[Limey1]

Thanks,


Of course I posted the wrong link, this is the correct one. This set-up has T5 lights, skimmer and a fuge.
http://www.premiumaquatics.com/Merc...duct_Code=FI-MTG-2401&Category_Code=Aquariums
I'm in agreement with taking it slow and using not just buying test kits. I have a 125 planted tank that still only has otto cats and shrimp in there!
If I go the route you are suggesting, what light would be good for a 29gal tank? For now I am just wanted soft corals, if I get to the stage where I want to take it to the next level, I'll upgrade.
Chuck,
What comes with the tank? any pics?

Thanks!

 

[Spracklcat]

I like that all-in-one--that's a nice little setup, and it looks like you can upgrade it equipment wise if needed. Only thing I'd do is add a powerhead to increase flow.

On my 29g I just this week installed all new t5's--4 x 24W 10,000K, and 2 x actinics, and wow, what a difference from my old VHO's.

That said, I think I'd go for Chuck's 55g if you have the space, and do T5's. Depending on the hood (if there is one) you can retrofit T5's pretty inexpensively. You can get ballasts for the T5's, two separate ones to split the actinics and daylights for "dusk" lighting for about $40.

 

[Sk8r]

A 50 reefready with a sump would be ideal in terms of size and ease for a beginner [small tanks are a pita because of the evaporation rate], but way pricey. You're over a thousand before you get water in it, brand new. Chuck's deal sounds very attractive. The Aquapod all-in-one [Foster/Smith dealer] is a good tank for beginners, but a good used regular size tank from a reliable reefer, so you know there's been nothing toxic in it, is where I'd go, no question, if the price is right.

 

[eboonaman]

 

[Limey1]

Chuck,

Looks good. What equipment are you selling with the tank and stand, or are you just selling the tank/stand?

 

[eboonaman]

To be honest with you, This thought just popped into my head yesterday when I posted.

but If your looking for a complete setup I can sell you what I'm using on this tank.
CPR CS90 Overflow Box $40
http://www.marinedepot.com/aquarium_overflow_boxes_cpr.asp?CartId=
Coralife Super Skimmer Needle Wheel with Needle-Wheel Water Pump $70
http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES33002
48" 2/150 HQI mh with 4 25w PC actinic (2 pc's don't fire needs new ballast) light hood. with two HQI Icecap electronic Ballast
bulbs coralVue 10K (8mo old)$175
Have some live rock fully cured (brought from another LIRA member) to much for my new tank about 70 -80 lbs left
$90.
(free with purchase)
15 gal tall homemade sump
what ever sand is in the tank(approx 90 lbs southdown)
refugium startup kit (consisting of chaetomorpha, microstars, small bristleworms, shrimp(Amphipods) )

TOTAL $575 for a just add water setup. :eek1:

all you would need is a return pump from the sump to aquarium.

 

[cb747]

That additional $375 is well spent! Seriously consider it! Once you start a nano youll realize its too small and youll want bigger and better. Spend the cash once instead of what most of us have done and buy things repeatedly as we upgraded our setups. Id suggest going with Chucks tank which makes for a well priced beginners tank. Then hunt around here for a used return pump to complete the setup

 

[Limey1]

Chuck,

That sounds good! What size pump would you suggest for the set-up?
With using the LS and LR I guess the tank will cycle quickly? if at all??

The color of the stand matches in with my dining room (bonus) so I will be playing around with a tape mesure.

Any known problems with the set-up that need to be addressed?

Cheers

 

[Limey1]

How could I forget this... would be be available to assist with the setting up? After all you know how it goes together~!

 

[eboonaman]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8563011#post8563011 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Limey1
Chuck,

That sounds good! What size pump would you suggest for the set-up?
With using the LS and LR I guess the tank will cycle quickly? if at all??

The color of the stand matches in with my dining room (bonus) so I will be playing around with a tape mesure.

Any known problems with the set-up that need to be addressed?

Cheers

I used a quiteone 4000 (I would have added it in but I need it for my new tank)
probably a small cycle because you are disturbing the sand bed.
just the ballast for two of the PC bulbs. But if you put in 14k bulbs you don't need to use the actinic bulbs at all they are just there to mix the blue spectrum into the lighting.

stand is L49"X w14"x H32"
tank is L48"x w13"x H23"
you need about 4 -6 inch clearance from the back kwall to the tank for the overflow box.

yes I would give you a hand setting it up.

 

[Limey1]

So after the car smash.. I'm home and looking to try any keep busy while not being able to do too much...What do I do, I start to look at nano tanks... I have never kept saltwater, seems a good way to start.

After a couple of posts and more reading... I'm now "hooked" into a 55.. hahah Ya have to love the good pain killers!!!

Chuck...buy yer 120...lets get that 55 moved to Centereach!

Any chance of a veiwing before hand?

 

[eboonaman]

sent PM ..

 

[eboonaman]

hey, better yet why don't you come to the meeting tomorrow at 3pm dowling college (http:/www.lireef.org)
we can talk face to face.
I'm the semi old guy with the beer belly
if your going sw you want to meet the other sw "geeks" your mind will explode with all the help and info you will receive there!
chuck

 

[Spracklcat]

Yup, come down to the meeting--the membership fee for the year is paid back tenfold in advice, trades, information from speakers and friends alike, and a bit of socializing. Just make sure to introduce yourself because many of us are a bit socially inept (ok, me ).

I'll be the only woman (of the three of us ) brave enough to talk to Chuck

Christine

 

[Limey1]

That is a great idea! I would of made the meeting but at the moment I'd either fall asleep or be twitching so bad you would all think I had tourettes!

Maybe next time.

Thanks again for the invite.

 

[eboonaman]

hey Limey1...see what I mean about being forgetful? I forgot I posted that last night and pm you today with the same invite...
GOD! am I burnt ..... :eek2:
chuck

 

[eboonaman]

Yes, it's true Christine is the bravest of the bunch...:lol: but I notice she always stands close to the door when she's around me. :smokin: