Simple Nano tank

[barteri]

Hello,

I like to setup a 5 gallon nano tank. I was wondering if you guys can give me some advice as I am new to the saltwater aquarium hobby. I am just looking for something simple. It doesn't even have to have corals.

I plan to get and use

- Eclipse Corner 5 aquarium which has built in BIO-WHEEL and CF bulb (11 Watt I think)
- 5lbs of Live Rock
- Some live sand - maybe 5 lbs?
- hydrometer
- Instant Ocean Mixes

What else will I need? How should go about building this tank? Is the cycling of the water a lot like starting a Freshwater aquarium?

Thanks.

-Tom

 

[meco65]

I have a 2-1/2 gal tank. 2inchs LS,about 3lbs LR, over the back filter with bio-filter that is cleaned often, small heater, 30watt CF(one 20watt, one 10watt). five micro-crabs, worms, snails, 1 mushroom, two rock anemone. Works good for me. I will post pics.

 

[sruiz]

maybe a nano protein skimmer

 

[meco65]

Here are the pics of my mini-nano.
Oh by the way <img src="/images/welcome.gif" width="500" height="62"><br><b><i><big><big>To Reef Central</b></i></big></big>
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If you buy LR & LS from the LFS or some where that you trust, and the sand, and rock are cured, you may not see much of a cycle at all.

 

[barteri]

Looks cool.

How often do you clean the inside of the tank and what about frequency of water changes? Do you have problems with algae or diatoms?

Is a Nano Protein Skimmer really that necessary?

Thanks.

-Tom

 

[JOSEPHLB]

Your live rock and sand will establish the bacteria colony that is important in a saltwater setup. With this in mind, you will want to get rid of the Bio-Wheel part of that filter. Its ok to run the carbon/filter pad.. but the bio-wheel should go.

 

[barteri]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11263832#post11263832 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by JOSEPHLB
Your live rock and sand will establish the bacteria colony that is important in a saltwater setup. With this in mind, you will want to get rid of the Bio-Wheel part of that filter. Its ok to run the carbon/filter pad.. but the bio-wheel should go.

Hi I am not sure I understand. Will having the BIO-WHEEL there be detrimental to tank? It should hurt to have bacteria developing on the BIO-WHEEL too right?

-Tom

 

[JOSEPHLB]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=11264807#post11264807 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by barteri
Hi I am not sure I understand. Will having the BIO-WHEEL there be detrimental to tank? It should hurt to have bacteria developing on the BIO-WHEEL too right?

-Tom

The material of the bio-wheel will eventually cause it to become a nitrate factory. (at least that is the theory)

5-10 lbs of live rock and an inch or two of sand will provide an excellent foundation to maintain an established tank, without the need of any external filtration.

Frequent water changes will deplete your established tank of any phosphates and nitrates that may accumulate in the tank water column. This all depends on bio load as well.

 

[meco65]

I have the bio-pad in the HOB filter and the blue pad for carbon, I clean the blue pad often, the bio-pad can be rinsed in SW to keep it clean, the glass has to be scraped about once a week. My water change schedule has not been up to par but I plan to do 1/4gal water changes every other week. Like I said all the perimeter are great, even with the bio-pad.
I can see if the Maintenance was neglected on the filters they would be a nitrate factory, with proper cleaning thay are ok. IMO