Thinking about a Nano...have ?'s

[Octoberfest]

So I've been thinking about starting a Nano and have several ?'s about one.

Are the "pre-made" Nano's worth it? The ones that comes with a false overflow wall, canopy and PC lights already in place or is it better to build one form a smaller tank?

What is the hardest part about a Nano?

What are some things you wish you would have known before you got into one?

 

[Illuminati]

The "pre-made" nano's are totally worth it. Granted most need some sort of an upgrade, for my nanocube I replaced the stock pump with a MaxiJet1200 and use the stock pump for mixing saltwater. I'm sure other people would disagree with me though, some people like the regular tanks, not the all in ones.

Hardest part is aquascaping, you don't have much real estate to work with. Another is evaporation but you start to figure out how often your system needs a topoff eventually.

 

[JustinReef]

So far I think they are great! Very easy to maintain and looks real nice!

 

[Octoberfest]

what are you thoughts on this one? What is the limit in a Nano that you can keep with Power Compacts? Can the PC's provide enough light for a clam or SPS's in a 12 gallon?

 

[Illuminati]

Can't keep a clam or SPS under PC's.
Check out www.nanotuners.com if you want to buy a cube with a retrofitted hood that has metal halide lighting.

But if you do that you have to watch out for overheating and you REALLY need to keep the water quality in top shape. Water quality in nano's can go south quick because of the lack of volume.

If you just want LPS or softies than the regular PC's in most all in ones would be fine.

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

I have an Aquapod 24G. The stock tank with 64watts of PCs. You can keep some SPS such as the Montipora species. They need to be kept at the top. now the cup corals should not be kept where they would provide shade to the entire tank, as your other coral species won't get the light needed. All in all, I highly approve the Aquapod as I have one that has ben doing great for me!

 

[DiverDownBrian]

I like my Nanocube 12DX. It's been up for about 16 months now. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Octoberfest]

I have a pair of mated false percs that I'd like to give "their own space" to. The tank would be based around them and hopefully an anenomie, although I'm sure the lighting requirements would have to be upgraded. I would put in some zoas and maybe a couple other corals but the clowns would be the main focus. Not intending to keep any of the fry alive, at least yet just would think it would be neat to have them in their own tank.

 

[NUBIANTANGLOVER]

It will defintely work. You would have to upgrade your lighting if you want to keep an anemone in these tanks. There are plenty choices you can chose from to do so as the Aquapod comes with a MH option. Also, you can always customize these tanks too via nanocustoms/nanotuners.

 

[mestandley]

Nano Problem

Nano Problem

I Just bought the 12 nano DX today filled it up put the live sand in some live rock and when I plugged in the light the fan on the right started to smoke and caught on fire. The lfs I bought it from said they will order a new lid I hope the new one will work just fine I still like it I just hope the lid gets here soon. Is there any way to get just the blue lights to turn on I can't seem to get that to happen either?

 

[hahnmeister]

I cant stand 'ready made' cube nanos, and strongly suggest against them. For the $$ you pay, you end up gutting half of the components anyways... ending up with whats really a $20 glass tank that you paid $100-200 for. The overflows/back get modded. The lights get modded. The pumps get replaced. Whats the point? Just get a regular tank and you arent limited to the crappy equipment that comes with the 'nano-cube-crap'. You can use halides, T5s, and A PROTEIN SKIMMER... things you cant do easily, if at all, with the ready-made units. They look cool, but they are not worth it IMO. If you really want the curved tank look, buy a Via-Aqua Aquarium... but then you can add good quality components, not the crap that the bio-nano-cubes come with. Their overflows/sumps dont even work right.

 

[RyanCD]

I agree with the above post ^^. With the money you pay IMO it is not worth it when you can just buy a stock tank and make a nice canopy and base to your specifications. Plus you can use whatever filtration you want and lighting you want without having to fix everything you just purchased and fine tune it. But if you are going for that curved glass look then perhaps a nano cube is for you.

 

[Brian5280]

The all-in-ones are great if you just want to keep easy beginner coral and only one fish.

The biggest problem I have had with mine is too much heat and keeping it clean.

If I knew then what I know now, I never would have started with something so small, I would have went for a 40-50 gallon.

 

[GobyJohnKenobi]

I used to agree with everything hahnmeister said; but after having- and yes, unfortunately, modding - my BioCube 8 gallon, I'd have to say that I really like the cubes.

I bought a 15 high and all the trimmings, lights, skimmer, pumps.
The cost would have been the same for a nicely modded 12 gallon cube.

I'm now considering a 12 gallon Aquapod as well.

My sincere advice: Get the type of tank that you think will look the best and work the best for what you want to do with it. There's alot to be said for either choice.

 

[Brian5280]

I have had a 12 gallon nanocube that is unmodified up and running for 2 years. It's very possible to have a successful all-in-one if you understand it's limitations.

If you want to keep high light corals or more than one fish. Don't get an all in one.

 

[Jim Cannon]

I see you aren't a newbie to the hobby. You being a member since '05 and have posted over 450 times.

Eons ago I had a normal 30G reef. I certainly enjoyed it. However, it took too much time, effort, and money.

Several months ago I was buying fish for my FW Chiclid 55G tank and noticed a cool 12 Nanocube. I had never seen or ever heard the term Nano tank until then. I went to Craigslist and found a relatively new one for sale with stand, LR, and LS, for $175. It was already 'upgraded' also.

I do 1.5G water change every 2 twos. I watch the water level and add when it needs it. So far its been really great.

It's not as spectacular as some fellow members, but that wasn't what I was going for. I can still observe what goes on in the tank, watch the mushrooms grow, watch the hermit crabs move around, watch my two clowns do whatever it is you might call that 'shimmy' dance thing. The cleaner shrimp is funny too.

I would recommend it if you just wanted something nice and easy to care for. If you want a show tank, then don't get a Nano.

my 2 cents worth. *s*

Jim