Eager to start, but running into some problems

[usafresq1]

Hey there all, well I have bought my ten gallon tank and I have researched alot, however, I'm running into a few problems I was hoping you could help me with. I was reading a post on nano-reef.com and came across this thread http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=7817 and it gave me the idea of putting in a overflow right in the tank itself. The problem is I can not see for the life of me any means of filtration in that over flow. I don't see filter floss for mechanical filtration and I don't see live rock for aerobic bacteria/biological filtration. Any help with that would be greatly appreciated. My best guess as of this morning is that the individual uses the over flow system only for water movement. So that would lead me to believe that nano reefs are run strictly off of biological filtration and water changes. Most posts and web pages I have seen do not show mechanical filtration and no protein skimming, I wasn't planning on running a protein skimmer however I'm really curious about the science behind nano reefs and filtration.
I am going to try and save money and do a DIY lighting project so I'm not going to go into annoying lighting questions because I'm still in the middle of researching that area of reefing. I will however, go into the annoying question of test kits. I know I need Ph, Amm, Trite, Trate, and probally Phos and Cal too but I was wondering if any of you could tell me a common brand name of tests in use. I'm looking for something semi cheap and accurate, probally like most people :wink:

As of 1010 Saturday 8 Feb 03 this is my plan. With a 10g AGA I want to silicone a peice of acrylic into the back of the aquarium giving just enough room for some live rock for biological filtration and a return pump. For the actual tank I want to go to the Waikiki Aquarium and see if I can get some live sand and rock from them with their water. I want to lay down about 2-3 inches of live sand and build the rock as I see fit. For lighting my original idea was a bunch of NO flourescents to save on costs but everyone is advising me to go with PCs so I will probally go with one actinic blue and one 10k PC. I would like to DIY that project but I haven't been able to find a LFS around here that is dependable. Kinda funny for hawaii, you would think there would be atleast acouple. For filtration I mainly want to stick with biological filtration and some water changes. I'm not planning on a Protein Skimmer, which feels odd because I had one in all of my other much larger reefs.
Anyways, I've been looking at this puter screen long enough and my eyes are getting tired. I'm hoping I haven't not mentioned something that I'm planning on doing but if I am I will probally hear about it. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated, thanks again.
~usafresq

 

[teevee]

many people do run skimmers on nanos, things like CPR Bakpaks. probably a good thing to consider.

lighting will depend partly on what you want to keep. most people don't keep anything too complex in nanos, nothing beyond xenia or mushrooms.

i don't know how long you've been researching your tank, but please, take your time. i nearly rushed into a 15 gal nano with specs recommended by an LFS, and would probably have killed my first batch of livestock and been done with the hobby within weeks. at this point in time, i have been researching for several months, and am only now beginning to order parts for my 150 gal. take your time, there's no hurry. some people would also suggest going with a larger tank if it's your first, as there is more room for error. a 75 gal is a nice starter.

 

[usafresq1]

Thanks for the responce and I understand your concern, I have been keeping aquariums since I was very young and have been keeping salt water aquariums for about 5 or 6 years now. The only real reason I am having a problem is because I have never worked with something so small before. Being in the military I don't have much money and that is why I am trying a nano tank. Thanks again
~usafresq

 

[Sebastian]

That is a cool looking nano Try a search for test kits you should get a large collection of opinions. Also you may find more help in the Nano forum :wink:

 

[Anonymous]

I suspect one of the reasons he put that internal overflow in is to clean up the appearance of the tank. It gave him a nice place to hide the heater and pumps. With nanos you rarely have a sump to stick those things into like you can on a larger tank.