Setting up my first tank - please critique and advise!

[A1A5KA]

Hi everyone,

I am setting up a nano tank and I would like some advice please. First, let me say that I am new to both Reefs.Org and to aquariums, so please don't flame me if I ask something stupid. But I am a college student, majoring in Marine Biology, which means I may not know a lot about aquariums, but I do know a lot about marine ecosystems, so when you correct me or educate me, you can use the big words, LOL.

Right now, I am doing research with the goal of setting up a Nano Reef tank in my dorm room. I am very strongly considering the Nano Cube 12 Gallon Deluxe. I want to set up as natural a system as I can, using both live sand and live rocks.

First question, about equipment: the Deluxe NanoCube only comes with 2 24-watt 50/50 compact fluorescent lamps. I'm not so sure that's enough for a reef tank. Does anyone know if it's possible to put more or stronger lights in if I happen to want to add corals that need them?

Next, my research says I should have at least the following equipment:

Heater (BTW, I live in Alaska), Thermometer, Water Conditioners, pH Adjusters/Buffers, Dechlorinators, pH Conditioners, Supplements, Test Kits, Protein Skimmers and a Hydrometer.

Please tell me, do I really need all of these? Any recommendations about types, brands, or sources? Anything vital I've left out?

Finally, about animals, I want to use natural scavengers and cleaners (for example, I want hermit crabs for sure) whenever possible instead of equipment or chemicals. I want both sessile and motile invertebrates, but NO FISH !! I am not looking to replicate any specific ecosystem, but I think I would like most of my stock to come from the Pacific Ocean. I am still researching as to what species I want.

My question, though, is about numbers. All the planning advice I can find (either online or in books) seems to center on either fish-only or combined tanks. So, PLEASE, will someone tell me how many sessile invertebrates (such as corals, anemones or feather worms) and how many motile invertebrates (such as shrimps, crabs, snails or urchins) I should put in a 12 gallon aquarium with about 16 lbs of live rock and about 1-2 inches of live sand in it? BTW, I know it all depends on size. Please give me a rough idea, such as "X inches of animal per gallon of water". Then I can figure out what combinations of fauna I can put in based on that.

Any other help or advice you want to give will be much appreciated!

Thanks very very much !!!!!

Amy

 

[Brian5000]

Welcome to the world of saltwater aquaria!

I'm actually very happy to say that amongst even the most clueless questions, I've never seen anyone "flamed" on this site.

On lighting, I know 48 watts doesn't sound like a lot of light, but the tank size you want is really tiny and shallow. It works because your corals would be only a few inches from the light bulb.

If you have to have an all in one system, Current USA has a nano system with a 70W metal halide light. I think you'd be very safe with that.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Product/P ... 2004+62761

The only real benefit to the all in one system is the wet/dry filter in the back of it, which is a little out of favor (live rock does the same job much better). Plus, I'm not sure if a protein skimmer will fit on the back of one. A sunpod (I'd recommend a pendant, but you can't hang anything in a dorm), some random tank and a powerhead or two would suit you just fine.

The absolute necessities for an aquarium are salt (of coarse), a heater, thermometer, calcium buffer for stoney corals (B-ionic is the prefered brand, I think), test kits and a hydrometer.

Use RO/DI water either from your own filter or from the grocery store. Tap water for most people still has enough in it that algea will overgrow your tank.

Between the calcium carbonate rock/sand and the salt mix, pH really isn't a problem.

The protein skimmer is a question. In a larger tank, they are an absolute necessity. When a 50% water change is only 6 gallons, you could actually do without one. You just have to keep up with it and never miss a weekly change. That one is up to you.

A nice 10 pound rock or bigger will be fine for your tank. Mostly just get an amount that looks nice to you. Argonite sand is good, but it necessary to buy it "alive" since I've found that the dead stuff gets colonized from your rock in a few months anyway.

Invertebrates do not have the same waste output as fish, so there isn't really any limit as far as that goes. The limitations for invertebrates are more related to the availability of food, space to grow and territories. Hermits and snails for instance do not do well at 1 per gallon as many fish stores want you to believe. They will starve at that quantity. Do more like 1 per 10 gallons (you might consider having two or three hermits or a couple hermits and an astrea snail). Corals are only limited by space. They need room to grow and so one doesn't overgrow the other. Shrimp are limited by territory (you get one). Crabs are opportunistic predators that will eventually kill something you like, I don't recommend it. Starfish (except mini brittle stars), urchins, etc. will starve in a tank that size.
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