Corals for Nanos

[NavyNano212]

Everyone's thoughts:
What corals play nice together in a small environment? 24G nano with nice amount of LR. I have a Chili Coral, two types of leathers, a colony of yellow polyps doing nicely and a nice size rock of green polyps trying to recover. Wanting to add more, but do not want to add things that might compete or "anger" each other.
I know what the books say...but what about your thoughts?

Thkx.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

Everyone's thoughts:
What corals play nice together in a small environment? 24G nano with nice amount of LR. I have a Chili Coral, two types of leathers, a colony of yellow polyps doing nicely and a nice size rock of green polyps trying to recover. Wanting to add more, but do not want to add things that might compete or "anger" each other.
I know what the books say...but what about your thoughts?

Thkx.

Depends a lot on your lighting. What do you have?
I'm running a 150w Sunpod here on a 24g Nanocube: (mixed reef - sps/softies)

 

[NavyNano212]

Lightling

I recently install the Nano upgrade:

150 watt/14K HQI Metal Halide Lighting
It has made a difference in my exisiting corals...

 

[mstrofdisaster]

Forgot to ask if you're using a skimmer, sorry. You will need one if you wish to keep SPS.

Is there something in particular you want to try or just wanna know the possibilities?

 

[NavyNano212]

No skimmer, never put one in the Nano. I hear good and negative things about them and after two years, just do not have one. I currently do not have any SPS to my knowledge, but would like to in the future.
I would like to know my options as I have a lot of LR(probably too much if I want more corals).
Another question for u if I may: I haven't been successful in having my corals "spawn" or spread(such as the polyps which are supposed to be easily reproduced). My leather is almost 18 months old and hasn't really grown.
So many questions.

My hope is to increase my tank when I move to a bigger place this fall...then I will really need questions answered!!
Thanks for responding!!

 

[mstrofdisaster]

No skimmer, never put one in the Nano. I hear good and negative things about them and after two years, just do not have one. I currently do not have any SPS to my knowledge, but would like to in the future.
I would like to know my options as I have a lot of LR(probably too much if I want more corals).
Another question for u if I may: I haven't been successful in having my corals "spawn" or spread(such as the polyps which are supposed to be easily reproduced). My leather is almost 18 months old and hasn't really grown.
So many questions.

My hope is to increase my tank when I move to a bigger place this fall...then I will really need questions answered!!
Thanks for responding!!

In terms of coral growth I would need to know your water parameters.
Calcium:
Alk:
pH:
Mg:
Nitrate:
Ammonia:
Salinity:

If your parameters are out of whack that would most certainly stunt growth.

How many pounds of rock do you estimate you have? General rule of thumb on Nanos should be 1lb : 1 gal ( I have about 30lbs in my 24). I've taken a few pieces out here and there to make room for things.

 

[NavyNano212]

Will let you know tonight. Thanks!

 

[mstrofdisaster]

Will let you know tonight. Thanks!

Alright Navy - talk to you later.

 

[Wolverine57]

Here my 24G Aquapod, I have a variety of corals, sps, lps, zoos, clams and fish. About 32 lbs of LR, pink sand. My lighting consist of 175W HQI, modded the tank, using a custom sump with a tunze skimmer.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

Johnny,

I like the flat ledges you setup in there. I'm rescaping tonight!

-Chris

 

[Wolverine57]

Thanks Chris, after you re-aquascape post some pics!

 

[NavyNano212]

Calcium: 420ppm
Alk: 3.0 meq/L
pH:8.2 (lights on about 4 hours)
Mg: 1300
Nitrate: 0.10
Ammonia:<0.02
Salinity: 1.024
Nitrite: <.10
Phos: 0
iron: 0

Everyone talks about how fast some of their corals grow. The only one that grew and then died(except for a small frag growing now)was my tree coral. He split three times. Otherwise, I do not really see anything happening. Water quality I use it good(Petco Cataline water), good top off water...it stump me after two years.

 

[mstrofdisaster]

If this tank is 2 years running, these levels should be concerning to you:

Nitrate: 0.10
Ammonia:<0.02
Nitrite: <.10

You need to clear these down to 0 as your first order of business. A good 50% water change would be an excellent starting point.

How much LR and LS is in the tank currently? You may also want to consider a small skimmer such as a Tunze Doc 9002 to get those nitrate levels down.

 

[NavyNano212]

New readings

Calcium: 400ppm
Alk: 3.0 meq/L
pH:8.3 (lights on about 4 hours)
Mg: 1300
Nitrate: 0
Ammonia:0
Salinity: 1.023
Nitrite: 0
Phos: 0
iron: 0

For those who wanted to see...

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

For Nano coral examples why not take a look in the Tank Thread forum. I know there are quite a few nano's in there and you could get ideas from that.

Water Quality goes south very quickly in a nano so daily tests and frequent water changes are a must.

 

[NavyNano212]

Thanks, I will.

Any thoughts on protein skimmers? I have read 50% good 50% bad to have a skimmer. I had one years ago when I had a 75 Saltwater with just fish(like 9 years ago)
I am always taking suggestions!

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

My only type of nutrient/ waste exportation is my skimmer, rock, and water changes so I would advise against not having a skimmer.

 

[EmilyT]

I would advise against not having a skimmer.

meaning skimmer=good

 

[NavyNano212]

Skimmer, no Skimmer

My only type of nutrient/ waste exportation is my skimmer, rock, and water changes so I would advise against not having a skimmer.

Correct me if I read wrong...you have a skimmer, but advise me on NOT having one?

 

[rookie07]

advise against not having a skimmer

double negative

get a skimmer...they really help.....
alot of times, when zoas grow, you dont notice b/c you see it every day. The same way in which fish never seem to grow either, but if you compare old and new pics, the difference is clear. Just my opinion...

Basically, try looking at old pics and use those to compare growth.

as far as corals...
i love acan lords(pricey but very cool)
I really love duncan/dendro both require spot feeding, which is kinda a pain...sun coral also very very cool, and requires spot feeding also
Im a big fan of zoas also, they just keep getting cooler in my eyes
Take a look at my tank thread, listed below...ive had many corals over the 6 months Ive had my tank, could give you a few ideas

hope this helps alittle