Starting a nano..

[Tulasi]

My name is Jeff, I just found this site today and I'm completely impressed. I used to run a 75gal reef tank for about 5 years but took it down nearly 2-3 years ago. I've never run a tank on such a small scale though, so i'm looking for some info.

I'm thinking about probably a custom tank. One ( i think most now) that has separate sections in the back for media, or bioballs and what have you. What to get a t-5 strip over it. Since the depth of a nano is no where near that of a 75 could you not keep just about everything with a t5, atleast maybe some more hardy hard corals. I also imagine with the amount of water, there is a lot less room for error. w/c are done everyday? I guess just your basic noobie questions is what I have. I hope to get a tank, possibly next week. Start the cycle, and probably a few months before a put any corals in. Think a 4'' sandbed. Just thinking about starting up a new tank is very exciting to think about. Look forward to replies and if anyone has suggestions so lighting,corals,lights,skimmers anything at all, let me know.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

Welcome to MR. What size Nano are you looking at?

 

[Tulasi]

Between a 12 and 24 maybe.

 

[Klewis]

Welcome to MR, great place for information and to meet people. Good luck with your new adventure into nano tanks. If you check the for sale forum or post in the want to buy forum you should be able to find some deals on what you want. If you don't there are some great vendors here that are more than helpful.

Keith

PS. If you go with a prefab nano tank like the Aquapod, research all the modification that you can do and do them before you fill up the tank. ex. Drilling overflow for a sump, or modifying the chambers for extra pump returns and refugiums.

 

[CHEMCHEF]

I have owned both the Aquapod & JBJ. Of the 2 I would reccomend the AP.
There is one for sale with a 70w sunpod:splitspin:splitspin for 150. I would snap this UP
http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/for/1297538984.html

 

[Imbarrie]

Jeff, we are going in opposite directions. I have the 12g Aquapod and in the process of upgrading to a 75. Tank is cycling now.
If you go with the AP you really have to think about cooling. Unless you have plenty of AC running.
For water changes I do them every week without fail and I change 2-3 gallons of RODI.
I love the nano and this was my first coral tank, its just overgrown.

 

[Tulasi]

I think I want to go with the 28 Gallon Nano-Cube Aquarium with 150 Watt HQI. Or something like it. Does anyone have these or a nano with HQI? Is a chiller pretty much needed? I've only used as far as t-5 lighting so i have no idea how much halides will heat the water up. Also, most of these nano tanks, have built in over flows and such, where you can attach a skimmer to the back, does anyone do any thing extra other than that? I'd love to have a pretty basic setup with this, have no problem doing massive amount of a w/c every week. These nanos seem like plug them in , cycle the tank and go.

 

[Imbarrie]

Plug and play was pretty much my experience. I think HQI is the way to go.

I have seen some nice minimalist glass nanos with HQI pendants in the upper 20 range.
Glass would radiate heat a lot better than acrylic and you may not require a chiller.

 

[Tulasi]

I've read a bunch of reviews on the jbj 28 and I hear a lot of over heating. A chiller is needed with this tank

 

[basiab]

I have a 24 gallon Aquaod with pc lighting and an hob skimmer. There are skimmers that fit in the back but the person I got this from had it set up this way and it satisfies me. Not using bio balls. It is a nice neat setup and there is not much to weekly water changes. I only have LPS and lots of fish. The only drawback on these systems is that the footprint is not much different than a 10 gallon. So most of the added volume is from the height. Fish would prefer lenght.

 

[Imbarrie]

Acrylic traps heat more than glass. If the heat absorbed cannot radiate then you will need a chiller.
An open top will radiate heat better through evaporation and allow for gas exchange.
Glass will also radiate heat faster that acrylic.

Have you considered a glass cube with a pendant MH and an AGA tank for a sump?

You will get that clean minimalist look and be able to add anything you want to the sump.

 

[Tulasi]

I've been currently looking at this tank.http://www.marineandreef.com/JBJ_Aquarium_JBJ_Gallon_HQI_JBJ_Nanocube_p/rjb10050.htm

Thats also the cheapest I've seen it, i think for what you get with it, its a pretty good deal. I'm just trying to get some info on it from people that maybe have it here.

 

[NYreefNoob]

< still has the ap 24g with current 6 bulb t5 with no heat issues and my place stays warm, i do have a small fan blowing on it, could meet part way also seeing your a drive from me, you save over a $100 and get sand and rock, make the drive and ill throw in some corals as well

 

[Tulasi]

< still has the ap 24g with current 6 bulb t5 with no heat issues and my place stays warm, i do have a small fan blowing on it, could meet part way also seeing your a drive from me, you save over a $100 and get sand and rock, make the drive and ill throw in some corals as well

sorry again dude, i would but its a bit of a drive. I'm really growing a liking to the jbj setup and the HQI light too.

 

[Imbarrie]

Just make sure everything in here is everything you want and you will be happy.

You wouldnt be able to add or remove much from this set up.