Nano Reef : some advises

[xavier]

Hi,
I just want to share with you my experience with a 12 G nano reef & fish.
If you can take care of it, and you have time, it?s possible to enjoy in a Nano the beauty of a higher aquarium.

Just 3 rules;

1) Use the best equipment. Skimmer is a Must as well as Live sand and rock
2) Light. If you want to keep LPS and SPS corals, you need to check that you use the correct light
3) Water changes. A 20% each week is necessary

And here you are some photos of my nano
If you need more info, feel free to ask it to me!

 

[KathyC]

Do you have a 120+tank to move those fish into?

 

[bud]

Hi

Yellow and blue tang in a 12 gallon tank. First time I see it.

Nice tank

 

[DontXtripNfall]

what kind of fish is in the second pic on the left?

 

[mray]

It looks like a juvenile imperator angel or blueface angel. That fish can't be housed in that small tank.

 

[Domboski]

It is a Koran Angel.

Xavier, I don't think people realize that you decided to start small since you broke down your large tank in spain with the plan to upgrade.

Tank looks great!

 

[Reef Reaper]

Nice tank!! What kind of skimmer do you use?

 

[DevIouS]

Xavier, I don't think people realize that you decided to start small since you broke down your large tank in spain with the plan to upgrade.

That's clarifying the situation but those fish are poorly housed for even a short amount of time.
The initial post is not informative & appears to advocate his choice of livestock to others, which is not cool.

 

[Domboski]

That's clarifying the situation but those fish are poorly housed for even a short amount of time.

Generally I agree with you but these fish are tiny. There would be no justice putting them in a 150 gallon tank. They would get lost in it and it would be difficult to make sure they are well fed. I've seen them in person and I can honestly say I have never seen a Yellow Tang and a Koran Angel that small before (I have seen Hippos that small). I've always kept tiny fish in small tanks to get them eating aggressively before I move them into larger tanks.

Having said that, keeping them in a tank that small for more than a couple of weeks (assuming no set backs) is not the best practice IMO. Get them eating aggressively and acclimated and then move them into a larger more suitable grow out tank.

 

[ellebelle]

The corals in this talk look really lovely.

 

[DevIouS]

Oh of course...
In no way am I saying these belong in 100+ gallons.
I constantly break rules, but let's be realistic.....this is a 12 gallon with 5 fish, 2 being tangs.
No matter how small.......they are still active swimmers. Hippos that small already don't have the best track record & overloading the tank with that many fishes is slimming down it's chances.
If you can use some imagination & upscale the above pic to to full grown tangs in a tank that length........it's not right.
QT'ing one in a 30 gal even a 20, is different.
Not trying to debate & discuss the tang topic, just expressing to readers that this is definitely not good practice.

 

[Domboski]

No matter how small.......they are still active swimmers. Hippos that small already don't have the best track record & overloading the tank with that many fishes is slimming down it's chances.

True. I've never kept more than 3 tiny versions of fish (less than 2") who get large (Golden Trevallys) in a tank similar in size at a time. In most cases it was only one at a time.

 

[KathyC]

Oh of course...
In no way am I saying these belong in 100+ gallons.
I constantly break rules, but let's be realistic.....this is a 12 gallon with 5 fish, 2 being tangs.
No matter how small.......they are still active swimmers. Hippos that small already don't have the best track record & overloading the tank with that many fishes is slimming down it's chances.
If you can use some imagination & upscale the above pic to to full grown tangs in a tank that length........it's not right.
QT'ing one in a 30 gal even a 20, is different.
Not trying to debate & discuss the tang topic, just expressing to readers that this is definitely not good practice.

As pretty as the tank looks, I have to agree with Phil on this. As young fish they need far more room than they have here and it would be far less stressful.

Xavier..what is your plan for these fish nearterm and for the future of the tank?

 

[Domboski]

As pretty as the tank looks, I have to agree with Phil on this. As young fish they need far more room than they have here and it would be far less stressful.

Xavier..what is your plan for these fish nearterm and for the future of the tank?

All together yes but singularly I disagree with you but that doesn't matter. Being that you both are mods, maybe it is better that you take time to discuss Xavier's tank with him. Having met Xavier, I'm sure he would appreciate the advice and would welcome any suggestions for keeping the fish healthy and happy long term.

 

[NYreefNoob]

either or nice looking tank, i do agree with the rest. but that is just neat, that yellow is what about 1.5"

 

[DevIouS]

I'm speaking as a member



I like sharing experiences, as long as the person as open ears.

 

[mray]

From what I gathered, this tank is temporary. I guess that's fine because we don't all have large quarantine tanks, so they are subjected to small spaces sometimes.

 

[Chiefmcfuz]

I don't mean to sound negative but those fish should be in a much larger tank from the start due to the face that their size and contribution to the bioload is in no way acceptable for a 12g tank. Temporary housing should only be for a day or 2 in this tank.

Dom members are members before they are mods and when they are mods they are still members.

 

[DevIouS]

From what I gathered, this tank is temporary. I guess that's fine because we don't all have large quarantine tanks, so they are subjected to small spaces sometimes.

Again...
I'm expressing to readers that this is not good practice.
It's not something that should be promoted.
A 12 gal is way too small for 5 fish as a QT or a holding tank.
You want to the fish to be stress free & that's definitely not going to happen in this type of environment.

If the plan is to get a fish but don't have the tank to properly house them......you should be looking at another type of fish.

 

[xavier]

I agree with you that our hobby is for responsible people, who know what they are doing and that have experience.
Both Tangs must go to a bigger tank (Dombosky I?m counting on you...)
That?s for sure. I?m not promoting my particular tank.
What I wanted to demostrate is that with good care, water changes and experience you can keep the fish + the corals.
I know many fishkeepers that have never succeeded in keeping those tangs and corals in a bigger aquarium...