Salt water Nano Reef tank questions?
Ok so, I am thinking about purchasing the 24 gallon nano cube. I would like to fill it with about 4 fish and maybe corals later on.
is the lighting (3 watts per gallon) enough for most LPS corals like Frogspawn?
Could I this fish combination. 1 clown (false Perc), 6 lined wrasse, cleaner shrimp, flame angle, skutter bleeny, clean up crew, and maybe one of the dotty backs or gamma.
Does the nano cube system come with EVERYTHING that i would need to be successful. Like i heard that it would be necessary to buy a protein skimmer.
Are the nano cubes all around good tanks, I am a experienced fresh water person, and new to salt water. (I know everyone is going to say get a 55gallon) but i think i can handle it.
And if you have any other good recomendations please list them THANKS SO MUCH
P.S. I’m really not looking for buying a bare tank and adding the accessories. IS NANO CUBE THE BEST KIND OF NANO AQUARIUM???
Hi David,
I’ve got the new D-D 28g HQI nano cube and I’m very happy with it, so I can assure you that you will find great enjoyment from your nano cube.
With a bit of forethought and some careful planning, a nano tank isn’t that difficult and it can be highly rewarding. The lighting should be OK for most LPS corals but be careful when mixing them with SPS or soft corals, as many types such as Euphyllia sp. can give a powerful sting.
The tank only comes with the lighting and the filtration system, it doesn’t come with a protein skimmer and to be honest you may not need one if you stock lightly with fish. You will also need other equipment such as salt, a hydrometer or a refractometer (the latter is more accurate), food, test kits (especially ones for calcium and phosphate), additives (for calcium and ideally magnesium) and ideally RO water (you can get your own unit for about £40/$80 or you can buy it from good aquatic stores). The lot will cost somewhere around £150-£200 (approx $350) excluding the tank.
For fish I would go with a pair of clowns and a dottyback plus a small goby such as the yellow goby (Gobiodon okinawae).
Remember to take your time with the tank and read as much as you can. Also do your research before buying fish, corals or inverts. If you need help just send me an e-mail.
Luke
Hi David,
I’ve got the new D-D 28g HQI nano cube and I’m very happy with it, so I can assure you that you will find great enjoyment from your nano cube.
With a bit of forethought and some careful planning, a nano tank isn’t that difficult and it can be highly rewarding. The lighting should be OK for most LPS corals but be careful when mixing them with SPS or soft corals, as many types such as Euphyllia sp. can give a powerful sting.
The tank only comes with the lighting and the filtration system, it doesn’t come with a protein skimmer and to be honest you may not need one if you stock lightly with fish. You will also need other equipment such as salt, a hydrometer or a refractometer (the latter is more accurate), food, test kits (especially ones for calcium and phosphate), additives (for calcium and ideally magnesium) and ideally RO water (you can get your own unit for about £40/$80 or you can buy it from good aquatic stores). The lot will cost somewhere around £150-£200 (approx $350) excluding the tank.
For fish I would go with a pair of clowns and a dottyback plus a small goby such as the yellow goby (Gobiodon okinawae).
Remember to take your time with the tank and read as much as you can. Also do your research before buying fish, corals or inverts. If you need help just send me an e-mail.
Luke
November 5th, 2009 at 4:00 pmReferences :
I’m no nano reef expert but I can tell you that that Flame Angel will need a larger tank, more like 40 gallons plus, it’s not suitable for a nano set up, no Angelfish/Tangs/Puffers/Boxfish really are.
Be aware that the Sixline can be a little terror and may not be the best idea for a smaller tank.
Ask these guys here re: the tank and other set up queries, they’re the ones who’ve been there and done that:
November 5th, 2009 at 4:06 pmhttp://www.fishforums.net/index.php?showforum=73
References :
Get a Red Sea Max, just brought mine, excellent tank, bit expensive but well worth it once it is set up.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:42 pmReferences :
HI, I have the 24g JBJ Nano Cube. The lighting isnt much when it comes to corals, but it is ok for mushrooms, xenia, gsp, zooanthids and some soft corals. Avoid getting anenomes or hard corals though because they require alot more lighting. If I could go back and start all over again, I would most definitely start my own tank instead of purchasing a nano. the downside of the nano is that you cant really modify anything. Adding a refugium later on is near impossible without drilling holes in the back of the tank and making a mess. Keep in mind that a 24g nano filled with rock and water and everything doesnt hold 24gallons of water. its more like 17-20. Thats not much space for error. The larger the tank you have, the more room you have for error. For example, your heater goes crazy and wants to boil everything…in a large tank it would be a gradual change that you would hopefully notice-in such a small tank the temp skyrockets in a short amount of time. Thats just one example of the downsides of a small tank. Nano cubes are fine, but honestly, if you can possibly do it, I would suggest saving up for a larger tank. Nanos really are lots of work. Make sure you can dedicate an hour once a week for maintenance, and some time everyday monitoring temps and everything. The best piece of advice I ever got was to TAKE THINGS SLOW. the only thing that happens fast in a nano is disaster. make sure when you set it up you let it fully cycle.dont try to rush it. have patience. I wouldnt add more than 3 fish, 4 tops. fish are actually messy with feeding and such, you dont want to add more phosphates and crap to the tank by overfeeding.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:09 pmthe site that helped me along is Nano-reef.com awesome site!!! its all about nanos
References :
Your wrasse and shrimp cannot go in the same tank. Your wrasse is not totally reef or invert safe here. There is a good chance he will eat the shrimp. Your flame angle cannot go in this tank either. He needs more room and more algae than the tank will produce. Your dotty, depending on the type, some are not reef safe most will eat shrimp and for others the tank is too small.
I would suggest going to saltwaterfish.com. Enter your tank spec’s and then add fish to your wish list. The system will tell you if they will go together and with the size of the tank.
A nano tank is a nano tank. Really.
You don’t need a skimmer either on this small tank. I would highly suggest not getting too carried away with unneeded items. Saltwater fish are addicting and you will soon find yourself wishing you got a 55 (orbetter). Save your money for fancy for that.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:42 pmReferences :