starting a nano

zero186 · 03-09-2007, 04:49 PM

ok well i knew it was bound to happen sooner or later but the time as come for me to setup a coral only nano tank but my porblem is i have no clue about what kind of setup i would need i have only had FOWLR with basic fluorescent lights. i am looking to have the nano form 3 to 5 g's only b.c i dont have much room and is that ok with corals as long as i have a good water flow and lights?

theplatypus · 03-09-2007, 05:02 PM

Pretty much. Keep up with the water changes and you'll be fine.

zero186 · 03-09-2007, 05:05 PM

what about the lights is my big "?" i been looking around and it seems pretty hard to figure what i will need for such a small tank that can keep corals in good health

reefermike1 · 03-09-2007, 06:30 PM

i use an 18w pc light over my 2.5gallon, works good. a buddy of mine has 36w on a 5galllon that works really good. look into some of the nanocubes for an all in one unit

zero186 · 03-09-2007, 10:10 PM

is it just as easy to buy a whole setup than to build your own?

zero186 · 03-09-2007, 10:18 PM

also does any body know anywhere to find nano tanks that small that will have every thing i need already together

zero186 · 03-10-2007, 03:53 PM

i been looking for a 3g-5g nano online with out much luck and i would like to keep small stony coral so what is the type of light i need?

zero186 · 03-10-2007, 07:39 PM

would this nano support small stony corals

http://www.saltwaterfish.com/site_11...ot_parent_id=6

Hendersonracing · 03-10-2007, 07:43 PM

with the right lighting! oh and flow!

waltercat · 03-10-2007, 07:46 PM

Not at all zero186. That setup won't do for stonies. I wouldn't even trust softies with that setup.

I would suggest 5.5 gallon tank. Then try to find 2 36W PC setup that will fit it. I used to have a custom sealife lighting setup that would've been perfect. But they went out of business.

If your handy you can try ahsupply.com, they have nice retrofits.

With a Nano I would suggest sticking to simple hardy corals, that like dirty tanks, because it is inevitable that you will have a higher nutrient load and sharper fluctuations. zoos, mushrooms, softies, lps like frog spawn and candy cane will do great. Stay away from sps and clams. Also make sure you grow chaeto in there someplace. It will help remove nutrients.

zero186 · 03-10-2007, 08:26 PM

ok and what is PC? i dont have a clue at all about lighting

waltercat · 03-10-2007, 10:33 PM

PC is a power compact flourescent light. You can see an example here:

http://www.ahsupply.com

On the lighting scale they are less powerful than T5s and metal halides, both of which are not usually used on nanos.

zero186 · 03-10-2007, 10:39 PM

thank you

zero186 · 03-10-2007, 10:51 PM

that site has just what you said would work for not a bad price and a great DIY hood to ty that was a great help tp my problem not i just have to figure the filter out

waltercat · 03-11-2007, 12:02 AM

You do not need a filter for a 5G tank. Just change 1 Gallon of water every week and you'll be fine. Make sure you use steam distilled water (Poland Spring works well) or make RODI water. If that is too much to do, you can get by with the Aquarium Pharmeceuticals tap water filter. It's cheap and does a decent job. Just make sure you strain the water through a brine shrimp net as the little filter beads can kill your corals if they get ingested.

Make sure you have a nice size sand bed and lots of live rock. Chaeto will help filter the water.