Thinking of starting a Nano....

[jbuchanan21]

Hello, I'm new to this site and currently have a Fish only 110 gal tank with live sand and rock. When I started this hobby last year, I started a 75 gal tank ( I recently changed tanks...sucessfully!). The original plan was to have a reef/fish system. After 2 lost anemones, I decided against that. Plus there are so many fish out there that I love! I have a 3 gal tank that is just sitting in storage that I was thinking about turning into a reef tank, w/o fish. Is this too small? And what type of equipment would I need for this size tank? I have never done a nano reef before and so I'm pretty clueless. All I know are large saltwater tanks and freshwater tanks.

[icebear]

you can have a reef without anemones..... did you start out trying anemones? most people who have had tanks for a long time fail with them, tricky little creatures-- and when they die they wreak havoc.... i wouldn't completely give up on a mixed reef....

as far as 3 gallons, no i don't think its too small, just remember that nanos are more sensitive since they don't have as much gallonage (room) for error.

as far as equipment, it depends on what you want to keep for corals....

[jbuchanan21]

I've done a little research and I found a 10 gal tank with stand in storage that I've decided to use instead. I am getting ready to make a hood for it, so that I can have actinic and VHO daylight bulbs that actually fit properly on top of the tank. I also talked to the LFS and they have a 20 gal seahorse tank that they set up like a nano tank. All they have for that system is live sand and rock, a powerhead, heater, and an AquaClear hang on filter without carbon. It's been running for over a year, and they do water changes once a week, without any problems.

As for the larger tank, I bought an anemone for my false perc clown, and will probably never do again. I was told from the LFS that the first might have been sick when I purchased it, since you can't tell until they die, and got another free. This one lasted a month, and I have no clue why it just up and died. It moved into the rocks and by the end of the day, was all goo.

[ckreef]

For decent lighting over a 10 gal check out a 96 watt power quad retro.

[jbuchanan21]

Thanks, will do. Now, if only I could get time to start on the canopy.....

[Justin Cabibi]

Advice from the wise... Start with a book before you make an impulsive/costly decision... I'm speaking from experience if you can't tell