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lordroad · 02-09-2006, 09:04 PM

A nano reef tank is not for everyone. For instance, if you're hoping to keep large fish like tangs and the more aggressive saltwater angels, then you'll want at least a 55 gallon tank to host these fish.

Like any contained reef venture, a nano tank is a serious investment, no different than the larger, more traditional 55 gallon+ cousins. Be prepared to spend up to $300-$350 all told in setting up the tank: buying powerheads and salt mix, introducing the live rock, and buying a fish or two and some basic "starter" corals when the system is established.

Fortunately, a nano reef is dirt cheap when you compare it to a 55 gallon marine ready tank, which requires a sump, plumbing, the built-in overflow, specially designed stand, and often an expensive protein skimmer. This setup could run you anywhere from $500 to $800 on the basics and equipment itself.

But nanos have their disadvantages, too.

Below is a list of pros and cons you should keep in mind before committing to a nano reef.

Pros

Nano tanks are unequivocally cheaper than their larger counterparts on all fronts. (I.E. live rock generally runs anywhere from $7-9 a pound depending on the quality of the rock, and you need approximately one pound per gallon to maintain a good bacterial filter bed.) Opponents often argue you'll end up paying more due to loss of fish and livestock because water parameters are allegedly much less forgiving than they are on larger tanks. However, if you start right and know what you're doing, this factor will not come into play.
Protein skimmers are not necessary on nano tanks.
Equipment in general is very minimalistic. Bare bones, all you need are a couple of powerheads, a heater, and a powerful light if you want corals. However, a FOWLR (fish-only-with-live-rock) tank doesn't even need the expensive lighting.
Lighting is MUCH more affordable on smaller tanks. Expensive metal halides, the best and most powerful form of lighting for large reef systems, are bad choices for nanos. They heat up small volumes of water and can actually burn many corals, causing them to bleach. In nanos, you can often find one fixture of powerful lighting, often less than $120, to supply ample light for all manner of corals and light-hungry clams.
Nanos are much easier to move and break down than larger marine systems, with all their parts, plumbing, and under-tank apparatus.
KISS. "Keep it simple, stupid." You couldn't keep it simpler with a nano. No plumbing to worry about, no sumps or overflows, and a relatively minimal amount of electricity contributing to your power bill.

Cons

Your choice of fish and corals is limited. For a ten gallon tank, for instance, you will only be able to keep a fraction of the fish species available to the hobby. Gobies and clownfish are staples to nano reefs, but the larger reef safe fish like tangs are not suitable for small systems because they grow large and need open spaces for swimming. Also, many corals cannot be mixed in small volumes of water, due to chemical warfare among soft corals and sweeper tentacles among LPS.
Evaporation is brutal on a nano tank. Often daily top-off of freshwater is needed to keep the salinity constant. Water naturally evaporates into the air, but the salt remains in the water, raising the tank's salinity if freshwater isn't regularly added. Nano tanks require daily or every-other-day top-off with pure freshwater.
Good water is crucial to nano systems. Often tap water is horrible for the reef tank as it contains nitrates, phosphates, and a bunch of other undesirable elements which could turn your little ocean garden into an algae free-for-all. I personally only use RO/DI water for my nano. RO/DI is a fancy way of saying reverse osmosis and deionized water, which is freshwater that's had 99% of its trace elements and even more pollutants removed through special filtration. This water is ideal for nano reefs. I personally would use nothing less.
Temperatures can soar in the summertime if you don't have air conditioning. An open tank (the light fixture jacked or suspended two inches above the rim) is a must if your house swelters in the summer.
Nanos require extra attention. In other words, they need to be looked after more than larger, more complex systems. I personally do not like leaving my ten gallon nano longer than two days without attendance. If you're leaving for a 3-day weekend, for instance, it's best you give your keys to a trustworthy friend or neighbor to top off your tank with a bottle of RO/DI water and know what to do in case a fish dies or some catastrophe happens.
Anemones are generally very bad choices for nanos. The smaller you go the more difficult and inappropriate they become. The majority of commonly available anemones grow too large for a 10 or 15 gallon. They are also very aggressive, especially the carpet anemone. They will sting your other corals and move about the tank at will. They will also likely eat your fish. I personally would not try an anemone in anything less than a 30 gallon long tank.

02-09-2006, 09:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
lordroad Large Fish Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Shelby, NC Posts: 989	A nano reef tank is not for everyone. For instance, if you're hoping to keep large fish like tangs and the more aggressive saltwater angels, then you'll want at least a 55 gallon tank to host these fish. Like any contained reef venture, a nano tank is a serious investment, no different than the larger, more traditional 55 gallon+ cousins. Be prepared to spend up to $300-$350 all told in setting up the tank: buying powerheads and salt mix, introducing the live rock, and buying a fish or two and some basic "starter" corals when the system is established. Fortunately, a nano reef is dirt cheap when you compare it to a 55 gallon marine ready tank, which requires a sump, plumbing, the built-in overflow, specially designed stand, and often an expensive protein skimmer. This setup could run you anywhere from $500 to $800 on the basics and equipment itself. But nanos have their disadvantages, too. Below is a list of pros and cons you should keep in mind before committing to a nano reef. Pros Nano tanks are unequivocally cheaper than their larger counterparts on all fronts. (I.E. live rock generally runs anywhere from $7-9 a pound depending on the quality of the rock, and you need approximately one pound per gallon to maintain a good bacterial filter bed.) Opponents often argue you'll end up paying more due to loss of fish and livestock because water parameters are allegedly much less forgiving than they are on larger tanks. However, if you start right and know what you're doing, this factor will not come into play. Protein skimmers are not necessary on nano tanks. Equipment in general is very minimalistic. Bare bones, all you need are a couple of powerheads, a heater, and a powerful light if you want corals. However, a FOWLR (fish-only-with-live-rock) tank doesn't even need the expensive lighting. Lighting is MUCH more affordable on smaller tanks. Expensive metal halides, the best and most powerful form of lighting for large reef systems, are bad choices for nanos. They heat up small volumes of water and can actually burn many corals, causing them to bleach. In nanos, you can often find one fixture of powerful lighting, often less than $120, to supply ample light for all manner of corals and light-hungry clams. Nanos are much easier to move and break down than larger marine systems, with all their parts, plumbing, and under-tank apparatus. KISS. "Keep it simple, stupid." You couldn't keep it simpler with a nano. No plumbing to worry about, no sumps or overflows, and a relatively minimal amount of electricity contributing to your power bill. Cons Your choice of fish and corals is limited. For a ten gallon tank, for instance, you will only be able to keep a fraction of the fish species available to the hobby. Gobies and clownfish are staples to nano reefs, but the larger reef safe fish like tangs are not suitable for small systems because they grow large and need open spaces for swimming. Also, many corals cannot be mixed in small volumes of water, due to chemical warfare among soft corals and sweeper tentacles among LPS. Evaporation is brutal on a nano tank. Often daily top-off of freshwater is needed to keep the salinity constant. Water naturally evaporates into the air, but the salt remains in the water, raising the tank's salinity if freshwater isn't regularly added. Nano tanks require daily or every-other-day top-off with pure freshwater. Good water is crucial to nano systems. Often tap water is horrible for the reef tank as it contains nitrates, phosphates, and a bunch of other undesirable elements which could turn your little ocean garden into an algae free-for-all. I personally only use RO/DI water for my nano. RO/DI is a fancy way of saying reverse osmosis and deionized water, which is freshwater that's had 99% of its trace elements and even more pollutants removed through special filtration. This water is ideal for nano reefs. I personally would use nothing less. Temperatures can soar in the summertime if you don't have air conditioning. An open tank (the light fixture jacked or suspended two inches above the rim) is a must if your house swelters in the summer. Nanos require extra attention. In other words, they need to be looked after more than larger, more complex systems. I personally do not like leaving my ten gallon nano longer than two days without attendance. If you're leaving for a 3-day weekend, for instance, it's best you give your keys to a trustworthy friend or neighbor to top off your tank with a bottle of RO/DI water and know what to do in case a fish dies or some catastrophe happens. Anemones are generally very bad choices for nanos. The smaller you go the more difficult and inappropriate they become. The majority of commonly available anemones grow too large for a 10 or 15 gallon. They are also very aggressive, especially the carpet anemone. They will sting your other corals and move about the tank at will. They will also likely eat your fish. I personally would not try an anemone in anything less than a 30 gallon long tank. Copyright 2006 by Josh Day. All rights reserved. No part of this article may be reprinted or distributed to other websites without the author's written permission. Last edited by lordroad; 03-01-2006 at 02:23 PM.