Researching Nano Tanks

Creative1 · 09/20/2013, 12:34 PM

Hi all.

I am technically not new to the Saltwater hobby.. I had a 10 gal nano about 5 years ago.. and I really miss it (I broke it down when I moved from my parents house) I especially missed my playful shrimps.

Due to small space, I am looking into 5-10 gal nano tank. Before I go out and purchase one I liked (Eheim 6 or 9 gal most likely).. I just have a few questions.. refreshers too.

First: my plans:
Live Rock
Soft Corals (mushrooms most likely)
Shrimps, crabs and snails.. mostly inverts
Maybe.. a small goby or a clown.. probably not since I like the inverts

1. Does a nano really need a filter, if I keep up with cleaning? I had one in my 10 gal, but didn't think it was really needed.

2. What lighting would I need? I forget this one

3. Is a skimmer really needed for a small nano? I never had one in my 10 gal, but omitting the filter, i might need?

4. How about water flow? I'll need adequate flow for soft corals, right?

5. (I know I messed this up in my first tank..).. Water in first.. then Live Sand.. get the salt levels accurate.. then add the Live Rocks.. this can be done in the same day.. let the rocks cure a few weeks (ensuring all levels are stable) before adding corals, right?

I am sure more questions will come as I hunt around. But any advice is appreciated!!

GHill762 · 09/20/2013, 12:44 PM

1. many people have successfully run nanos with flow and LR only.. an AC filter really does help though (filter floss and some chemical filtration).

2. depends on what you want to keep. power compact can work, t5 is fine, led is also fine.. mh is a bit over the top on a nano, but people have done it..

3. no, you can run skimmerless, but water changes become more important.

4. flow is pretty important, my recommendation for a 5-10 gal would be to look for a koralia 240..

5. order really doesn't matter, I did sand-lr-water.. and yes make sure your tank cycles properly before adding coral/livestock.

keep in mind, the smaller you go the less room you have for error. 5g's can be fun but they are easy to destroy.

Creative1 · 09/20/2013, 01:04 PM

thanks for the response!

thegrun · 09/20/2013, 03:03 PM

Check out the Reef Central Nano Reef Forum.

09/20/2013, 12:34 PM	#1
Creative1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 73	Researching Nano Tanks Hi all. I am technically not new to the Saltwater hobby.. I had a 10 gal nano about 5 years ago.. and I really miss it (I broke it down when I moved from my parents house) I especially missed my playful shrimps. Due to small space, I am looking into 5-10 gal nano tank. Before I go out and purchase one I liked (Eheim 6 or 9 gal most likely).. I just have a few questions.. refreshers too. First: my plans: Live Rock Soft Corals (mushrooms most likely) Shrimps, crabs and snails.. mostly inverts Maybe.. a small goby or a clown.. probably not since I like the inverts 1. Does a nano really need a filter, if I keep up with cleaning? I had one in my 10 gal, but didn't think it was really needed. 2. What lighting would I need? I forget this one 3. Is a skimmer really needed for a small nano? I never had one in my 10 gal, but omitting the filter, i might need? 4. How about water flow? I'll need adequate flow for soft corals, right? 5. (I know I messed this up in my first tank..).. Water in first.. then Live Sand.. get the salt levels accurate.. then add the Live Rocks.. this can be done in the same day.. let the rocks cure a few weeks (ensuring all levels are stable) before adding corals, right? I am sure more questions will come as I hunt around. But any advice is appreciated!!

09/20/2013, 12:44 PM	#2
GHill762 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 226	1. many people have successfully run nanos with flow and LR only.. an AC filter really does help though (filter floss and some chemical filtration). 2. depends on what you want to keep. power compact can work, t5 is fine, led is also fine.. mh is a bit over the top on a nano, but people have done it.. 3. no, you can run skimmerless, but water changes become more important. 4. flow is pretty important, my recommendation for a 5-10 gal would be to look for a koralia 240.. 5. order really doesn't matter, I did sand-lr-water.. and yes make sure your tank cycles properly before adding coral/livestock. keep in mind, the smaller you go the less room you have for error. 5g's can be fun but they are easy to destroy.

09/20/2013, 01:04 PM	#3
Creative1 Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 73	thanks for the response!

09/20/2013, 03:03 PM	#4
thegrun Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Garden Grove, Ca Posts: 17,023	Check out the Reef Central Nano Reef Forum.