1.6 Gallon Hex, my first nano...

[bstier]

Well, hopefully I've set this up right. This is my first nano, and from what I've heard, a hard one to take care of. It's a 1.6 gallon hex tank with a red sea nano filter on it, with a 25 watt heater. There is also a 10 watt 50/50 bulb shining above. Will this work? Am I on the right track?

Setup Today...currently cycling...

 

[dragon79]

off to a good start man, congrats. It looks like the pieces you added are semi-cured. I think in about a month you should be cool to move on to the next step. Also during this time, you'll want to reduce the lighting during your cycle. If you wish to look on it, just turn it on for a few hours tops, then turn it off. no sense of getting your tank growing algae all over the place. The diatoms are ugly, but part of the cyle. Prepare for that and dont be worried. Feel free to continue to read up and ask what's on your mind. c-ya

 

[bstier]

He sold me those pieces and he said that they had been in the tank for a couple years now. Also, Dragon could you explain what that "next step" is, (just to make sure) :lol: I feel like a total noober and I still don't know what to expect. LoL

 

[djconn]

Off to a good start. I'm running one of those Res Sea filters on my 2.5 as well. Works pretty good.

I would suggest purchasing a few test kits for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate so you can tell when your tank is done cycling. Your readings for all of the above should be near zero then most of the die-off is done in your tank. Could be anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks. Then its time for a few 30% water changes and then you can probably start adding a few corals. I assume you're gonna go with some low-light species such as mushrooms, xenia, etc. A fish in a tank that small is not recommended.

Is there anyway to add two 10w 50/50 bulbs under your hood? Just wondering.

Looking good.

 

[dragon79]

Off to a good start. I'm running one of those Res Sea filters on my 2.5 as well. Works pretty good.

I would suggest purchasing a few test kits for Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate so you can tell when your tank is done cycling. Your readings for all of the above should be near zero then most of the die-off is done in your tank. Could be anywhere from 2 to 5 weeks. Then its time for a few 30% water changes and then you can probably start adding a few corals. I assume you're gonna go with some low-light species such as mushrooms, xenia, etc. A fish in a tank that small is not recommended.

Is there anyway to add two 10w 50/50 bulbs under your hood? Just wondering.

Looking good.

aww come on dj, not one fish? hehe. I think he can have a little neon blue goby....he's like the size of a guppy.

hehe. well for now, the best advice is dj's advice. the odds of a fish living in there now would die, but you'll have better luck with mushrooms, zoo polyps, xenia, stuff like that. hairy mushroom is neat, like seeing those things close up on their food. As for now, prioritize the tank in making sure it's at it's healthiest. Keep up with those water changes and test that water. in 4 to 5 weeks, things should be very nice. Start slow and buy very small pieces. Like pieces of a jig-saw puzzle....you'll love it when it's all complete.

 

[djconn]

Forgot about a neon blue goby... That would probably be just fine in that tank. :smile: