Newbie, First Tank, Advice Appreciated!

[Philco_Ford]

I'm considering setting up my first saltwater tank. I had freshwater tanks when I was a kid, so I'm not altogether unfamiliar with aquariums, but I've never tackled saltwater before.

I really like the nano cubes because they have a small footprint, are very attractive, and seem to be extremely quiet from what I've seen in the stores.

My question is this: can I really do a decent job of setting up and maintaining a saltwater environment in a tank that's only 12 or 24 gallons? The fish shop people are telling me it's too small to really work properly and yet all of them have a 12 gallon nano with reef and a couple fish on their sales counters?!?

What would make me happy would be a couple of inverts, 2-4 colorful but small fish, and perhaps some shrimps or other oddities.

If you think this is possible, please point me in the right direction. The nano 12 gallon is ideal in terms of footprint, but if it's really not doable, I could find a place for the 24 gallon.

Also, if there are essential upgrades, additions, after-market products that I'll need in addition to the nano deluxe setup, a few pointers in that direction would also be greatly appreciated.

Lastly, if you can recommend a good shop in the San Fernando Valley (N Los Angeles) to purchase the supplies and fish, that would be great.

-PF

 

[sadielynn]

Hi Phil :welcome
This site is a great source of info
Yes they can be done with proper care ....and education
the first set of questions you want to ask yourself is what size tank would suit you and your family best if you go for the larger size tank you can have one or 2 fish ...in the 2 2 fish is not out of the relm of possibilites at all you could get a goby and a clown or a pair of small clowns.... what I would suggest is to utilize the search tool on the top , and feel free to ask questions as they arise .........With proper techniques and husbandry and through water changes on a weekly basis this is definatly doable ..I have a 7 gmb and a 2.5 salt tank the most common problems in these tanks is over feeding .....the next thing to think about is what corals you want to get this will help determine your lighting upgrades ect ....I can say that there are those who have the cubes and would be more well versed on the OEM stuff more than I ....another site is www.nanocustoms.com . As for the shops in your area I am the oppisite side of the map in Pa so I am unable to help you out on that sorry ...Not sure if tongs is close to you or not ...Again welcome to nano tank :mrgreen

 

[TimSchmidt]

I don't use the Nanocubes but they are a great way to get an all in one. I know that the surface skimming is almost a must have for the cubes. And also don't use the rings or bio balls, put live rock rubble instead. I think that a common pratice is to remove all but one sponge and clean it often. Ummm, chemi-pure is a carbon that people use and have great results with. Weekly water changes and make sure to top off with freshwater (RO/DI is the best). Well I think is a bet of info. The best piece of advice I could give is to read this site daily for about a month. Also read all of the old posts then ask any questions you have left over. This site is really a great friendly place. Have fun!

Tim

 

[EDGRAY]

tim and sadye said almost all the info......and well you can also tell us the names of fish you want and we can tell you yes know maybe or something like that and you seem really interested in invertebrates and well they are not a big bioloders so you can add i few like 2 big and some tiny well you can see all the invertebrates and fish and then choose what you want to house and then we will help you some great info is in liveaquaria.com and a place close to you that i really like is jeffs exotics...... you can check the address here ...

http://www.exoticfish.com/


P.S: a protein skimmer is not that requered in the cube if you stick with your regular water changes every week the one is really needed is the surface skimmer.

 

[skipm]

:welcome to nanotank!
I too am a nanocube keeper, I have the 6 and a 12DX. If you want 3-4 fish like you mentioned I would re-think things and see if a 24 would be doable for you, that many fish would not work well in a 12. If you get one of the 2006 models most of the upgrades will already have been done for you plus it will have thicker glass in response to a cracking issue that the earlier 24s had. Pretty much everything else has been covered so far. Feel free to post questions or you can use the search feature, you will find alot of information on this site.

 

[Philco_Ford]

Thanks for all the help! Here's where I'm at after a lot of research...

I think we could handle a 24g but I'm concerned about cracking etc. From what I heard the 12g was a much more stable design. Please correct me here. We would really like to have more fish than 1-2... If you think the 24g is a must, help me adjust my shopping list below which is for a 12g.

Do you think I need lighting upgrades or will the DX lighting be okay? My wife really likes the purple clams and I've been told they need more light. If we must have more light, will the dual fans on the DX cool the tank enough or do I now need a chiller to avoid heat buildup? If I need lighting upgrades I might as well get them done first. Perhaps you can suggest a good package?

Is the cabinet-style stand that JBJ sells decent? Is it stable enough, especially for a 24g?

I've been compiling a shopping list of things I would need in addition to the tank. Let me post the list for comments:

1. Pump upgrade = Maxjet 900
2. Hydro Flo
3. Fuge light modificatioin for macro algae
4. Chemi Pure carbon instead of the included carbon
5. 2 Probe Heaters (one for tank, one for warming up water for changes)
6. Hydrometer
7. Kits for: nitrates, ammonia, phosphate, magnesium, ph, kh (more?)
8. Syphon
9. 5 gal. bucket and jug for LFS water
10. Live rock rubble in filter stages 1-2
11. 10-12 lbs. Live Rock (for a 12g)
12. 10-20 lbs. Live Sand (for a 12g)

What do you think? Off to a good start?

-PF

 

[TimSchmidt]

If you want more than 2 fish your best bet is the 24g. Not sure on sand and rock, don't have a cube. Nano customs should have what you are looking for in a cube. You can call them directly and they will help you out. The clam will need more light that is for sure. Not too sure on the heat issue (again not a cube owner). HTH. Otherwise looks good to me. (I personally love auto top off units, not sure how to do it with a cube, but I'm sure someone here could chime in.)

Tim

 

[EDGRAY]

If you want more than 2 fish your best bet is the 24g. Tim

well eventually in a 12g nano cube you can house fine 2 fish and also even 2 fish and 2 small bottom fish like gobidae family.....and if think im crazy to say that i house more than what i mentioned in my 12g and another reefer of here housed 2 clowns and 2 small gobies in a 6g all of you know who? so i think in a 12g 2 fish and 2 small gobies might be housed if a good and properly mantainance..... but adding everything really slow so everything goes smooth..... you know what i mean.....

P.S: not pointing people or something just like an example.

 

[skipm]

I still wouldn't recommend over 2 fish in a 12, specially for a beginner. With a more experienced aquarist they know what to look for and see a potential problem and know what needs to be done long before it becomes an emergency situation.

 

[EDGRAY]

Yeah you are right skipm for now is better to stick to 1 or 2 fish but i was just saying that can be housed more than one but not right away.....and like all know this hobby take alot of patients and letting it mature eventually he will be able to host more than 2 with the proper housing but after his tank matures........ but not saying put them all at once and you'll be fine cause what will happens is described in your signature skimp

The only thing that happens quickly in a reeftank is disaster........that plus an empty bank account!

 

[ArcticBlue]

Agreed that 2 in a 12 is likely the max, but I think you will be suprised how much fun it is to watch the clean-up crew do their jobs. If what your worried about is how much you will have to watch, you shouldnt worry, youll have plenty.

 

[Philco_Ford]

Thanks for all the help and advice.

I think I've decided to go with a 24g nano cube simply because it will be easier and less expensive in the long run. The pump upgrade is what I would have purchased for the 12g anyway, and with the improved glass etc. it looks like a good tank now. Plus, I'll have all that extra room for more stuff!

Question on lighting. The 24g comes with 2x36 watt bulbs standard (+ nighttime LEDs). I've been asking around and the consensus seems to be that this would be adequate only for very low-light corals. Nanotuners offers a 3x36 watt modification (expensive) to the original hood. I guess the other option is to lose the hood and go with a halide.

At this point, I'd like to stay with the hood because I like the way it looks. Do you think I can get away with the 2x36 or should I plan on the 3x36? Or do you think all of this is a waste of time and I should get used to the topless look and get halide?

-PF

 

[TimSchmidt]

I vote for the 3x36 only because if you want fish they may jumpers and need some kind of hood. But not sure what kind of coral you want to have. I pretty sure you won't have clams in that lighting but you should be able to have LPS and maybe a piece or two of SPS up high (check with others before you take my word though.) HTH

Tim

 

[Anonymous]

i always have to suggest this to new comers who haven't spent their money yet - if your set on a nanocube fine but if not - why not buy a twenty gallon AG tank and then you can buy any filtration, lighting, plumbing and pumps that you want and probably cost less in the long run. Your options are unlimited if you go with a simple 20gal tank as opposed to a premade cube???????? JMO

 

[reefman23]

i always have to suggest this to new comers who haven't spent their money yet - if your set on a nanocube fine but if not - why not buy a twenty gallon AG tank and then you can buy any filtration, lighting, plumbing and pumps that you want and probably cost less in the long run. Your options are unlimited if you go with a simple 20gal tank as opposed to a premade cube???????? JMO

I have to agree with this... I am not a huge fan of the cubes, nor would I ever own one (unless the price was right ;-)), because you are stuck with what you buy to a certain extent. If you go with a 20 gallon standard... or better yet a 20 long (IMO and IME), then you have much more flexibility and usually cheaper too.

Jesse

 

[Jennie]

Well put Jesse, I couldn't agree more!

 

[skipm]

Just to compare apples to apples take a look at the 30 gallon cube made by Oceanic. If you opted to go with one of these you can choose whatever lighting, filtration, etc. you want. They are a very clean looking tank and a very nice stand can be purchased for them from the manufacturer. They are available at all of the Petsmarts I have been to and any Oceanic dealer can get them if they don't have them in stock.

 

[AlexfromSATX]

made any decisions yet on what you are going to do?? Keep us updated!