tank setup ideas

[Phischy]

I've had alot of time to think about my setup and it's getting close to go-time. Now that I keep hearing and reading about smaller nano's, I'm interested in giving one a whirl. I currently have a 35gal oceanic glass tank I plan to use, the same one I had in college.

However, I've always liked the idea of a sump, for one to bump up water capacity. If I had a 20gal nano uptop and a 20gal sump underneath, is it still considered a nano? Would I need skimming capacity for 30gal even though I"ve only got live stuff in the top tank?

I guess I"ll have to see how much room I've actually got in my apt when I move in a month. I like the size of a 35 but maybe I"ve got nano-envy!

 

[djconn]

Hehehe...you've got the itch :shock: Did you mean you want to try to use your 35 as the sump and throw a 20 up top? Are are you going to buy two 20s? Got a little confused there.

I would def. still consider anything 20 gal or smaller a nano. That is soley my opinion. I've heard some people say that they consider a nano as a tank that they can pickup and move with water still in it! That is a little much IMO. I can't even do that to my 5.5.

As far as the skimming capacity - I would use your 20 or 30 uptop in determining your skimming capacity. That is where the waste will all hopefully be. If its a 20, you might want to really think about if you really even want a skimmer. I've got one but to be honest, I'm beginnning to think it really does take out some vitial nutrients and I haven't even had mine turned on for about 1 month. Let us know what you decide..

 

[Dollarz81]

Just remember Darwin's theory! The more equpment you have, the higher probability something WILL go wrong.

I recently set up a 20gal nano. I am using the ViaAqua Multi-Skimmer as a hang on sump. I have the 5watt UV in it, the skimmer, the heater, the activated carbon, and there is an area to use as a sort of refugium. IMO you will not need a skimmer on a nano unless you are going to have alot of fish.

Keep reading and you will find out most people do not use skimmers on nano tanks. Most people have no more than 2 fish (usually clowns) which weekly or bi-weekly water changes could easily handle the bioload.

 

[Hillbilly]

I agree that a skimmer is not needed on a nano or any reef tank for that matter. I just look at it as cheap insurance in case something goes wrong that you are not aware of right away. I have studied weather or not a skimmer removes trace elements or plankton for a long time. Yes it does remove some, but not enough to cause damage. Water changes remove plankton too. Water changes also replace trace elements. Bottom line is I've never seen a tank that someone could honestly say was "overskimmed".

 

[djconn]

Bottom line is I've never seen a tank that someone could honestly say was "overskimmed".

Sounds like you're making the point to use a skimmer. I'm confused?? :-k

 

[Hillbilly]

Not really. One can have a beautiful unskimmed reef tank. I'm just saying I haven't seen a tank damaged from using one.

 

[djconn]

Ahhh..gotcha. Yeah, thats pretty much my opinion as well.

and why is your avatar still not showing up??

 

[Hillbilly]

I don't know why it won't show up, been using it for a while at other places. I'm stumped also.

 

[Phischy]

Your avatar may not be showing up for a couple of reasons. Number one being it doesn't fit the requirements if you attempted to upload it from another site. I had that problem here. Double check the height/width and size requirements on this site, you may need to resize it.

What I did was to go to another forum where my avatar is, right click the image and copy the addy on it. Then paste the addy here so it references another site.

 

[Hillbilly]

I give up on it. I tried everything, even the ones in the gallery. Nothing! When I click "submit" I get a blank screen and have to click back on the site from my "favorites". Oh well! LOL...

 

[Anonymous]

Not the size that matters.....

Personally, I feel as though "nano" is a reefing philosophy and not the size of the reef. As nano's, we rely heavily on w/c's and less techo-gadgets. In a 150ga, a 25% w/c every couple of weeks would break your back, the nano way is really not possible, unless you live in La Jolla, Tampa Bay, or Kona.

That being said, I think a skimmer is not a bad thing, just not really needed if your bioload is low or you do your w/c's.

 

[Phischy]

I don't know about using Scripts water in my tanks. Considering the pollution off the coast, it just does sound to me like the water could be filtered enough to rid itself of the contaminates. After all, it's free and you get what you pay for.

At the same time, all the stores use it. AW goes through large amounts of Scripts water. Do you have any details on how clean it is?