What are the ABC's of starting a nano tank?

[nanoonanoo]

Hi. I am hoping you guys can help me out here. I know nothing of starting a nano reef tank, only know that I want to try. Is there any information from start to finish that I can obtain to get started? (You know, what to buy, how long to set it up etc) Any info would be wonderful!! Thanks

 

[Vafik]

You probally wont find just one website that has all the answers your looking for. And you wont find anything that would make you ready in one day.
All I can tell you is to search search and search some more. Also a good Reef keeping book would help too. Something to read when sitting on the
throne I'd like to think I have a pretty good handle on this whole micro reef system and I havent even started my own tank yet! But I've been
studying it for about two months solid. I probally spend a few hours every day looking and learning on the net. I've read acouple of books acouple of times. I would have started my tank by now but hell I dont know if I'll be moving in 6 months or not and that really sucks b/c all I can think about is starting my Micro reef. But only time will tell and I bet theres nothing like just doing it yourself to learn the most from. Keep up with the home work and SAVE THIS SITE. I've learnd more here then anywhere. And everyone here is really nice and is willing to help out in anyway. If you've never ran a SW tank before I would strongly suggest getting a good book or two.

 

[skipm]

I second the book idea. A couple that I would recommend to soemone trying to get started would be "The Consciencious Marine Aquarist" by Bob Fenner or "Natural Reef Aquariums" by John Tullock. I have read them both and they are a great reference tool that I still occasionally consult.
You may also try to check out your local library, they may have one of these books in stock. I think after reading either of them you will want your own copy though. HTH, Skip

 

[Vafik]

The first book I ever bought was "The simple guide to Marin Aquariums" by Jeffry Kurtz. Very good book for the beginer with lots of side notes and pics. I've read it acouple of times and I find myself picking it up from time to time. Has anyone ever found a good Reef keeping magazine? I've yet to find one for just reefs or SW.

 

[nanoonanoo]

Well guys, thanks for the info and wish me luck!! I just set up a 10gal tank. I let the tank run for almost two weeks with only the live sand and water. Just today I put some live rock (from Florida) in and a few crabs. It looks really nice so far. I suppose in another two weeks I'll add a shrimp and maybe a clown fish. In time I hope to add some anemonies. I'll keep you guys posted and I will definately get some books too!!

 

[incysor]

Until you test your tank and all your water parameters have dropped to zero adding a clown would be a bad idea. Anemones are a no-no unless your tank has been up for 6 months to a year. It gives your tank time to completely stabilize, and you time to get get the experience needed to keep them. They're survival rate is terrible with folks that don't have a lot of knowledge/experience.

B

 

[nanoonanoo]

Can I tell you guys just how stupid I feel? I was starting a reef tank, let the water run and bought the correct light and all was going fine until.....the rock came!! The rock was sent up from a friend in Florida that told me it was from the reef. We put it into the tank and added a couple of crabs. Well, the crabs died, the tank got really cloudy looking but the worst part was the smell!!! The tank smelled something awful!! It was the rock. I removed the rock from the tank and now I just have the water filtering until I can get more rock. Do any of you know of this happening to anyone else? I am sure that my nano tank is going to get built from the school of hard knocks!! Help!! Please!!!!!

 

[Vafik]

I hope you still have that rock! That smell is it curring. Thats when all the things that lived on it before die off and starts the cycle of your tank. The cloudiness is common and will also pass. The live rock will smell until the die off process is done. You didn't do enough homework did you Should have bought a book and read a little more.

 

[dragon79]

Can I tell you guys just how stupid I feel? I was starting a reef tank, let the water run and bought the correct light and all was going fine until.....the rock came!! The rock was sent up from a friend in Florida that told me it was from the reef. We put it into the tank and added a couple of crabs. Well, the crabs died, the tank got really cloudy looking but the worst part was the smell!!! The tank smelled something awful!! It was the rock. I removed the rock from the tank and now I just have the water filtering until I can get more rock. Do any of you know of this happening to anyone else? I am sure that my nano tank is going to get built from the school of hard knocks!! Help!! Please!!!!!

Oh yikes, sorry to hear you had to find out the hard way about the Live Rock. If you have taken it out, you definitely need to put it back in. It needs to cure. Your tank will go through the cloudiness, and the smell will be harsh, but after that period is over, the rock will cure, and the water will clear up. Only way you can skate through that process somewhat is to go to your fish store and buy Cycled/Cured Live Rock from an established fish tank. Other than that, you have to cycle and cure the rock yourself, which would take like 2 to 3 months. (1st month you'll see much improvement, and a little haze.....2nd month it'll look clean, by 3rd, your water will look crystal, and the water parameters should be right) You can't guess it though, so you will need a test kit to test your water for Ammonia, Nitrite, and Nitrate. Think of it this way, while your tank is curing over the months, it'll give you those months to read read read about all the things that are going through your mind about this hobby.

 

[nanoonanoo]

Gee guys, thanks for the info. Now I know what the guy from the fish store was talking about when he asked me if the rock was cured. Unfortunately, the smell is just a little too potent for me and I think I will buy some cured rock. And I know, I know, I know that it does take time to establish the tank, but I don't think I want to wait around for the rock to cure. It's a shame.....I still have the rock but don't know what else to do with it. Well, thanks again, you have been a wealth of information.

 

[Vafik]

So your just sitting on some live rock that came from a reef in Florida. Man thats like Salt Water Gold!!! You could probably trade that rock for some cured rock from you LFS. But before you do all that you really need to STUDY first. I have a feeling your going to be going through allot of corals and fish if you don't.

 

[djconn]

Yep, I can't emphasize enough how important it is to research all of this stuff at first. If your only loss is a few lbs. of uncured LR I wouldn't worry about it. The reality of the hobby is you unfortunately will have a few more things die on you. I'm sure you want to keep die-off to a minimum so research, read and ask questions. That is the key.

Good luck and keep us updated with everything!

 

[djconn]

Has anyone ever found a good Reef keeping magazine? I've yet to find one for just reefs or SW.

Vafik- Coral Magazine is a pretty good one. Issue 1.2 : Apr04/May04: Nano Reefs is pretty good. It can be found at most good LFS.

Here is a link with some more info: http://www.coralmagazine.co.uk/about_koralle.php

I don't think that is the official site but it gives you all the info, etc.

 

[Vafik]

I'll have to check with a couple of my LFS to see if they carry any of those. I searched some book stores and have come up with jack crap. And all Pectco has is Aquarium Magazine which I don't mind b/c I keep some FW tanks. But I'd like to get an all SW and coral magazine so thanks DJ I'll check into those.

 

[SkiptomyLou]

I built my tanks with "Saltwater Aquariums for Dummies" - best $15 I ever spent!!!!! It's written in easy to understand language. Highly recommended.

Good luck,
LuLu