Nano/Micro (that means small right?)

Bouncer420 · 12-24-2003, 07:52 PM

Could someone explain to me the difference between a nano and a micro reef tank? Small and super small? Plus, I'm thinking about setting up a nano/micro tank, what are the filtering requirments? What can I get away with using? I've been looking at some of the prices for the high-end filtration stuff and it's making me a little woozy...

I read about a guy making his own refugeum... Anyways, I digress

reefrunner · 12-24-2003, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Could someone explain to me the difference between a nano and a micro reef tank?

Well the line is kinda blurry, but strictly speaking...a micro reef would be classified as a reef of less than 5g and a nano would go from 5-20g, although that is certainly debateable.

Quote:

Plus, I'm thinking about setting up a nano/micro tank, what are the filtering requirments?

In my nano I use LR and a HOB refugium and a skimmer. Lot's of nano folks are just using powerheads for circulation, LR and waterchanges, and they are having excellent results.

Bouncer420 · 12-24-2003, 09:23 PM

What does HOB mean? And are the cycling times shorter for the smaller tanks? I'm thinking of starting one for a friend. (I guess the christmas spirit has got me!)

Witfull · 12-24-2003, 09:37 PM

Hang On Back = HOB
a type of filter/ skimmer tank hangs from the tank or sump.

as for nano/ micro..in general they are harder than a "regular" tank. since there is less water, any problem happens faster. im not discouraging you just letting you know, and let your friend know too.

Bouncer420 · 12-24-2003, 09:43 PM

Then, if that's the case. Would you say that when you have a good tank up and running that it would be less of a hastle because everything in it has to work together very well in the first place?

Witfull · 12-24-2003, 09:48 PM

yep, thats true, as a tank ages it gets less of a problem, thats why we set up new tanks,,,we are gluttons for punishment....lol

mnreefman · 01-05-2004, 12:05 PM

the abuse associated with reefing is ALMOST unbearable... but once you sit back nd enjoy the fruits of your labor.... its worth every knock down or wedgie

EdgeKrusher · 01-05-2004, 12:47 PM

I agree that keeping a Nano is no small chore, I wouldn't know if it is harder than a regular tank (whatever that means). Since I started with a Nano. But there's alot of work, worry, sweat, tears, blood (from slamming your head into the wall repeatedly) for any tank. keep the questions coming.

Peace

EK

Reef Geek · 01-11-2004, 05:34 PM

The key ingrediant in any succesful reef tank is patience.

Dingo · 01-29-2004, 12:11 PM

A nano takes the same amount of time to cycle as any other tank. Stuff dies and rots at the same rate, no matter how much water you have.

Since it is such a breeze to do a 10% weekly water change (1 gallon or 1/2 gallon, no big deal) don't buy any fancy filtration. 1 to 1.5 lbs of live rock per gallon and good circulation is all you need.

Also, since you will be doing your water changes religiously (right?) there is no need for any additives whatsoever, unless you are keeping stony corals. Then you need to add ca/alk. Some people like to add iodine, but the utility of that is not proven.

HTH

Dingo · 01-29-2004, 12:15 PM

Also, IMO, starting a project like this for someone else may be more of a burden to them than a gift. Unless you are comitted to maintaining it for them.

birdman204 · 01-29-2004, 02:27 PM

Agreed with dingo. I will hint at my maintainence schedule for my 7 g minibow. Auto top off switch always with 1/2 strength kalkwasser, so keep that reservoir clean and full, about every 5 days. 1 gallon wc every week. I keep an empty jug and a full one, drain into the empty, fill with the full. I have a HOB refugium so macro harvest is bi-weekly due to the limited size. and since I have no fish ( anymore ) I only feed 1 time a week for the mcrohermits and the sexy shrimp. 2 x a month i will feed the ricordeas and trachyphyllia some frozen krill or silversides. That is it I left for 5 days, all my wife had to do was refill the topoff. Of course this is all after 6 months of testing and tweaking :P
Nano's as gift = no - no unless you will maintain, or they are very enthusiastic about maintainng it. Just my .02$

birdman204 · 01-29-2004, 02:32 PM

my tank

openbrain · 01-29-2004, 04:06 PM

How do you keep your tank from overheating? I'd love to have a nano tank but I have a hard enough time keeping the 180 cool.

Dingo · 01-29-2004, 04:16 PM

I have an open back hood and a 12v PC box fan blowing into the hood over the bulb. My heater has to fight to keep the tank warm, and it drops about 1/2 degree when the light goes on. Also, having a sump (which I don't) goes a long way towards cooling things off, especially if you have a fan in the sump. I wouldn't recommend using a fan without an autotopoff though.

12-24-2003, 07:52 PM	#1 (permalink)
Bouncer420 Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Seattle area. Posts: 9 View Gallery Karma Komment	Nano/Micro (that means small right?) Could someone explain to me the difference between a nano and a micro reef tank? Small and super small? Plus, I'm thinking about setting up a nano/micro tank, what are the filtering requirments? What can I get away with using? I've been looking at some of the prices for the high-end filtration stuff and it's making me a little woozy... I read about a guy making his own refugeum... Anyways, I digress __________________ Life is hard, it's harder when your stupid. ~ITC Horton

12-24-2003, 09:23 PM	#3 (permalink)
Bouncer420 Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Seattle area. Posts: 9 View Gallery Karma Komment	What does HOB mean? And are the cycling times shorter for the smaller tanks? I'm thinking of starting one for a friend. (I guess the christmas spirit has got me!) __________________ Life is hard, it's harder when your stupid. ~ITC Horton

12-24-2003, 09:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bouncer420 Tunicate Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Seattle area. Posts: 9 View Gallery Karma Komment	Then, if that's the case. Would you say that when you have a good tank up and running that it would be less of a hastle because everything in it has to work together very well in the first place? __________________ Life is hard, it's harder when your stupid. ~ITC Horton

01-05-2004, 12:05 PM	#7 (permalink)
mnreefman Reef Lobster Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,393 View Gallery Karma Komment	the abuse associated with reefing is ALMOST unbearable... but once you sit back nd enjoy the fruits of your labor.... its worth every knock down or wedgie __________________ http://reefrock.com

01-05-2004, 12:47 PM	#8 (permalink)
EdgeKrusher Plate Coral Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Eden Prairie, MN Posts: 716 View Gallery Karma Komment	I agree that keeping a Nano is no small chore, I wouldn't know if it is harder than a regular tank (whatever that means). Since I started with a Nano. But there's alot of work, worry, sweat, tears, blood (from slamming your head into the wall repeatedly) for any tank. keep the questions coming. Peace EK __________________ ((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º> ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.·´¯`·...¸>< ((((º>¸¸.·´¯`·.¸. `·.. ><((((º>`·.¸¸.·´¯`·.¸><((((º>¸¸.·´¯`·.¸.

01-11-2004, 05:34 PM	#9 (permalink)
Reef Geek Reefus Geekus Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Fountain, CO Posts: 325 View Gallery Karma Komment	The key ingrediant in any succesful reef tank is patience. __________________ Justin Stealth Reefer

01-29-2004, 12:11 PM	#10 (permalink)
Dingo Serpent Star Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 206 View Gallery Karma Komment	A nano takes the same amount of time to cycle as any other tank. Stuff dies and rots at the same rate, no matter how much water you have. Since it is such a breeze to do a 10% weekly water change (1 gallon or 1/2 gallon, no big deal) don't buy any fancy filtration. 1 to 1.5 lbs of live rock per gallon and good circulation is all you need. Also, since you will be doing your water changes religiously (right?) there is no need for any additives whatsoever, unless you are keeping stony corals. Then you need to add ca/alk. Some people like to add iodine, but the utility of that is not proven. HTH __________________ Snail Whisperer Member RSMC&RP

01-29-2004, 12:15 PM	#11 (permalink)
Dingo Serpent Star Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 206 View Gallery Karma Komment	Also, IMO, starting a project like this for someone else may be more of a burden to them than a gift. Unless you are comitted to maintaining it for them. __________________ Snail Whisperer Member RSMC&RP

01-29-2004, 02:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
birdman204 Limpet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orange County , CA Posts: 133 View Gallery Karma Komment	Agreed with dingo. I will hint at my maintainence schedule for my 7 g minibow. Auto top off switch always with 1/2 strength kalkwasser, so keep that reservoir clean and full, about every 5 days. 1 gallon wc every week. I keep an empty jug and a full one, drain into the empty, fill with the full. I have a HOB refugium so macro harvest is bi-weekly due to the limited size. and since I have no fish ( anymore ) I only feed 1 time a week for the mcrohermits and the sexy shrimp. 2 x a month i will feed the ricordeas and trachyphyllia some frozen krill or silversides. That is it I left for 5 days, all my wife had to do was refill the topoff. Of course this is all after 6 months of testing and tweaking :P Nano's as gift = no - no unless you will maintain, or they are very enthusiastic about maintainng it. Just my .02$ __________________ Simple Simon met a Pieman, going to the fair. Said Simple Simon to the Pieman, What have you got there? Said the Pieman unto Simon, Pies, Dumb_ _ _.

01-29-2004, 02:32 PM	#13 (permalink)
birdman204 Limpet Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Orange County , CA Posts: 133 View Gallery Karma Komment	my tank __________________ Simple Simon met a Pieman, going to the fair. Said Simple Simon to the Pieman, What have you got there? Said the Pieman unto Simon, Pies, Dumb_ _ _.

01-29-2004, 04:06 PM	#14 (permalink)
openbrain Star Polyps Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 151 View Gallery Karma Komment	How do you keep your tank from overheating? I'd love to have a nano tank but I have a hard enough time keeping the 180 cool. __________________ Don ---------- Then it comes to be that soothing light at the end of the tunnel, it's just a freight train coming your way

01-29-2004, 04:16 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dingo Serpent Star Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 206 View Gallery Karma Komment	I have an open back hood and a 12v PC box fan blowing into the hood over the bulb. My heater has to fight to keep the tank warm, and it drops about 1/2 degree when the light goes on. Also, having a sump (which I don't) goes a long way towards cooling things off, especially if you have a fan in the sump. I wouldn't recommend using a fan without an autotopoff though. __________________ Snail Whisperer Member RSMC&RP

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