I want to start a nano reef

[Cadiz.Jonathan]

Well I do sort of know a way around that. This just means that you have to do a lot of work. You can go grab a 5 gallon tank, some black acrylic and a small pump. Than cut the acrylic into two pieces one piece that will fit the width of the tank and the other piece so that it will be about 4 in long and almost deep enough to reach the bottom but still enough room for water to get under. on one side of the bigger piece you cut teeth and make a fuge in the first area and in the second put the pump. this also means that in the bigger piece you are going to have to drill a one for the pump and than seal it. after this the real work starts. You add all the sand and a small amount of rock maybe 5 or 6 pounds. You have to do water changes every week and i wouldn't add any fish but corals would be your center piece. all this will cost you under 100 dollars except the corals. i know of one fish you can add but its about 1/2 in and only purple i forget the name though sorry. Thats just what I can add. If you want more info just ask.

Thanks. That's good idea I think I could do that for a hospital tank for my sis she keeps buying fish at petco .. I do know it's a lot of money for the start up but I do plan on moving slowly I'm gonna try build a stand for it this week also figuring out a spot for this new tank been running out of space and sockets in the house may have to run really long extension cord lol. I ran my cable in my house can't Evan see the cable wire so I'll run the extension cord the same way I think I'm going with the jbj 24 gal I'm gonna do a real cycle with the tank no biomax that should be about a month. Gonna do volcano sand on the bottom live rock of course. Then begin to slowly ad things to the tank I'm thinking once a month..
Thank u for that idea I will build that up for my Sis and send pics lol..

Sent from my iPhone using Reefs

 

[PeterD]

Good job most of us can't wait. I also can't wait to see this tank

 

[twelvejewelz]

you will eventually get urself started with regular tanks, might as well research and start now, it's much more fun and challenging than all-built-in ones.

+1 . Post your total budget here if you dont mind and im sure we can piece together an amazing system for you but we need to know what your willing to spend if thats not a problem. I had a 10 gallon nano for 2 1/2 years and loved it but everything grew to fast and i was constantly having to prune. Now i upgraded it to a 20gallon high a couple months ago and now im am upgrading to a 40gallon breeder , which in my opinion are the perfect dimensions for a nano reef!!! I would say get the 40gallon breeder to start off with , get a 26 inch 6 bulb T5 light fixture , if you chose to do a sump/fuge mabe a 20 gallon under ur tank and you good to go, you can add a skimmer in the sump as well or get a hob like i have that works amazing(octopus BH-1000). Basically the most expensive thing in this hobby will be your lighting depending on what you would like to keep.I say go big to start or you may regret it later, why pay twice? With the cost of my 10 gallon nano, i put about 3k into it i should have just set up my 75 gallon that i have in the basement and it would have cost the same price. Just because its small its still costly . Post your budget or in the area of what youd like to spend and im sure we can help you piece together an amazing setup

EDIT: sorry i didnt see you wanted cost efective and would rather a smaller tank. well then an all in one would prob be your best bet. Look at the 39cadlights they are great tank my friend has one and it comes with everything you need including a fuge and skimmer. perfect for dwarf angels, clowns and any type of corals if you get the HQI/T5 combo it comes with. here are my 2 tanks

20high (needs some cleaning)


10 gallon:
left side:


Right side:


10 gallon thread:
http://www.manhattanreefs.com/forum/tank-threads/78750-my-10-gallon-nano.html

 

[PeterD]

i have to say i love the look of your gsp in those tanks

 

[twelvejewelz]

i have to say i love the look of your gsp in those tanks

Thanks.Be careful though dont put it near you main rockwork because it takes over like a weed haha.

 

[NanoPerson67]

i would get biocube =)... i might get one.. or stick to a 10 gallon.. it will be alot cheaper

 

[Donewiththisplace]

Got the JBJ now...good for the price but the lighting needs to be upgraded. Moon lights lasted only 3 months then stopped working and too much work to try and replace them.

The new 29 Biocube looks pretty cool...open top for the MH allows for good ventilation and still lets you use the MH lighting.

If i had to buy another one it would be the 29 Biocube.