Need help setting up Nano

[jill]

I just ordered a new Elos Mini today and am so excited but realize that I have a lot to learn.
Can anyone direct me to a website that discusses nanos?

My little tank is going to be corals and clams only. One of my probably stupid questions is if I have live rock and of course sand (like I do in my big tank) do I have to have some type of fish to eat the pods?

Any advice would be helpful.
Thanks!

 

[gas4544]

There are quite a few nano owners here at Reef Frontiers, so you can get your nano needs met here. I have two 30-gallon tanks running right now.

Its okay to have pods running wild in your tank without having a fish to eat them. Pod watching can be quite amusing at times.

Is this what you are getting?

http://www.marinedepot.com/ELOS_20g..._Complete_Kits-Elos_USA-EO7111-FIAQCK-vi.html

It would quite alright to add small fish to your new tank. It would make it a bit more interesting and the fish would provide a little food for your coral with its waste.

Gary

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Jill check out http://www.nano-reef.com I'm over there quite a bit, same name. Cool website that is respectable(no real crazy mods).

Pods are fine running rampant they are good scavengers.

 

[jill]

it came today!

Hi Gary,

I just got my system today. Yes it is the one you cited.
It came with NO directions for the stand and I have NOT been a DIY kind of person as it relates to engineering but this aquarium business is helping to change that. I got it put together and tomorrow I'll do the rest (I hope). I got the Osmocontroller for the ATO and hope I can figure that out!

I have some live rock percolating downstairs with some of the water from my main DT.

I am thinking of putting about 3" of argonite sand mixed with a little miricle mud in the fuge with a couple of small rocks and some chaeto. Does this sound about right?

I'd like to get 2 little low biomass fish. Do you have any suggestions?

Thanks!
Jill

 

[jill]

Jill check out http://www.nano-reef.com I'm over there quite a bit, same name. Cool website that is respectable(no real crazy mods).

Pods are fine running rampant they are good scavengers.

Thanks Shawn,
great site!

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

Thanks Shawn,
great site!

Np! just don't venture into the "Makeshift Lounge" everyone turns into a total moron in there.

 

[luisse25]

i ran a nano before(bio cube 14)with only live rock and corals..no fish...pods were everywhere and this tiny crustaceans that to me some gets really big like a tiny shrimp...and it went over populated with pods and little crustaceans..which looks kinda ugly because theyre all over the glass..so i put a small tailspot blenny which swims everywhere and a small yellow watchman goby that always hide....im sure u can find some other interesting fish out there as yellow watchman gobies are a bit boring but they can be funny too...(frowning face like an old man)

 

[MGDMIRAGE]

There are actually tons of fish that fit the bill for a nano, unfortunately most of them are gobies, which is fine if you like reef frogs . The elos mini is 20g? so you have quite a few more options. A sixline wrasse is tons of fun to watch and great at snagging parasitic bugs off the live rock and coral. You could also add a goby or blenny to cover the lower region's of the tank, just make sure you introduce the sixline last as they can be little brats! Or you could get firefish or cardinals both awesome for your setup and very peaceful.

 

[daveysmart]

Here is a nice guide of suitable fish for nano tanks based on size of tank written by lgreen at nano-reef.com:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74703

There are lots of suitable fish for your tank, 20 gallons is not that small ( i had a 3 gallon tank for over a year and now have a 15). Don't overlook the damsels and chromis, there are some rarer damsels that have nice color and are active little fish. I have a blue-green chromis I have become rather fond of.

Here is the ocellate damsel at liveaquaria:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+28+2563&pcatid=2563

Keep in mind that a lot of the gobies and firefish are jumpers, so you might have to add a lid which I wouldn't recommend on such a beautiful little tank as the elos mini. Plus lids can contribute to overheating and poorer air exchange.

When you come across a fish you like, spend some time researching their compatibility. Some fish can be aggressive, or bad with ornamental shrimp, or jumpers, or not reef safe. Usually a search of the fish here and at nano-reef will give you plenty of information.

The elos is a really cool tank, congrats! Should turn out nice. Did you get the LED light too? Cant wait to see it setup!

 

[jill]

Here is a nice guide of suitable fish for nano tanks based on size of tank written by lgreen at nano-reef.com:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=74703

There are lots of suitable fish for your tank, 20 gallons is not that small ( i had a 3 gallon tank for over a year and now have a 15). Don't overlook the damsels and chromis, there are some rarer damsels that have nice color and are active little fish. I have a blue-green chromis I have become rather fond of.

Here is the ocellate damsel at liveaquaria:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=15+28+2563&pcatid=2563

Keep in mind that a lot of the gobies and firefish are jumpers, so you might have to add a lid which I wouldn't recommend on such a beautiful little tank as the elos mini. Plus lids can contribute to overheating and poorer air exchange.

When you come across a fish you like, spend some time researching their compatibility. Some fish can be aggressive, or bad with ornamental shrimp, or jumpers, or not reef safe. Usually a search of the fish here and at nano-reef will give you plenty of information.

The elos is a really cool tank, congrats! Should turn out nice. Did you get the LED light too? Cant wait to see it setup!

Thanks for the advice! It really is a beautiful little system. I got the LED, moonlight and the ATO unit. I love it and once I pick up some frags at the meeting on Saturday I will post some pictures.

 

[JBJ28LED]

why did they discontinue the Elos Mini

 

[Romewhip]

There are lots of suitable fish for your tank, 20 gallons is not that small ( i had a 3 gallon tank for over a year and now have a 15). Don't overlook the damsels and chromis, there are some rarer damsels that have nice color and are active little fish. I have a blue-green chromis I have become rather fond of.

+1
I have a 20g nano peninsula style with three damsels in it- a four-stripe, a deepwater yellow, and a true Fiji blue devil. They all get along, are active and colorful, and don't mess with the softies- zoas, lots of mushrooms, zenia, kenya tree, hand leather- plus the shrimps, crabs and snails.

 

[user 2204]

Nanos are very cool in there own ways. I currently run 3 different sized nanos and love them. No need for any fish as Gary mentioned, pod watching can be cool. Especially when you can watch the pods steal the mysid shrimp when feeding the corals.

 

[glasscabbage]

do the comercial nanos have fuge space enough to keep the pod population up

 

[JBJ28LED]

don't know yet get it on Thursday