To nano or not to nano? That is the question.

[bcdope]

I was wondering if any of you guys had nanoreefs? What are the benefits from that of a regular sized reef, what are the disadvantages?

I have a 20 gallon nano(the top volume for nanos), that's been doing beautifully over the past few months, since it's stabilized... I find it way easier to maintain than bigger sized reefs, and there is less maintenance all around....

[ 29 June 2002, 20:51: Message edited by: bcdope ]

[new_reefer]

I've had a 15 gallon nano at my work place since Dec. last year and it's doing fine. I haven't kept too fragile of livestock in there though. A few mushrooms, buttons, snails, hermits and a clown fish. I do a water change every week and even had a hagen light on it. Also remember I am not there on the weekends to look after it too.

[Reef_Ready]

I have a 15gal nano that I run skimmerless. Its great but the weekly water changes are a must. I have 2X55w PC on it and 20lbs of live rock. Currently it houses a few corals (mushrooms, pagota, chili, and open brain) a fire shrimp, clown, psydochromis and a Bangii Cardinal.

The disadvantage... I want more ROOM!!! lol

[bcdope]

Im thinking of getting a fish in my nano, just one... and had some in mind, but what would you suggest?

Im looking at the black capped "something", and was wondering if they were common around vancouver

[ 30 June 2002, 20:08: Message edited by: bcdope ]

[Mak]

The good thing about NANO's. You can put them anywhere, A lot less to stock, less cleaning and equally rewarding ;) .

The bad thing about NANO's. Corals out grow them quickly :( so ya gotta keep it small.

Hmmm... a Sohal Tang would be nice... J/K

[ 30 June 2002, 21:58: Message edited by: MAK ]

[Canadian Man]

I am very happy with my nano 10g tank which sits on my desk in my office at my house.
I definatley do less maintenance on the little tank than my big system.
I do water changes when i feel like it, usually every 2 weeks or so and i have no skimmer on the tank. there is 2 yellow tail damsels in the tank and i have a variety of corals in the tank rangeing from mushrooms to lps to sps.

[Bob I]

I am doing it again Jonathan. Definitely, NOT definatley please?
As to nano's I have a 15 gallon high as a nano. It needs little maintenance. I change about 1/4 of the water monthly. I have 52W of PC lighting on it. I use it as a grow out tank for small frags. It has a five inch DSB with Nassarious Snails, and one CBS. I find it very easy to keep.

[Delphinus]

Just to add a dissenting voice ... nanos are great but you have little room for error due to the diminished volume and less potential surface areas for bacterial colonization. Plus you have less real estate for tankmates.

If you can keep up with the maintenance, and don't mind a quaint little "project" or something, and are prepared to thin things out as they grow, then go for it. But be warned, definitely (that one's just for you Bob) a little more work, per capita, than larger tanks.

[ 02 July 2002, 15:02: Message edited by: delphinus ]

[Bob I]

I will DEFINITELY agree woth Tony on the lack of real estate, but will definitely disagree on the amount of maintenance required. I have had a nano for some time, and find there is definitely no need for any more work than a larger tank. A number of folks have given up on large tanks, and have gone to strictly nano. Why? much less expense and work, but still giving great enjoyment. If in time things grow too big, one can always give frags to one's friends. I would never discourage anyone from having a nano. Go to http://www.nanoreefs.com and talk to the experts.
Bob

[ 02 July 2002, 16:58: Message edited by: Bob Ipema ]

[Delphinus]

I'm sorry but I have to disagree. A nano DOES require more diligence. I am not saying things will go wrong; but I AM suggesting that if things do go wrong, they go from bad to worse a lot faster in a nano than they do in a larger system.

PS. Please Jonathan, will you please just start spelling "definitely" correctly. I can't take much more of Bob's corrections. They are somewhat ANNOYING.

PPS. Please Bob, will you please leave the spelling issues alone. I don't know if I should mention this, but reading post after post of spelling corrections is somewhat ANNOYING.