Top 10 Nano Reef Aquarium Mistakes-And How to Avoid Them!
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- mdshop.us/Nano-Reef-Mistakes Since the creation of the Nano Cube, small reef aquariums have become enormously popular. Nano tanks offer a convenient way to keep a reef aquarium when space, budget, and time are limited.
For those of you just starting out, a nano tank is simply a small aquarium-typically anything below 40 gallons.
At Marine Depot, we've been helping nano reef hobbyists succeed for over 20 years.
We've distilled all our years of knowledge into this episode to help you avoid many common pratfalls new hobbyists fall victim to. We've also shared some simple best practices that will set you on a course for success when you're first starting out and in the years to come!
#nanoreef #nanoreeftank #nanotank
-- TOP 10 NANO REEF AQUARIUM MISTAKES --
Mistake #1: Moving too Fast 0:51
Mistake #2: Irresponsible Stocking 2:11
Mistake #3: Overfeeding 4:09
Mistake #4: Using Tap Water 5:28
Mistake #5: Not Enough Water Changes 6:25
Mistake #6: Fussing with a Nano Skimmer 7:17
Mistake #7: Neglecting Filter Media 8:11
Mistake #8: Manually Topping Off with Freshwater 9:11
Mistake #9: Not Testing Your Aquarium Water 9:55
Mistake #10: Neglecting The Basics 10:54
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-- NANO FISH RECOMMENDATIONS --
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Starting Your First Saltwater Aquarium? Here Are The Top 5 Best Beginner Saltwater Fish
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Sticking to the basics will take you a long way and make the hobby enjoyable.
Salinity
temp
pH
low frequency feeding schedule
good water top off
over engineered clean up crew
2 inch of fish per gallon rule
Reliable lighting
Quality water mixing
Good circulation
Long cycling
Adequate amount of live rock
Acclimate new additions slowly
Large granule sand bed
20% water charge each week
Kept a 20 gal nano without skimmer with soft/leather corals/livestock for about 6 years continuously with these basic tips. Just have to go really slow and build reef gradually. Good luck!🍀
Can I only do 10% water changes per week if I have 1 inch of fish per gallon or less?
If you dont want your kids to do drugs just introduce them to reef keeping and they will never have the money for drugs 😂😂
Lol
Or a planted freshwater tank.
I have already introduced my 2 yr old daughter, she can't wait to see the corals and hermit crabs before going to bed and after getting up every morning. haha
Infinite Reefing wow this is so true
Yes if you do like in the video , you spend a fortune on reef tank, but you don't need to do all of this to take care of a reef tank :)
This is such a good guide for nano’s . i realised that simple is best and i had neglected my testing. Im in a routine now and my nano reef never looked better. 👍🏻
Great video guys. Been a reef keeper and fish only since 1994, wow has it been almost 25 years. I still have hundreds of questions. I started with and went back to the deep bed Jaubert method. Was very common in the early 90’s. Just have to constantly stir small areas of the sand so hard clumps never form. Plus keep sulfide from forming. OMG its a hideous smell and will poison the fish. Many of people I know got away from this method bc of the work involved. I still love my 4” sand bed, med sand size, no small granular sand, o2 just can’t get into the sand, and keep plenty of sand sifting animals. I have used up to a 240 gallon, and as small as 30 gallon. My favorite is 75-90 gallon, with a built in over flow. Still use my amiracle reef sump from 1996, a jbl chiller, small heater, and a dual stage temp monitor. By all means monitor ph, temp, and salinity, after a few months reg water changes, and kalkwasser drip keep my Ca around 400-420. Check ca about monthly. I still use two light forms, metal halide, and vho fluorescent lights. The metal halide was the reason I had to add a chiller. Still use my original one from 96’, it has been serviced several times by my neighbor who is a HVAC installer on homes. Two things I want to do is switch over to all fluorescent lights, or some led possibly, it’s just fluorescent is still so much cheaper for me. Second I want to get into the Neptune kits that control everything from temp, water top off, light schedules, and c02 for ca reactors. What are y’all thoughts on ca reactors if auto controlled. Please leave an answer, no experience myself with them at all, none. Oh and I do have a protein skimmer, it’s just for my old 240 gallon tank, still works, just have to turn down a little on a 75-90 gallon, lol. Have a great day, troll away
Great video and info to help all new and even experienced hobbyists. I experienced all the top 10 mentioned in this video. I still remember mixing salt with tap water and thinking that chlorine remover would make the water safe. Yikes, I learned the hard way. What I learned and gained from this hobby the most is....patience! Nothing good happens overnight. Holla!
"Nothing good happens overnight." I hear our support staff repeating this mantra to hobbyists calling into our call center each day! Holla!!!! - Jeff @ MD
A proper cycling requires ghost feeding or a source of ammonia to start the cycling, leaving the tank running for a month does nothing for the nitrogen cycle
@GEORGE CURTH I got 2 hermit crabs about a month into the cycle. Made sure they were able to stay alive for a couple weeks before I bought my first fish.
@@trevor19qhshe what did you feed them ?
@@seanpaterson1602 my lfs told me to just feed then either pellet food or mysis shrimp. Like a tiny pinch a day making sure it sinks to the bottom. They eat anything really.
I was about to post a comment as will be moving over to saltwater, about leaving the tank for a month or so, didn't think leaving it would do anything if the bacteria isn't being fed by ammonia
Great video and a lot of good info
If you don't have access to RO/DI water and are in quick need. You can simply substitute it with distilled water from your grocery store. Walmart carries it for 80 cents a gallon. This is a good resort for nano tanks since you won't need much.
I always keep distilled water for topping of my tank
I hear distilled water has no nutrients? So its ok to use ?
"when in doubt change it out" i often tell myself that about my underpants
LOL!
lol!!!!!! Can't stop laughing!
i also use this rule for diapers.
Another fantastic video, keep up the good work.
We really appreciate you watching and commenting, it means a lot! Have a great day! - Jeff @ MD
Thank you for the tips, it is very helpful for me as a beginer
Great video and info
Excellent videography
Awesome helpful video
Hi, just wondering, where is the best placement of wave maker? On the right side, back wall, or left side? My tank is 120lt. Thanks
Are your polyps fluttering? doesn't matter where it is as long as the water is moving well.
Measure early and often. Record and analyze trends. Then relax. Not much has to be done once settle in. Decide on corals for growth and crazy colors but static. Or movement and flow. Or combination. Small incremental changes with any supplements. Corals only use tiny tiny amounts at a time.
Thanks for all the advice! Just started a nano 10 gallon reef tank a month ago, (jbj desktop tank) how do I clean the filter pad? Or should I just replace every month or so? Or should I leave the filter in there and just do water changes?
We are so glad you are enjoying our videos! We recommend replacing the filter pad every 2-4 weeks.
Where can I get the Excel Aquarium log in your video ?
I was wondering if you would be willing to share your log sheet you had on excel.
Where did that filter sock adapter come from?
Apart from ammonia,nitrites, nitrates, water temperature, pH and salinity, what other water parameters do I need to regularly check for in a reef system?
If you are keeping a true reef system you are going to want to keep an eye on your calcium and alkalinity levels as well to ensure healthy coral growth!
-Steven
Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies thx Steven.
As above. Calcium and alkalinity (carbonate hardness) are important, so is magnesium. Unfortunately you could spiral through every essential element needed.
Usually your reef test kits have the 'essential' testers inside to measure all the parameters
Up to what size do you consider: pico tank, nano tank?
Nano is 40g or under, pico is under 10g. DONT GET A PICO!
the water conditions change drastically and testing must be constant. Also, you only have a few options for fish
Fritz Turbo Start can cycle a tank in a week so for those who are impatient it may be worth looking at.
So what if I’ve took live rock fresh from another tank and set up mines and in the sump also with live sand and did the dr. Tim’s method? How will it take to cycle?
It would definitely help speed up the process, as to an exact timeframe, it varies. I would just continue testing to make sure you catch that ammonia spike.
Marine Depot Aquarium Supplies good deal! Thanks for the response 🙌🏾
*laughs in freshwater*
*Cries in co2 pumps and plants*
living garbage i have both
Send help
Austin yeah I have 4 different types of tanks help me lol
One room 20 tanks help
Omg I’m so happy I’m not all of you. Still trying to figure out my first tank. I hope I won’t ever figure it out so I don’t move on to more
I used declorinated water for the past year and half and have substantial growth and no losses due to it
In all the research I have done all of them say nano tanks don't need RBO and will do fine on declorinated water.
I tried the same method and lost my fire fish and had mega outbreak of long green algae but some people may have success with it personally I prefer the RODI have not had any problems with it good luck
Depends on what your tap water is like, mine is nitrate 80ppm straight out the tap
So I have been keeping fish for many years and my question is this why should I buy an aquarium controller like the Apex when just the basics is sufficient
I thought about getting an apex controller for a 10 gallon nano to have it completely automated and hands free. Never got around to it because a apex controller is like $2k
Very good video! thank u!! 😀
Thank you very much for watching, Paul! We appreciate the support and kind words. - Jeff @ MD
I have 10 gallon tank but no corals in it just 2 clownfish and 2 cardinal fish 1 skunk shrimp cleaner,do i change my water every 10 days also?
You will want to get a larger tank as your clowns grow
I have a 8liter back filter tank can i make it only fish tank ? Like 2 small fish without coral?
I get confused on this. Most say to change your filter media but there is also the fact most of your beneficial bacteria live in the filter media. So…should it be changed out or not?
Are you able to provide a template file of that spreadsheet for keeping track of things?
There are lots of apps out there for both Android and iOS.
@michellebowers2838 Can you recommend an app ?
Not sure why my salinity is always high. I test it when the water is mixed and it’s within parameters but then when I test it it’s super high! I don’t think my hydrometer works consistently (just the handheld analog). Is there a package deal somewhere that allows me to get a reliable hydrometer and alkalinity tool?
There are a lot of great salinity testing tools out there. We have handheld refractometers as well as digital versions. The Milwaukee digital refractometer is one of our favorites.
www.bulkreefsupply.com/milwaukee-digital-seawater-refractometer.html
For alkalinity, we like to use the Hanna dKH alkalinity checker.
www.bulkreefsupply.com/alkalinity-dkh-colorimeter-hi772-hanna-checker-marine-water.html
I have large populations of fish n all my tanks. But have to look at the bioload of the fish you purchase and keep that running total.
Your video was informative but you should have displayed nano sized aquariums in the background.
All I saw was a 100 gallon system in your background as you spoke.
If you representing nano sized systems have one or several to show in the background.
Just my 2 cents...
I have also never checked my parameters aside from salinity every once in a while.
I’m about to get a nano tanker but I can not find the RLDY system
Rodi
Can someone share the excel doc showed in the video. I created one but I mush prefer the one I just saw! :)
Thanks for the info. What device is that at around 4:40 in the video the frozen food feeder? Thanks again.
That is the Gourmet Grinder from Innovative Marine! mdshop.us/Gourmet-Grinder
Can I put 2 clownfish in a 15 gallon tank? Or should I only put 1 clownfish? I was also thinking of getting a hermit crab too
We usually recommend atleast 20 gallons for a clownfish pair but, if you keep up on maintenance and don't add any other fish, you could keep them in a 15 gallon system.
It's also important to say that it is possible to have a tank TOO clean with nitrate and phosphates too low. I worried WAAAAAY to much about my nitrate and phosphate levels and almost quit after 6 months because it was not much fun. I relaxed my maintenance and testing schedule to what was more do able for me and everything was just fine. Also, my pet sitter mis-read my instructions and fed my tank 2-3x more than I wanted for 2 weeks. My nitrates went way up, but everything was just fine as I did more water changes to bring them back down. Assuming that everyone is going to over feed and ignore a tank isn't always the best approach because some people are overly attentive so a dialogue that the only way to cause problems is through neglect ignores that subset of people. Just like giving plant advice, so much of the conversation is about preventing over watering and that advice is terrible for people who either don't overwater or actually underwater.
from my experience it's not good to be extremely crazy about having the parameters perfect all the time. Changes and error range is good for the aquarium as long as it doesn't go out of hand.
Great video guys...but please put some MP40's in that beautiful tank in the back round, I found myself staring at the cords.
20 gallon is as nano as I was willing to go I put a Tidal 55 hang on filter as well as an Aquaclear 30 that takes care of most of the work all I do is water change once every two weeks and I have two clowns a watchmen goby and pistol shrimp in it so it works out. But every tank comes to an ugly stage my 70 gallon went through it now my twenty is doing it so you can’t fight a tank trying to mature and that’s all it is. Do the work anyway stick to a schedule don’t fight with it! it does pay off In time.
Your site isn't working
did it change?
add a refugium in a nano works better than a skimmer
Yeah, I’ve been researching saltwater aquariums for the last 12 months before starting up my first one (and saving up the $$$ to start with good equipment). Seems like a refugium is the best option for nutrient export/pH stability after cycling.
Pretty much all of these can be applied to any tank and not just nano
True dat! - Jeff @ MD
I do a water change on my 75 once a month and I have a flourishing xenia and anemone
I have a 55 gal fish tank with a 200 gal sump should I get a bigger tank?
Ok
55 gallon display and a 200 gallon sump? Wtf
changing the filter socks every 3-5 days? what? i dont even look at it for at least 2 weeks.
Me too lol
All good until you go on holiday and your RCD trips and 10 years work is gone. Top tip, get a back up generator
You information is great. If I dare to leave one bit of advice. It would have been very effective if you were in front of a nano tank
Thank you for the feedback! We are glad you enjoyed the video :)
Hey sir I have Redsea 170 34gallons how many times weeks should I do water change for my tank sir Thanks..
#s 4, 5, 6, 8 are correct.
Thank you so much for watching! Any tips for nano reefers that you think we may have omitted? - Jeff @ MD
What about distilled water? Is it good enough?
The best simple answears in marine tank!! Thak you
Question! I just started a 30 gallon tank, but I purchased dry rock + dry sand; Will the tank cycle and build up bacteria if I just leave it running or do I actually need to add a fish in there or bacteria boosters? Some fish stores have told me without this, my tank is pretty much not doing anything at this point.
If you are starting with dry rock and dry sand, we do recommend adding some form of beneficial bacteria to get the cycle going.
Running a tank to "cycle" with nothing in it to produce ammonia literally does nothing other than move water. Experienced reef keeper here. Try to add soldier fish, ghost feed, or if you feel confident, add bottled bacteria accompanied with dosing Ammonium Choride
I wouldn't add fish during this stage, much less cruel to just add some ammonia
I honestly think using RO water is dependent on where you live. If you live in major cities or towns in Southern Ontario, chances are your tap water barely contains any minerals.
Can I use filter water from a refrigerator instead of a rodi water?
Was thinking of getting a nano reef tank. I changed my mind after watching this video
We're sorry to hear that. Keeping a nano reef is not for everyone but it certainly can be incredibly rewarding!
@@renaesenton8306 Exactly, many people i know gave up before they even started just because people were telling shit like that
Don't be discouraged, I just started and it is by far not as complicated as this video makes it sound.
Almost identical to freshwater.
I like the video but only thing is I use tap water and have great success . Also , I change my water about once a month maybe even if that . Every tank is different but it is great advice ! Other than that love this video
Your Fellow Reefer your city must not treat it with chlorine
Sandy Bui just checked it does ! This is interesting . I live in NJ !
@@yourfellowreefer7145 Do you use dechlorinator, or are your fish just _really_ resistant to chlorine burn?
Novice question: I know this vid is specifically about 'reef' tanks, but if I have no intention of putting fish or coral in my nano tank, could you tell me what steps I can ignore? I only intend to display plants, so presumably I can use tap water and I won't require such a powerful filtration system right? I'm basically just wanting to create a nice focal point in my room with the lovely sounds of water flowing.....but minus the wee fish and corals :) thanks in advance if anyone helps.
When you mention plants, I assume you mean a freshwater set up. Check out this blog post for more help:blog.marinedepot.com/2018/06/thinking-about-setting-up-a-freshwater-planted-tank-heres-what-youll-need.html
What's the coral at 12:42?
I believe they are Tube Anemones.
@@DerekClaxton cool thanks. I've definitely have a thing for all anemones. I just got over my rock flower anemone phase lol...I think.
They are indeed Tube Anemones, as Derek so helpfully pointed out! :-)
@@BulkReefSupply thanks for the confirmation. I also wanted to add that all these mistakes are exactly the same ones I have done. Only one I'm still having a hard time getting right is where to put the sensor for my ATO. I had an accident using an innovate marine ATO that I put on the return pump chamber and it flooded 😓but it has not discouraged me. We all learn from our mistakes. Again great video.
@@bryanbonilla6858 Thank you for watching! We're happy to answer any and all questions you may have. We actually run the IM ATO on one of our our office tanks (which is an AIO style, also from IM). Feel free to email us at social@marinedepot.com anytime! - Jeff @ MD
Clownfish here in philippines cost 1 us dollar each
You are so lucky! Here in North East Alabama they are 20$ each
👍
Looks like 2 people where triggered by this video lol. Great video guys!
Sup Jr! Always appreciate your viewership and engaging with us here on the MD channel! - Jeff @ MD
希望多点广东话和普通话海水缸经验分享。没有蛋白分离器？没有造浪泵？没有滴定没有添加剂？没关系，简单下海轻松养海缸。NANO REEF微缸也有大乐趣！
My 3g hasnt gotten a water change in like 7+ months 😂 though I have no fish. Just coral, it's the easiest thing to take care of. I feed it every few weeks and that's it.
Gonna get an ATO my salt got too 1.032
I want a pair of clowns but I just have live rock will they be okay?
They should be as long as your water parameters are good. I would test your water first before adding any fish.
honestly a nano tank is more expensive than a larger one. i keep seeing nanos going for over 100$ and i bought my 20 gallon aquarium for just 50$
I was right all along. Salt water tank cost more than twice compare to freshwater tank.
Spax WillTrollGG bro I think like 3 times as more If you got a big saltwater tank. I have 4 tanks and my saltwater tank is the most expensive by far
Yeah its a joke, if you are skilled enough just build it all yourself, i mean everything like skimmer, leds, sump, tank , controllers etc it will be half to 1/3 the price. There is a large diy market for reef tanks in this hobby since its so expensive.
Change the filter pad every 3-5 days?!?!
This is a lie, you never have yo change filter pads just wash them.
3rd
2nd 👍
I can't get rid of red slime and dinos to save my life! I've tried everything the pros recommend it's extremely frustrating. Tank is about a year old
Cries in freshwater scrub
I change my nano water every other month. :)
It just crashed, don’t listen to me
How did it crash?
for some reason people want to put a clownfish with a blue tang
in reality all home tanks are nano compared to the ocean
Well no shit sherlock! And in reality the world and ocean are nano compared to other planets...
Los Pollos Hermanos someone’s on their period! 🙄
@@lospolloshermanos2692 🤯🤯
I won't first to master freshwater aquarium and then wen I will have more Mani too start nano ref
first
4th
Wow I made mistakes too
5th
money, money, money....... moonnneeeey
If you don't have a few grand to blow on a hobby that you enjoy you should probably look into getting a new career so that you can afford things. Sad.
20 gallons is considered small? Jesus
Even with freshwater fish many common aquariums exceed that, 29 gallons is a common size for example and most sharkminnows need a minimum of 29 gal (the bala shark needs even more than that) not to mention fishes like the Senegal Bichir (or "Dinosaur Bichir") which generally needs 55 gallons, or the Eclipse Catfish which needs 75 gal.
@@isaacbailey3681 yeah but I don't consider that small I consider that medium size
I consider 20 gallons to be small. I have a 158 gallon tropical tank.
Yep, I have a 20g long and a 30g. They aren't small to me, but still considered nano tanks
jim halpert
7th
I have never really had to ever change the water, it is fairly self sufficient. I own the Ocean.
How to Avoid Them
I love you
It is so hard to keep up you tank 1 hour daily!
No one spends an hour a day
testing a nano tank is a waste of time if you change water ever week
46weeks
4-6 weeks
Rupam
Imma just get a dog
Rename it 50 mistakes combined into 10 :)
You are awesome. Ty . I have a successful 35 gallon hexagon salt water tank. Your video is so helpful!!!! I subscribed and if you snd your family site interested in eating vegan please check out .my channel!!!!
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