It's been a while!! Got a question!!

[lilrodyreefer]

So I was wondering... I'm starting a 5gallon nano tank. Trying to keep the equipment in the tank down to a minimum. So my question.....what is more important to have in a small tank, a skimmer or activated carbon?? Now I'm doing weekly 2.5 gallon water changes. As of right now the tank is cycling. The tank was started with base rock and dry sand. I'm running the the light on a 12 hour schedule. My plan for the tank is to be a zoa garden type. I might put some gsp and maybe some Duncan's in there. I would like to put a pair of bangi cardinals in and a clean up crew( 1 or two crabs and some snails. ). Thanks

 

[ro_nicu]

at tha t rate of water change neither should be critical. If you feed more than a skimmer would give better benefit. If you got "chemical warfare" going in there than arbon would be more important.

 

[toddhgr]

I'd say that if you want to do one or the other I do a carbon reactor. At the very least it'd add about a gallon more of water capacity.

 

[jason401]

I'd say that if you want to do one or the other I do a carbon reactor. At the very least it'd add about a gallon more of water capacity.

And it doesnt sit in the tank either, going along with the minimal eqpt look

 

[Marshall O]

Slightly OT, but I think that tank is too small for a pair of Bangaii Cardinals. Maybe a small Goby or two, but that's about all I would recommend.

 

[phg1960]

You are cycling now? Stop making water changes until your ammonia and nitrites drop to zero and the nitrates rise.

I also think that tank will be too small for a pair of cardinals. It's a nano. Think small. The challenge with that tank is going to be keeping the nitrates low enough to not cause a massive algae outbreak. Big water changes should keep it in check.

I have a Eheim canister that I was running on a 30 gallon frag tank. The tank usually only contained a dozen snails, a few frags and some caulerpa. QT'd some incoming fish in there also, Held very low nitrates. If you are interested in trying this filter, let me know.

Also have some GSP and zoas overgrowing in the frag tank. It's yours, if you want some.

 

[GobyWanKenobie]

On a 5 gallon tank, I'm not sure you need either one, especially for zoas. I also wouldn't do more than a 10-20% water change once my tank is cycled. Every little thing you do to a nano makes a big change in parameters since you have such a small volume of water to play with. If I had to choose between the two options, I'd say skimmer. There's less things than can go wrong.

 

[22engine]

I'm running a 9 gallon nano. I used live sand and rock from my 60 gallon cube. Cause I had two baby clowns that needed out of my sump so had to go right in. I am running an small tetra in tank filter and a nano korila 240. Just put carbon and floss in the filter and change once a week. I do 1 gallon a week change with sea water. 12 bucks for 5 gallons and ready to go.

 

[lilrodyreefer]

nice thanks everyone for the quick responses!!! i have a small skimmer running in the tank now. well not skimming just running, adding a little more water movement. i do have some diatom bloom on the rock surface. so after some testing i think I'm going to grab some snails. ill try to put up some pics tonight...

 

[Fishport]

I have a 16 gallon running for 9 months- no skimmer, I have used phosphate filter pads cut to fit one of my back chambers.

I think your water changes and careful attention to nutrient load should carry the day.

In terms of animals I would consider the scale of your seascape. The one advantage of nanos is the chance to focus on small animals that would get lost or eaten in a larger tank. I have a barnacle blenny that lives in a large snail shell near the front glass. He is an amazing speed demon when he darts out to snag food. I've also read recommendations for sexy shrimp and the citron goby. The blue banded coral shrimp stays very small. I have deep enough sand for a black ray goby and pistol shrimp which are also fun to watch.

The problem with most fish that occupy the mid water is that they won't have enough room to swim their normal distances. They won't be happy and you won't enjoy their pacing back and forth behavior. I'd pay heed to Liveaquaria.com's minimum tank size recommendations and consider the full size and behavior of the fish.

You may also want to add some macro algae to your seascape to provide movement since the zoas are beautiful but stationary. They will also absorb some nitrate if they are growing. Alternately branching soft corals or the Duncans you were considering will also add some visual movement to compensate for not having more active free swimming fish.


Look forward to your photos.

 

[STiTCH87]

Look up my thread "STiTCH87's 5g EcoPico" =] I have a 5 year old 5g still running strong and rock solid. Transfered it to my office at work and everything. Not once has it ever had even a dot of algae or a crash. Super cheap and low tech. Powerhead, HOB filter with pad and carbon, heater, light, rock and sand. Manual top offs. I do have an RKL to control the light, heater, and IceProbe Chiller though... And if I had the extra money, an ATO would be super kickass. But again, not neccessary. Grows LPS and softies just great. Super coralline growth. Blastos, acans, zoas, nepthea, etc. All grow great. Out of a stock Eco Pico. About $400 invested into it, but the RKL and Chiller take up the most of that price and neither is exactly a requirement.

 

[STiTCH87]

Oh, and animals, think gobies, goby shrimps, small blennies. I had a yasha hase and 2 pistols with a tailspot in mine. Sold the tailspot during tank transfer, yasha jumped after a year and a half, sold the shrimps. Now there's just a baby blue damsel and a peppermint as I wanted to keep this tank inexpensive in case it crashes at work (I can't visit my work late night or on weekend in emergencies).

 

[lilrodyreefer]

Awesome!!! Thanks for the livestock recommendations. I was having a tough time with trying to figure out what to put in it. I went to my lfs and got some snails tonight.

 

[lilrodyreefer]

Few more pics of my nana dubed "overkill"

 

[cstmpprl]

That is Cute.. You could take it on vacations, Just think no worries finding a tank sitter.

 

[dz6t]

you don't even need a light

 

[lilrodyreefer]

It doents get that much light from the windows. There is a giant tree in my front yard that blocks most of the sunlight. In the early morning it gets some sun and looks awesome with the natural light. Wish I could do a solar tube over it but I don't think I could convince the wifey to let me cut a hole in the roof for a 5g tank!!!

 

[lilrodyreefer]

Few photos from today's purchases. Don't mind the green algae my carbon reactor pump broke and I'm waiting for the new one to come in.

 

[lilrodyreefer]

You are cycling now? Stop making water changes until your ammonia and nitrites drop to zero and the nitrates rise.

I also think that tank will be too small for a pair of cardinals. It's a nano. Think small. The challenge with that tank is going to be keeping the nitrates low enough to not cause a massive algae outbreak. Big water changes should keep it in check.

I have a Eheim canister that I was running on a 30 gallon frag tank. The tank usually only contained a dozen snails, a few frags and some caulerpa. QT'd some incoming fish in there also, Held very low nitrates. If you are interested in trying this filter, let me know.

Also have some GSP and zoas overgrowing in the frag tank. It's yours, if you want some.

when could i come grab some?? tank is good to go now already have some candy canes and some zoos in there now. they are doing great!!!!

 

[lilrodyreefer]

You are cycling now? Stop making water changes until your ammonia and nitrites drop to zero and the nitrates rise.

I also think that tank will be too small for a pair of cardinals. It's a nano. Think small. The challenge with that tank is going to be keeping the nitrates low enough to not cause a massive algae outbreak. Big water changes should keep it in check.

I have a Eheim canister that I was running on a 30 gallon frag tank. The tank usually only contained a dozen snails, a few frags and some caulerpa. QT'd some incoming fish in there also, Held very low nitrates. If you are interested in trying this filter, let me know.

Also have some GSP and zoas overgrowing in the frag tank. It's yours, if you want some.

when could i come grab some?? tank is good to go now already have some candy canes and some zoos in there now. they are doing great!!!!