Best Nano setup for low maintenance?

[gabrieltackitt]

My mother-in-law works in an Alzheimer’s home and is wanting a tank for her office window so residents can come watch. What would the best thing be to set her up with that would be easy for her to maintain minimally. I will plan on going to maintain once or twice a week but would like something that is minimal other than that.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

 

[Webslinger]

go freshwater or hire someone.

 

[brandon429]

A walstad planted freshwater tank with all colors neo shrimp is exactly what you want, they can be ran lights only. Meaning not one plugged in item other than a light, I have one at work. Two years, all I do is cut plants monthly

no heat


no circ

tolerates all seasons

they will breed

 

[gabrieltackitt]

She has specifically requested a saltwater tank as she’d like a pair of clowns. I was thinking for stocking a pair of percula clowns and maybe some Xenia or Kenya tree or something super easy to grow

 

[NS Mike D]

Nail down the water issue. A nano can be kept with water changes. Weekly 10%. How will you get the saltwater into and out of the office

Any of the 20g AIO nano tanks would be sufficient. Ocelaris may better better suited for a 20g. Live Aquaria recommends 30gal for a percula (MIL will never know the difference)


xenia and kenya might be more maintenance given they are aggressive growers and will need constant trimming. Zoas and nano are usually good pairings.

A frogspawn might take the place of an anemone, as frogspawn have been known to host clowns.

Keep the AIO simple. Basic filter media and a heater.

 

[JLandes]

Biocube LED is great. The lighting has built in programmable lighting, all with a very clean AIO look.

 

[Sailingeric]

If you do go S/W, you will want to mark a line so she can fill it will water every day or do an ATO so it does not evaporate too much.

 

[Dipan Desai]

I would go with a small AIO like a JBJ Nano Cube. If they want clowns I would do clowns with a cool anenome and some cool inverts like shrimp and crabs to give them something to look at. Set it up with auto top off for evaporation and do bigger monthly water changes depending on size tank you go with. Keep it as easy and simple as possible..

 

[NS Mike D]

I would go with a small AIO like a JBJ Nano Cube. If they want clowns I would do clowns with a cool anenome and some cool inverts like shrimp and crabs to give them something to look at. Set it up with auto top off for evaporation and do bigger monthly water changes depending on size tank you go with. Keep it as easy and simple as possible..

doable, however anemone can take over a nano real fast and aren't the easiest animals to keep.


ATO is one more thing to fail. The OP said they will be there once or twice a week, so I don't see evaporation an issue for a nano. Also, bigger water changes less frequently means bigger ALK/CA swings. MIL can always keep a bottle of rodi on hand and add some top off when she feeds.

BRS did a video showing off every employees tank(s). One of the biggest surprises to Randy was a nano that the staff only did weekly water changes, nothing else. It was noticeably better than its twin tank that was getting all the maintenance we tell new owners to do.

 

[gabrieltackitt]

I’m currently thinking this:

Aquariums, Stands, and Tanks

Bulk Reef Supply - Saltwater Aquarium Supplies for Reef Tanks

www.marinedepot.com

 

[Robert Binz]

My mother-in-law works in an Alzheimer’s home and is wanting a tank for her office window so residents can come watch. What would the best thing be to set her up with that would be easy for her to maintain minimally. I will plan on going to maintain once or twice a week but would like something that is minimal other than that.

Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

IM Marine 10g!