Hello again! Possible nano tank question

[AngieLikedThat]

A while back I set up a 20g with a clownfish and came here for some advice. Unfortunately I felt bad cycling with the little guy so I would up returning him to the store and I deconstructed the tank all together seeing as I was not going to have the help with its upkeep I was told I would before setting it up.


With that being said-

I still want to try a nano tank if possible. I only have a small 3g to use right now and I'd rather avoid putting money into a new set up right off the bat (again). My question is would a 3g be enough for a nano tank at all (with or without some type of fish, snail, shrimp, etc.)? Is there anything I can try to get me started on sw tanks? Any advice for starting would be greatly appreciated i have everything from my old tank except the salinity reader which I was told had to be replaced anyways. I'd like to go about it the right way this time so if ita possible any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[ichthyogeek]

So...what would be your main goal in this tank? Keep corals? Keep fish?

 

[KingTideCorals]

You can run a pico system no doubt!

Totally possible, as for livestock you are going to want to shoot for a fairly small bioload! Perhaps a goby/pistol shrimp combo?

 

[AngieLikedThat]

So...what would be your main goal in this tank? Keep corals? Keep fish?

No particular goal just wondering what my options were

 

[AngieLikedThat]

You can run a pico system no doubt!

Totally possible, as for livestock you are going to want to shoot for a fairly small bioload! Perhaps a goby/pistol shrimp combo?

How do you recommend I start off? Would barebottom be possibly or do you recommend some type of substrate?

 

[PicassoClown04]

Hi! A pico sounds like a great idea and there are a lot of options for a tank that size. Personally I would go barebottom to make water changes easier. You could do a rock flower anemone tank, ricordia tank, zoas, one bubble tip anemone and some zoas (although you would need to make sure the tank is properly matured with bacteria), even a hammer/euphyllia garden tank! Awesome options for a tank that size coral-wise, but you are pretty limited with livestock. Maybe a Catalina goby/yasha/hifin goby? Sexy shrimp and a porcelain crab/pom pom crab would be my choice. have fun with it!!! And we are always here if you have questions!

 

[NeonRabbit221B]

Fish options are limited but shrimp/inverts are awesome by themselves. +1 for sexy shrimp

 

[AngieLikedThat]

Hi! A pico sounds like a great idea and there are a lot of options for a tank that size. Personally I would go barebottom to make water changes easier. You could do a rock flower anemone tank, ricordia tank, zoas, one bubble tip anemone and some zoas (although you would need to make sure the tank is properly matured with bacteria), even a hammer/euphyllia garden tank! Awesome options for a tank that size coral-wise, but you are pretty limited with livestock. Maybe a Catalina goby/yasha/hifin goby? Sexy shrimp and a porcelain crab/pom pom crab would be my choice. have fun with it!!! And we are always here if you have questions!

I'm gonna take my time establishing it before I even think of adding something. Is there anything you recommend to Kickstart it or just wait it out? I know live sand is an option when starting but I really like the barebottom look.

 

[PicassoClown04]

I'm gonna take my time establishing it before I even think of adding something. Is there anything you recommend to Kickstart it or just wait it out? I know live sand is an option when starting but I really like the barebottom look.

Get some wet live rock rubble from you LFS, make sure they’ve kept it wet! A bottle of something like Dr. Tim’s One and Only or something other kind of Nitrifying Bacteria in a bottle would also be beneficial. If you have a friend with an established (2yrs or older) reef tank then ask for 10 gallons of USED water (like from a water change). Pour the water through a felt filter sock to remove detritus and you’ll have a mature tank in a day or two! Using live rock that had been sumped for 10 years and water change water from a 20 year old tank, I was able to put coral in on the first day and it’s all still alive today a year later! Best method imo

 

[KingTideCorals]

How do you recommend I start off? Would barebottom be possibly or do you recommend some type of substrate?

So I run a bare bottom system.. I started a YouTube channel recently and there may be some good info on there for you! Love for you to maybe check it out and let me know how you like it!



As for substrate Caribsea makes some really great stuff! I have always been happy with it, and by adding a sand bed you increase the surface area for beneficial bacteria to grow on. In a pico I think thats key.