I am thinking about Doing a Nano-Reef.

Knightwolf1.025 · Feb 13, 2020

I have been in the hobby for about 2 years now and love it. We currently have a IM nuvo 40 and it is doing well. I have been interested in having a nano reef since I got into saltwater.
Does anyone have advice specific to a nano reef that I should know?
And is there a favorite tank that anyone recommends starting with?

banasophia · Feb 13, 2020

well I think really your 40 might be considered by some to be a nano... how small are you thinking of going?

Knightwolf1.025 · Feb 13, 2020

10-15gal, possibly pico

banasophia · Feb 13, 2020

I have a Biocube 16 and love it, but I really like the look of a cube with a lid, not everyone does. I also just started a Biocube 32. I’m new to this forum, lemme see if I can figure out how to post pics:

banasophia · Feb 13, 2020

Also just saw this sweet tank at my LFS last weekend, and I’ve been toying with the idea of getting one, it’s a Lifegard 4G AIO with back filter... they’re running it bare bottom with a kessil a80, no powerhead:

pdxmonkeyboy · Feb 13, 2020

banasophia said:
I have a Biocube 16 and love it, but I really like the look of a cube with a lid, not everyone does. I also just started a Biocube 32. I’m new to this forum, lemme see if I can figure out how to post pics:

Wow, I have never seen a nano tank that I really liked until now. Beautiful tank!! The corals, composition, everything. Beautiful work man.

banasophia · Feb 13, 2020

pdxmonkeyboy said:
Wow, I have never seen a nano tank that I really liked until now. Beautiful tank!! The corals, composition, everything. Beautiful work man.

Aww thanks! I think I lucked out... it came together pretty good for my first fish tank. It’s super high maintenance though with all the NPS coral and a mandarin in a small tank.

pdxmonkeyboy · Feb 13, 2020

You bet. It looks full without being crowded which is tough to pull off.

NY_Caveman · Feb 13, 2020

I have a beautiful AquaMaxx 6.4 gallon tank I am turning into a Pico. Just an AquaClear 20 HOB filter for carbon and flow, heater and Aqua Night LED light.

Knightwolf1.025 · Feb 13, 2020

I am not sure if I want to go with a biocube, but I agree that is a really nice aquascape the gorgonians are a nice touch. Are those sun polyps?

Salt & Peper · Feb 13, 2020

Nano tanks are great and cheap! All I can say is plan out your stock list and keep up on water changes!

Knightwolf1.025 · Feb 13, 2020

Is there a nano (5-15 gal) out there that has an overflow and a sump?

Salt & Peper · Feb 13, 2020

Knightwolf1.025 said:
Is there a nano (5-15 gal) out there that has an overflow and a sump?

Yes but I have never tried one.

NY_Caveman · Feb 14, 2020

Knightwolf1.025 said:
Is there a nano (5-15 gal) out there that has an overflow and a sump?

I believe @lbacha has a small tank with a sump or had one if memory serves.

Knightwolf1.025 · Feb 19, 2020

I’ve decided to convert a 20 gal long into an AIO by using a sheet of black acrylic and some elbow grease I’ll keep posting as things develop

M3d1C · Feb 19, 2020

I have a Lifegard Aquatics 7 gallon slant front AIO that I picked up on Facebook and turned into a nanoreef. I just picked up a Kessil a80 for it today to replace the 9k plant light it came with.

Knightwolf1.025 · Apr 4, 2020

Finally got things figured out and here is the result!

Sleeping Giant · Mar 19, 2023

banasophia said:
I have a Biocube 16 and love it, but I really like the look of a cube with a lid, not everyone does. I also just started a Biocube 32. I’m new to this forum, lemme see if I can figure out how to post pics:

your tank looks great