Pros vs Cons: Nano Aquariums VS Large Aquariums

revhtree · Jul 10, 2012

People love smaller nano aquariums and some people love bigger aquariums. Some people like them both but that is another thread for another day!

I would really like to debate the Pros and Cons when it comes to Nano's and Large Aquariums!

What would you say are the good and bad of each of these types of systems?

Tinola · Jul 10, 2012

Nanos are "cheaper" (don't need skimmer as long as you keep up with WC, less corals to buy)
Nanos are more likely to crash because of the low volume.
Nanos are small, can fit in small places
Nanos need more work ie. more WC to get right parameters
Nanos are less forgiving
Nanos are cute sometimes

Large are more forgiving
Large needs less WC (depending on the person who owns the aquarium)
Large is more forgiving
Large can get really expensive (aquarium itself costs a crap ton already!)
etc.

M@! · Jul 10, 2012

Nano lighting is much cheaper!
Nanos provide you with the ability to have many different biotopes without a huge start-up cost.
Nanos are excellent for Species Specific tanks.
Nanos have much more limited livestock options.

Nano water changes are easy, unless you have 5 tanks. I'm changing 20 gallons a week with all my setups. :tongue:

brian_reefragr · Jul 10, 2012

Nano pro's - cost, size, time for initial setup, coral is cheaper because of sizes
con's - small water volume, more frequent WC's, less fish/coral choices, less chance of correcting parameters in time to save the tank when/if something goes wrong

Big tank pro's - water volume, room for critters, stability, space to hide components, more livestock=more viewing
con's - start up costs, electrical bill, time to set up, large WC's (as opposed to more frequent small ones)

...and surely I have forgotten some things

Steelerfan747 · Jul 10, 2012

Nanos are cheaper to set up but are a bit more challenging as there is less room for equipment and are also limited in the fish that can be introduced.

mcarroll · Jul 10, 2012

I like what everyone is saying.

For me:
Small = difficult
Large = expensive

Pick your poison.

-Matt

uall8up · Jul 10, 2012

Nano's are more needy
Limited space
Limited livestock

Larger tanks are more expensive
Limited on places you can put them
More work

I keep both and the con's for them both are......I LOVE TANKS!!!

Jaygalindo · Jul 10, 2012

With all the technology out there either nano or large tanks can be kept on both big or small budgets. The biggest thing for me with nanos is that a little goes a long way. A frag or two can often be the centerpiece of a nano versus a frag in a 90 gallon can be tough to spot. People also think nanos are for beginners but this isn't true as the water parameters aren't as forgiving due to water volume. Lastly tangs and butterflies don't like nanos much!