What else do I need?

[TonapahNorth]

Ok. I've been a long time admirer but have never had the guts to get into this hobby. Honestly, I'm too afraid that I'll kill everything.

As such, I've decided to dip my toes so to speak. I've got the green light from the spouse and have plenty of money to spend. I'm too chicken to get a big tank and have been inspired by several of the Nano in 90 tanks so I think I can make something beautiful that doesn't need to be big.

I'd like to start with a Innovative Marine Nano 8.
Assuming I start with that tank, my question for now revolves around the other stuff I need to be sure I have everything I need. I hate it when I don't have everything together.

What else would you all want if you were completely new (as I am) and were starting from scratch (as I am)?
I'm not talking about livestock. Just equipment and tools, etc to ensure I have everything I need - from lights to thermometers, to testers, dip nets, chemicals, ... I don't even know what else.

I don't want to act like money is no object (I'm as frugal as the rest); however, I'm a performance type buyer.

I don't have a local store within about 60 miles so much of what I have to get will be internet purchased.

Then, water and salt? rock and sand?

I plan on adding LPS and SPS and a few fish. At least, that's my thoughts for now but I don't feel the need to move quickly on that part of this process.

I'd really value your help and input.

Thanks
Tona

 

[Squishie89]

Welcome to R2R and to the hobby! I understand how scary it is in the beginning but you came to the right place! I am glad to hear you have been looking at some of the tank threads on here as that is a great starting point, research. To continue that research I suggest reading the book The New Marine Aquarium by Michael Paletta. It is a great book that helped me a ton when I was researching. 8 gallons is pretty small though. I would suggest going to at least a 25 gallon tank, but that is me. I personally have only had my 90g tank, but I hear that small reefs are hard to manage. Not to mention no room for growth!

 

[TonapahNorth]

Welcome to R2R and to the hobby! I understand how scary it is in the beginning but you came to the right place! I am glad to hear you have been looking at some of the tank threads on here as that is a great starting point, research. To continue that research I suggest reading the book The New Marine Aquarium by Michael Paletta. It is a great book that helped me a ton when I was researching. 8 gallons is pretty small though. I would suggest going to at least a 25 gallon tank, but that is me. I personally have only had my 90g tank, but I hear that small reefs are hard to manage. Not to mention no room for growth!

Thank you. I will read that book post haste. My thought is that an 8g tank will be "safe" zone for me and that when it gets to the point of growing too big for the tank, I will start a full size tank either here at the house or at my office.

 

[Squishie89]

I will say it will save you money in the long run if you "upgrade" now. But, if you are set on the 8g tank, then that is okay! We can work with that.
I am not too familiar with equipment for such small reef tanks. My quarantine tank is 15g, but that is quite different. Here are 2 sites that offer suggestions on equipment based on tank type and size.
http://www.marinedepot.com/reef_tank_packages_set_up_nano-ap.html
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Pic/article.cfm?c=3578&aid=1473 (if you click Reef, 30g (which is the smallest they have) you get a suggested package)
You do not have to get anything or everything on these lists, but it is a starting point. Also there is still a lot of other options out there, again, just a starting point.

 

[TonapahNorth]

I will say it will save you money in the long run if you "upgrade" now. But, if you are set on the 8g tank, then that is okay! We can work with that.
I am not too familiar with equipment for such small reef tanks. My quarantine tank is 15g, but that is quite different. Here are 2 sites that offer suggestions on equipment based on tank type and size.
Reef Tank Packages?Nano Tank
Aquarium Builder: How to Select Proper Aquarium Equipment & Supplies (if you click Reef, 30g (which is the smallest they have) you get a suggested package)
You do not have to get anything or everything on these lists, but it is a starting point. Also there is still a lot of other options out there, again, just a starting point.

Ok, thanks again. Great links. I will consider bigger for sure based on more research. I'm just so chicken to start with something big. LOL

BTW, your tank is gorgeous. I just read your thread. whew. so nice.

Tona

 

[rako1]

A great starter is a 40 Breeder the problem with the smaller tanks are that swings in parameters are fast, and in this hobby thats not good, the more water volume the more stable the system parametres will be and thats good for fish and corals. less stress

 

[rako1]

Also a good rodi unit is a must to start with to get the best water quality possable right off the bat

 

[glb]

A great starter is a 40 Breeder the problem with the smaller tanks are that swings in parameters are fast, and in this hobby thats not good, the more water volume the more stable the system parametres will be and thats good for fish and corals. less stress

I agree. Smaller tanks are less expensive to set up and operate, but of you're new to saltwater or plan to keep corals, I think you'll drive yourself crazy trying to keep the water quality stable. I have a 12g nano, which is a little bigger and I had fish only for three years while I researched coral and got used to everything. Even a 20g would be a lot easier. If you really love nanos, biocubes and nanocubes come with everything, including a built in sump. I have a biocube and love it!!

 

[glb]

I Have a thread on this in the reef chemistry section called 'how stable does stable have to be to be stable'. I don't know how to do the link here but it's a week long experiment I did to see how stable my tank really was.

 

[jdccroad]

Innovative Marine makes beautiful tanks. I'd wouldn't start with any thing less than the 16. You mentioned a couple fish, LPS & SPS. In an 8g you may only be able to support 1 small fish due to bio load and a couple corals. If your just starting in the hobby do yourself a favor and start with a little bit bigger tank. The support costs will be the same and you'll double your chances for success.

 

[TonapahNorth]

Well, I jumped in with both feet. I ordered a 38g tank today with all the fixings. My thoughts to start small were really influenced by my fears of doing it wrong. After more research, I think I realized that too small can be more difficult. My plan was to graduate to a tank about 40g. I guess I'll start there. Wish me luck. I'll most certainly keep you all updated. Thanks for your help so far - and don't go away! I'll be asking many more questions.

Tona

 

[Squishie89]

I am so glad you went bigger. You did yourself a HUGE favor. Good luck!

 

[glb]

Well, I jumped in with both feet. I ordered a 38g tank today with all the fixings. My thoughts to start small were really influenced by my fears of doing it wrong. After more research, I think I realized that too small can be more difficult. My plan was to graduate to a tank about 40g. I guess I'll start there. Wish me luck. I'll most certainly keep you all updated. Thanks for your help so far - and don't go away! I'll be asking many more questions.

Tona

That's a great size! Enough water to make things easier and maintenance will be manageable. Good luck!

 

[jdccroad]

Exciting, I guessing you ordered the Nuvo Mini 38? Sweet tank! What did you order with it, spin stream nozzles, lights, skimmer, MP-10?

 

[TonapahNorth]

Exciting, I guessing you ordered the Nuvo Mini 38? Sweet tank! What did you order with it, spin stream nozzles, lights, skimmer, MP-10?

Right on the tank. I ordered the Nuvo 38g, 2 spin streams, the mid size (65g rating) innovative marine skimmer, eheim 150w heater, and the ecoxotic panorama fixture in 24". I didn't get a wave maker or any water management kit yet. I ordered test kits and refractometer and a thermometer. What's an MP-10? What else do I need to order?

I want to get it set up and play around with it all before I order anything that goes inside.

Tona

 

[Squishie89]

You should invest in an RODI water filtration unit. The Mp10 is a powerhead by ecotech- Ecotech Marine Vortech Propeller Powerhead/Pump You may also need a powerhead or two.

 

[Tylermacdonald15]

Small tanks can actually be harder to maintain than larger ones. But the same goes for if you get one that's to big. I would personally suggest starting with a 29 nano or a 40 breeder. There will basically be no cost difference between a 8 and 29 gallon as far as equipment and the parameters will be much easier to maintain in the slightly bigger tank. This hobby is very addicting. You WILL want a bigger tank eventually. So start with the size up from what you think you want.

 

[jdccroad]

Squishie89 is right about the RODI unit especially since you live 60+miles from a LFS. You'll want to start with good quality water. You'll need good salt. Here is where you will get a lot of varying opinions. I use Red Sea Pro as it has good parameters right out of the bucket and is very consistent. I tried some other top brand salts and they always seemed to be lacking Magnesium. Maybe cause Mag is expensive. As a performance buyer I'd get an MP10 for your powerhead. You'll only need one in that tank. It's fully adjustable and has several different modes to suit your needs. It also has a feed mode and night mode. I tried some other powerheads in my 40b and couldn't get the flow correct. Either too much or too little flow. When your thinking about sand and rock look for a coarser sand. Fine sand tends to blow around a lot in smaller tanks. While your playing with your tank I'd be cooking some dry rock (dry rock can take 20-30 days to cook). Pukani is a nice choice as it is very porous and you get more rock for your money. Stay away from the painted purple rock (man made). It looks cool but is heavy like lead so you pay more and isn't very porous (reduces surface area for biological filtration). Once you get your rock and sand in the tank find somebody in the club with a very established tank (pest free) and get some rubble rock to seed your sand and rock. That's just some of the things I can think of off the top of my head. You ordered an awesome starter tank. Have fun!

 

[TonapahNorth]

Awesome and excellent advise so far. Thank you all. I researched and ended up ordering the MP10. It looks like a great addition. Thx.

In talking over the phone to some of the folks at the LFS and two different online stores, I really wasn't sure about which RODI to look at. I'm still up in the air on a few. Any recommendations?

Also, during these discussions on the RODI, I became a little confused about set up. I get the idea that I need two separate water sources - one clean RODI'd water for topping off the dehydrated tank. And another prepared "salt water tub" of approximate 15% of tank size ready at a moments notice for water changes. Is this correct? Thoughts on this?

Tona

 

[Sun1914]

Hey, I'm new too!!!
I can totally understand the fear but this site has been extremely helpful.
I was lucky to get a Biocube 29g from a friend who didn't take the best care of his tank so I've had to put in some money, time and work but it's been great. I'm finally getting all my water levels where they need to be. I'm looking for lighting and I'll be ready for coral.