Why a nano...

crabbejoe · Sep 16, 2009

I'm just curious, what made you start a nano? Is it your main tank? Is it your first saltwater tank? Or did you have a larger tank first and then set up a nano for something different?

In my case, the main tank is a 75, and I have a standard 10 gallon quarantine tank, that has been slowly turning into another reef tank. But I think I'm going to pretty it up and make it my nano.

Why did YOU start a nano?

ficklefins · Sep 16, 2009

I had to downsize because of portability. Being a renter I found myself moving every year or two, so I needed something that I could easily pack. I don't like it one bit.

crabbejoe · Sep 16, 2009

So you are more or less forced to have one. I feel for ya, until I got my house I moved every year for 7 years. Moving is no fun!

Anyone else?

Jason edwards · Sep 16, 2009

I thought it would be cheaper....10k later. Im not so sure about that.

plainrt · Sep 17, 2009

lol thought would help me control cost also but not going so well.

stunreefer · Sep 17, 2009

I got a promotion that has me on the road 50% + of the week... the 183 gal AGE heavily stocked would have not been possible, so I bought an ELOS Mini, saved a TON of money, maintenance is a piece of cake (literally < 5 min. water changes), and enjoy every minute of it. It's not work, it's fun again

... but instead of 35-40 fish I have 1.

El Camaron · Sep 17, 2009

In my case I have way too many hobbies and this size tank keeps me interested and still have enough time to devote to kids, familly and the other hobbies.

DFason · Sep 17, 2009

I will never have a tank that is larger than 50g. I would love to but I cant afford it nor do I want to take care of it all the time. I was able to find used equipment and have my current 35g on auto drive. I never have to worry, just feed when I wake up and when I get home from work. My energy bill only goes up 15-20$ and I am able to move it very easy.

-Dave

crabbejoe · Sep 17, 2009

D3monic said:
I thought it would be cheaper....10k later. Im not so sure about that.

TEN k?!

Do you have a lot of monitors and controllers etc?

crabbejoe · Sep 17, 2009

DFason said:
I will never have a tank that is larger than 50g.

-Dave

I'm starting to think that way myself. After moving up to the 75, with a 40g sump, I'm finding water changes to be kind of a chore now, where they never used to be.

mgdmirage · Sep 17, 2009

I like the smaller cost and if you gotta move it's not horribly bad

Not to mention they don't effect the power bill as much as a larger setup.

NotTheFace · Sep 17, 2009

I have a 29g Cube, I went with a nano because (a.) it is my first reef tank and I wanted to test the waters so to speak. (b.) cost of start up was lower (c.) space limitations.

I can see myself upgrading to a larger tank but like the above poster I don't think I would get anything larger than a 50g if anything I think the 40 breeders are a nice size and would probably go that route turning my other 29g into a frag tank.

oceanparadise1 · Sep 17, 2009

I have a 180 and a nano i think i like nanos bc they are easyier to fill and perfect for a bedroom

crabbejoe · Sep 18, 2009

Easier to fill, that's very true!

SaraB · Sep 18, 2009

I like a lot of the smaller blennies and gobies and they just get lost in my big tank ... a 29G nano fits the bill for those fish!

fragger · Sep 18, 2009

my theory for having a nano,
i'm hoping the saying "give them a inch & they take a mile" will start to work out in my favor in the household.

inactive · Sep 18, 2009

I started nano reefing because I'm a broke minority so naturally it was the way to go.

SaraB · Sep 18, 2009

SaraB said:
I like a lot of the smaller blennies and gobies and they just get lost in my big tank ... a 29G nano fits the bill for those fish!

Oh, and my hubby likes ricordea and zoa's and I won't put them in my other tanks so it's a great way to fill that small tank. I figured I had better find a way of buying some things he actually likes ...

starfish · Sep 18, 2009

I've had a larger reef years ago but small ecosystems fascinate me. I did my first 10g reef in the 70's when "nano's" where unheard of. I now have a 20g,17g, and 1.5g and 5g species tanks that are too cool. I work as a manager is a saltwater spec. store and when you keep up 2 large reefs and a bunch of fish tanks you really don't want to go home to a large reef!

Like I tell my customers that want into the hobby, get a tank that is manageble for your life style, because if it starts to be like work and no fun you won't take care of it. Thats just human nature.

I find people do nano's 1.space 2. time constraints on care. 3. small tanks are fun and not hard to keep. 4. Money although you can put big bucks in a nano but you don't have to to have a nice reef tank.