Karen00
2500 Club Member
Hello fellow reefers,
Due to space restrictions I have pretty much settled on my first reef tank as being a pico or small nano. Most likely less than 8g but I might be able to do a 10g. There will be no extra water volume like from a sump, etc. There will only be the DT with manual water changes.
So... I'm stuck on how to do filtration on these small spaces. On the larger tanks I see folks have their filtration/pumps and then extra power heads to ensure water is moved around the tank for proper flow but I'm not sure if this extra flow is needed for the smaller tanks.
My question is for the vase style and the regular rectangular type tanks so....
Vase style:
- I really like the look of these and I have the perfect spot for one but I'm at a total loss as to how a filter/pump is hooked up to one of these because they are round. I have looked at a couple build threads but the pictures I saw didn't show the filters (although it's possible I didn't scroll far enough). Does someone have a build thread link that describes the equipment used as well as placement or can someone describe to me how to do this? Also.... I'm assuming because these are so small that extra flow from power heads is not needed?
Standard rectangular tanks:
- Obviously because of the shape adding a filter is much easier but I'm at a bit of a loss as to whether an internal filter or HOB would be best. Obviously a HOB means more space is available in the tank for corals so I'm leaning toward a HOB if I go the route of a regular tank. Having said that the internal pumps not only act as filters but almost like power heads by directing the flow across the tank unlike HOBs that only direct the water down in one location which could cause dead spots.
- Given a nano is considered 5g - 30g (approx) at what point do you need power heads for extra movement/flow? Is it generally found that 10g and above would most like need flow or maybe 8g and above? I have an 8g freshwater and when I look at the length of it at about 18" I think it would need power heads to avoid dead spots if I were to do a similar size for a reef but maybe not especially if an internal filter is used.
Coral types:
- My last question is... What are the best beginner corals for these small environments where space is restricted and flow might be slightly compromised? I think I read acans in one thread.
More questions might come to mind depending on replies.
Thanks in advance!
Due to space restrictions I have pretty much settled on my first reef tank as being a pico or small nano. Most likely less than 8g but I might be able to do a 10g. There will be no extra water volume like from a sump, etc. There will only be the DT with manual water changes.
So... I'm stuck on how to do filtration on these small spaces. On the larger tanks I see folks have their filtration/pumps and then extra power heads to ensure water is moved around the tank for proper flow but I'm not sure if this extra flow is needed for the smaller tanks.
My question is for the vase style and the regular rectangular type tanks so....
Vase style:
- I really like the look of these and I have the perfect spot for one but I'm at a total loss as to how a filter/pump is hooked up to one of these because they are round. I have looked at a couple build threads but the pictures I saw didn't show the filters (although it's possible I didn't scroll far enough). Does someone have a build thread link that describes the equipment used as well as placement or can someone describe to me how to do this? Also.... I'm assuming because these are so small that extra flow from power heads is not needed?
Standard rectangular tanks:
- Obviously because of the shape adding a filter is much easier but I'm at a bit of a loss as to whether an internal filter or HOB would be best. Obviously a HOB means more space is available in the tank for corals so I'm leaning toward a HOB if I go the route of a regular tank. Having said that the internal pumps not only act as filters but almost like power heads by directing the flow across the tank unlike HOBs that only direct the water down in one location which could cause dead spots.
- Given a nano is considered 5g - 30g (approx) at what point do you need power heads for extra movement/flow? Is it generally found that 10g and above would most like need flow or maybe 8g and above? I have an 8g freshwater and when I look at the length of it at about 18" I think it would need power heads to avoid dead spots if I were to do a similar size for a reef but maybe not especially if an internal filter is used.
Coral types:
- My last question is... What are the best beginner corals for these small environments where space is restricted and flow might be slightly compromised? I think I read acans in one thread.
More questions might come to mind depending on replies.
Thanks in advance!
