Nano Nano: NaNO? NaYes? Why or Why Not?

[freshy&salty]

I have a 16g AIO and its a love/hate relationship but not in the way youd think. Maintenance is pretty easy, love that. Water changes are quick, love that. It doesnt require $1000 lighting setups, love it. No 2nd tank (a sump) running in a giant stand, love it. Almost 2 yrs in and it looks as full and vibrant as any "pro" reefer setup would look.
The hate part is usually when Im at the LFS. I see a new BA coral or an amazing little fish, and I have to pass it up because there just isnt room in my tank anymore, hate that. Im already constantly maintaining the corals to keep the overgrowth down and the three fish in it along with the smattering of snails and inverts fills in the bioload quota. Thats the hate side. Its too small now.
Overall, I love the nano but options are limited after awhile.

 

[Nicholas Dushynsky]

Ph has been a consistent 7.8 since I started the tank on 9/13/19...
I know you can use baking soda to soften the water, like you can in swimming pools. But I didn't know you could use it to lower PH? Thanks for that tip!
I use Instant Ocean Salt. How about you?

Don't chase ph.

 

[mimaone]

Thank you. How about Nitrate? Do you have any good tips for lowering Nitrates, besides water changes which don't seem to have an effect on even getting the numbers near zero?

 

[minus9]

Siporax can help with lowering nitrates, but only add a small amount. A little goes a long way. Carbon dosing can work too, but it depends on your phosphate level? Tropic Marin has a few different ways to carbon dose, check here. Nutrient Control

 

[mimaone]

This is great! Thanks so much.

 

[Nicholas Dushynsky]

Thank you. How about Nitrate? Do you have any good tips for lowering Nitrates, besides water changes which don't seem to have an effect on even getting the numbers near zero?

You dont want zero nitrates or phosphates. Feed slightly less. What do you have in your tank?

 

[mimaone]

You dont want zero nitrates or phosphates. Feed slightly less. What do you have in your tank?

I only have an emerald crab and trochus snail. A few small live rock hitchhikers too.

 

[Crystal clear]

Love Nanos great job guys and gals

 

[Nicholas Dushynsky]

I only have an emerald crab and trochus snail. A few small live rock hitchhikers too.

You probably don't need to feed anything, that's if you even are. There should be enough for the snail and crab to nibble off the rocks for a while.

 

[mimaone]

You probably don't need to feed anything, that's if you even are. There should be enough for the snail and crab to nibble off the rocks for a while.

I have a few red feather dusters (might be coco worms, but I'm confused at the difference between the two?) and a Kenya tree coral, that I spit feed 3/4 ml once a week in my 7.5gal tank.

 

[mimaone]

I have a few red feather dusters (might be coco worms, but I'm confused at the difference between the two?) and a Kenya tree coral, that I spit feed 3/4 ml once a week in my 7.5gal tank.

*spot feed

 

[Nicholas Dushynsky]

I dont think Kenya tree need feeding as they like dirtier water anyway and if nitrates are higher that should help feed. This is my sons 7 gal I only feed the fish every day. I have 3 hermits and 1 nassarius snail. I only do a 20% water change on it every 6-8 weeks.

 

[mimaone]

I dont think Kenya tree need feeding as they like dirtier water anyway and if nitrates are higher that should help feed. This is my sons 7 gal I only feed the fish every day. I have 3 hermits and 1 nassarius snail. I only do a 20% water change on it every 6-8 weeks.

Thank you for sharing this picture of your beautiful Nano tank.
I cannot wait any longer and am excited to start putting corals, and inverts in mine. My emerald crab is sooo filthy, I didn't realize it so much in my 20gal long, but this smaller tank I sure do.

 

[jurgenph]

Thank you. How about Nitrate? Do you have any good tips for lowering Nitrates, besides water changes which don't seem to have an effect on even getting the numbers near zero?

how high are your nitrates that you need to worry about lowering them?
i have the opposite problem, i always have... i can't seem to keep nitrates up, unless i dose.

my current test is adding filter sponges into the media basket to promote the aerobic area that bacteria can grow and produce me some nitrates.


J.

 

[jk_s124]

I have a 29 gallon biocube that I have had running for two years. First aquarium of any kind so it’s had it’s ups and downs. I think it has been a great learning experience though. I do have to monitor my levels frequently as things can change somewhat quickly. I do want to upgrade and eventually have a medium to large system, but I could see always having some kind of nano as well.

 

[mimaone]

I have a 29 gallon biocube that I have had running for two years. First aquarium of any kind so it’s had it’s ups and downs. I think it has been a great learning experience though. I do have to monitor my levels frequently as things can change somewhat quickly. I do want to upgrade and eventually have a medium to large system, but I could see always having some kind of nano as well.

Your tank is what I imagine mine looking like. So pretty.

 

[mimaone]

how high are your nitrates that you need to worry about lowering them?
i have the opposite problem, i always have... i can't seem to keep nitrates up, unless i dose.

my current test is adding filter sponges into the media basket to promote the aerobic area that bacteria can grow and produce me some nitrates.


J.

Current Nitrate reading is 10ppm. Ph is 7.8.
I'm understanding that both of these readings need to be much lower. I'm using a API Marine Saltwater Master test kit.

 

[mimaone]

Current Nitrate reading is 10ppm. Ph is 7.8.
I'm understanding that both of these readings need to be much lower. I'm using a API Marine Saltwater Master test kit.

I'm using a marineland 20gph filter on a 7.5 gal tank. Not sure if this matters?

 

[jk_s124]

Your tank is what I imagine mine looking like. So pretty.

Thank you very much!

 

[Coldcloud]

I’ve currently got 4 nanos and I love them all. I’ve got a 20 gallon IM Nuvo 20 (my main tank), 10 gallon standard, a 3 gallon cube AIO, and a 2 gallon. My favorite is the 3 gallon in my office. I’ve got two bubble tips and some softies in it. It is almost a zero maintenance tank. I maybe WC once a month. I love the simplicity of it. I’ve had it running for over a year, all powered by a Kessil A80.