Are Nano tanks really that difficult

[lennon]

I love some of the Nano tanks I have seen. Some have pictures here of even reef nanos.
I wondered for those of you who do...what kind of filtration system do you use and what is your maintenance schedule? I read that it is extremely difficult because there is not much water and room for error...so that is why maintenance is so great.
Just curious to hear your opinions..
p.s. how many fish can I hold in a 38gallon tank?
thanks

 

[biglurr545]

i feel its really easy to have a nano. ive had big reefs and small. now im in college so i have no choice i have to have a small one. its easy to keep up as long as you get a good schedule and stick to it faithfully. i have a 7 gallon nano its on here with pics the best advice i can give you is get the best quailty liverock and livesand you can. thats what it all comes down too. heres my maintance schedule.
daily
feed fish-
add kent marine nano reef part a and b if needed
every third day
phytoplex and spot feed the corals
everyweek on friday
1.5 gallons water change with actual ocean water -- you can buy it at your lfs
test parameters
thats it
never invades on my time
my filtration is a penguin bio wheel the really small one
and a zoo med power head
one big mistake that i had to get used to was leaving my ligts one for long period of time it makes alot more work for your self and algea is a pain in the ass. if you keep it around 8 hours your all set. it seems like alot but every single person on here will tell you its worth it and non of them are lying

 

[lennon]

Thanks Biglurr!
so I guess the usual 12 hours a day is not necessary with the nano tank. as far as the ocean water..to cut on expense over the long run..I think I am getting a ro/di machine and filling with that. Maybe I will even get a auto top off system. Do you find yourself doing that or do you just do water changes instead?
I can't believe you have such a small tank and it still looks so beautiful. Your doing a great job and hopefully I can do the same. Oh, how often do you clean your filtration?
thanks again!