FO guy seeks nano help

[kirkaz]

I am planning to start a nano tank, to this point I have only had Fish Only tanks (triggers, puffers, big angel's ect.). I just wanted to know if the tank I am looking at will be appropriate for what I want.
The tank is 22 gal., with 6 bulb 144 watt high output T5 (not sure what T5 means) fixture. 4-10,000k daylight bulbs, and 2-03 true actinic blue bulbs. Integrated full size built-in refugium on the back (I thought was rather cool). It includes bio-balls, padding, 400gph@3.5feet pump and bottom flow return.
Main occupants I would like are a couple Percula Clowns, appropriate anemone for them, coral banded shrimp, cleaner shrimp, and then go from there.
How does this sound? Appreciate any help or advice.
By the way, its $325.

 

[clay12340]

t5 is the diameter of a fluorescent light tube. A t5 is 5/8" and a t8 is 1" diameter. The t5 lighting should be plenty to keep an anemone and a pair of perculas will make excellent inhabitants.
There are only a couple of potential problems that I see for the tank. Number one is that the coral banded shrimp will probably kill your cleaner shrimp. They are aggressive towards other shrimp and the chance of an encounter is very high in a small tank. The second potential problem is that most anemones get quite large and will grow to the point where keeping any other corals in the tank puts the corals at a very high risk of being stung and killed by the anemone.
Aside from those two concerns I'd say you've got a pretty good plan so far. The price seems reasonable. You can get an aquapod 24 gallon with a 150w metal halide light for around $300 + shipping, so you might be able to get the seller to come down a little.

 

[bang guy]

Sounds like a nice setup to me.
My suggestions would be to skip the Anemone for now, get some reef experience under your belt first. Eventually a Rose Bubble-tip would probably work ok.
How good are you at maintaining pristine water conditions?
I'd also recommend getting either a Coral Banded Shrimp or Cleaner Shrimp, but not try to keep both. They are not usually compatible long term.
The Percula Clownfish is an excellent choice. They don't require an Anemone so don't push yourself in that direction. A collection of Colorful Mushrooms like Ricordea or Discosoma can be very rewarding.

 

[kirkaz]

Thanks to both of you, a couple questions back if you don't mind. Are all shrimp territorial in a small tank, or just the coral banded...how about a fire shrimp with a cleaner, they sound a little more passive? or just be happy with a coral banded? Also Clay, I understand halide lighting is very good for reefs, but also very hot, you mentioned the 24 gallon aquapod, is it a challenge keeping the temp down with the halides? Do you think the aquapod is a better option than the one I mentioned. Bang Guy, you asked if I was good about H2O Maint., I would say I am meticulous (I did keep an Achilles Tang alive for 7+ years in a 90, they are known to be very fragile), though I know small tanks are a challenge. I gather you find ricodia and mushrooms easier than anemone?
Thanks again.

 

[bang guy]

It's not that the Coral Banded is so territorial, it's that once it matures it will eat the smaller Cleaner Shrimp when they molt because it's hungry.
Fire Shrimp are a type of Cleaner Shrimp (Lysmata sp.). All of the Cleaner Shrimp species will get along fine as long as they are about the same size. An adult Cleaner Shrimp will eat a young Cleaner Shrimp even if it's the same species.
So, If you want to mix a Fire Cleaner Shrimp with a Peppermint Cleaner or a Skunk Cleaner that will work just fine. I suggest having at least two of each species you want to keep though.
Mushrooms are a lot easier that Anemone. Heed what was said earlier about the size of Anemone. The cheaper Rose Bubble-tip Anemone are the easiest and hardiest in my limited experience but I would recommend that you wait at least a year.

 

[clay12340]

The halide lit tanks have open tops, so cooling them is as simple as adding a clip on fan to the tank. The only downside is that your evaporation will increase.
Whether metal halide or t5 vho is a better lighting option is hard to say. There are plenty of people that swear by both types of lighting. Halide is probably superior in a very deep tank, but that isn't an issue in this case.
If the other tank is used, then I would think that buying the new halide system is the better option. A used system will likely need all new bulbs which will add a considerable amount of money to your upfront costs. If they are both new, then it is a matter of personal preference.
If you like the anemone look you might be able to find a coral that looks similar, but isn't as demanding as well. Frogspawns and hammers look anemone-like in my opinion and are good beginner corals in a tank with lots of lighting.

 

[kirkaz]

Good Stuff!!!!Thanks again guys...here is a link if you like to check it out, you can click "view more images", and it shows a picture of the refugium on the back...Is that typical of most nano tanks? I pulled up the Aquapod which looks great too, but had no pics of the filtration.
********** - please, not links to other sites.

 

[clay12340]

The filtration system on an aquapod is almost the same. However the aquapods back wall is black acrylic, so it makes it harder to get light into your little fuge area if you wanted to grow chaeto. I think either tank is probably equally as good for your purposes. I'd have a hard time picking a clear winner.