I'm a nano noob seeking opinions...

marinegrl · May 2, 2005

Hello! I'm thinking of starting a 'nano' tank. I have a 20 gallon freshwater tropical tank, which I may 'transform' into a saltwater. I would LOVE to have a saltwater tank. Marine life has been a big love of mine since I was really little...since I'm not that old and wise yet, I thought I'd register and try to glean some good advise and tips from the folks here. Could anyone give me a ballpark on price, time and etc. with a 20 gallon nano tank? Thanks for any replies... :needhelp:

tuningvis · May 2, 2005

depending on your equip. now .. it could be anywhere from 300-500 ish
and it will be about 4 weeks before you can add any fish/coral

bigarn · May 2, 2005

Be sure the tank never had any medications added that contained copper ..... this is deadly to saltwater animals. If you're not sure, buy a new tank. I wouldn't want you to start off on the wrong foot.

marinegrl · May 3, 2005

Thanks! No, neither the tank or its inhabitants have ever been medicated...period. They seem to be quite happy little fish, swimming around their plants and rocks. I wasn't sure about starting one and now I think I'm actually going to go the route of 55 gallons...just so I have a little bigger 'margin of error' and don't end any fishy lives early.

tuningvis · May 3, 2005

Originally Posted by marinegrl
Thanks! No, neither the tank or its inhabitants have ever been medicated...period. They seem to be quite happy little fish, swimming around their plants and rocks. I wasn't sure about starting one and now I think I'm actually going to go the route of 55 gallons...just so I have a little bigger 'margin of error' and don't end any fishy lives early.

:yes:
your a smart one

marinegrl · May 10, 2005

I don't know if its being smart or just past memories of fish my friends didn't keep so well urging me to buy a bigger tank.

But thanks again for the advice.

sato · May 10, 2005

I wouldnt try a Nano until you have at least 8 months of successful experience with a larger tank. Nano tanks are very very fun but stop paying attention for a day or two and you will come back to a dead tank.

marinegrl · May 10, 2005

I believe you...all of you. Like I said (or thought I said in a previous post) I'm going to get the 55 gallon and try that. No need for fish to have abnormally short lives just because of my inexperience. Thanks to all.

nanoreef · May 10, 2005

Good Luck and happy reef keeping
Cheers,
Brad

marinegrl · May 10, 2005

Danke schön!

nanoreef · May 10, 2005

marinegrl · May 10, 2005

thanks everybody, movin' on to other forums.... bye!

diadema · May 10, 2005

Just to follow up on the "budget" part of this discussion. The $300-500 even on a 20 gallon tank is LOW.
You're starting from scratch so you need (before you even get your tank setup)
Salt ($50)
RODI unit ($150)
Test kits (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calcium, alkalinity at minimum) - ($50-100)
Refractometer ($30-$100)
Before you've even started, you're at 280 - 400.
Add to that, pumps, lights, skimmer, plumbing, sand, rocks, fish, corals, etc, etc, etc.....
Good luck keeping it under a grand, let alone 500..

tuningvis · May 11, 2005

Originally Posted by Diadema
Just to follow up on the "budget" part of this discussion. The $300-500 even on a 20 gallon tank is LOW.
You're starting from scratch so you need (before you even get your tank setup)
Salt ($50)
RODI unit ($150)
Test kits (ammonia, nitrite, nitrate, calcium, alkalinity at minimum) - ($50-100)
Refractometer ($30-$100)
Before you've even started, you're at 280 - 400.
Add to that, pumps, lights, skimmer, plumbing, sand, rocks, fish, corals, etc, etc, etc.....
Good luck keeping it under a grand, let alone 500..

thats why i said depending on the equip. they have now... also .. many of those things can be found on message boards for much cheaper than you posted ...
there is no way to have a constant price cost of building a certain size tank... its just impossible

diadema · May 11, 2005

ok - so show me a refractometer less than $30, or a good RODI unit for less than $150. Or the list of test kits I mentioned for less than $50 ....
Good luck

You're right though - there's no way to have a constant price cost of building a certain size tank - but telling someone who's brand new that setting up their 20 gallon tank will cost them 3-500 is not doing anyone any good...
2 potential results: 1 - they start, spend WAY more, and come back and flame you. 2 - they start the tank, and run out of money, and the tank fails and they quit the hobby.

tuningvis · May 11, 2005

Originally Posted by Diadema
ok - so show me a refractometer less than $30, or a good RODI unit for less than $150. Or the list of test kits I mentioned for less than $50 ....
one word "----"
Good luck
You're right though - there's no way to have a constant price cost of building a certain size tank - but telling someone who's brand new that setting up their 20 gallon tank will cost them 3-500 is not doing anyone any good...
honestly i dont know why your even bringing back this topic when she already decided to move on from a nano... also .. all of this is IMO and in no way do i expect any one person to listen to the first advice givin. would you?
even if i miss quoted the price, that is no reason for me to get into this convo with you.
you state your opinion and i state mine.
2 potential results: 1 - they start, spend WAY more, and come back and flame you. 2 - they start the tank, and run out of money, and the tank fails and they quit the hobby.

or they could look up the info online. and read a book instead of asking people.. i am here to give the best info i can from what i have done IME of my nano.. and if i fail to do so .. i would hope that they dont come crying to me when they take my word as the only word
:cheer:

marinegrl · May 11, 2005

I just want to say that A) There is no way I-or any other responsible, potential fish hobbyist- would simply take ONE person's word for something. B) I think the average price range is so debatable that ANYONE who says a definite price could be 'flamed' by the person they gave their opinion too. I'm on the site to ask people's opinions, probably just like all of the rest of the users. Thanks to EVERYONE! I think the more opinions, the more shared experiences, the better. So, thanks for any input.
By the way, the books I've read so far don't seem to be stating things correctly. A good number of them have said certain fish are quite compatable, when after posting this here, I get told that, no, they indeed aren't. Its kind of frustrating. If I can't trust books, and the information I find on the internet...then it leaves people and no offense, but just because its been YOUR experience that the fish haven't worked together doesn't mean its impossible. Its like Orchids. Everyone told me, "They are horrible, really difficult, they die so easy, don't waste your money." I bought one three weeks ago, set it outside on our patio table and ta-da...its thriving. :notsure: I mean, I've practically been LIVING in the library, studying the Indo-Pacific oceanography, currents, plant life, coral life, invertibrates, vertibrates...etc. If that all doesn't mean anything, compared to a person's opinion, whats the point?

tuningvis · May 11, 2005

i understand your point about the books.... as it is only one source of info like asking one person on here... more detailed of course but it could lead you in the wrong direction. good post though. and i think the best way to get the right info on something is to take many different sources as you have seemed to be doing and not let one specific idea guide you to a final awnser(sp).
good for you and with your attitude i feel you will have a most beautious

tank
best of luck and dont forget. we are always here for an opinion

marinegrl · May 12, 2005

Thank you for the compliment! I do try to make my tanks look as natural as possible. Its so enjoyable to research the biomes and try to re-create them. To tell the truth, I probably get more pleasure simply from creating it, designing it, then when its all said and done. Its nice to sit back and look at the finished product, but I miss fiddling.

I think having some of those hge tanks must be really exciting...there is much more you can do! Anyway, thanks for the reply.

tuningvis · May 12, 2005

hahaha i know i'm working on my 75 right now .. and i cant wait to DIY everything

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