Questions about nanos!

[kikithemermaid]

Okay I posted this same topic in the nano forum a few days ago but no one is really answering so...
Currently my room mates and I have a 28 gallon, but I really really want a nano.
I love the relationship between a pistol shrimp and a goby. My questions are:
How large of a tank would I need for just those two? Someone told me a 5 gallon would be okay with a deep sand bed.
Which goby is best for that pairing? I really love the pink & blue shrimp goby. I've heard pistol shrimps cost a lot.
How much live rock would I need? Do I need a sump, powerhead, chiller, and everything that is in my 28 gallon?
My LFS has a 'starter nano' that is $25 so I'm tempted but it looks like it has weak filtration. Should I spend the money on a biocube? Those are so expensive though. Are nanos harder to take care of than larger tanks?
Thank you so much!

 

[sepulatian]

Do you seriously want a tank for a goby, and a pistol shrimp, with nothing else? The smaller the tank, the less room for errors of any kind. Be well aware of that! Don't buy a tiny tank. Get a 12-14 gallon, at least.

 

[kikithemermaid]

Why, is just a goby and a shrimp bad? Do you mean the more room for errors?
Thanks!!

 

[sepulatian]

Originally Posted by kikithemermaid
http:///forum/post/2594329
Why, is just a goby and a shrimp bad? Do you mean the more room for errors?
Thanks!!
I was asking because just a shrimp and a gobie would become quite boring. You will want something else in the tank such as corals, fish, inverts, etc. Small tanks have to be monitored constantly. For example, my 55 has to be topper off daily with a gallon of water. If I do not then the SG raises from 1.026-1.027. That is one gallon of fresh water in 50 gallons (or so) of salt water. In small tanks, 8 ounces of evaporation is a huge amount and can throw the whole tank off. You have to be on top of everything. 0.25 ammonia is very toxic in a small tank. Tiny tanks are harder to maintain than 20+ gallon tanks.

 

[jwagne267]

I have just recently added a 12 gallon tank that I got as a kit from ***** and it is ok with evaporation because it came with a top. Not a bad deal it was about 100 and also you can have like 2 clownfish in it too. Not boring and very easy to keep up with.

 

[kikithemermaid]

Thanks guys. I have decided to just stick with the 28 gallon I have, I'm a broke college student plus my apartment is tiny.