| Setting up a Saltwater Nano Reef Aquarium is a | | | | =100 gallon per hour power head. |
| great way to take the dive into the hobby without | | | | Protein Skimmer - Using a protein skimmer is |
| breaking the bank. Experienced hobbyists may setup | | | | absolutely recommended but not a necessity. If you |
| one as well, just to have a little piece of the ocean | | | | do not use a protein skimmer, you will need to do |
| that will fit almost anywhere! Nano Reef tanks work | | | | more frequent water changes. However, due to their |
| great for housing specialized unique fish, like Sea | | | | small size, nano reef tanks are fast and easy to do |
| Horses, Pipe Fish or Pistol Shrimp. Often these neat | | | | water changes for. |
| creatures will not be successful in your main aquarium. | | | | Heater - Buy a heater that is appropriately sized to |
| When choosing a Saltwater Nano Reef Aquarium, | | | | your tank. A 50 - 100 Watt heater will work for a |
| you may find kits available. However you should be | | | | nano reef tank that is 10 - 30 US gallons. |
| aware of all the components you need so you can | | | | Substrate - Aragonite it the perfect substrate for a |
| tell if the kit you are choosing is a good one. It may | | | | marine tank, it buffers the water to stabilize the pH |
| be cheaper to piece meal your own kit together. | | | | and it looks great |
| What you Need to Start a Nano Reef Tank: | | | | Live Rock - Choose live rock that is cured will speed |
| Aquarium - A nano tank is normally considered a tank | | | | up your cycle process and will add stability to your |
| from 10 - 30 US gallons. | | | | saltwater nano reef aquarium. Add approximated 1 - |
| Stand - Nano reef tank kits or combo kits usually | | | | 2 lbs per gallon, or the amount that is visually pleasing |
| come with a matching stand. If you put your nano on | | | | to you. |
| a desk or counter, make sure it will hold the weight. | | | | Accessories - Refractometer for measuring salinity, |
| Filter - Many kits come with a built in filter, or a hang | | | | salt mix, thermometer, test kits, algae scrubbers, |
| on or canister filter can be used. | | | | water conditioners, and additives to maintain the |
| Lighting - The lighting you will need will depend on | | | | essential elements and minerals in your water. |
| whether you will be keeping coral or not. It is very | | | | When selecting your Saltwater Nano Reef Aquarium, |
| important that you purchase bulbs that have the | | | | research the livestock you want to keep so that any |
| proper spectrum for salt water and the corals you | | | | special requirements can be met at time of set up. |
| will keep. | | | | Also, purchase equipment that is good quality so that |
| Water Flow - Use a power head that can push about | | | | is will not let you down. |
| 10x your tank volume per hour Ie: 10 Gallon tank | | | | |