We all have heard that there is a beautiful world under the ocean that looks beyond the imagination. How about creating a live sample in your home, the culture of fish as pets has changed a lot, so “a nano reef tank” will be the super idea.
Today we are here to share with you how to set up a Nano Reef Tank, and what are the lists of supplies needed to build it. Making up a Nano Reef Tank is an exciting task but needs more care than a normal fish tank. It also requires patience and good knowledge, so that the inhabitants of tanks will enjoy their environment.
Just stick with us till the end and today you are going to have a beautiful Nano Reef Tank in your home.
What should you prepare before starting a Nano Reef Tank?
Nano reef tank
To start a Nano Reef Tank, we have to prepare the perfect parameters for the environment in the tank which is suitable for inhabitants. We have to purchase a high-quality reef salt to add to the water (1/2 cup of salt per gallon of water). Well-aerated water is very necessary, so we can mix the water and attains a certain pH level of water. We also have to measure the specific gravity of the tank.
There is less amount of water compared to the traditional tank, so the chances of evaporation rate are higher which leads to a decrease in salinity as well as the temperature of the tank. Thus, there are many essential requirements of aquarium supplies to perform functions.
List of supplies needed for a Nano Reef Tank
1. Fish tank
30-gallon empty fish tank
A 30-40 gallon tank will be a perfect choice. A Reef Tank is a lot different from the traditional fish tank, it contains salty water for marine plants and small saltwater fish. Remember the tank should be durable and not cracked or leaked at corners (check under running tap water).
2. Refractometer
Refractometer
There is less amount of water compared to the traditional tank, so the chances of evaporation rate are higher, which leads to the decrease of salinity in our reef tank. It is very important to check the salinity level of the tank. To keep your coral and fish growth healthy, it’s important to maintain the salinity level. The manual checking process takes so much time. Thus, a refractometer or a hydrometer helps to find accurate readings of the salinity level of water.
3. Thermometer
Hygger Digital Aquarium Thermometer
It is very necessary to maintain the temperature inside the tank, which should be 74-80 degrees Fahrenheit. Thus, a thermometer needs to take out the readings.
4. Aquarium light
Hygger Planted Aquarium LED Light
Proper light is necessary inside the tank. Adjustable lights with different modes including daylight are better for the Reef Tank. 16W Blue white LED lights are perfect for small reef tanks.
5. Aquarium heater
Hygger Variable Frequency Aquarium Heater
Especially in Nano Reef Tank, all marine fish are included which are adapted to warm water. Thus, an aquarium heater is necessary for saltwater tanks. Minor misbalance in temperature can cause stress to fish.
6. Filter
Hygger Internal Aquarium Canister Filter
Filter helps out to clean up the tank waste including food waste and also the organic nutrients from the tank water. It maintains the pH of the water and helps to maintain the environment.
Some more supplies like Sand, RO/DI water or distilled water, and live rock are necessary which we used to set up our Nano Reef Tank (Discussed below). Some supplies are optional, now let us check out it.
List of optional supplies for a Nano Reef Tank
- Automatic Top Off (ATO)
- Automatic feeder
- Protein skimmer
- Wavemaker
- Aquarium lid
It’s never wrong with choosing an extra safety material for the tank. You can also add a backup heater to your checklist of supplies. There are some other supplies too which are important like the external filtration system, emergency medical kit, a fishnet, etc.
What are the steps for setting up a Nano Reef Tank?
You have gone through the supplies, now let us understand the process of setting up the tank is very simple steps:
- We have to choose the perfect and stable location for the tank in the home. It should not be near sunlight, windows or doors, and heat emitted from things like air conditioners, refrigerators, etc. It can be stressful for fish.
- Now the Rock should be placed first and just make sure it should be some inches away from the corner lines as it will make it easy while clean.
- We can add substrate or live sand to the tank. The thickness (depth) of adding sand should be a minimum of 2 inches. On the other hand, at the same time, we have to prepare a solution of RO/DI Water or Distilled water with marine salt. It is not necessary to be exact but the average ratio of adding salt is 35 grams of salt per liter of water.
- First, add the filter (don’t plug it in now) and the lighting system. Second, add the thermometer to the other side of the filter for easy readings. Third, add the heater, wave maker, also refractometer. Remember, the temperature of the tank should be 74-80 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Now it’s time for pouring the water and salt solution into the tank. Fill the tank by leaving 2–3 inches from the upper level of the tank.
- Now you will notice the sand also gets mixed and forms a cloudy appearance in the tank. We have to wait for 24–48 hours for settling down the sand at the bottom.
- Plug the gadgets and check out the readings of the salinity and temperature level inside the tank. After that, it is ready to add your beautiful small companions.
Cycle a Nano Reef Tank
We all know a good environment is key to a healthy life, thus cycling your tank is very necessary to predict whether it is fully comfortable for your fish or not. Cycling is just a process of creating a population of living bacteria that makes normal life functions inside the tank. We have to make sure the level of ammonia and nitrate should is zero, then it is compatible with our little companions.
We can check levels manually or by using an instrument (if it is within your budget). This process may take 2–3 weeks for surety but once it’s done it’ll avoid harming your inhabitants. A fully balanced tank is possible only after establishing the beneficial bacteria.
How to maintain a Nano Reef Tank?
Especially a Nano Reef Tank needs regular maintenance for the continuation of a healthy lifestyle inside the tank. We have to make a schedule for some activities of regularly checking the parameters like temperature, salinity, level of calcium, nitrogen, and more by using suitable monitoring equipment. Changing 10%-20% of tank water will be a healthy step. Enlisted below are quick ways to maintain your Reef Tank as follows:
- We should change the water every three months. If your fish are more sensitive than water change frequently is necessary.
- Regularly check parameters to understand how well-balanced your tank is.
- Take care of the diet and also the quantity of feed.
- Checking of behavior to identify any disease symptoms in your fish community.
- Adding a good filtration system is necessary to manage wastes in the tank.
Conclusion
If you’re planning for the Nano Reef Tank, then you also have to consider some special care compared to your traditional tank. Hope we learned the preparation process of the Nano Reef Tank and know about the aquarium supplies.
Hope this article helps you to decide which is best for your reef. If you have any unanswered questions or want suggestions for the aquarium products, then please leave your message in the comment section.
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