Need help on tank setup!

[mistic85]

Planning to setup a Nano tank (basically size is similar or slightly smaller then IQ5. Equipment I current have: - Tank - Hang on filter and air pump Equipment that I need? For such a smaller tank? Do I still need to get a hang on skimmer? or the hang on filter is good? Also for such a small tank, the accessories I need is bare min. So appreciate if any of you guys can donate some items or sell in small quantities. ( LFS only have standard size which is too much for my consumption). Things that I think I need. - Live Sand. (For tank that size, est at max 600gm - 1kg) - Test kit ( what kind of kit I require) - Sea salt ( To make my own saltwater, then again this come in too big a package at LFS) Lastly, for such small tank what kind of fish, coral shld I get. And afew qns: Whats the purpose of dosing pump? Do I need 1? Is there any food which can serve both corals and fishes? Since its a nano tank, do I still need to get minerals for the tank? Thanks in adv!

[domvonn]

bro , did u missed out lightings?

[mistic85]

Oh... I have a 24 LED lamp... for a tank of my size shld be ok?

[Clement Chen]

Think hang on filter will do. Dun think u need air pump or skimmer. Just do more regular water changes. Basic test kits shuld include ammonia, nitrite (for cycling) ph, nitrate, phosphate. U might want to get a fan or a nano chiller. Dun really need dosing pump as u will probably be keeping soft corals. Shuld get a ato instead cause salinity is going to be a main concern for a small tank. Or also can use dosing pump to top up water, but it seems such a waste. For livestock ur choices are limited. Can possibly keep 1-3 nano size goby. And some shrimps n snails. Some ppl wouldn't recommend keeping fish at all. Corals u can try some hardy zoas or mushrooms. This are all my opinion, I might be wrong. Maybe some other seniors can advise

[mistic85]

thanks! whats ato?

going for zoas! and mayb 1 -2 more soft coral.

[james72]

Ato = Auto Top Off

Cheers,

James

[geraldlim79@gmail.com]

IMHO , can purchase sand at ah beng at $2 per kg loose . As per mentioned by other seniors , regular water changes is sufficient if not running skimmer . If wana save on test kit , perhaps can run longer cycling period just to be sure as test kits are not cheap ( at least to me) . For salt mix , if lower budget can get nsw for water changes instead ( me) . Dosing I feel depends on wat corals u keeping and honestly without proper filtration and gear , max is prob simple corals like zoas etc so quite redundant ( again , my own opinion) . Food wise , corals that does photosynthesis does not require feeding but it's good as a supplement . Was told fish poop = coral food ( duno how true is it) so feeding the fishes will be ur key concern . I feed mine with frozen brine shrimp and mysis which I use as well to feed some of my corals . Hope it helps as I'm new as well. Cheers

[pcw]

I've seen people keep shrimps or hermit crabs in their nano marine tanks. I'm not too sure if that's a good idea though. Just a suggestion. Do correct me if I'm wrong.