My Sons starting a Nano Tank

Ok so my son wanted a tank in his room. He is really excited about it so I convinced him to do saltwater Nano. I didn't have to talk about it very long before it was a big hell yes.
Started doing a little research and figured I would give the Aqueon Evolve series a try. He picked out the Evolve4 which has Advanced LED system and fully integrated filtration. I really like it and it was very easy to set up. I will keep you all posted on how it goes for him and with my help I am sure it will be ok. We are working on a fish list now. I am thinking a Cleaner shrimp and a Goby of some kind.

Here are the setup pictures of added dirty water from DT with cured sand from my tank.

Added some live rock from frag tank.

My son with his prize and he is a happy camper.

Hope you enjoy the process

 

Thats really cool, Kyle. How many gallons is that? What did it set you back?

 

kyle as a nano owner I was wondering what your son plans on putting in there? I suggest that you add more like rock if he intends on having fish for bacteria ask maybe a chempure bag in the back. . I think he might like a pistol shrimp and a yashi goby. You might even try those mini catalini gobies. Then some mushrooms might look cool. Also you might want to look into some more surface agitation on that tank . I think it has a slit near the bottom to prevent the pump from running dry . I would plug it up and that causes the water to be skimmed better off the surface. mark the water level at the back then have him add fresh as top off every day so the salinity stays right. I know you know all this but it is really critical in a nano. The least little change and it all goes bad real quick. Good luck I hope you have a future gigs member there.

 

Jason its a 4gal pico nano. Evolve4 by Aqueon and it was on sale for 69.99 at Petco. They have a larger one for 99.99 and smaller one for 49.99.

 

Wow, those are good prices. I'd kinda like to get something for my office one day. hmmm.

 

Thanks for all the great tips. I maybe calling on you here and there. I think its skimming off the top ok, but time will tell. There is one small hole about half way up on back wall. I put a few Mushrooms in there from my DT and he is in love right now. I am so liking the fact his is interested in Fish keeping. I have been dreaming of this day. lol
We picked up some smaller Live rock and a banded goby. Here is a picture of it. I am not sure thats what it was. I think its a Hi Fin Red Banded Goby. Here are some updated pictures..

 

They are on sale right now. Not sure on how long. The cool thing is that LED and filtration it included.

 

So I have an update on my son's pico nano tank. He really wanted some color and movement so we got some nice coral from Blackx and picked up a small clown today.Even know I told him it will out grow his tank he really wanted it. Here is some updated pictures of his setup. I just did a water change of fresh saltwater. Thank is coming along nicely.

 

Did you use water from you other tanks originally? I just set up a Fluval Edge for SW with new water, dosing with Cycle. Wondering what others thoughts on the product. I've had decent luck with it.

 

Looks like a good start.. Nice frag plug BTW

 

Yes i used water from my main tank and some live rock. This will get the tank on a good start and is better beginning I think. Its how I have started all my tanks. Dirty water is the best way I know how. I always did this with fresh water too and it always did the best for me. I also used some product to jump start my first tank and it do ok. Not sure if it really did anything, but it didn't hurt.
The edge is cool good luck with it, but remember nano's don't have a lot of room for error. Keep a good eye on it..

 

The big one on the left side? lol Shows just how small the tank is./DesktopModules/ActiveForums/themes/_default/emoticons/smile.gif

 

I just tested nitrites and nitrates in the fluval. All is well. Nitrates are around 40 in my 75. Hmm. I guess it could be worse.
I ran that Biocube for a year and got used to working the nano pretty goo. The Fluval will be more work, but smaller amounts of it to keep going. I'm psyched to get it going.

 

I'm anxious to see how the corals do in your son's tank. Gonna be a cool little tank.