Advantage and Disadvantage of a Nano Tank

[icanadianpinoy]

Hello, I was wondering what are the advantage and disadvantage of using a nano reef tank? Like Maybe 28 or 29 gallons?

Here are some thoughts,
I used to have a 50 gallon reef aquarium (for almost 1.5 years) but have gotten out of the hobby since I moved to a different country. I miss the hobby and want to get back at it again. However, dont have that much space for a a bigger aquarium and therefore was thinking of a nano tank. I am planning to put some soft corals like open brain or anemone and a clownfish and thats about it.

I did some research and heres what I found so far

Advantage
1. Small and can be placed anywhere
2. Less cost (really???)


Disadvantage
1. Best suitable for experienced reefers
2. Unstable temperature
3. biological system is unstable
4. Often becomes a throwaway
5. etc etc

Any thoughts about this? Any good or bad experiences about nano tank are very much welcome, thank you.

[Bob P]

I started with a 24gal nano,
went to a 75 and still run the nano
purrs like a kitten, no troubles foir me besides
watching temp in the summer, then I just prop up the cover.
It houses a huge BTA and 2 ocillaris clowns.
Cleanup crew and a pile of frags.

[dan2x38]

I did a 33g but put a sump under it. I would suggest having a sump makes things easier. Not a lot cheaper that is for sure... LOL For instance a 3' light vr. 4' can almost be bought for the same cost. You can use a skimmer for a 100g on 29g or in my case a 33g. You have to stay on top of WCs and watch for swings that is the biggest issue. Nano tanks are becoming very popular and there are more and more products available for them so I'd have to disagree with it being a throw away. I think they have a good resale valve.

[icanadianpinoy]

thanks for the comments. I know that the cube is small, but should be enough until i move into a bigger place lol And then Ill get myself a bigger one

[ordi260]

Advantage
1. Small and can be placed anywhere
2. Less cost (really???)

1: I have to agree that you can put it in almost any spot of the house!
2: Dont get me wrong: I have a 20g nano and i love it but i seriously think that i could have built a bigger setup for almost the same price!

Nano CAN be expensive.  It depends on what equipment you choose to use.

Nano are wonderful IMO if they are well planned and designed!

[ordi260]

Oh yeah and get a nano sump with your nano tank...otherwise you will end up like me haha    !

If you go down a couple of pages you will find my build thread and youll understand!

Seriously...SUMP IT 

[Darth]

I ran a 5 gal nano in my daughters room for almost a year cost was minimal got a small cf light for it, the tank was small enough that I actually had some monti's in it, had a green open brain that wasn't doing well in my main tank put it in hers and it doubled in size the only pain was I did 80% water changes on it and I used tap water (I can hear the screams) but never had a problem tank was awesome

[FocusFin]

Seriously...SUMP IT

[Rybren]

I started off with a sumpless, skimmerless 30G.  Before long, I added a skimmer and then not long after that I added a sump.

The extra water volume did wonders for the stability and overall health of the tank.

To crudely paraphrase another reefer...  Would you rather be sitting next to someone in a Smart Car when they fart or be at the other side of 4000 sq foot house?

[Vincenzo.]

my 9g had over a thousand dollars JUST in corals..