How expensive is it to start a small nano?

I am wanting to get a small nano.. just big enough for a small fish.. and a small reef.. nothing over 12 gallons size.. ? any suggestions? Would it be cheaper to get a reg tank and do a saltwater?

 

for a reef you need very nice lighting and live rock. both of which will be expensive. I have plans for a 10 gal reef tank nano and its around $280+.

 

Would it be cheaper to get a reg tank and do a saltwater?

What do you mean by a reg tank?

For a rough price estimate look at this link:
Saltwater vs Freshwater

 

I was wondering if it would be cheaper for doing a reg salt reef than a nano reef.. I have actually researched prices it looks like the nano reefs looks a bit cheaper.. am I right?

 

It will be slightly cheaper but they are also more unstable which can lead to lots of mistakes if you have not done a saltwater tank before. And mistakes in saltwater usually are not cheap. Just make sure you realize this.

You might be able to find the equipment for something like a 50 gallon tank cheaper if you get it used on Craig's List since they are more common then other size tanks.

Also if cost is a large factor compared to time and personal effort, you can DIY most of the equipment for cheaper and get the satisfaction that you made it yourself.

 

Thanks.. I have seen a lot of stuff on craigslist cheap... like 55 gal saltwater w/ the works... I am ocd w/ my tanks so care is not an issue.. I have ALOT of research and studying to do before I even buy my tank... I am just in the price shopping part right now... I want a reef.. I know that much

 

Nano's are great for smaller footprints. I am old school and think 10gal is too small, but others on here seem to ahve great success with them for FOWLR/Reef. Rule of thumb is roughly 1 small fish per 10 gallons.

Nano's are typically nearly complete systems with lighting and pump to do the job. If you want bigger, it is not much more for a FOWLR tank only, but when you get into live rock, Corals, and inverts it can expensive very fast.

I am finishing up planning on a 185 gallon Reef and when it is all said and done it will around $5000.00. My 24 gal Nano was around $550.00 including all fish, test kits ect.

 

I have had a 12 gallon reef setup for around 8 months with no miss haps so fat touch wood
I don't have a skimmer, as you usually don't need a skimmer in tanks under 30 gals (have one in my seahorse tank as I feed heavily with frozen foods).
I reckon it set me back about £100 (with employee discount). The LR is the thing that's exspensive in the UK I feel, like £8.90 per kilo, £12 else where.
Its do able and fairly easy tbh

 

Not sure on pricing, as I get all my gear & fish for free (don't ask, just know that my father is obsessed, and loves buying anything aquaria-related for almost anyone), but I know that there are several things you need to account for. Here's a list for a tank similar to my own.

5.5 - 6 gal. tank
Live rock
Gravel/crushed coral (base)
Water
Filter
Sub Compact (lights)
Coral
Fish & other organisms (might I recommend a goby, dottyback, damsel, or wrasse)

All things said and done, this setup shouldn't run you more then a couple hundred bucks.

Hope this helped somewhat.

-Jon

 

Awh Jon, getting used to fishlore?
I agree though, (after a while of researching, as I am strictly freshwater<3) a couple hunderd, maybe three depending on the quality you want.

 

I saw a 1 gallon reef tank at the LFS recently. it had a filter, a 15w fluorescent, live rock, and sand. there were 4 fishes in it (clown, orchid dotty, and 2 others) and some soft corals. the owner says he only needs to top off the water every day.

 

I saw a 1 gallon reef tank at the LFS recently. it had a filter, a 15w fluorescent, live rock, and sand. there were 4 fishes in it (clown, orchid dotty, and 2 others) and some soft corals. the owner says he only needs to top off the water every day.

A one gallon reef tank? that sounds very small when in freshwater you wouldn't want to even put a snail in a one gallon tank. Thanks for all your replies.. I am going to prob hold off on my sw for a while, and focus on getting a bigger home for my mbuna cichlids, then in a year get a sw tank and do it up w/ a 55 gallon tank instead of a nano, so that I can get exactly what I want.

 

i'm a newbie with a 55 gallon SW. my advice - go larger if you can! even with a 55g, i'm still worried my stocking plans are too much

 

I am wanting to get a small nano.. just big enough for a small fish.. and a small reef.. nothing over 12 gallons size.. ? any suggestions? Would it be cheaper to get a reg tank and do a saltwater?

Hello Steve, I have a 24 gal. Nano Reef. I love it, but I do miss my 55 I use to have. If you can IMO you should go as large as you can. Beleave me, you will want a bigger one once you get started. They are so much fun. Good Luck with your research, and check out some of our pics.hoto:

 

I started actually two reef tanks at once, a 10 gallon nano and a 90 gallon. Both were pretty easy to set up, and both are full reef systems. My 10 gallon is just an old fish tank, but I've just recently purchased a Oceanic 14 and am going to set that up tonight. There are certain fish that can thrive in a Nano, smaller gobies, firefish, smaller clown species etc. Either way, lots of TLC regardless of size.

Take Care, Randi