Questions about starting a nano tank (complete beginner)

Hi everyone, i'm new to aquariums but i would like to start. I have a few questions that i would really appreciate if someone could guide me in the right direction.

My plan is to get a 5 gallon nano tank.
What i would like is to put a lot of grassy plants on the bottom, a few rocks, some small shrimp and a few very tiny fishes.
Will this tank be big enough for that?

Budget is a big issue for me. So i hope to not spend more than $200 on this.
Can anyone tell me how much this set up would cost on average?

For this set up, do i need fresh water or salt water?

I saw some nano tanks come with a light. Does anyone know how much the electricity bill will go up from running this light?
Or is it very cheap like any other light/laptop that's plugged in all day?

Do i need a filter / pump / heater and other equipment? Will these equipment be loud? Because i will set it up in my bedroom so i do have to sleep in the same area.

Is it possible to put this nano tank on my dresser or do i need a special aquarium stand for it?

How much maintenance will a small nano tank like this require? I was hoping to change the water every 3-4 weeks.

i hope someone can answer some of these questions. Thank you!

 

Nano tanks are a bit harder than bigger tanks, I would recommend starting with a 20g, but if you still want a nano tank, here are some recommendations

Since you are a beginner I would start with freshwater. For carpeting plants you will need a planted tank light, CO2 is also recommended. You will probably have to change the water every week because ammonia and nitrates can build up very quickly on a small aquarium.

You will need a heater, filter, CO2, and a light. Since it's a small tank you won't need a special stand for it, if the light is LED it won't be too expensive

 

I think i will take your advice and go with the 20 gallon tank. thank you!

 

A 20g is going to be harder to set on a dresser, or other furniture. If you're going nano - 20 is a good place to start; considering your situation. But, you're probably going to go over $200 if you want plants and don't have an already established piece of furniture to set it on.

I would recommend a 20g long vs 20g high. It'll be easier to work in, and won't require as powerful of lights to get to the bottom of the tank.

That being said yes - you're definitely going to need a heater, filter, lights, stand (some kind). Those are the absolute bare minimums for 99% of tanks. You'll need some kind of substrate for the plants.

I HIGHLY HIGHLY HIGHLY suggest reading the "stickies" at the top of the Freshwater Aquarium Discussion. Click on READ FIRST: Freshwater Beginner Topics.

These are there for forever, so that you can always reference them easily without having to dig through posts.

Once you go through the stickies, let us know of any more questions...and we can help you out from there.

 

Thank you Koenig! I think a 20 gallon would look a lot more beautiful however space is an issue. A nano one is tiny and convenient and i heard the water changes aren't that difficult since it's so small.

I'll educate myself thoroughly with stickies and videos before i decide to buy it. I really appreciate your reply. Thank you!

 

I understand the urge to want fish and shrimp. But when I finally listened to people and did the shrimp only tank the shrimp were much ore enjoyable. With no fish, they'll swim around the tank, especially upto the floating frogbit plants to eat. They climb the hardcape and hang out more.
Things that make a shrimp only tank easier as well: Dwarf shrimpies like colder temps. Mine is doing just fine in a cooler room of the house without a heater. If you do want to pair them with a fish, I think white clouds might be a fish that could tolerate cooler temps.

with a shrimp only tank, they produce so little waste, my maintenance is fairly easy. Most of my nitrates are actually from the nutrient soil. When I do keep up with my water changes the shrimpies breed almost immediately. It's very cool to observe them aerating the eggs, and then watching the babies free range. If you add white clouds, the babies won't free range and likely still won't survive.

When I tried shrimp in my community tank, they pretty much stayed in a bushy plant 95% of the time. When they did enture out, they only did so when their shells were nice and hard, BUT the fishies would still nip their antenae which is never good.

 

I am newer to the hobby as well! I have found the bigger the tank the easier it is too look after. I was able to manage my 5 gallon, but it was a lot of work! So I upgraded my betta to a 15 gallon. If you don’t want to go as big as a 20 gallon even a 10 gallon would be much easier and doesn’t take up much space

 

I am newer to the hobby as well! I have found the bigger the tank the easier it is too look after. I was able to manage my 5 gallon, but it was a lot of work! So I upgraded my betta to a 15 gallon. If you don’t want to go as big as a 20 gallon even a 10 gallon would be much easier and doesn’t take up much space

I hear people saying it's easier to maintain a bigger tank. But someone also told me that it's very easy to change the water on a 5 gallon one since it's so small. I'm still having trouble to decide.

 

I hear people saying it's easier to maintain a bigger tank. But someone also told me that it's very easy to change the water on a 5 gallon one since it's so small. I'm still having trouble to decide.

It IS much easier to do water changes on a 5g. But for someone as new as you, bigger is definitely better. A LOT can change in a short amount of time in a smaller tank. That's why a 20g for a nano tank for you is probably best. You can probably get by in a 10g...but I wouldn't go any smaller than that in your case.

When you have more water volume...you have more room for error in water chemistry....aka more time to figure out what's going on...and more time to save your animals.