New to the Forum

[DustinWayman]

Hey everyone, just wanted to say hello. I am new to the forum and actually new to the saltwater tanks, i have had tropical tanks all my life, though. Right now, I am actually setting up an 18g tall nano-reef and hope to have good luck with it. I am here to learn as much as possible about these beautiful tanks.

Have a good one,
~Dustin Wayman

[Sherri]

Welcome Dustin...you came to the right place! :-D

[Chris]

Hey Dustin.... welcome to the group! 8)

[DustinWayman]

Thank you all so much! I just started getting together lighting things and all and I must say i am so happy to be beginning this tank. One question I do have is how much rock should I buy? its the same demensions as a 10g, but taller and i am not sure if i should go with 18 pounds, 10 pounds, or go for more. With those deminsions I am clueless.

Thanks again everyone!
~Dustin Wayman

[DeletedAccount]

Welcome to MAAST, Dustin! We would all love to hear any plans that you have for your nano. Everyone would more than likely have a little input. Among us, we have made all the mistakes: buying stuff only to find out 3 months later we just wasted our money, placing incompatibles in the tank, everything!

[Ed]

Hi Dustin,

Welcome! You will probably get lots of opinions on how much rock you need. 1/2 to 1lb per gallon is a common guesstimate. I recommend that you think about what shape or scene you want to create and choose your rock accordingly. This in retrospect seems to me a better solution than just getting X number of pounds. You should also seek input from Mike (technoshaman) as he keeps at least one Nano, and always has good advice.

You have already started well by researching things and asking questions. Best of luck with your new tank.

-Ed

[Henry]

Welcome Dustin,
I too am starting a nano, but mine is a ten gallon and plan to put about #20 of live rock. Plan to have it stacked all along to back of the tank. As previously mentioned, plan how you want it to look as well as what you plan to keep. and ask tons of questions.

Henry

[Janice]

Hey Dustin! Glad you found your way here. :-D ;)

[MikeP]

Hi Dustin, glad you could join us. I happen to have a few tanks that could be classified as 'nano' reefs - an 18 gallon mixed reef , a 10 gallon tank with jawfish and a few leathers and a 7 gallon bowfront with just a coral banded shrimp (he won't play nice anywhere else - may have to trade him in).

If you are putting rock in your tank that size I'd set it against the back wall. The standard 'pile of rocks' is kind of ugly IMO if you look around at places that let you pick your LR you can get some interesting shapes and make all sorts of caves and ledges. Making it too complicated can have it's issues too - I have had a few frags come loose, go into rockwork to either never be seen again or pop up on other side of tank months later. In my 46 I have rock piled in the center with lots of caves and the back between it and glass is totally open. I have water that flows completely around the rockwork and I like this since you don't have dead spots back against the glass. If you want to see how I aquascaped my 18 gallon check out the members section I have a few pics of it.

-Mike

[DustinWayman]

Thanks everyone I really appreciate your help! mike, your tank is great! Now if I could get some sand and rocks around here for a decent price! anyone know anyone selling?

Thanks again!
~Dustin Wayman