In need of some nano advice...

[labrown]

I have been putting together an 8 gal biocube for my brother for Christmas, and we are going to move it over to his place on Monday. We have been doing 1 gallon water changes every week to 10 days and the parameters have stayed pretty stable. We bought him a test kit and I think he will be able to maintain the system easily. My question is this: does anyone have and words of advice I should send along with him? I worked to make the system as self-sustainable as possible (added a hydor-flo, replaced bio-balls with LR rubble and chaeto, 8.5 lbs liverock). I threw in some mushrooms. zoas, and a piece of colt coral since they are real easy to keep. Right now there are 3 sexy shrimp and a harlequin in the tank, plus 2 scarlet hermits and 5 mini nassarius snails, a cerith snail or two and a small turbo. I also bought him a GC to RCA to sustain his first splurge into the hobby. Anyone have some general pointers for a newbie? Any fish suggestions? Any other modifications proven successful on a biocube? Anyone dose anything special in their nanos?

[tony]

best advice from me would be dont dose for anything you didnt test for and dont overfeed

[bexarhunt]

When I had that 8 gal and with my current 14 gal, I would dose according to directions with Kent Marine Nano part A and B EVERYTIME I did a water change (which was pretty often) and it helped keep my PH in check. Because of my frequent water changes, I found this to work well in getting things as close as possible to where they were before the water changes.

[labrown]

Anyone else? Help please??

[gjuarez]

Have him create an account here, these guys were very helpful when i first started. Small tanks could at some times more difficult to upkeep than larger tanks. The best way to keep up with stable parameters is with frequent water changes. Water changes will also replenish the trace elements. Dont overstock. As far as fish, perhaps a small blenny or goby would work.