First Nano Tank

[princer7]

I decided to bite the bullet and get my first nano. I have been keeping freshwater so far but am really interested in setting this up as a reef tank. I purchased an Oceanic Biocube online here:

http://www.livehermitcrabs.com/ocean...besize-30.html

Total cost shipped was $187.45. I have not ordered with them before so I'm crossing my fingers it arrives propmtly and safely.

Is there any modding that should be done right away? How long between setup and adding the first critter?

[erikharrison]

nanotuners.com, lighting and filtration would be your mods!

[jrnannery]

I have the 4 pc mod, pumping 144 watts into the tank, if I am right that the PCs are 36w each. Anyway, it is bright enough to keep several types of Montipora, Zoas, shrooms, etc. All are happy, and flourish, at least in my tank.

The in-the-tank skimmer I have, and will sell, if you want one.

[hanknmorgan]

The nanotuners site has some cool mods for sure. You can however save some bucks by doing it yourself if you are fairly handy. If you want to keep the stock hood on the tank, their PC upgrades are very nice. If you dont mind ditching the top, then MH is a great option. They have some MH in the hood setups, but I am a bit skeptical of cooling on a setup like that.

A lot of people upgrade the pumps on the all in one cubes and fuge mods in the back chambers are fairly popular to keep macro algae and stuff. You can keep alot of stuff completely stock, but mods are fun.

check out nano-reef.com
Tons of info there. Welcome and good luck.

[princer7]

The Biocube ended up not being in stock so I ended up going with the Aquapod with the 150w MH light. Going to have to think more about the mods.

What kind of fuge mods? Is it better to get a refugium to hang on the back and have a protien skimmer in the refugium vs PS in the Aquapod?