| Most aquarists are dictated to by circumstance. | | | | world more within the reach of the aquarist with a |
| There is a really big aquarium, at a really good price, | | | | restricted financial ability. |
| but one rather definite problem, and that is there's | | | | There are aquarists who run a larger reef aquarium |
| nowhere to put it. So a smaller aquarium is chosen, | | | | and also run a fish only one as well. This is probably |
| but not by choice. However, even in the described | | | | the best of both worlds. Then there are the |
| circumstances, a smaller aquarium could be the one | | | | aquarists, usually advanced, who run a larger aquarium |
| of choice. | | | | of whatever type and also run a nano aquarium, |
| Most aquarists dream big, visualizing that final | | | | sometimes two, so that particular aspects of marine |
| aquarium that will bring the ultimate reef. In most | | | | life can be studied. |
| cases, it never materializes. Some are lucky of | | | | So what are the advantages of a nano aquarium? |
| course. There are some beautiful big reefs about. | | | | The term nano is applied to an aquarium up to 50 |
| There are also some beautiful small reefs about, but | | | | gallons. The nano can start at a size of 10 gallons or |
| the beauty is not 'in the face'. It is in the detail. | | | | slightly less. So it becomes pretty obvious that the |
| There is one aquarium type where, I would imagine, | | | | set up costs are minimized. In the fish only nano, |
| bigger is usually best. That is the fish only aquarium. | | | | there is the cost of the fish, of course, and the |
| When an aquarium system is considered, between | | | | seawater mix, and any sand base that might be |
| reef and fish only, if say angels and butterfly fish are | | | | used, and the heating/lighting. Plus any ordinary rock |
| to be kept, then fish only is the choice. Some angel | | | | which is required. If 'live' rock and one or two small |
| and butterfly fish are said to be reef friendly, but | | | | corals are incorporated then the cost will rise but not |
| many are not. The aquarist with a big fish only | | | | significantly. So the demand on the wallet is not going |
| aquarium will have a lot of choice of fish, with all the | | | | to be high. Running costs are low. Water changes will |
| colour and interest that goes with them. If the | | | | not amount to many gallons and are effective, if |
| aquarium was smaller, then fish loading would have to | | | | done weekly, to maintain water quality. If there is a |
| be reduced. This does not mean to say that a fish | | | | calcium etc requirement then commercial additives |
| only small aquarium is a waste of time, it is not. In | | | | should last a long time. There should be no |
| this case, though, the choice of fish is limited, in size | | | | requirement for expensive add-on equipment. If |
| and territoriality. For example, it would be wrong to | | | | desired nano aquariums can be purchased ready for |
| house a surgeon fish in a nano aquarium. | | | | use at reasonable prices in designs that fit into the |
| Small aquariums such as the nano should house fish | | | | modern house well. There are potential problems |
| of appropriate size. Perhaps the common clownfish | | | | though. If the aquarist overstocks then water quality |
| (Amphiprion oscellaris) would be suitable, or other | | | | is going to suffer. The small seawater gallonage is |
| small fish such as the Neon goby (Elacatinus | | | | subject to negative change, maybe caused by the |
| oceanops) and similar. In the larger nano aquarium, | | | | aquarist (overfeeding, overdosing), or caused by |
| fish such as dwarf angels (Centropyge sp) could be | | | | external influences (overheating). So the nano |
| suitable. Stocking levels have to be a disciplined affair | | | | aquarist has to be extra vigilant on water |
| with the very small nano aquariums, and not | | | | parameters. |
| excessive with the larger ones. The fish only | | | | What of aquariums that are over 50 gallons in |
| aquarium of whatever size has the advantage that, | | | | capacity? The bigger they get, the more money is |
| although water quality is important, there is no great | | | | going to be needed. The cost of a fairly large |
| need to worry about calcium and the like, the need | | | | aquarium, when furnished with 'live' rock, sand bed, |
| being to keep nitrates and phosphates as low as | | | | protein skimmer, corals and fish can run into |
| possible. So if the desire is to have a good number of | | | | thousands. Not cheap. Likewise the fish only system. |
| exotic fish which may not be reef friendly, a larger | | | | The large amount of seawater required, any 'live' |
| aquarium will do. If the idea is to have one or two | | | | rock used, a protein skimmer, sand bed etc plus all |
| small fish then a nano will be fine. Both types will | | | | the fish again is a significant cost. Larger aquariums |
| need suitable decoration for the fish to feel secure. | | | | can also be purchased ready for use. The cost of |
| If the aquarist yearns for a reef tank, and wants to | | | | these is very high. Against that, the larger aquariums |
| emulate as close as possible the corals of the reef in | | | | are more naturally stable. The aquarist needs to |
| quantity then a larger aquarium is going to be | | | | make a major blunder to badly overdose the |
| required. The fish stocks have to be controlled as | | | | aquarium. Feeding likewise, though the larger numbers |
| reef unfriendly fish are not required, and too many | | | | of fish in a fish only aquarium plus overfeeding could |
| fish will tend to depress the water quality despite | | | | spell trouble. External influences can cause problems |
| modern equipment. The aquascaping of the reef is | | | | with overheating, the larger aquarium does not |
| fun, and the aquarist will, with care and attention, | | | | escape this. Halide lighting and warmer weather will |
| achieve a beautiful reef. The reef will never properly | | | | cause a temperature rise. However, the temperature |
| emulate nature's own, of course. There is a lack of | | | | rise will occur more slowly because of the higher |
| size, a lack of diversity, and reef unfriendly fish are | | | | volume of water. Generally, as the aquarium is larger |
| missing. | | | | it is usually easier, more practical, and financially more |
| Then there is the aquarist who is very interested in | | | | acceptable to take action to control temperature rise |
| detail. They do not want a big reef, but a very small | | | | with fans or, if really necessary, a cooler (chiller). By |
| section of a reef so the detail of the development of | | | | this it is meant that fixing cooling apparatus to a |
| the life on a rock or two can be watched in | | | | larger aquarium is easier than doing so with a very |
| particular. Or perhaps the antics of two small fish are | | | | small nano aquarium, and the high cost of a seawater |
| the attraction. Here the nano will be suitable, as a 'live' | | | | cooler is more acceptable on a very expensive |
| rock or two of suitable size will be all that is required. | | | | aquarium. It can be done with a nano, of course, and |
| Then the aquarist can stock a coral or two, plus | | | | for the sake of the life in the aquarium stable |
| perhaps a suitable shrimp, or go for a fish or two. It | | | | parameters are needed. |
| is most probable that the aquarists who deliberately | | | | So, it's 'horses for courses' as they say. We each |
| choose a nano tank when there is room for | | | | have our own ideas and we know our financial |
| something larger are few. | | | | capabilities. Whatever the choice, marine life is |
| Again as said, most aquarist's vision is of the big one. | | | | fascinating. |
| The nano aquarium also brings the fascinating marine | | | | |