14 replies to this topic

[ant86]

Hi everyone

lm looking at setting up Nano marine tank using a Resun DMS400 48L, bascially looking to put a few bits of live rock, one bit of coral and one clown fish, just need abit of advice from someone thats maybe set one up before, to see want l need and wether l can get away without needing a protein skimmer, any advice would be awesome as lm pretty noobish with salt water

cheers Ant.

[aquacouple]

I have a resun dms400 with marine. I do have a little skimmer in the back and also filled the back with live rock as a filter. The skimmer barely ever needs emptying, so i think you could get away without one, I have 2 clown fish a blenny, a wrasse and 2 damsels plus lots of corals! So heavily stocked. The only thing with the nano is you have to add water almost very day! I have some extra live rock if you need it aswell!

[Bowdy]

Does your filter section run off the same light as the tank ?

[Neakit]

when using extra live rock as filtration it deosnt neeed light, it can be just as successful in the dark.

as for nano's they are one of the hardest cause they require more time and effort put into them than a larger aquarium, however they are cheaper initially to setup.
The biggest words of advice i can give is research everything you want to put into the aquarium, and Nothing good happens quickly in a marine aquarium.

[Bowdy]

I didn't know it didn't need light that's good to know. I used sponge in the back as that's what it came with. All the live rock in the front.

[ant86]

Yeh lol l have plenty time to study up on this as it will be going in my babies room which is still scattered with boxes. are Amphiprion percula hard to get hold of?

[Neakit]

not really hard, but look into other species as well, eg Amphipirion perideraion or Amphiprion clarkii or Amphiprion melanopus, they are all interesting and cool looking clownfish.
Marroon clowns or Premnas biaculeatus are very agressive although they are stunning.

[ant86]

So how long after having the tank running with just live rock in there would l be able to put a anemone and fish?

[Neakit]

anenome's shouldnt go in for nearly a year. Clowns dont need one to live happily.

As for running the tank bare, i would be checking the cycle every week. Stocking slowly is the best way however with clowns you want to get them as a pair.
I cant give a definitve timeline cause every tank is different. Also if you want an anenome you have to keep reef conditions, so next to no phosphate, aim for zero nitrates etc. If you dont do regular water changes you will also have to check on calcium levels, alkalinity and magnesium levels too.

[Bowdy]

Get yourself a 200L drum and get the water delivered much easier and cheaper then mixing your own. What lighting are you using ?

[ant86]

The resun dms400 comes with in built lights one white one blue 15w but l havnt really looked into that yet. l though mixing your own would be cheaper.

[Bowdy]

No way mixing your own is like twice the price. Getting natural sea water is better and cheaper and easier.

I used the built in 18W compact fluro in my unit and found it not enough.

[pacco]

The lights in the DMS400 will be OK for a few types of low light coral but I wouldn't put an anenome in there. The only types of clownfish I would try would be the skunks or ocellaris/percula - the clarkii/melanopus and maroons are far to large for that size tank.

Cheers
Pacco

[ant86]

Im pretty keen on a percula is there brighter globes that would fit a DMS400 pacco?

[Bowdy]

LED unit that size are super cheap now just upgrade mate.