The nano tips thread...

[MiamiAG]

Those of you that have experience with nanos, lets create a thread with some tips for those that are new to them! Share your experiences!

So, lets hear them. What tips would you give to someone who just set up a nano?

[JanS]

*When choosing your lighting, try to find something with a replaceable bulb.

*Remember that tiny amounts of water are much less forgiving if you don't keep up on the maintenance, or mis-dose something.

*Place it in a spot out of household traffic. The light weight makes it much easier to tip over if it gets bumped.

*Keep it away from heat sources and direct sun since the temp can rise very quickly with such a small amount of water, and be detrimental to your plants/livestock.

[Praxx42]

Invest in a big bottle of Excel.

[Gomer]

make sure that it isn't soo small that you cant get inside to clean it LOL.

..make sure that if someone is going to top-off your open top nano, that they know to not use a bottle that looks like it is water (*cough*excel*cough*).

Stability is important. No sunlight, and daily vs weekly dosing. bi weekly water changes also a good idea.

[fishmaster#1]

I am going to sound like a jerk here, but oh well.
Don't try putting a big fish in a small tank. Ex. oscar in a 2 gallon
Don't try putting alot of little fish in a small tank. Ex. 100 neons in a 2 gallon
Use only one small mated pair of fish in a nano.
Do small water changes more often. 10% at a time is good bi-weekly
Make sure you have at least one scavenger/cleaner if possible.
Small tanks can be AWSOME if you stay on them. Never let a nano get dirty.

[gnome]

Originally Posted by JanS

*When choosing your lighting, try to find something with a replaceable bulb.

Hear-hear .

I also want to add something that is going to make *me* sound like a jerk...

It is absolutely NOT necessary to blast a tiny tank with so much light that the fish get blinded and burned. For example, if you're setting up a 2.5-gallon standard-sized tank, the All-Glass 8W fluorescent strip light that's made just for this tank is AMPLE lighting. I don't know how people are using those 18W Mini Aqualights on these tanks and not ending up with all sorts of problems, but 8W N-O fluorescent will get the job done.

Also, choose plants *wisely.* You may want one or two small stands of fast-growers (e.g. Micranthemum umbrosum, Mayaca fluviatilis, Micranthmum sp.) if you fertilize on the moderate to heavy side, but it should be planted primarily with small and/or slow-growing species. HC, Downoi, Ammannia sp. 'bonsai', and moneywort come to mind. Dwarf lobelia will work if it's frequently topped and replanted.

-Naomi

[ancystrus]

Be careful, can be contagious.
To maintain nanos is good because different landscapes in little space can be created.
I have written I articulate on tips for built nanos but this in Spanish :/
I try to translate this to english. Be patient to me please.
If you wish and if you undestand spanish, you can read this here
http://www.ancystrus.com.ar/Articulo...ar_un_nano.htm
best regards.

[turbomkt]

Not perfect, but babelfish and google's translators do an acceptable job. Here.