I don't understand nano tanks. Why not have a normal tank. I see there are some that are 24+ gallons, but many are 5-6 gallons. They are pretty, but only seem useful for a betta. What with the room taken up by the decor, the fish only have maybe 2-3 gallons of space. I don't see filters and I've seen advertisement of just add "water" and low-maintenence. Seems just as bad as putting the fish in a bowl to me.
nano tanks, why?
- Thread starter DepotFish
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flamingonhot
Aquarium Advice FINatic
In most nano tanks fish aren't kept. nano tanks are usually under 25 gallons but I consider anyhting under 10 gallons to be a nano.
Most people just do it because it seems cool to them. Sorry about that bland explanation but you can't really describe it to people...
Most people just do it because it seems cool to them. Sorry about that bland explanation but you can't really describe it to people...
TankGirl
Aquarium Advice Addict
For me, once you have kept very large, large, medium, small tanks, in various configurations, you want to try something new. This is not for everyone.
In my case, I had a small space that I would normally have put a houseplant to bring a living thing to a bare corner, but I saw a friend's small bowl with thriving plants and a single guppy that looked very nice and really appealed to me esthetically. It is a challenge to keep this tank, but I really enjoy it, it is pretty, and the fish is apparently very happy. I tried another very small fish, actually smaller than the guppy, but the fish was obviously not happy and I changed him for the guppy.
He swims around, explores, and takes food off the tip of my finger. His color has improved since I first got him, so I feel comfortable that he is not suffering.
Finding small species of plants and pruning them, keeping them thriving so they filter the tank and provide oxygen is a challenge that I enjoy.
I hope that helps explain it, at least from my POV.
In my case, I had a small space that I would normally have put a houseplant to bring a living thing to a bare corner, but I saw a friend's small bowl with thriving plants and a single guppy that looked very nice and really appealed to me esthetically. It is a challenge to keep this tank, but I really enjoy it, it is pretty, and the fish is apparently very happy. I tried another very small fish, actually smaller than the guppy, but the fish was obviously not happy and I changed him for the guppy.
He swims around, explores, and takes food off the tip of my finger. His color has improved since I first got him, so I feel comfortable that he is not suffering.
Finding small species of plants and pruning them, keeping them thriving so they filter the tank and provide oxygen is a challenge that I enjoy.
I hope that helps explain it, at least from my POV.
flamingonhot
Aquarium Advice FINatic
lol I thought this was for sw.
Kinda the same for fw but the only thing I would ever put in that small of a tank is a betta with at least some filtration
Kinda the same for fw but the only thing I would ever put in that small of a tank is a betta with at least some filtration
Tiffi
Aquarium Advice Addict
Like TG said they can be quite interesting for the advanced aquarist, maybe a nice setup with dwarf shrimp in front of a lush green background, I would find that very appealing.
The problem is just that many newbies think it's a great way to start, it doesn't cost as much money as the bigger ones, is supposed to be easy and if they don't like the hobby they haven't wasted too much money. Most likely they will really quit the hobby, due to many disasters that will probably take place with their nano tanks as beginners.
See in Germany they don't have any nano tanks for beginners, not even really betta bowls. The smallest standart tank you'll find is about 15gal and that's what nearly all people start out with, if not even bigger.
The problem is just that many newbies think it's a great way to start, it doesn't cost as much money as the bigger ones, is supposed to be easy and if they don't like the hobby they haven't wasted too much money. Most likely they will really quit the hobby, due to many disasters that will probably take place with their nano tanks as beginners.
See in Germany they don't have any nano tanks for beginners, not even really betta bowls. The smallest standart tank you'll find is about 15gal and that's what nearly all people start out with, if not even bigger.
megladonsharky
Aquarium Advice Freak
That is what I started with ... one day I will get a larger tank.. but for now my nanos are great
G
Guest
Guest
The nanocube tanks are great, best small tank you can get IMO. When you consider that it comes with excellent fan cooled lighting, great multi-stage filtration, and a very seamless, great looking design they are a steal (i.e. black backround built in, hidden filter, hidden space for heater, hidden cords), especially the 12 gallon size. I used to have one with live plants a one dwarf puffer and it was a really good looking tank that didn't take up a lot of space.
QTOFFER
Aquarium Advice Addict
WhenI think of nano tanks, I think 5 or less gallons FW and 20 or less gallons SW. It's much more difficult to maintain stable water parameters in a smaller tank, and I think it's that challenge that attracts people. Nano tanks are certainly not beginner tanks! Besides, it must be cool to have a reef tank, or a densely planted high-light tank on your desk or in the kitchen.
greenfish
Aquarium Advice FINatic
I would love to do a dwarf puffer planted nano some day. Right now I will have to settle for the 2 tanks I have been "approved" for by the wife. If it were up to me, tanks would be everywhere 
G
Guest
Guest
Is Nano the actual brand of tank? Or is it a description of a small tank?
megladonsharky
Aquarium Advice Freak
Ashley
Both ... for this dicussion I beleive it is smallers tanks ... but there is a brand thet makes tanks called nanos
Both ... for this dicussion I beleive it is smallers tanks ... but there is a brand thet makes tanks called nanos
TankGirl
Aquarium Advice Addict
Right - QTOFFER said it - 5gal or under for FW and 20 or less for SW is considered "nano." It is actually a prefix that means one-billionth of whatever word follows, but it has become a colloquialism for a particularly small version of something.
DepotFish - you are not wrong to object to fish being kept in too-small containers, because this is so grossly unlike what they would experience in the wild. If planned carefully it can be done with particular animals, however. I personally think a betta would be too big for my 2gal bowl, since their bodies are much larger than a guppy and their demands on the water for their health are greater, but bettas have been adapted to live in small containers so they adjust better to it. Like czcz said, I think of them as being more for plants and inverts than fish.
DepotFish - you are not wrong to object to fish being kept in too-small containers, because this is so grossly unlike what they would experience in the wild. If planned carefully it can be done with particular animals, however. I personally think a betta would be too big for my 2gal bowl, since their bodies are much larger than a guppy and their demands on the water for their health are greater, but bettas have been adapted to live in small containers so they adjust better to it. Like czcz said, I think of them as being more for plants and inverts than fish.
nomadofthehills
Aquarium Advice Activist
I don;t think it is right to keep a betta in anything smaller than 2.5gs...
Lonewolfblue
Aquarium Advice Addict
I agree with you. I need tanks all over.
Just got my 2nd tank, and it's completed it's fishless cycle, adding my fish tomorrow. If things go well with my home refinance, will probably get a 75G next.
Just got my 2nd tank, and it's completed it's fishless cycle, adding my fish tomorrow. If things go well with my home refinance, will probably get a 75G next.
TankGirl
Aquarium Advice Addict
Lonewolfblue said:If things go well with my home refinance, will probably get a 75G next.
Now there's someone after my own heart - refinance the mortgage to get more tanks.... *snif* that's beautiful.
Lonewolfblue
Aquarium Advice Addict
Refinance, pay off credit cards, buy tanks with leftover cashout.
Lonewolfblue
Aquarium Advice Addict
G
Guest
Guest
AshleyNicole said:
IMO, a nano tank is just short for the line of tanks put out by JBJ under the name nanocube (i.e. http://www.drsfostersmith.com/produ...&ctt=65&cm_mmc=PPC-_-Yahoo-_-fish-_-nano cube)
Anything else you might just as well call it a fishbowl with a piece of plant sticking out if it, because that a lot more descriptive.
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