I have kept freshwater aquariums all my life and I am looking to jump into saltwater. After months of research, I need to ask some straight up questions that pertain to my specific situation.
I am in college and the next four years will be full of moves and very unpredictable in terms of living space. Also, as a college student, my time and cash are both limited.
I believe (please tell me if I am wrong!) that by getting a 4-8gal nano tank with hardy fish and hardy soft corals, I will be able to make easy moves each school year/summer and reduce my weekly water changes from multiple trips with a 5gal bucket to very simple, small changes and top offs. Depending on where I move, trips with a 5gal bucket could become pretty ridiculous. Also, moving a huge tank and stand each time I move living situations is not something I want to worry about.
My biggest concerns, I believe, would be temperature, vacation and actual moves. My current house temp fluctuates between 68-78 on a daily basis. How badly will this effect things in a nano? Also, how stressful/damaging to the live stock will it be to move the tank every 6 months for the next few years? Is an automatic feeder and having my tanks lights on a timer, enough to keep a nano alive for two weeks in my absence?
My LFS has a 4gal Aqueon Evolve AIO that is flourishing with a small anemone and a clown. It seems to be the cheapest tank that will support soft corals. I was thinking about doing the 8gal version of that tank with:
-Polyps
-A mushroom or two
-One more soft coral
-True Perc
-Randal's Goby
-Hopefully a bubble anemone one day!
Lastly now that you know what I intend to keep, if I am diligent about water levels in the first month or so and I cycle correctly, will water levels continue to be a burden condemning me to constant testing in such a small tank or will things stabilize.
I've seen many of these questions answered, but not with all the added factors added together. Please tell me if you think this is a possibility or if there is a different route I should take.
All advice, constructive criticism etc. is welcomed!
Thanks!!
I am in college and the next four years will be full of moves and very unpredictable in terms of living space. Also, as a college student, my time and cash are both limited.
I believe (please tell me if I am wrong!) that by getting a 4-8gal nano tank with hardy fish and hardy soft corals, I will be able to make easy moves each school year/summer and reduce my weekly water changes from multiple trips with a 5gal bucket to very simple, small changes and top offs. Depending on where I move, trips with a 5gal bucket could become pretty ridiculous. Also, moving a huge tank and stand each time I move living situations is not something I want to worry about.
My biggest concerns, I believe, would be temperature, vacation and actual moves. My current house temp fluctuates between 68-78 on a daily basis. How badly will this effect things in a nano? Also, how stressful/damaging to the live stock will it be to move the tank every 6 months for the next few years? Is an automatic feeder and having my tanks lights on a timer, enough to keep a nano alive for two weeks in my absence?
My LFS has a 4gal Aqueon Evolve AIO that is flourishing with a small anemone and a clown. It seems to be the cheapest tank that will support soft corals. I was thinking about doing the 8gal version of that tank with:
-Polyps
-A mushroom or two
-One more soft coral
-True Perc
-Randal's Goby
-Hopefully a bubble anemone one day!
Lastly now that you know what I intend to keep, if I am diligent about water levels in the first month or so and I cycle correctly, will water levels continue to be a burden condemning me to constant testing in such a small tank or will things stabilize.
I've seen many of these questions answered, but not with all the added factors added together. Please tell me if you think this is a possibility or if there is a different route I should take.
All advice, constructive criticism etc. is welcomed!
Thanks!!