First Nano, need advice!

[Mano]

Hi all.
I'm new to marine tanks and am planning my first nano tank. At first I had planned a small 5 gallon for one fish and a small star, but the more research I did, the less and less it looked like this plan would work. So I'm staring back over.

Currently I'm planning a 10 gallon tank, I have been reading all the information I can get ahold of about how to keep a nano tank healthy. I'm going to list supplies I currently have (having purchased for my 5 gallon) and adding in planned upgrades.

5 pounds of marine sand, planning to add 5 pounds of coral rubble
4-5 pounds of live rock, planning on adding an additional 5-6 pounds
Heater
Powerhead, planning on adding a second
Nano protein skimmer
I am not planning to keep any corals.

I've heard much debate on just how much live rock per gallon to use in a Nano. I've currently got some very nice super-light Fiji LR which is very red/purple all over, looking at finding some more slightly cheaper, as it is I ended up paying $12.99 a pound for half of it. I've heard that filling roughly 1/3rd of the tank is a better reference than the 1 to 1.5 pounds per gallon. Any opinions on this?

I am still a long ways off from fish, but I'm trying to plan ahead. I would like to do a pairing of a Shrimp Goby and a Pistol Shrimp, I am leaning most towards Dracula, though I also like Yellow Watchmn. Anyone have any expereince with which of these fish are hardiest?
I know both of these fish are pretty well burrow dwellers, so I am wanting to include a Yellow Clown Goby in the tank, as I have read they are easy to feed and are very social. I would like a pair of them, but I am not sure if three fish and a shrimp would be pushing my luck in a tank this size.

I know this is a lot of text and several questions all thrown out at once. I appreicate any help and info you all can offer! Thank you muchly!

[pat8you]

Sounds like you are well on your way so far. welcome to the site by the way. Probably a good call to go with the bigger 10 gal tank.

As far as the amount of live rock, 1-1.5 lbs/gal is just a place to start. some people go higher and some go lower. In a nano tank i would probably go on the higher end just because this will end up being your main source of filtration in the tank. Just something to watch out for that was a problem i discovered after i started my nano was that you should try and place your rock far enough from the glass that you can fit your hand or a scraper between. I have spots where there is not enough room and i can't keep my glass clean there. Just bothers me the way it looks.

Can't comment on the goby since i've never had either of those kind but i do know that both the goby and shrimp if you get one will move around a lot of sand so make sure that you put your live rock on the bottom of the tank and then the sand around it. This will make sure that they can't dig out under a rock and cause it to collapse. Three fish in the tank might be pushing it a bit. It may be that after the tank has been established for a good while it will be able to handle it. Depends on how good your nano skimmer work and how often you do your water changes. Just make sure you take it real slow once you start adding fish. I have a green clown goby and i love the little guy.

[Mano]

I've been planning on going very slow, read too many horror stories about people who jumped in and messed up big time!

I've been planning on adding the shrimp/goby pair first, as I hear it's important they be able to develop a den before another fish tries to claim an area.

I thought three might be pushing it, I've read that a single yellow clown goby can be entertaining enough on his own, so I have a feeling I'll be pleased.

Thanks for the welcome and the info!

[HoCkEyGmC]

Originally Posted by Mano

Hi all.
I'm new to marine tanks and am planning my first nano tank. At first I had planned a small 5 gallon for one fish and a small star, but the more research I did, the less and less it looked like this plan would work. So I'm staring back over.

Currently I'm planning a 10 gallon tank, I have been reading all the information I can get ahold of about how to keep a nano tank healthy. I'm going to list supplies I currently have (having purchased for my 5 gallon) and adding in planned upgrades.

5 pounds of marine sand, planning to add 5 pounds of coral rubble
4-5 pounds of live rock, planning on adding an additional 5-6 pounds
Heater
Powerhead, planning on adding a second
Nano protein skimmer
I am not planning to keep any corals.

I've heard much debate on just how much live rock per gallon to use in a Nano. I've currently got some very nice super-light Fiji LR which is very red/purple all over, looking at finding some more slightly cheaper, as it is I ended up paying $12.99 a pound for half of it. I've heard that filling roughly 1/3rd of the tank is a better reference than the 1 to 1.5 pounds per gallon. Any opinions on this?

I am still a long ways off from fish, but I'm trying to plan ahead. I would like to do a pairing of a Shrimp Goby and a Pistol Shrimp, I am leaning most towards Dracula, though I also like Yellow Watchmn. Anyone have any expereince with which of these fish are hardiest?
I know both of these fish are pretty well burrow dwellers, so I am wanting to include a Yellow Clown Goby in the tank, as I have read they are easy to feed and are very social. I would like a pair of them, but I am not sure if three fish and a shrimp would be pushing my luck in a tank this size.

I know this is a lot of text and several questions all thrown out at once. I appreicate any help and info you all can offer! Thank you muchly!

bigger is better with saltwater for beginners. go for as big as you can afford. much better for beginners, just sayn. also it is best to have 1.5-2 pounds a gallon for LR. but now i would suggest base rock instead to save a ton of money and it will become live eventually. if you like the dracula be prepaird to lay down some cash like over 100 bucks i believe. yellow watchmen would be fine. i'd stay with two fish in the 10gal, the clown goby will be fine as well. so the yellow watchman and the yellow (or other colored) clown goby and a pistol shrimp.

[pat8you]

I've been planning on going very slow, read too many horror stories about people who jumped in and messed up big time!

Glad to hear. Taking it slow and a little reading seem to be the biggest key to success imo. Your already ahead of the curve.

both the goby/shrimp pair and clown goby are docile fish. Should not be any problems with aggression or overlapping territories. You will just have to wait it out and see how the tank does to make a judgment call if three will be to much or not. Opinions swing all over the board on the issue of bioload. Some people keep it very light and others go heavier and do more water changes and large sump/fuge systems to make up for it. Just depends on the hobbiest and tank set up. You may be a little more limited since you don't have a sump.