Space can be a problem in the aquarium hobby, but nano tanks offer a solution. They pack all the intrigue of a larger aquarium in a smaller – much smaller – tank.
While nano tanks hold unique appeal, maintaining them properly is a challenge in and of itself. It can be difficult to maintain balance in a smaller tank. In traditional aquariums, minute changes in water quality or chemistry are diluted by a larger volume of water. In a nano tank setup, however, one wrong move can lead to deadly consequences.
Before committing to a nano fish aquarium, it’s wise to learn the basics about proper setup and familiarize yourself with the challenges you’re likely to encounter. Only when you’re properly educated and prepared can you be successful in keeping nano fish safe and healthy.
What You’re Going to Need
The easiest way to achieve a nano tank setup is to purchase a kit. Unfortunately, the easiest way isn’t always the correct way – or even the most successful way.
In many cases, nano fish aquarium kits are sold with bare-bones equipment. Things like heaters and filters may be appropriately sized for the tank itself, but they might not be appropriate for your desired setup. This is often the case with lighting. If you’re planning a planted nano tank setup, you’ll need to purchase a nano kit designed for that purpose or buy your own lighting.
If you intend to create a planted tank setup and prefer to buy an all-inclusive kit, consider purchasing a marine nano kit. These tend to include higher-quality lighting and filtration.
Experienced aquarium hobbyists breaking into the nano tank space may prefer to purchase the components separately. Aquariums under 30 gallons in volume tend to be inexpensive and you can purchase lighting, filtration, and heating components that work for your purposes.
Setup and Maintenance
When it comes to a nano tank setup, filtration is key. Water quality can change rapidly in a smaller tank, so a high-quality filter is essential for maintaining stable tank conditions. Choose a model that offers three-stage filtration. You may even want to consider a supplemental form of biological filtration such as a small sponge filter.
Heating a nano tank is simple enough with a submersible aquarium heater. While it’s generally a good idea to size up when selecting a heater for a larger tank, you run the risk of overheating a nano tank with a heater that is too large. For nano tanks 10 gallons and smaller, a preset submersible heater may be sufficient. For tanks over 10 gallons, you may want to consider a heater with an adjustable thermostat.
When choosing the lighting for your nano tank, the most important factor to consider is whether you’ll be using live plants. Lighting is largely cosmetic for fish-only tanks but planted tanks require full-spectrum lighting. It’s worth investing in an adjustable LED fixture.
Once you’ve assembled your equipment and the tank itself, the last element of setup is choosing where to place your nano tank. Small tanks are more likely to be affected by drafts and direct sunlight than larger tanks. Be sure to place the tank on a level, supportive stand as well. Even a 10-gallon nano tank is heavier than you might expect when full of water and decorations.
When your nano tank setup is complete, maintenance becomes the key concern. Weekly water changes are a must and it’s wise to test your water every few days. Siphon detritus from the bottom of the tank with each water change to control the buildup of organic waste. When refilling the tank, take care to match the water temperature or use a siphon to add the conditioned water slowly.
Stocking Your Nano Fish Aquarium
After setting up your nano fish tank, it will take time for conditions to stabilize and for a healthy colony of nitrifying bacteria to form. It’s imperative that you avoid adding fish or invertebrates to your tank before it has fully cycled. While your tank is cycling, it’s an ideal time to add your aquarium plants.
When selecting plants for a planted nano tank, think about the full image you want to create. Carpet plants are a great option for nano tanks, but you can still use stem plants if you trim them as needed.
Once your tank has cycled, the next step is to stock your tank. A nano fish aquarium is a perfect environment for small schooling or shoaling species like tetras, rasboras, barbs, and danios. When stocking a nano tank, it’s generally best to go with either a small school or one or two showcase fish. Your tank size and setup should inform your decision.
Don’t forget to include bottom dwellers to clean up after your other fish and keep algae under control. Dwarf Corydoras, Otocinclus catfish, and freshwater shrimp work well in nano tanks.
Anticipating and Overcoming Challenges
The biggest mistake aquarium hobbyists make with nano fish tanks is assuming they’re easy to maintain. Their size makes them perfect as desktop or bookshelf aquariums, but maintaining stable conditions in a small tank is more difficult than in a large tank. If you don’t have the time to dedicate to frequent maintenance and monitoring, a nano tank might not be the best choice.
Establish healthy maintenance habits early. If you set a maintenance routine from the start and keep up with it, you’re less likely to find yourself dealing with crises down the line. Make it a weekly habit to test your tank water, siphon the bottom of the tank, and change 20% of the water volume.
When it comes to maintaining stability in your tank, it’s the simplest things that make the biggest difference. Don’t overfeed your fish. Use the highest quality foods you can afford and feed them sparingly. Observe your fish as they’re feeding to get a feel for how quickly they eat and then decide if it’s better to feed once a day or several smaller portions throughout the day. When using larger foods like algae wafers, remove any uneaten portions after an hour in the tank.
You don’t have to be an aquarium expert to successfully keep a nano tank. Inexperience can be overcome with research and observation. Research the fish species you’re stocking the tank with before you buy to make sure they’re an appropriate choice for the setup. Keep a log of maintenance tasks and water tests. The more you pay attention to your tank and how it’s running, the sooner you’ll notice developing problems and you’ll be able to resolve them before they get out of control. Another good tip to follow is to buy good quality products for your nano aquarium. Shrimpy Business can help with this, as it offers a wide variety of nano fish, aquarium plants, and freshwater crabs and snails.
Any aquarium is a closed ecosystem but the ecosystem in a nano tank is especially delicate. Keeping your tank inhabitants happy and healthy will be an ongoing challenge but, if you’re up to it, the result and the experience can be incredibly rewarding.