We will answer the question of what is a nano aquarium once and for all. Just exactly what constitutes a nano aquarium has been a moving target. Over the last few years, the term nano has evolved to include larger and larger aquariums.
Nano aquariums are tanks with a water volume of approximately 30 gallons and smaller. They host smaller inhabitants, including fish, invertebrates, rocks, plants, and/or coral. Nano aquariums are designed to be installed on small stands, tables, or desks. They are especially well suited for smaller rooms, office cubicles, and other areas where space is at a premium.
The industry has no true consensus about what’s a nano aquarium. However, if you look at what modern aquarium manufacturers are marketing as nano tanks, you can get a good sense of what is becoming recognized as a true nano aquarium. I think the best definition of a nano tank is as follows.
Nano Aquarium
Tanks come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes, and there are pros and cons to each configuration. These tanks also can be used for freshwater or saltwater, fish only, shrimp only, invertebrates, mixed inhabitants, and corals – just to get started.
If you want to know more about the available sizes and shapes of nano tanks, check out our post.
At nanoreefadviser.com, we focus on nano reef aquariums. A nano reef aquarium is a saltwater nano tank with reef animals such as corals, clams, starfish, fish, and other invertebrates.
Please continue reading if you want to know more about nano aquariums and some related questions.
Nano cube aquariums
A nano cube aquarium is symmetrical. Essentially a glass box with six equal squares. The cube has four glass walls and a glass bottom with an open top. Many come with a lid or a mesh screen to help keep fish from jumping out of the tank.
Cube-shaped nano tanks are some of the most popular nano aquariums. Cube tanks are sophisticated and modern looking and fit into minimal areas when required to do so.
Nano cube aquariums can be found as small as 10 gallons and as large as 33 gallons (technically outside the nano range.) There are also cuboid (nearly-cube) tanks that are not quite perfect cubes. These cuboid aquariums are often marketed as cube tanks.
While the clean cube look has some serious aesthetic advantages – especially in rimless tanks, there are also some disadvantages. (A rimless tank is an aquarium with no enclosed top or lid and nothing but glass edges at the uppermost edge of the aquarium walls.) I have a post on rimless tanks that shows the wide variety of options available here.
The biggest disadvantage to the cube shape is that, for the volume of water in the tank, there is a limited surface of the water for gas exchange. A rectangular-shaped aquarium (think short and wide) would expose more of the water surface to air than a nano cube. This is true even if both tanks have the same water volume.
The gas exchange (absorption of oxygen and release of carbon dioxide) at the water surface is critical. This gas exchange will be better in the rectangular tank – which would likely support more livestock.
Also, some fish species need more area for swimming. A shorter and wider rectangular tank will allow more left-to-right movement capability vs. the cube shape. Cubes are best for fish that keep to limited areas of the tank. Fish like those that glide like rock dwellers and those that ‘hover’ in one area at a time.
Nano saltwater aquariums
A nano saltwater aquarium, also called a nano marine aquarium or nano saltwater tank is an aquarium setup geared toward housing saltwater fishes. All of these terms are essentially interchangeable.
A saltwater aquarium is essentially creating an ocean environment in your own home. It is for housing fish from the ocean – and may also contain live rock from the ocean as well. Saltwater aquariums with fish and live rock are called FOWLR (pronounced ‘fow-ler’) tanks. FOWLR stands for fish only – with live rocks.
Nano saltwater aquariums are different than Nano freshwater aquariums. Nano saltwater aquariums won’t normally have plants, and of course, all of the fish are saltwater fish instead of freshwater fish. Saltwater aquariums usually have live rock and often live sand as a substrate.
Freshwater aquariums frequently have aquascapes that include gravel substrates, rock, wood limbs, and a variety of plant life.
What is a nano reef aquarium?
A nano reef aquarium is a saltwater aquarium with reef creatures, live rock, and coral. The reef creatures typically include some combination of fish, starfish, sea urchins, crabs, snails, feather duster worms, and many more.
Tank size is a limiting factor for the size and amount of livestock you can safely – and humanely have in a nano reef aquarium. Buy your livestock based on their adult sizes. It is the best way to ensure you treat your new pets as family members.
Unfortunately, this significantly limits your number and type of inhabitants.
Therefore, many aquarists buy juvenile-size fish with the anticipation that they will buy a larger aquarium or are willing to turn fish into their local fish store when they outgrow the tank. This can be a dangerous proposition because some fish need more space to roam regardless of size, and putting these particular fish into a minimal area can be considered cruel.
Read my post here on how to create a low-maintenance nano reef tank – the easy way.
Saltwater reef tanks are beautiful because the bright saltwater fishes and corals provide striking colors and endless appearance diversity.
Nano reef aquarium equipment
Your nano reef tank will likely have lighting and filtration equipment. The lighting for reef aquariums is more demanding than a fish-only or FOWLR tank. This is due to the requirements of the corals included in reef aquariums.
The best lighting options will likely be LEDs due to their small form factor and reduced heat buildup. Many modern nano tank models come with LED lighting included. These setups are especially beneficial for beginners in the hobby or those looking to control costs.
The mechanical filtration may be as simple as a hang-on-the-back mechanical filter with filter floss. If your nano reef aquarium is small enough, the mechanical filtration may provide all of the water movement necessary for the tank.
In addition to mechanical filtration, reef aquariums rely on biological filtration. The substrate and rocks in a reef tank will house the beneficial bacteria that manage the tank’s nitrogen cycle.
Avoid equipment mistakes!
Larger nano aquariums are more likely to have a sump in addition to the main display tank. The value of the additional water volume contained in the sump includes the following:
- More water helps make the environment more stable and less prone to fluctuations in water parameters.
- Improves gas exchange with improved aeration during movement between the sump and the main display tank.
A sump also provides a place to house filtration equipment and other devices out of sight instead of hanging off the tank’s back or side.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nano Saltwater Reef Tanks
Q: What is a nano saltwater reef tank?
A: A nano saltwater reef tank is a small-sized aquarium that typically holds less than 30 gallons of water and is specifically designed to create a miniature ecosystem of corals and other marine life.
Q: What are the benefits of having a nano saltwater reef tank?
A: Nano saltwater reef tanks are an excellent way to experience the beauty and diversity of marine life on a smaller scale. They can be easier to maintain and require less space and equipment than larger aquariums. They also offer a unique challenge for experienced aquarium hobbyists.
Q: What are some popular species for nano saltwater reef tanks?
A: Popular species for nano saltwater reef tanks include soft corals, hard corals, anemones, shrimp, crabs, snails, and small fish like clownfish and gobies.
Q: What equipment do I need for a nano saltwater reef tank?
A: You will need a tank, a filter, a heater, a protein skimmer, lighting, and a powerhead for water circulation. A thermometer and a refractometer to measure salinity are also recommended.
Q: What should I consider when setting up my nano saltwater reef tank?
A: You should consider the size and placement of your tank, the type of substrate and rocks you want to use, the lighting and filtration system you need, and the types of marine life you want to keep.
Q: What kind of maintenance does a nano saltwater reef tank require?
A: Regular maintenance is necessary to keep your nano saltwater reef tank healthy. This includes water changes, testing water parameters, cleaning the tank, and monitoring the health of your marine life.
Q: How often do I need to do water changes?
A: Water changes should be done at least once a week, but the frequency will depend on the size of your tank, the number and size of the marine life you have, and the quality of your water.
Q: Can I keep coral in a nano saltwater reef tank?
A: You can keep coral in a nano saltwater reef tank. However, you must have the appropriate lighting and water parameters to support their growth.
Q: How do I control algae growth in my nano saltwater reef tank?
A: To control algae growth, limit the amount of light your tank receives, reduce the amount of food you feed your marine life, and use algae-eating marine life like snails and hermit crabs.
Check out our guide Best Clean up Crew for a Reef Tank.
Q: Can I add more marine life to my nano saltwater reef tank over time?
A: Yes, you can add more marine life to your nano saltwater reef tank over time, but you need to do so slowly and carefully to avoid disrupting the delicate balance of your tank. Always research the specific needs of any new marine life before adding them to your tank.
Summary:
A nano aquarium is a tank of approximately 30 gallons and smaller. These tanks will host smaller inhabitants, including fish, invertebrates, rocks, plants, and/or coral. This is due to the reduced water volume and free swimming space in nano aquariums.
Nano aquariums are designed to be installed on small stands, tables, or desks. They are especially well suited for smaller rooms, office cubicles, and other areas where space is a premium.
They come in various shapes and sizes and should be selected based on your vision for fresh or saltwater. The type of inhabitants you plan on adding to your nano-environment will also determine what tank to purchase.
Please read the important information in my article to learn more about the impact of your nano tank’s size and shape.
Nano aquariums, toward the larger size, often are available with separate sumps where you can place filtration equipment and other devices out of view. These sumps also benefit the nano-environment by stabilizing water parameters and improving the water’s oxygenation.