Tank Maintenance for Saltwater Nano Fish

Nano tanks are small aquariums, usually between 5 and 30 gallons. These small tanks are perfect for use in offices and locations with limited room. Although several decades ago such small saltwater tanks would be impossible to keep healthy, there have been many advances in aquaculture and changes in focus from fish only tanks to small marine reefs, which do not produce the toxin load that fish laden tanks do. Still, increased janitorial diligence is required to properly maintain a small saltwater tank.

Things You'll Need

  • Thermometer
  • Acrylic-safe scrubber
  • Magnetic scraper
  • Saltwater testing kit
  • Hygrometer
  • Bucket
  • Sea salt
  • Distilled water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check the temperature using a thermometer at least twice a day.

    • 2

      Wipe clean the outside of the tank with an acrylic safe sponge daily.

    • 3

      Use magnetic scrapers to clean the algae off the inside of the tank every other day.

    • 4

      Test the water chemistry twice a week using the saltwater test kit. For a reef tank, ideal parameters are: pH 8.3; alkalinity 125-200 ppm; magnesium 1400 ppm; and calcium 440 ppm. The rest of the parameters -- phosphate, ammonia, nitrite and nitrate -- should be zero.

    • 5

      Test the tank salinity weekly, with the hygrometer, before doing the water change. The ideal salinity of the tank should be 1.025. If the aquarium is a bit saltier than that, due to evaporation, then your replacement water should be slightly lower than this, to balance things back out. Mix the sea salt in distilled water in a bucket in advance.

    • 6

      Clean the filter weekly. Rinse it out under running tap water.

    • 7

      Clean the protein skimmer once a week. Dump the skimmer collection cup; clean out any other visible detritus. Replace the airstone monthly, if the skimmer has one. Shut down the skimmer once a month, and run it under warm water tap water for a few minutes.