30 Gallon Nano Aquarium Set Up Equipment List

A nano aquarium can make a beautiful addition to any home or office; these marine aquariums are typically relatively small (between three and 30 gallons) and contain entire reef ecosystems within that minuscule space. Putting together a 30-gallon nano reef aquarium is not a difficult task, though there are several specific types of equipment you will need if you are to set one up successfully.

  1. Tank

    • A 30-gallon tank is the most obvious requirement for constructing your nano aquarium. These aquariums are usually 36 inches long and 18 inches wide and come in acrylic or glass varieties. Glass is weaker but is much more scratch-resistant and clearer while acrylic is stronger but scratches are usually permanent and is less clear.

    Substrate

    • The substrate is what lays at the bottom of the aquarium. Marine nano aquariums require a substrate capable of biological filtration and the property of raising the pH levels. Good substrate choices include aragonite sand or crushed coral. One pound per gallon of water (so in this case 30 pounds) is recommended and substrate should be rinsed before it is added to the aquarium.

    Filtration

    • Filtration is arguably the most vital part of keeping any aquarium, let alone nano reef aquariums. Filters with Bio-wheels are recommended as the spinning wheels allow room for beneficial bacteria to grow and aid in filtration. When selecting a filter, its power (it will say on the box "for tanks up to X-number of gallons") should be around double the tank size. For example, in this instance we'd use a 55-gallon bio-wheel filter for this nano reef tank.

    Protein Skimmer

    • A protein skimmer is required for your aquarium if you're planning on using real, living coral. These devices use foam to capture organic particles produced from coral. Invertebrates like starfish collect them before they have the chance to break down into harmful chemicals.

    Lights

    • Lighting depends on what's kept in the aquarium; fake coral with fish such as clownfish or damselfish require no more than standard fluorescent lighting while living coral require high-powered lighting, usually with power ratings around 10,000 K (it will be labeled on the box).

    Miscellaneous Equipment

    • Other equipment you will need for completing your setup includes a hydrometer, which is used to measure the water's specific gravity and salinity; a test kit, which is used to measure the water's other parameters such as pH; marine salt to give your water salinity; dechlorinator to remove chlorine and other harmful materials; a heater and thermometer to set and maintain the proper temperature (usually around mid-80s degrees Fahrenheit) and a proper hood/lid to the aquarium, which usually comes included with the lighting.