How to Maintain Small Saltwater Tanks
Many people are attracted to smaller saltwater or reef tanks, often called "nano" tanks, in the hopes that they are easier to maintain than large marine aquariums. However, the reality is that less water means less room for error. Keepers of aquariums that are 20 gallons, 10 gallons, or even 5 or fewer gallons must work harder to maintain optimal water parameters.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Gravel vacuum
- Replacement saltwater (synthetic or natural)
- Refractrometer or hydrometer
- R.O. or distilled water
- Sponge or brush
- Calcium-buffer system
Instructions
-
-
1
Perform frequent small water changes to remove nitrites and nitrates. In a nano aquarium, there is less water to dilute harmful organic chemicals. In a large tank, the aquarist can perform water changes weekly or every other week, changing out 25 to 30 percent of their water. For a small tank, it is better to perform weekly or biweekly water changes of 10 to 15 percent of your water volume. Perform water changes with a gravel vacuum, cleaning debris from the substrate. Replace the water using either synthetic saltwater or filtered natural ocean water.
-
2
Add R.O. (reverse osmosis) or distilled water to the nano aquarium between water changes. When saltwater evaporates, it leaves behind salt. In a small tank, the salinity can quickly escalate. Salinity is measured with a refractometer or a hydrometer via ppt (parts per thousand) or specific gravity. Ideally, you want to create and maintain a specific gravity of about 1.024 to 1.027, or approximately 32 to 37 ppt, depending on the species in the aquarium or the ecosystem you are replicating.
-
-
3
Clean your protein skimmer weekly. Removing organic waste from the nano aquarium is especially important in a small system, so your skimmer must be working well. Turn off and remove the skimmer, cleaning each component well with a sponge or brush.
-
4
Add a chemical calcium-buffer system daily, bi-weekly, or weekly if you keep corals in your mini-tank. How much and how often will depending on how many invertebrates live in your system. Some reef-keepers add other trace elements and minerals as well, as these tend to be depleted in saltwater over time.
-
5
Feed your mini-ecosystem small amounts frequently rather than large meals daily or every other day. A variety of live and frozen foods should supplement commercial pellets or flakes. Corals, anemones and filter-feeders require a zooplankton- and phytoplankton-rich "marine snow" formula. Keep an eye on your water quality: If your nitrates and nitrites are high despite a working skimmer and small, frequent water changes, you are probably overfeeding your fish.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Do not overstock your nano tank. A small tank crowded with waste-producing life-forms will quickly be host to an array of problems due to poor water quality.
In a small system, any sudden fluctuations of temperature, pH, or salinity, or any sudden spikes in ammonia or nitrites can spell disaster.
