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Step 1:
The first step in building your nano reef is to, of course, acquire your tank. (standard
size:10 gallons)
Step 2:
Acquire your sand, light, heater, pump, reverse osmosis/deionizer, marine aquarium salt,
hydrometer, and thermometer.
Step 3:
Pour regular water into your tank.
Step 4:
Dry area around tank using towel, or cloth. Come back in 10 or so minutes to see if the
area is wet. If so, you need a new tank because your current one has a leak. If it is not
wet, continue to step five.
Step 5:
Empty your tank.
Step 6:
Use a dry towel or cloth to dry out the inside of your tank.
Step 7:
Pour 2.5 cups of sand sand into your tank.
Step 8:
Connect your reverse osmosis/deionizer to regular water faucet to cleanse and treat the
water for your aquarium. (Place the the tube of treated water in a bucket and the other
two tubes in the drain)
Step 9:
When the bucket is filled, add about 2 and 1/2 cups of sea-salt. Mix. Use your hydrometer
to measure the specific gravity's of the water. The average should read around 1.024 and
1.026.
Step 10:
Place a bowl inside of your tank. (This will prevent the sand from stirring up when the
water is added)
Step 11:
Slowly pour your salty water into the bowl which you have placed in your tank. Repeat
until tank is full.
Step 12:
Add your heater, your blower, your light,(if you have one)your hydrometer, and your
thermometer.
Step 13:
Acquire live rock and place in tank. Arrange as you prefer.
Step 14:
Now you have to wait 2 weeks to 1 month for your aquarium to be safe for corals and marine
life.
Step 15:
After your tank has stabilized you are ready to add invertebrates. Invertebrates are
animals without spines likes corals. I suggest a book to see which types of invertebrates
are most suitable for beginners.
Step 16:
After you have added your invertebrates, you can finally add your animals. If you are
using a ten gallon tank, I do not suggest getting a shrimp, or a large fish. Also, do not
get too many different types of fish as some are very aggressive and territorial. I would
suggest a smaller more durable fish such as a Green Banded Gobi. Mushrooms, Xenia,
Zooanthids, Crabs, are great for beginners. Cleanup crews are important as well. You
need snails, and hermits, and possibly some algae eating fish.
Step 17: IMPORTANT!
You should check the temperature in your reef, Everyday. And you should also top
off the water in your reef, Everyday.
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