The Nano Reef Guide

The Nano Reef Guide

Expert advice for small saltwater aquariums under 20 gallons

Featured

Comparisons

Latest Articles

guide

GFO vs Lanthanum vs Phosban: Best Phosphate Control for Reefs

Compare GFO vs lanthanum chloride vs Phosban for reef tank phosphate control. Cost analysis, speed comparison, and how to avoid bottoming out nutrients.

article

Sicce vs Eheim vs Maxspect Gyre: Best Nano Powerhead 2026

Compare Sicce vs Eheim vs Maxspect Gyre nano powerheads. Real-world testing of flow patterns, noise levels, and controllability for 10-30 gallon reef tanks.

article

Snail Die-Off in Nano Reefs: Causes and Prevention Guide

Nano reef snail die-offs from copper, acclimation shock, and starvation. Learn to diagnose by species affected and prevent cleaner crew deaths with proper protocols.

article

Bottled Bacteria for Reef Tanks: Dr Tim's vs MicroBacter7 Test Results

Real testing results: Dr. Tim's vs MicroBacter7 vs BioSpira for cycling nano reefs. Which bottled bacteria actually works and how to test if cycling succeeded.

article

Rimless vs Rimmed Nano Tanks: The Hidden Details That Matter

Rimless vs rimmed nano reef tanks comparison. Glass thickness, light mounting, jumping fish, and evaporation differences that affect your daily reef keeping.

how-to

How to Add a Sump to an All-In-One Nano Reef Tank (No Drilling)

Learn how to add a sump to your AIO nano reef using external overflows, HOB sumps, or drilling kits. No major modifications needed - get more equipment space today.

article

SPS in 20 Gallon Nano: What You Actually Need to Succeed

SPS in 20-gallon nano reefs requires automated dosing, stable parameters, and realistic expectations. Learn what equipment you need before buying your first frag.

guide

Live Rock vs Dry Rock for Cycling: Complete 2026 Guide

Live rock cycles faster but costs more and risks pests. Dry rock takes longer but offers control. Discover the hybrid approach that balances speed, cost, and safety.

how-to

Battery Backup for Nano Reefs: Essential Power Outage Protection

Complete guide to aquarium battery backup systems for nano reefs. Learn what fails first during outages, how to size UPS systems, and emergency air pump strategies.

Stay Updated

Get the latest guides and reviews delivered to your inbox.