Advice on creating an authentic nano-reef

[boldstep]

Hi,
This is my first post! I am starting a nano tank (12 G) and my goal is to have it be a snapshot of an actual reef. That is, in the past I just went to a aquarium shop and picked out whatever I liked and threw it together. This time, I want to pick the corals and the fish and the whole look of the reef based on a particular region of the world. How can I best accomplish this? Is there a collection of photos I can find somewhere which shows snap shots of different reefs and what creatures, corals and fish are there? How do you know if a tank is "realistic"? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thanks!!!!
Jason

[Illuminati]

You want a biotope, over on www.nano-reef . com they have an entire forum on these.

You could do a Florida nano. There are several vendors that collect and sell items out of Florida like Sea Life Inc. He sells rock, fish and corals he collects off the coast of Florida.

[hebygb]

There are countless resources available. That said... say for example that you decide on a region like the south Pacific... and fiji... that would determine the type of rock and then you would add appropriate corals from that region... Most sites that sell or define corals and fish state what region they are from. Bear in mind that you are doing a 12 gallon reef and that regardless of region, some inhabitants are not well suited nor appropriate for that size.

[leilani]

Here is a link with reefs across the world, which has few pictures, but will give you an idea of regions to search for: http://www.classzone.com/books/earth_science/terc/content/visualizations/es2205/es2205page01.cfm?chapter_no=visualization

Next I would do a google search of reef images of that region (ie: great barrier reef, fiji reef)

Lastly, at liveaquaria.com they have a description of every item they sell and most of their livestock includes a note about where it came from/where it naturally lives.

Hope this helps :]

[burtbollinger]

i think in a 12g youre wasting your time.....you should instead focus on what you can wisely keep in so small a space. energy directed to that end is energy better spent IMHO. good luck tho....

[BradsOcean]

[welcome]

[boldstep]

You guys are a GREAT resource! The links, terms and your thoughts have been VERY helpful. (Especially knowing the term "biotope"! Now, I can define what I am after!)

Do any of you have nano-tank biotopes that you can show me or point me to??

Thanks!!
Jason