My 10gal Nano Diary

[fish_keeper2]

Well I have just got a 10 gal tank along with a 50 watt heater, a hydrometer, salt, and 18000k florecent lighting. Around Friday Ill be getting a master test kit, a power head, possibly upgrade the heater, and 10lbs of live sand and 10-12lbs of live rock. If I dont have enough Ill save the live rock and sand for the next payday after Friday.

I thought Id just make this diary so any newbies can see how a fellow newby started out. Ill update whenever i have anything to add. Comments/suggestions/questions always welcome.

 

[bunjiweb]

50W heater is plenty, they are usually rated up to at least 75L.

Sounds like you have everything else underway, it seems that most people reccomend putting in Liverock and Livesand at the same time, so if you can afford it, get both next pay-day.

Ben

 

[maestro]

live sand ic a gimmick, save yourself some money and use reagular reef sand and seed it with a cup of sand from a mature system.

 

[steelhealr]

Maestro is right somewhat, however, there are bags of sand that are 'live' that are just very easy to buy at your local lfs.

Welcome aboard. My only comments for now are GO SLOWLY and resist the urge to stock your tank immediately after cycling. The most difficult time in the tank's life is the startup period and maturation. Beauty happens slowly in a nano tank. Disaster comes quickly. Post some pix and good luck. SH

 

[fish_keeper2]

http/petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=219&s...4965943#details
This is the live sand i plan to get. bunjiweb: i meant to say that ill save the live sand and rock till the next paycheck if i dont have enough with this one. My mom wanted me to get of the computer so i was in a rush to type everything.

 

[bunjiweb]

thats ok then, just dont let her rush you into your nano tank, because you will make the same silly little mistakes

Ben

 

[fish_keeper2]

I picked up my pay check today and I think i have enough to get all the equipment i still need, live rock and sand, containers for RO water and RO water. I'll be cashing the check on monday and ill get everything except the live rock. Then if I can get off on Friday then I can talk my mom into taking me to the only lfs intown that sells RO water that i trust and ill get the RO water and live rock.

 

[Navarre]

Sounds a good plan. Keep up the good work!

 

[Ethos]

it seems that most people reccomend putting in Liverock and Livesand at the same time

I was told to add them seperate.
You want the sand to be able to settle, and you want to add the LR asap when you get home.

 

[parker313]

it seems that most people reccomend putting in Liverock and Livesand at the same time

I was told to add them seperate.
You want the sand to be able to settle, and you want to add the LR asap when you get home.

Good point

Good luck and have fun

 

[Ethos]

Good point

Good luck and have fun

You were the one who told me, weren't you?
I'm going to try and get live sand sometime this week, I just did a re-clean on the empty 10G I'm planning on using in my 10G nano.

Hey fish_keeper, I'll just be a few weeks (if even) behind you....fun

Edit: Wrong username
I need to start paying more attention to these threads!

 

[fish_keeper2]

Thanks everyone.

Hey Chestnut, I'll just be a few weeks (if even) behind you....fun

.......Chesnut hasnt even replyed in this topic........

 

[parker313]

Good point

Good luck and have fun

You were the one who told me, weren't you?

Was I? Maybe that's why I thought it was such good advice here....

 

[fish_keeper2]

Well I have now gotten everything I need except the live rock and RO water. ) I managed to talk my mom into promising me that she would take me to my fav lfs to get the live rock and RO water on Friday. I so cant wait.

This is what I have gotten altogether:

10 gal starter kit(came with tank, 50 watt heater, filter that provides 80 gph, hood and basic lighting) $50
18000k 15 watt bulb $20
15lbs of instant ocean salt $19
hydrometer $8
themometer $3
brine shrimp net(I dont like to use fish nets too much) $2
background with reef pic $4
powerhead(170 gph) $33
10lbs of live argonite sand $25
4 5gal gas cans $35
master test kit $40

when I get it the RO water is 50 cents per gall(75 cents for premixed salt water) and the live rock is about $3-$6 per pound and Ill need about 12lbs or so.

 

[Ethos]

Sounds good, but did you really spend $50 on that 10G starter kit? I spent like...$35 on mine!
Cheapest LR I've seen is at $7.99 a pound, so I'll be hoping to find a better deal, plus I dunno where I'd find someone who sells RO water and premixed SW