Nano Reef Now

[Betta5]

well i have decided that i want a nano reef now, well i have a fish only 12 gallon and i was thinking why not add LR and lights and a few very easy corals (my friends zoas and maybe a few other ones). I was thinking about 5kg of LR yes or no which im going to get off of STM i think it is as my LFS is crap. As for lights i was thinking these

http/www.atlantisaquatics.co.uk/acatalog/t5.html

which will fit a 24" or 30" tank and be a good light for soft coral? will the lights be ok for other corals as i would like to leave my options open. if you know what i mean.
hmm. now RO water, my mum wont get me one they waste water (damn greenpeace people), can i use distilled water? if not i will have to find a place that sells it b4 i start.

I use tropic marin reef pro on my FO so i assume its good for the corals (the word reef,.. see ima sharp one me)

15% water change a week yes?

I think i will just leave it to 1 fish (my firefish)
Im getting a refractometer too, £21 from ebay

I am still doing a FO bigger tank i am just doing a reef first as i have the stuff (might get a slightly bigger tank tho)

Well as always im sure things will change but the basics, does everything sound about right? what have i missed?

Thanks hope you can help
sean

 

[SkiFletch]

Sounds good there Sean. Will you be getting one or two of those retro kits? With one you could keep some lower-moderate light corals, and with 2 you could keep moderate-high light corals.

 

[Betta5]

I think i may as well go with 2, what watt lights should i get 24watt?

 

[Betta5]

Think i may go a bit bigger, either 30x12x12", 36x12x12" or 36x15x12"

cant decide any help?

 

[SkiFletch]

Aquascaping on a tank which is wider front-back is MUCH easier than trying to do it on a long-thin tank. JMO

 

[Betta5]

Aquascaping on a tank which is wider front-back is MUCH easier than trying to do it on a long-thin tank. JMO

Well i was just going to get 36"x12x12" , but i thought the extra 3" height would add water volume and not effect light penetration and its only £4 more. The thing is im getting a clearseal and unless you are getting a big tank they tend to be 12" wide, or very expensive otherwise. I was going to get one from BOSS but is £40 delivery which is more than the tank.

Well i have a question if i get the 36x12x12" tank, would 10 KG of LR be enough?

and i think i will go with 2 set of them lights that i linked to eairler, what watt tho?
Thanks

 

[Betta5]

I think i may as well go with 2, what watt lights should i get 24watt?

Well i have a question if i get the 36x12x12" tank, would 10 KG of LR be enough?

Sorry just need these questions answered as im starting to buy things very soon,
Thanks