Potential Nano Reef

[George Farmer]

I have a spare 10 US Gallon tank that I'm considering setting up as a nano reef later this year. I have no practical experience of marines but have read a fair bit on the subject. I'm still in the early learning and planning stages so bear with me!

I would appreciate any feedback on whether or not the following sounds feasable.

Tank - 18" x 12" x 12" - volume approx. 10 US Gallon (less after rock displacement etc.)

Filtration - 8 to 10Kg (18-22lb) Cured live rock with one internal filter (to house carbon/RowaPhos) and one powerhead to supplement flow rate. No skimmer. Thin layer of live sand for substrate.

Lighting - 2 x 15W T8 fluorescent with reflectors - 10000K and actinic.

Water - RO with Kent Marine salt. 10-20% weekly water change.

Livestock - This is where I'm unsure. Initially stock with cleaner crew i.e. snails and shrimp, hopefully to deal with initial algae blooms. Then stock with hardy corals i.e. bubble, leather etc?

I'd like to add a pair of tank bred Clownfish but will I need to add a skimmer, even with all the live rock and regular RO water changes?

Any feedback appeciated.

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

Hi Gf225

Wow!! So good to hear your going nano, i love your FW planted tank so i can't even begin to imagine what future reef tank might look like

I'm no expert to nano as i don't even have my own tank set up yet but i'm learning things very fast off here and other forums, so i'll see how i can try and help you and then hope for SH or the other experts to clear everything up.

LR - I know people say more LR the merrier but in such a small tank i think the amount you plan to put in might be displacing too much water, i'd go for sometihng around 12-15lbs but again wait for SH or someone to clarify that for you

I think SH uses phosphate remover in an internal filter, i'm not sure about carbon though?

Lighting - I don't think the lighting you are thinking of would be strong enough to grow many corals, i've heard softies such as zoos and mushrooms need at least 5 watts per gallon...

On other forums people use a 96w coral life fixture on 10 gallons and say they can grow basically anything they want to. As you are planning on bubbles and leathers i think you could fit 2 16" 36w (1 actnic 1 daylight)
under your hood or on an overtank luminaire which would give you 7.2 watts per gallon, which would let your grow softies and some LPS i should think...

I'll have a look around for you see what i can find

I have read of lots of people who house a pair of true percs in a 10gallon (Even read of a breeding pair in a 10gallon ) although they get told off by other members but hey if they're breeding they must be happy?

I suppose you could get away with it but you'd have to be strict with tank maintenance but by looking at your FW planted tank that should be no problem

Goodluck and hopefully someone with more experience will be along to help you shortly

Dan

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks for the reply.

96W in a 10G?!! That sounds more like a kettle than a fish tank! LOL

I did wonder if I had planned enough light but I figured if bunjiweb gets results like his with only 22W in a 15G then....

I'll just stick to lower light species if I have to, possibly have 3 tubes. I'd prefer to stick with T8 though, the popular Interpet T5 PCs that we get in the UK are unreliable IME.

I wanted more rock for the aquascaping side as well as the added bio-filtration but I see your point.

I was thinking of modifying the Juwel carbon sponges to fit in an internal, RowaPhos do sponges now too.

Maintenance is no problem. It is a pleasure rather than a chore for me.

 

[jimbooo]

traitor......


no seriously. i have been wondering the same thing. i have 3 planted tanks which is rather repetitive when it comes to the weekly prune etc..

i would love to turn one into a marine tank but have no idea where to start. i hadn't thought of using the 12G (rekord 60) you've started something now george. the halides always scared me off marine for the sheer cost side of things but if i could rig up some PC's under the hood and provide enough light then that opens up a whole new chapter.

would you be so kind to have a really vague stab in the dark as to the cost of converting my rekord 60 to marine. i really have no idea if we're talking £100 or £800 (including common fish and LR).

i know "it depends" on what you stock it with but if on a budget how cheaply can it be done without looking awefull.

 

[Bloo]

So this is where you guys are hanging out now !

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

Thanks for the reply.

96W in a 10G?!! That sounds more like a kettle than a fish tank! LOL

I did wonder if I had planned enough light but I figured if bunjiweb gets results like his with only 22W in a 15G then....

I'll just stick to lower light species if I have to, possibly have 3 tubes. I'd prefer to stick with T8 though, the popular Interpet T5 PCs that we get in the UK are unreliable IME.

I wanted more rock for the aquascaping side as well as the added bio-filtration but I see your point.

I was thinking of modifying the Juwel carbon sponges to fit in an internal, RowaPhos do sponges now too.

Maintenance is no problem. It is a pleasure rather than a chore for me.

I know what you mean about the kettle When i first thought about going nano i couldn't believe the amount of lighting people had (250w + 2 x 24w actnics on a 29g!!!)

I didn't know bunjiweb is only using 22w on his tanks! it looks great
Personally i think that the softies are the most beautiful types of coral in a reef, i don't know what people see in SPS, it's harder to keep and doesn't look as nice as softies IMO

If you are sure that you want more LR then you'd have to consider going with just one fish instead of the two

Arcdadia make marine lights also which i would expect to be better quality than the interpet ones...
take a look at some of the lights here Lights

traitor......


no seriously. i have been wondering the same thing. i have 3 planted tanks which is rather repetitive when it comes to the weekly prune etc..

i would love to turn one into a marine tank but have no idea where to start. i hadn't thought of using the 12G (rekord 60) you've started something now george. the halides always scared me off marine for the sheer cost side of things but if i could rig up some PC's under the hood and provide enough light then that opens up a whole new chapter.

would you be so kind to have a really vague stab in the dark as to the cost of converting my rekord 60 to marine. i really have no idea if we're talking £100 or £800 (including common fish and LR).

i know "it depends" on what you stock it with but if on a budget how cheaply can it be done without looking awefull.

Wow we're going to have both the Planted experts amongts us !

Hi James

As you know i have the rekord 60 also and am converting it into a nano instead of the planted tank i was harrasing you about a few months back

If you take a look at my thread you will see EVERYTHING you will need, this includes fishfood, LR, CC and the lights to grow most corals

Dan

My Link

If your wondering why i'm saying it's an 18g. It's just because everyone seems to use US gallons so i'm going to as well. The downfall to this is it means we need more LR, LS and so on BUT the good news is that it means we should be able to squeeze about an extra 20 or so fish in there (JK)

 

[steelhealr]

Hi..just cruised in and thanks Sf. Dont' have too much to add here....these guys are getting good. Thoughts:

- agree, a bit heavy on LR. If this is equivalent to 10 US gallons, think 12-15lbs LR
- not a fan of an internal filter on a nano if possible...takes up room. What about a HOB like an AquaClear....30 I believe. You could add a small minijet PH if needed for extra flow
-your lighting would be OK for lower light requiring corals. SPS, clams and some LPS would require better lighting.
-there are 20" fixtures with more wattage.....you could always upgrade your lighting later if needed
-you shouldn't need a skimmer if you are diligent with your water changes
-paired clowns are possible but, with a 10, would be very careful and not add any additional fish.

SH

Average costs for starting a nano are $400 US, but, costs can go much higher over time....weekly water changes, salt mix, RO water/filter, corals if you go reef, losses, etc. SH

 

[bunjiweb]

Just to point out i am up to 36W of lighting now, a Blue 12000K 18W and a White 7100K 18W. Although I did get very good results even with the 2 50/50 11W bulbs.

Looking forward to seeing your good results GF225, as your other tanks are nicely thought out I think you will do a good job on making your nano look great.

Ben

 

[George Farmer]

Thanks for the replies. Plenty to think about. I just have to convince the wife now, I'll use the "Clownfish are so cute, just like Nemo" line!

 

[Siamese Fighter05]

worked on my mum and sisters! Damn they're even more keen than me to get is started
'How long until we can get nemo?'
'A few months yet'
'Awwwwwww! Hurry up'

Dan

Edit: Damn this nemo thing is getting to me! Can someone show me a link to a thread where a clownfish isn't called nemo?