10 Gallon nano question.

[Reefind]

Hi, I am setting up 10 gallon aquarium, it is all glass 20''x10'' and 12'' high.
The only thing I want to keep is soft corals, snails and macro algae.
This is my plan:
-2 power heads.
-gravel as substrate. about 1'' size and 2'' deep.
-2X corilife 50/50 bulb. 20 watt each.
-50 watt heater.
Is the light enough for my tank? do I need filter beside the power heads?
Thank you.

 

[theatrus]

You don't need a filter beyond power heads, especially with macro algae and a small bioload. The saving grace of small tanks is the practicality of doing large water changes if required.

Two powerheads would look cluttery IMO, how about a Koralia Nano?

Also, why gravel? Is it for aesthetics?

The light should be fine for most softies.

Good luck

 

[rhouse24]

I have a 10 with two koralia nano's and it's a wind storm when they're both on. I bought a wave timer to correct the problem. I wouldn't recommend this because the constant starts and stops are not good for the nanos. One nano is plenty.

Go small on the gravel grain size (more surface area for good bacteria growth), but don't go so small that your powerhead creates dusts storms.

 

[MPevine11]

Hi, I am setting up 10 gallon aquarium, it is all glass 20''x10'' and 12'' high.
The only thing I want to keep is soft corals, snails and macro algae.
This is my plan:
-2 power heads.

id get one, VORTECH MP10

-gravel as substrate. about 1'' size and 2'' deep.

i would do more of a sand

-2X corilife 50/50 bulb. 20 watt each.

i would personally go LED......

-50 watt heater.

Fluval E 50w heaters are great!
Is the light enough for my tank?

i belive 2 coralife 50/50's would be fine.... tho leds would be nice also
do I need filter beside the power heads?

i would mod and aqua clear filter into a refugium. its quite simple and instructions can be found readily on the net

Thank you.

..:beer:..

suggestions in red :mixed:

 

[Gold Stripe]

Dont you just love it when you ask about your VW and someone suggests you go buy a Ferari?

 

[MPevine11]

Dont you just love it when you ask about your VW and someone suggests you go buy a Ferari?

must of missed the part where he said hes on a budget:uzi:

 

[Reefind]

Thank you all for the replies.. the power head I have are Aqua Clear 20 and Elite mini and both are adjustable.
The reason I put gravel is to use those plastic plate under it (under gravel filter) so the power head can pull debris from the bottom.
I like the idea of using refugium, that may help on water quality. I am new to salt water but I kept planted freshwater tanks for sometime, I am still learning about the filtration options for saltwater tanks.

 

[MPevine11]

Thank you all for the replies.. the power head I have are Aqua Clear 20 and Elite mini and both are adjustable.
The reason I put gravel is to use those plastic plate under it (under gravel filter) so the power head can pull debris from the bottom.
I like the idea of using refugium, that may help on water quality. I am new to salt water but I kept planted freshwater tanks for sometime, I am still learning about the filtration options for saltwater tanks.

i would deffently not use an under gravel filter!
as the sand is actually a filter with bacteria its self

 

[Agu]

I'd skip the Coralife 50/50s and just get daylight curly PCs at the home improvement store. Less than half the price and the color is just as bad as the Coralifes ime.

 

[Reefind]

I'd skip the Coralife 50/50s and just get daylight curly PCs at the home improvement store. Less than half the price and the color is just as bad as the Coralifes ime.

I was looking at the local home improvenment store, I found 10watt bulbs with 6500K and other ones 14watt with only 5000K. I use them on my planted freshwater with good result, but I thought that 50/50 light bulbs are better for saltwater tank.

 

[Agu]

I've been using dual 23w daylight (6500K) curly PCs on a sump with rock anemones for several years.

IME the Coralifes aren't as intense and color shift pretty quickly.

ymmv ....

 

[Maerow]

I have used the coralifes myself in small nanos alot. I would suggest the 23w daylight (6500K) curly PCs as well. They are brighter and you will see growth, while the coralifes...well growth was so slow as to be almost non-existant. They just aren't very strong lights. The 65K PCs are way cheaper as well, and you can change them frequently and not bust your wallet.

 

[Reefind]

What about 24'' Current usa light? it is 65w daylight and 65w actinic, there is a switch for each light. I am thinking to use a timer for the actinic to turn on 1 hour before and 1 hour after the daylight bulb.

 

[Jarred1]

check out fishneedit dot com they have great fixtures at even better prices!

 

[phhbrown]

Based on Agu's post, I'll vote for the curly PCs as the budget option. You cant go wrong with inexpensive stuff that works. I do have two Current fixtures and they have worked great for me. I like being able to have only the actinics on. Its cool to see some of the soft corals really glow under the actinics.

I'll also second the suggestion of a different substrate and no undergravel filter.