10g nano advise

InvaderJim

Coral Junkie
I'm starting up a 10g nano tank that will have SPS, Zoos, and Softies, and I need some opinions on my equipment. Anything I should change, or could do without? Any help would be appreciated. :)

  • AC 110 Filter
  • Hagen Thermal Compact M inchi Heater, 50 Watt, 6 inch (Going in the AC 110)
  • Coralife Digital Thermometer (Is it even worth it?)
  • Coralife 18 Inch Aqualight Compact Fluorescent Retrofit Kit W/ 1-96W Quad 50/50 Lamp Square Pin
  • Red Sea Marine Lab Test Kit (Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, Alkalinity)
  • Red Sea Calcium Test Kit
  • Coralife Deep Six Hydrometer
 
Ditch the hydrometer and get a refractometer. You might wanna change your lighting to mh if your planning to keep sps unless you wanna keep browned out sps.
 
I've been looking at refractometers but I don't know much about them. I'll look into them some more and see what I can come up with.

I meant LPS, not SPS. Don't know where my head was when I was typing that. :P
 
IMO Red Sea test kits are not very acurate.I second the refract,i have a spare laying around if your interested,pm me if so.I have a 10g mixed reef also lots of fun.I have the coralife clip on 150w mh on it.I switched the bulb to 10k from the stock 20k.
 
What test kits do you recommend? I know everyone prefers Salifert, but they are way expensive. You have a PM as well.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8351897#post8351897 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InvaderJim
What test kits do you recommend? I know everyone prefers Salifert, but they are way expensive. You have a PM as well.


u have a 90g reef ready,u already know its expensive,y cut corners on something as important as test kits.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8349339#post8349339 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by randt122
Ditch the hydrometer and get a refractometer. You might wanna change your lighting to mh if your planning to keep sps unless you wanna keep browned out sps.

IMO if the right reflector is used in a shallow tank such as a 10 gal., pc's will do fine for sps. With that said, there are many pc setups that I wouldn't use.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8353782#post8353782 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by Shoreliner11
IMO if the right reflector is used in a shallow tank such as a 10 gal., pc's will do fine for sps. With that said, there are many pc setups that I wouldn't use.


I agree,i kept montiporas in my 10 with the 96w powerquad.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8352241#post8352241 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by EXPEDITION
u have a 90g reef ready,u already know its expensive,y cut corners on something as important as test kits.

My 90g is completely empty. I put it on hold and decided to go ahead and build a nano while I'm waiting to move. So I haven't cut any corners. I just thought it might be more convienent to get a kit with 3 or 4 tests rather then buying them all separately. So do you just suggest I get all Salifert kits? I know I need Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites, pH, and since I'm doing a reef I need Calcium and Alkalinity.

Here's the lighting kit I'm getting.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES53201
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8354556#post8354556 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InvaderJim
My 90g is completely empty. I put it on hold and decided to go ahead and build a nano while I'm waiting to move. So I haven't cut any corners. I just thought it might be more convienent to get a kit with 3 or 4 tests rather then buying them all separately. So do you just suggest I get all Salifert kits? I know I need Ammonia, Nitrates, Nitrites, pH, and since I'm doing a reef I need Calcium and Alkalinity.

Here's the lighting kit I'm getting.

http://www.marinedepot.com/md_viewItem.asp?idproduct=ES53201

The test u mentioned will b fine. Check out the Coralife 96w powrequad also it fits a 10g aga like a glove with the small legs.
 
<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8355475#post8355475 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by InvaderJim
Has anyone had any luck with Seachem test kits? Or should I just suck it up and spend $100 on Saliferts?

I work part time in my LFS,& have personal expierence on how far off the red sea kits are.All we use now are the Saliferts.
 
If you do 2 gallon water changes a week on your 10 gallon tank then all you need is a refractometer. No need for a test kit if you ask me because adding 20% of fresh saltwater a week will keep your tank at good levels all the way around.
 
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