Best nano setup for corals + anemone?

[redshepherd]

A very general question! I'm experienced in freshwater planted tanks, but not so in saltwater...

I'm planning to set up around 12gal or under nano, used for a couple corals, an anemone, and a pair of Percula Clowns. I'm wondering what brand/type of tank, lighting and filtration is best to use in this setup, in your opinion? I have a plan in mind, but just would really prefer hearing advice from experienced hobbyists... so I don't go with the wrong equipment and dead corals! I currently do not have much of a maximum budget for this small setup, so anything that would work best put together would be great.

My dad used to be in the hobby in the mid-90's... but his corals would always die within 8 months, so I'd love to learn proper updated coral care, lighting, filtration, etc. from the forums here! So that the corals and anemone might live for much longer than a year.. haha.

I also don't believe I need a protein skimmer for a 10gal nano, since I'm hoping to do a 2gal water change once a week?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Dkuhlmann]

Welcome to Reef Central!

I'll address the anemone question by saying not to get one before your tank has been setup for at least 6 months!

Your question about equipment might be better answered in the Nano forum where it will get more views from people with Nano tanks

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75

 

[chicagoreefer20]

12g is tight for 2 clown fish and also if you get an anemone in that small a tank and you are successful then it will take over and sting/agitate/run over the other corals.

Why 12g? Why not a bit bigger?

You dont need a skimmer, but why dont you want one, especially since you plan on overstocking.

Coral care is pretty easy these days - buy a nice led light fixture and you will be all set.

Get a nice vortech mp10 for good controllable flow.

Look into converting a hang on the back filter for some purigen and chemipure.

And ideally plumb in a 20g sump!

 

[redshepherd]

Welcome to Reef Central!

I'll address the anemone question by saying not to get one before your tank has been setup for at least 6 months!

Your question about equipment might be better answered in the Nano forum where it will get more views from people with Nano tanks

http://www.reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75

Oh, thanks- I'll check out that sub-forum.

And I see, will do! I'm just wondering what the reasons are for the anemone after 6 months?

12g is tight for 2 clown fish and also if you get an anemone in that small a tank and you are successful then it will take over and sting/agitate/run over the other corals.

Why 12g? Why not a bit bigger?

You dont need a skimmer, but why dont you want one, especially since you plan on overstocking.

Coral care is pretty easy these days - buy a nice led light fixture and you will be all set.

Get a nice vortech mp10 for good controllable flow.

Look into converting a hang on the back filter for some purigen and chemipure.

And ideally plumb in a 20g sump!

Ah, maybe just one clown then. I'm still in the planning process- so if corals, 1 clown, and no anemone is ideal, then I will go with that. I'd like to stay around a 12gal.

And thank you for the post! I will check those out.

 

[vhuang168]

Get a Innovative Marine Nano 16 or the Nuvo 10 or 20 depending on format and size.

http://www.innovative-marine.com/nuvo-aquarium/nano16.html

Chambers in the back allow for a skimmer and sometimes a fuge as well.

JBJ also have some nice AIO nano tanks in the 10-20g range iirc.

You can also check out nano-reef.com good forum for nano setups.

 

[hotelbravo]

you should look into getting a bigger setup than a 12gallon. i agree you would be pushing the boundaries with 2 clowns and an anemone. as for equiptment to use i have found "usa current orbit led lighting system" to be a great light for my coral and my bubbletip anemone. most people say you need 3 watts per gallon to keep anemones but i found that not to be true since the orbit leds have 23 watts and they have grown my anemone from the size of a half dollar to the size of a soccerball in about a years time. these leds are on the cheaper side and should cost around 125$ give or take. you dont need a protien skimmer but you should want one as it keeps a healthier system.
also anemones wander around they walk and move to spots at their choosing so putting them in a tiny tank like you plan AND keeping coral will have some issues.
as for filtration you can use hang on back filters, canister filters, or preferably a sump which is a tank devided into sections used as a filter and a place to store equiptment so you dont see it in your tank. also can hold a refugium to collect more rock and macro algae for overall healthier system.
having a sump is a very beneficial filter and its not difficult with a small tank like yours you can use a cheap 10 gallon tank from walmart as your sump but your display tank would either have to be drilled or have a hang on back overflow box to run a drain line to the sump and a return line from the sump to the display. having this sump increases your water volume and helps your bioload.

i agree with others to wait quite a few months to get your tank established before adding an anemone. they are sensitive to changes in the water chemistry and a new tank will go through alot of changes in the beginning. even after the tank is cycled and as for small tanks they are harder to keep stable and anemones need stability so the bigger the tank the easier to keep alive and its kind of the same concept with corals on the stability but they seem to be more forgiving.

 

[toothybugs]

A 29 gallon AIO really isn't all that big, to be honest, and will give your clowns, nem, and potentially warring corals plenty of space. Plus, extra water = stability = happiness for all, especially corals/ inverts. Primary difference is setup will be a few more bucks, but long-term it might actually be cheaper because you won't be fighting stability issues and potential loss of life (meaning replacement of livestock).