College Dorm Room Aquarium!

[ChrisDanley]

Hello once again old friends,
I had been keeping reef aquariums for the past four years and I decided to get rid of my 65 gallon aquarium before moving to college as my parents could not take care of it and the limit here in the dorm rooms is 10 gallons. To be honest, I was a little releaved to not have to spend so much money and I thought a bit of a break wouldn't hurt me. It's been about 6 months since I got rid of my tank and I can't do it anymore! I NEED a tank in this dorm room. I was thinking of a tiny 10 gallon tank since that is the maximum limit here. I have Marineland's double bright LED's. Can everyone throw some cheap but very effective equipment at me so I can take a look and start planning things. I'd really love to do a few easy corals that look nice. Maybe a torch coral and some acans? I wasn't planning on any fish, just a Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp. Your opinions are much appreciated.
Thanks, and I'm glad to be back,
Chris.

 

[MattFrancis]

Hello once again old friends,
I had been keeping reef aquariums for the past four years and I decided to get rid of my 65 gallon aquarium before moving to college as my parents could not take care of it and the limit here in the dorm rooms is 10 gallons. To be honest, I was a little releaved to not have to spend so much money and I thought a bit of a break wouldn't hurt me. It's been about 6 months since I got rid of my tank and I can't do it anymore! I NEED a tank in this dorm room. I was thinking of a tiny 10 gallon tank since that is the maximum limit here. I have Marineland's double bright LED's. Can everyone throw some cheap but very effective equipment at me so I can take a look and start planning things. I'd really love to do a few easy corals that look nice. Maybe a torch coral and some acans? I wasn't planning on any fish, just a Scarlet skunk cleaner shrimp. Your opinions are much appreciated.
Thanks, and I'm glad to be back,
Chris.

In my dorm I have a 2 gallon with a par38 and a HOB filter. It's all you need. I'd get a par38 and a HOB for yours as well. Maybe a korallia nano and a heater as well. I have everything except SPS under my par38 (waiting to get a little more established), but little maximas love the light.

 

[ChrisDanley]

How often do you do water changes?

 

[ryeguyy84]

I'd go smaller than a 10. You want something you can easily move.

 

[MattFrancis]

I do water changes every two weeks of .5 gallons. I agree with Ryeguy, This little cube is really really easy to move if you have to go home for holidays. If I were you, I'd do a 5.5 gallon with an aquaclear 70 and a par38. You'd be set on flow, filtration, and you have the light intensity to keep any coral you want (providing you keep your levels up).

-Matt

 

[RL206]

^I agree, I just got my 15G up and running, I have an AC70 and a Koralia 240.

The AC70 puts a decent ambient flow throughout the tank, so in a smaller tank it should be money.

I am starting school soon and I have had my PAR38 up for 2 days now and I love it, nice LED for under $90 shipped and is super convenient and portable :dance: