How to Nano Reef (10 gallon)

[I3uckethead]

Hello,
First foray over to this side of fishkeeping! I have several freshwater tanks, but I have that marine itch...

I have several 10gal tanks sitting around doing nothing, and I was thinking about doing a nano reef. I've got two freshwater tanks, a wife, and two kids, so this is a budget build for my bedroom endtable.
I have a 12gal JBJ Nano cube available near me for $50. Is that a better option that building a 10g?

I know bigger is better, but all my available big area real-estate is tied up with freshwater.

My plan is a full reef tank, but only 2-3 frags most likely (for now). I haven't bought anything yet, so I am completely open to stocking suggestions for fish, inverts, and coral.

My LFS has a great selection and when cross checked with the internet seems to have given pretty good advice (Of course they're trying to sell me a little more than I really should have)

My plan so far based off the advice of my LFS and another forum:
Setup:
10gal tank
AQ50 HoB Modified to a Fuge
240gph power head
Starter Light- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00APBO2XU/
75w Aquatop adjustable heater
I have everything above but the lights. I know that I get what I pay for, but I really suspect I'll be upgrading to a larger tank in the not so distant future, and I dont want to shell out $200 for what will essentially become a refugium light.

10lbs Caribsea Live Sand ($15)
~12lbs Live rock (buying from a tank that has live rock with pre-established green algae, $8/lb)
3 ~2" Coral frags @29.99 (Green Star, Mushroom, Zoa)

Possible stock list:
2x 1" Ocellaris Clowns ($25 BOGO)
1x 1.5" Decorator Crab ($15)
2x Emerald Crabs ($12/ea)
2x Cleaner Skunk shrimp ($?/ea)
1x 3" Sandsifting Star ($17)
3x Nertites
3x Nassarius

It has been suggested that I have room for one more small fish.
Font runners are Royal Gamma, Yellow Prawn Goby, or Exquisite Firefish

I have read that I could have aggression issues with that many crabs in a 10gal. Should I drop one or both of the emeralds and add hermits?



I have a household RO system (not DI). Puts out between 20-35tds. Will that work? I'll probably just buy my water pre-mixed, but I thought I'd ask.

To alleviate the concern of a beginner 10, I've got a hyper- obsessive personality. The tank will be monitored and maintained regularly. Water changes every 5 days on my other tanks currently.

I'm sure I'll have more questions in the near future.
Thanks in advance!

 

[I3uckethead]

Can't edit for some reason.

Would a Starcki Damsel or Citron Clown Goby work in a 10? (or the 12 biocube?)

That Damsel is cool enough, if I upgraded to a 20 high, would that work?

 

[I3uckethead]

I just realized that when I am not logged in, I can see my "can't edit" reply, but I can't see my original post.
Are you guys actually able to see my questions, or is this thread dead because it's broken and not showing up?

Hello,
First foray over to this side of fishkeeping! I have several freshwater tanks, but I have that marine itch...

I have several 10gal tanks sitting around doing nothing, and I was thinking about doing a nano reef. I've got two freshwater tanks, a wife, and two kids, so this is a budget build for my bedroom endtable.
I have a 12gal JBJ Nano cube available near me for $50. Is that a better option that building a 10g?

I know bigger is better, but all my available big area real-estate is tied up with freshwater.

My plan is a full reef tank, but only 2-3 frags most likely (for now). I haven't bought anything yet, so I am completely open to stocking suggestions for fish, inverts, and coral.

My LFS has a great selection and when cross checked with the internet seems to have given pretty good advice (Of course they're trying to sell me a little more than I really should have)

My plan so far based off the advice of my LFS and another forum:
Setup:
10gal tank
AQ50 HoB Modified to a Fuge
240gph power head
Starter Light- https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00APBO2XU/
75w Aquatop adjustable heater
I have everything above but the lights. I know that I get what I pay for, but I really suspect I'll be upgrading to a larger tank in the not so distant future, and I dont want to shell out $200 for what will essentially become a refugium light.

10lbs Caribsea Live Sand ($15)
~12lbs Live rock (buying from a tank that has live rock with pre-established green algae, $8/lb)
3 ~2" Coral frags @29.99 (Green Star, Mushroom, Zoa)

Possible stock list:
2x 1" Ocellaris Clowns ($25 BOGO)
1x 1.5" Decorator Crab ($15)
2x Emerald Crabs ($12/ea)
2x Cleaner Skunk shrimp ($?/ea)
1x 3" Sandsifting Star ($17)
3x Nertites
3x Nassarius

It has been suggested that I have room for one more small fish.
Font runners are Royal Gamma, Yellow Prawn Goby, or Exquisite Firefish

I have read that I could have aggression issues with that many crabs in a 10gal. Should I drop one or both of the emeralds and add hermits?



I have a household RO system (not DI). Puts out between 20-35tds. Will that work? I'll probably just buy my water pre-mixed, but I thought I'd ask.

To alleviate the concern of a beginner 10, I've got a hyper- obsessive personality. The tank will be monitored and maintained regularly. Water changes every 5 days on my other tanks currently.

I'm sure I'll have more questions in the near future.
Thanks in advance!

 

[bertoni]

A 10g tank would be okay for one small fish, but I wouldn't add more than that, personally, although a small percula or ocellaris clown pair might be okay.

 

[Drew11]

I wouldn't mess with the RO water you have if you're going to keep coral. Because it's only a 10g tank you won't need to buy much water so to be safe just get the RODI water at your LFS for now. Pair of clowns would be good in a 10g also. Aggression issues will take place if it gets crowded for sure. Add the most aggressive fish last if you choose to do something different.

 

[kevin21]

I have a 28g jbj nano. I love the bio cube. So easy. Hide the heater in the back. And has the pumps in the back as well. I personally would go with the 12g. If so, I would stick with either a pair of clowns, or a clown and any of the clown gobie species works. Definitely don't need 2 emerald crabs in a tank that size. One should be ok. Not necessary though.

 

[I3uckethead]

Thank you for the feedback. I think I'll just grab the clown pair and use inverts for variety.

I'm actually headed to cincy to grab an oceanic 14g cube with an LED upgrade hopefully. He's asking $150

I can't even find a light that reefkeepers don't scoff at for under $100, so I scrapped the budget 10gal idea.

Thanks for fixing this bertoni!