need some opinions

[bdevillier]

Hello to everyone,

I'm new to saltwater (freshwater for many years) and i'm setting up a 10 gallon on my breakfast bar and need some opinions on some equipment options. For starters, I plan on keeping softies and lps with 2 fish tops. My tank has been running for 8 weeks and has already cycled.
The questions i'm having is about the filtration and water movement. I'm leaning towards a modded aqua clear but not sure if I should go with the ac70 and a k. nano 240 powerhead, or go with the ac110 for the extra volume and see how the flow is from there? Any suggestions?
The other idea I had was to put a HOB fuge and use a powerhead (or 2) for circulation. I'd like to hear what others have to say.


Thanks.

 

[zeebies]

Bdevillier, I've been running a 10 gallon mixed reef for over a year.

In addition to a Koralia nano 240, I have a Marineland 100 bio wheel filter that is providing flow. I do not use the biowheel but do use the carbon filters and clean the filters once a week and replace once a month. I do water changes of 20% weekly.

I would not run a HOB fuge because the small volume would not offer much benefit to your sytem - live rock is what you need for filtration.

My litttle system has plenty of flow and I am able to keep softies, lps, sps, a pair of clowns, a tiny green banded goby, various snails, hermits and a cleaner shrimp.

Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[bdevillier]

thanks for the reply. so just a good power filter and a power head is all i need. well thats not too bad. as for lighting i was thinking a 20" t5 fixture, but im thinking a 2x18W might be a little weak but a 4X18w might be too much. any ideas?

 

[zeebies]

You're welcome! Yup, just use the power filter for flow and for holding some carbon and add that 240 and you'll be set. I've been set up like that for about 15 months.

I was very interested in trying out led lighting so I will admit to buying the Marineland Reef Capable LED light.

You should know that this light lasted only 10 months for me because of an overheating problem that resulted in the powercord fusing to the light fixture. :thumbdown Not good. Apparently this design problem resulted in Marineland replacing the light for customers who complained.

I complained and must say that all in all I received very good customer service. The light was replaced with the newer version which has an integrated timer.

If I were just starting a new 10 gallon reef right now, I would get the newer version of the light with the timer. JMHO. If you're interested in the light, look around for best prices and MAKE SURE you don't get the old light - I think some of those things are still floating around.

There are a lot of positives with led lighting and lighing a small 10 gallon with them is relatively cheap. As far as growth with this light, everything grows quite well and I sell frags for credit to my lfs. None of my mushrooms grow at all though. They don't shrivel up and die, they just don't grow. This could be because I keep my water pretty pristine - mushrooms like a bit of dirty water.

Sorry, can't help with other lighting options as these leds have worked great for me!

Hope that helps.

 

[bdevillier]

yeah i have a marineland single bright for a small freshwater and it does ok for clean light. i'm worried that the reef capable might have too much of the disco effect on such a small tank. i have seen some tanks that use them and you can clearly see the blue and white spots on the rock and sand. hows the light pattern working for you on your 10 gallon?

 

[Michigan Mike]

Just say no - to Marineland led. A 24" t5ho is the best bet because you will have options for high quality bulbs, many 24" fixtures legs will slide in to fit the 20" long tank, it will just hang off the sides a bit, but the good bulbs are worth it and you can upgrade later to a 20high or even 20long and 29 -37gallon tanks and the 24" fixtures will work.
If you get a 20" t5 the only company that makes bulbs is pretty much only current so you will be stuck using the crappy bulbs. Not cool!
Other than that a fishneedit 70w metal halide with 20,000k bulb would be good too.
These are my opinions only, I'd hate for you to get a Marineland led and not like it, like me and a lot of others...so many better options.

 

[zeebies]

The new version of the light has a diffuser over the blues so the spotlight effect is gone. I like the shimmer I get with the light - just depends on what you like!

 

[bdevillier]

yeah i dont think i could justify the price of the Marineland LED. i can do a DIY for less and get a better blue to white color ratio and dimming. i think for this tank i'm going to go with t5s and save the LED for when i get my big tank going.