New and have a few questions

[Salt Newb]

I have a 10g tank that I want to convert from a plant growout tank to a low light reef tank. I was looking at Orange Tree Gorgonian(Swiftia exserta) and the Orange Sun Coral(Tubastrea aurea). Now I was reading a site and it said that both of these corals dont need light or can thrive and survive in dim light. I have a strip light that came with the 10g which has a total of 15 watts. Would this be enough lighting for these corals? If not what would the best way to acheive a low light reef tank?(Is there such a thing )

Also I read you were suppose to feed them. How do you go about that? I think its the Gorgonian that eats phytoplankton or something. I heard that these are hard to care for due to feeding but I have nothing but time to learn. Also what are good foods to feed them.

What is the best kind of filtration for a 10g? I know that using a HOB filter traps Nitrates. Powerheads cause the current. But when it comes to filtration, Im clueless.

Since I work at a fish store I am really capable of getting saltwater fish. And I am actually really interested in the Black Clown Fish. Is this a suitable fish for a 10g? Also what would I be searching for in a clean up crew?

Is Live Sand Needed if you have Live Rock?

Now the things I know is that on such a small tank a Protein Skimmer is not needed. Live rock is the key to the cycle of a tank. I have done many Planted tanks and I know the factors of cycling. Its like a pound of Live rock for every gallon.

 

[drummereef]

Salt Newb,


[welcome]

 

[drummereef]

You'll find the best filtration is natural. By that I mean the use of live rock. If you have at least 1lb/gallon it will support the bio-load. You can just use dry sand, as it will become 'live' once it's in the tank a while. There's really no need for a skimmer on a nano tank. Just keep up with your 10-15% weekly water changes and you'll be good.

 

[Salt Newb]

Thanks. I been browsing at some of the tanks here and I am amazed by them. Thats what is wanting me to start

 

[Salt Newb]

So the only things I would really need is the powerheads? And thats just for the current. Would the lighting be fine for the corals I found. From what I read they can be in no light to dim light. I would want to ask some of the professionals first.

 

[Henry Bowman]

Neither of the "corals" you listed will need much light at all. You WILL end up adding lights for other corals in the long run.

Gorgonians are filter feeders and need phyto to survive. Sun Corals need to be target fed, ie. squirting a mixture close to them so they can eat. I have neither so I cannot give you any further info other than "do your homework". Success will be found in your tank when you ask lots of questions, do lots of research, buy a great specimen and treat it well.

Filtration will be handled by the live rock. I'd get 12-24lbs for a 10gl. I have 4-5" of sand in my nano. IF you are going to use sand either use 1" or over 4". Anything in between collects garbage and doesnt process it. Over 4" and the sand actually becomes a type of filter assisting in the reduction of nitrates and nitrites.

Cleanup crews consist mostly of snails and hermits. Larger hermits can be agressive. Personally I stick with the little blue legged guys. I also have a peppermint shrimp in my nano and a lawnmower blenny.

You are right about not needing a skimmer for a nano. Live rock does filter but you need to do weekly (in my opinion) water changes of about a gallon. The key here is to ensure that the Salinity, Temp and Alk are in the SAME proportions to your tank otherwise a water change can really be stressful on the tanks inhabitants.

HTH

 

[Salt Newb]

Awesome. I finally get to set up a saltwater tank. Everything I hear about Corals are that they need alot of light so Im happy I found some that dont need much. Thanks everyone. Now I need to do more research .

 

[Scuba_Steve]

Just so you know, there are lots of cheap power compact lights that would work just fine on a tank that small. This would allow you to keep mushrooms, leathers, zoas, and most other softies. The no light corals are best for a more experienced keeper. Im not saying you cant do it, but it will be much easier on you to spend even $30-50 on lights.

 

[Salt Newb]

Well it is a strip light so I dont think they make the bulbs needed. I will have to check my work to see(I work at a fish store).

 

[iwishtofish]

You will need a heater, but I'm sure you know that!

 

[Salt Newb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10250055#post10250055 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by iwishtofish
You will need a heater, but I'm sure you know that!

Yup

I found an Aquaclear heter for like $12, a couple poweheads(total would be like $50 if I get both), and a 28 watt 50/50 bulb. Then I will get a little moon light Since I wont be able to keep the Actinic(spl) on at night since its on one power switch.

 

[jer77]

You should be able to keep zoos, mushrooms and some softies with a 28W light over a 10g. For nanos just make sure you do weekly water changes and make sure you top-off the evaporated water regularly. You can run a HOB filter with sponges and/or carbon only to polish the water. Just make sure to wash the sponges regularly or else they will build up nitrates.

 

[Salt Newb]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=10257803#post10257803 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jer77
You should be able to keep zoos, mushrooms and some softies with a 28W light over a 10g. For nanos just make sure you do weekly water changes and make sure you top-off the evaporated water regularly. You can run a HOB filter with sponges and/or carbon only to polish the water. Just make sure to wash the sponges regularly or else they will build up nitrates.

Is there like a list of some zoos, mushrooms, and softies I can use and I will start my research on them. Well I would have a HOB for just the reason of polishing it but other than that it seems I wont need it.

 

[jer77]

Well theres no list per say, but I can give you something to start with...

Zoanthids are pretty much all the same as requirements go. Color doesn't differentiate their requirements. There are several different types of zoas. There are the main kind Zoanthus sp. sometimes called colony polyps. There is a second type Protopalythoa sp. which are sometimes called button polyps. The third kind are called Palythoa sp. Oh and the last kind are undescribed species sometimes called colonial polyps which are most commonly yellow. For requirements zoas can survive in low light but thrive in moderate to high light and medium to high flow. They can accept food such as zooplankton like cyclop-eeze, this especially goes for the larger polyps and the colonial polyps.

There are other kinds of polyps that may be good or your setup. For example gsp or green star polyps, waving hand or clove polyps and pipe organ polyps. I'd recommend all except the gsp because they can overgrow a small aquarium very quickly and take over other corals with no mercy.

Now for mushrooms there are many kinds, but mostly all of them require low light and low to moderate flow. I'll just name a few. Rhodactis indosinensis which are mainly lavender colored sometimes just green or brown though and are sometimes called hairy mushrooms. Rhodactis inchoata are called bullseye mushrooms and come in very pretty intense colors sometimes. Actinodiscus sp. are they regular smooth mushrooms sometimes colored or with dots or stripes. Now for Ricordeas, they are not as hardy as the other mushroom types, they are technically different. They do like low light and low to moderate flow. They are aggressive though so care needs to be taken in placement of these corals. They also can be feed zooplankton like most mushrooms too.

For soft corals you'll be more limited to what you can get. Here's some that may be ok. Most Sarcophytum or toadstool leathers should be ok. Also colt corals kenya tree corals and lobophytum or finger leathers. Be careful though cause some finger leathers like the sinularia kind I've found to need more light. There are also lots of soft corals that need no to low light. These include the Dendronephthya sp. and others like it. Most soft corals need moderate to high flow and can benefit from phytoplankton feeding.

Now go get some corals and make your tank rock!!

 

[Salt Newb]

Wow I didnt know that with such little light(28 watts) I can grow a good selection. Where I work we have most of those actually. Thanks!