New nano set up....could use some input!

orionsmamma

orionsmamma

Premium Member
Ive read thru 12 pages of posts and am not finding the info Im looking for so I figure its time to post.

Im not new to reefing, but it has been several years and Ive never donea nano before.

So far, I have a standard 10 gallon "petco" style freshwater tank (given to me by a friend). I have 15 lbs of live sand and 16 lbs of live rock cycling in it and I am running the biowheel style filter for water movement.

My next steps are lighting water movement and filtration. I saw that some people are having success running a nano without a skimmer and I wanted some input here. I want to keep a pair of clownfish and corals, so not a huge bioload. Im wondering what others are doing for filtration.

As for lighting, T5 was just getting popular when I left the hobby. I was originally thinking compacts would be plenty, but then I started looking at LEDs, and well now im kinda confused. I want enough lighting so that Im not limited on corals, but dont want to deal with massive heat. I could really use some suggestions!

Thanks!
Donna
 
I run a 30 gallon with no skimmer. Just a 20 gallon sump with a DSB and live rock. I think the easiest thing to do is it get a AIO tank. They are very popular nowadays and im currently transitioning my tank to a smaller 15 gallon AIO system.
 
This tank has to be simple...Its on my kitchen counter in an apartment. With the rock and sand there is only 6.5 gallons, is the "skimmerless" option only for higher volume tanks?
 
No. Small tanks are easy because you can change so much of the water volume at once. Well if you don't have room for a sump then I would get a AIO system. That way you get the best filtration and can hide the heater and don't have to use a HOB filter.
 
Maybe another time. Imo, half the fun is putting it together. Ive got this partway set up, just need to figure out the lights!
 
Well for lighting you could go with a DIY set up or spend more and get a nice. You have the kessil, Ai nano or just a par 38 led light.
 
Google DIY LED and you'll find a few different links. Stick with Cree or Bridgelux 3 watt LEDs. I'm going to put 10-12 of them over a 10 gallon. Loose the bio wheels also.
 
there is nothing wrong with T5 lights. They are old school- and well proven for success. Even an old school 70W MH would not be an issue with proper ventilation/ cooling for a 10 gallon tank. Everyone has been jumping the LED bandwagon for some time now. yes, its cooler running. yes, you dont have to deal with bulb changes every 8-9 months as you would with T5 or MH. I have run Power Compacts, T5, MH, and 4 different LED fixtures including the Radion. My best success with my SPS corals so far was the MH/T5 combo. but, for a standard 10 gallon- Power Compacts... or, join the bandwagon and give the LEDs a try.

oh yeah, I second losing the bio-wheel. frequent water changes should suffice in place of a protein skimmer. I am currently running a 2.7 gallon aio reef tank with 3/4 gallon running capacity external sump. I created an auto water changer that changes 2 cups of water twice daily. I also run a gnome glass protein skimmer that does a very descent job. The reason for so much water change and a protein skimmer is that I heavy feed that tank. My other reef tank is a highly modified RSM 130D.
 
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This is the setup i use for lighting

This is the setup i use for lighting

Look in to LED's Im new to the saltwater reef hobbie but I do know that LED will in the long run save you money. I bought a system that was manufactured buy some unnamed company from the local reef store. It has 12 6500k daylight leds and 12 actinic blue excelant setup. More than enough light to run a nano. only downside is it has no adjustments for brightness
 
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