Ready to take the Plunge!

[glbtrekker]

Hi all, new here and I'm ready to build my first nano reef! First a little about me...I have only had one aquarium in the past (a 10gal freshwater) that I kept successfully for several years. Long story short, I've been out of the hobby for several years and I'm wanting to get started again.

This time, I plan to build a nano reef. I know this is a huge undertaking for someone with limited experience, but budget does not allow me to build what I would like at this time (a 125-135 gal. reef). Therefore, it's nano or nothing.

So, I need lot's and lot's of advice. This is my first tank in years, my first saltwater, my first reef, etc. I'm reading all that I can and trying to do this right over time. My budget is limited, but I have plenty of patience (maybe ).

Right now, I have a really basic question. My closest lfs is over 50 miles away and with the cost of gas nearing $4 gal, I'm trying to limit my trips. I know that I will not be able to get corals, fish, etc. for a long time, but I am hoping to get live rock on my first trip. This first trip will also be to buy a new tank (old one is...well...old), powerhead, testing supplies, etc.

Here's my question. Is it reasonable to get everything I need in one trip, come home, prepare tank, water, etc. and add the live rock? Or will it take too long to get the water ready (does the water need to mix overnight?)

If it will work, my plan is to buy it all at once, come home and put it together in this order.

1. Mix the water, circulate and bring to temperature (separate container)
2. Test the tank for leaks
3. Set up tank with powerhead, heater, etc.
4. Add live rocks
5. Add sand
6. Add water

Will this work?

Also (dumb newb question) how will the rock be packaged for the journey home? Do I need to take a means to keep it wet?

Thanks!

 

[Louy99]

What tank are you getting. Try to get the biggest nano you can get your hands on. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to keep. The best tanks for noobs are 55g and up. I wanted a nano so I picked a 29g up on Craigslist for 100 bucks and I love it. What water are you gonna be using for your tank? If you don't have the patients to wait 4-6 weeks for your tank to cycle, you can buy bacteria in a bottle. You can start a tank with dead rock and dead sand, pour the bacteria and add fish right away. Sometimes buying a bunch of live rock can bring unwanted pests and cost 4x's more than dead rock.
If you want to buy live rock and sand you can just mix the water really fast, put sand in tank, place a large bowl on top of sand, pour water into bowl so it doesn't stir up sand too much, when done pouring, remove bowl and add LR and wait wait wait. Good luck and do lots of reading. There are tons of helpful videos on YouTube from bulk reef supply and mr saltwater tank that helped me out a lot.

 

[glbtrekker]

Thanks! Shouldn't you put the rock down first and then the sand so that the rock is on bottom and cannot tip over if the livestock/pumps erode the sand?

 

[glbtrekker]

Okay, new question...I'm looking to start very basic. Tank, light (after cycle), heater and pump. I plan to use a one Koralia Nano 240 powerhead for this 10gal tank. Is that enough? Or should I add another one on the opposing side? Also, is there anything else I need - of course other than sand, rock and salt to begin my cycle?

 

[jtgordon20]

You can order alot online, such as a ro/di filter which you'd probably need because the lfs is not so local, you can order dry rock to save money and buy a little bit of live rock to seed it. Equipment you can order online. For a 10g I had an aquaclear 70 fuge mod, and a koralia 425 and 240 and could have added more. Just had to aim it right. For a heater the Jagers are good. I had the 12" model. I think 100w or 75w. Lighting I had a 24" t5 fixture from fishneedit. Had the 4x24w model, hangs off a little but wasn't bad.
For sand, the caribsea special grade is great, its larger grain and doesn't blow around easily Compared to sugar fine sand. Then you'll need a bucket, extra heater and a little power head for mixing water for waterchanges which should be weekly. I always mix overnight, but can he mixed in an emergency in 45 minutes or so.

 

[jtgordon20]

And for a clean look, paint the back black with Krylon fusion.

 

[TL1000RSquid]

Yes I would do the rock then sand. 240gph will be fine on your 10g, unless you plan on stocking it with something that requres high current.

As the above poster said you can probably save a nice chunk of change shopping online and just buying the aquarium itself and maybe a couple pounds of live rock at the LFS.

 

[glbtrekker]

Thanks everyone, all the information is a great help. I don't know if forum rules will allow it, assuming they do...can anyone point me in the direction of a reputable online company to buy the material? Also...anyone know where I could get a 15 gal tall (I'm thinking about doing this instead of the 10g)? I have a 10gal stand it would fit perfectly on and give me a little more "room." I have looked everywhere I can find online and have yet to find one available.

How about rock? I would like the aquarium to be pretty full looking...would 15-20# be okay? I also plan to get about 10# of sand. I think this should give me about 1.25" base...is that okay?

 

[jtgordon20]

With the 15 high lighting would need to be stronger and aquascaping would be harder.
rock can be bought at marcorocks, Bulkreefsupply, reefcleaners and more.

 

[harleychic]

I am a big fan of Drs. Foster and Smith and their livestock selection at Liveaquaria. I have only ordered dry goods from them in the past, but have had really good experiences. Their livestock recommendations are very accurate compared to some others.

A word of advice, I don't know anything good or bad about your LFS, but if they tell you one thing, and people on here tell you another, trust the people here, they aren't trying to sell you anything!

Do you know what livestock you want to keep yet?

 

[HaKs310]

If you don't have the patients to wait 4-6 weeks for your tank to cycle, you can buy bacteria in a bottle. You can start a tank with dead rock and dead sand, pour the bacteria and add fish right away.

I hope this was a joke.


Anyway, my first recommendation would be to take it slow and do not rush anything. Go with the biggest possible tank space and money can afford right now, check out Craigslist or other sites for anything used. Invest in a RO/DI unit and a bucket of salt, who knows when you'll need a couple gallons of SW and your LFS is a hour away. I would first buy the tank, heater, refractometer and powerheads, along with salt and RO/DI. Set everything up and take a drive down to your LFS the next day for 10-1bs of LR/dry rock. Sit on RC for a month researching everything and looking for your lighting choice. After a month is up I'll do a water change and add your 10lbs of sand.

Patience is the biggest thing is this hobby. Without it you will be in a world of hurt.