Starting a 10 gallon Nano reef

Jessi211981

Jessi211981

New member
Hello all I am new to SW keeping Ive been a FW keeper for 25 ys. I am looking to turn my 10 gallon into a Nano reef. I would love to go larger cuz I know that means more stable but I do not have the space at the current time. As of right now my 10 gallon is on my kitchen counter cuz that is the only space I had to put it.

Here is what I have so far for the tank

10 gallon tank
Coralife 50/50 65 w light (new bulbs are in it)(I found in someones trash and it works )
Hydrometer( found it with the light)(Clean it with hot water and vinger than rinsed it with hot water)
Seachum Reef Calcium(used it when I had Mystery Snails for their shells)
Seachum PRIME
All glass lid ( ordered it from Ebay)
150 w glass heater
Digital Thermometer
Glass Thermometer

Here is the stuff on my to buy list

2 power heads
Shatter guard for heater
1 bag of LS(I want to have a shallow bed)
LR and Dry( Do not know how many pounds well be good for a nano reef)
API Masters SW testing card(downloading it)
Phosphate test kit

So I would really like some help with my set up if you guys/girls have anything you think you know of or sites that can help me find the stuff I will need. I would be very honored .
 
Welcome! I have a 12 gallon long nano. I'd add a magnet cleaner for the glass and maybe an Aquaclear to make as a fuge with pods and chaeto (I have an Aquaclear 50 and a small LED light from ebay to grow the chaeto). I also bought a refractometer from ebay for $25 - works great for checking salinity - it may be more reliable than the hydrometer.

I use a Koralia nano and a small Red Sea pump and they work fine, one on each end.
 
I will be starting a new nano tank soon as well, good luck!
I may be incorrect but a 150w heater seems a little powerful, unless it has an adjustment on it?
 
mandarin_goby said:
Welcome! I have a 12 gallon long nano. I'd add a magnet cleaner for the glass and maybe an Aquaclear to make as a fuge with pods and chaeto (I have an Aquaclear 50 and a small LED light from ebay to grow the chaeto). I also bought a refractometer from ebay for $25 - works great for checking salinity - it may be more reliable than the hydrometer.

I use a Koralia nano and a small Red Sea pump and they work fine, one on each end.
Click to expand...

I ordered the mag just forgot to list it sry.

What Koralia nanos do u have I am thinking two of the 240s you think that well work?

Okay how would I go about doing that I have Bio wheel 150 do you think that would work if I took out the wheel or am I better getting a Aquaclear?

That is a great price for a refractometer
 
I have one of the $25 ebay refractometers too, works great have compared it side by side with more expensive units same accuracy, and much better then hydrometers, my hydrometer reads 1.026 while refractometers give me 1.023 reading.

2 240's should be good.

I see your mentioned Prime, are you planning to use tap water? I would highly suggest using RO water instead.
 
I don't see why the Biowheel wouldn't work (without the wheel)... Throw some chaeto in there and add a little light and you should be set! I bought pods (tisbe), chaeto and an LED clip on light from eBay and everything is thriving.
 
TL1000RSquid said:
I have one of the $25 ebay refractometers too, works great have compared it side by side with more expensive units same accuracy, and much better then hydrometers, my hydrometer reads 1.026 while refractometers give me 1.023 reading.

2 240's should be good.

I see your mentioned Prime, are you planning to use tap water? I would highly suggest using RO water instead.
Click to expand...

No I plan on getting RO from my LFS PRIME is on hand in case anything like ammonia or nitrates spike. I have red the horror stories about tap water.
 
mandarin_goby said:
I don't see why the Biowheel wouldn't work (without the wheel)... Throw some chaeto in there and add a little light and you should be set! I bought pods (tisbe), chaeto and an LED clip on light from eBay and everything is thriving.
Click to expand...

Okay I figured I would ask it is always good to ask a question than not too.
 
Okay big question now how many pounds LR and how many pound dry rock should I do? OR should I just do dry rock power wash it put the LS(not the sand the rock) in than the dry rock on top and just let it cycle in the tank? Plus I red using egg crate on the bottom of the tank can help with cracking? Where could I get it?
 
How much rock really depends on your scaping plans(I used about 12lbs when I had my 10g up), I'd do atleast 5lbs dry 3lbs live. The more live rock you use the more likely the cycle will go quicker. With the small amount of rock and probably $2/lb price difference I'd go with live. Egg crate can be found at Home Depot or Lowes in the lighting dept around $12 for a 4'x2' sheet. With a 10g I wouldn't worry to much about the rock cracking the glass though.
 
I am in no rush still planning my CUC,Coral stock, and fish stock. But first I have to set it up and let it cycle that long way like I did for my FW tanks cuz I learn going slow is the best way to have a healthy tank.
 
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