thinking about a 10g?

[fishymann]

I'm thinking about possibly setting up a small custom cube 12x12x16 nano (it would be 10 gallons). What i'm wondering is this, with a retrofit kit of 65 watts (just about 6.5wpg) what type of corals would i be able to keep, and also would i need to an external sump for filtration or just a HOB skimmer and powerheads for circulation be okay (no skimmer?) I'd go with probably a 3 inch sand bed and 10-15lbs of rock (depending how much i could fit).

 

[cschwaj]

Watts per gallon is a poor measure. Your deep tank will behave very differently than a shallow one with the same volume. At 16" deep, the 65 watter would be alright for a softie tank; GSP, zoos, shrooms, xenia and some types of leathers. It would not be the ideal quantity of light, but would suffice.

A HOB would be fine. An AC is always a good choice; go with a larger one. You can always cut back flow and mod as you wish.

Since this is custom, I would recommend cutting the height. 12" cubed would be more appropriate for the lighting you are running. You wouldn't be able to keep many more things, but they would do better. Some simpler LPS (candy canes) might be alright in there then.

 

[fishymann]

sorry for the confusion, 12 height, 12 depth, 16 long (so i can use 15" light). I'm thinking about maybe just buying a tank. Not sure i was just fooling around with the idea of a nano.

 

[cschwaj]

Got it. A "cube" to me means a square (top-looking-down) tank. If you want to use a 15" light, an AGA 5.5 gal is 16" across and makes a great sized nano. That was my 2nd nano and was a nice softie tank with only 24 watts over it.

 

[fishymann]

yea i messed up the measurements. Now realizing i'd spend more money just to make the tank its not really worth it. I'm contemplating the aga 5.5 because of its size and the fact id be able to use the 15" light.

So a big question is, if i had lets say 10lbs of rock or so, would i be able to just have a powerhead for water movement and not need any other forms of filtration or would i need a sump or powerfilter type of setup?

 

[Rosseau]

That's right, you could do fine with just LR in there.

As always a sump with macro algae or a skimmer would add to it all but it will probably function fine without as long as you keep up with your water changes.


It sort of depends on what you plan to keep as well. e.g. Fish tend to make a lot of waste and don't do much to clean up after themselves.

 

[fishymann]

I think i would stick to corals maybe one fish?; zoas, riccoridas,and i love frogspawns.

I know zoas dont need a lot of light but would riccoridas and (could frogspawn even live in a 10 or 5.5 gallon?) need more than 65 watts?

 

[fishymann]

Okay, lets say im going with 5.5. riccoridas are BEAUTIFUL haha.
What would be a good powerhead a maxijet 600? 900? any suggestions?

 

[fishymann]

bump