Thinking of starting a 10G, Does this sound like a good plan?

[todd2000]

So I had a 55G that I started in January, and It was great, all of my fish, and shrimp were doing great, I never progressed to corals as I didn't really have the money. I ditched the 55 in Jul or Aug, because it was starting to get over run with GHA, and I didn't have the time/money to maintain it the way I should have. Right now im running it as Fresh (I know, I know... ). Anyway Im getting the urge to dive (pun intended) into salt again, but I don't want to do a large tank, since I hope not to be living here for too much longer, and I have a 10 that Im not doing anything with, and want to make a little 10G Nano. I realize that they require a bit more maintenance then larger tanks, but the maintenance is easier/faster. Onto the questions.

I Still have all the live rock (or dead at this point) from my 55G, so I can use some of that as base for the 10, would I be ok using mostly base, and just seeding it with one piece of live rock? How long do you think it would take to seed the tank?

What sort of lighting would you recommend? I really just want some Zoas, which I know don't need a lot of light, but I don't think the 15W NO Fluorescent it has now would cut it. . I hate to sound stingy, but what is the cheapest light that would work well for Zoas, and *MABYE* some other softies, but probably not. What can I say I really Like Zoas.

As far as filtration goes, Im planing on just a small Auqaclear HOB, and Im thinking of Moding another Aquaclear into a small Fuge, and of course LR. You don't think I'll need a skimmer on a 10G if it's lightly stocked with regular water changes right?

As far as livestock I was thinking

1 Ocellaris Clown
1 Tail-Spot Blenny
1-2 Cleaner Shrimp
Some Crabs
Misc Snails
And I don't know what else (if anything)

What do you think, any suggestions? Thanks

 

[StephenInVa]

I'd clean the rock and let it soak for a bit in fresh water that you have a power head running in before adding it to the tank again. Also change the fresh water in the container the rock is in every day or so and replace it with fresh. Just to make sure you're not carrying anything dead/decaying over into the new tank. Then "seed" it with a couple of pieces of fresh live rock. The critters should multiply on their own. Live sand is a good idea also.

As for the lighting... I'm using a Coralife 96 watt PC Aqualight on my 10 gallon nano. With a 50/50 bulb. I paid way too much for mine locally but you can pick up a brand new one online for under 100 dollars. That includes shipping and the mounting legs. Great light in my opinion. I'm growing rics, mushrooms, zoo's, paly's, softies, lps, 2 frags of monti digi's, and 1 frag of Hydnophora under it. Everything is growing very well. Even the SPS.

Your filter plan sounds good. I am using a skimmer just because I feel it helps. You'll find varied opinions on that however in a tank that size with regular water changes. But it couldn't possibly hurt to skim. I'm also changing 4 gallons of water every week and plan to add a AC fuge with cheato in the future.

Your livestock plan sounds good. Mine is stocked with 2 false percs, 2 peppermint shrimp, pom pom crab, and various snails and hermits. No problems so far and I enjoy the tank much more than some of the larger ones I've had set up.

Good luck with everything. And remember to wait out the cycle. :beer:

 

[todd2000]

The rock from my 55 has actually been sitting on the patio since I took it out, I was planning on soaking it for a few weeks before using it again. I was going to put a thin layer of live sand, obviously a DSB is not really an option in a 10G.

It would seem like 96W is a bit overkill wouldn't you say, although I realize there aren't many options for a tank this size?

I realize a skimmer couldn't hurt, but im trying not to clutter up the take any more then I have too, what skimmer are you using StephenInVa?

What part of VA are you in Stephen?

 

[jenlovesty]

If you dont want to use the 96watt coralife, you could try the Current USA 20" Single Satellite fixture. It has 40 watts. You can pick one up for around $50.

 

[todd2000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8861074#post8861074 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jenlovesty
If you dont want to use the 96watt coralife, you could try the Current USA 20" Single Satellite fixture. It has 40 watts. You can pick one up for around $50.

Yeah I was thinking of getting that light, do you think 40W would be enough for Zoas?

 

[SoupySteve]

I think 40w over a 10g would be a good amount for most softies. I doubt it's any exact way to compare, but i had a 2x65w fixture over a 55g and grew any softy I tried very well - and that comes to between 2 and 3 watts per gallon and you're looking at 4 wpg - if watts per gallon is an applicable measurement in this situation, that is :smokin: .

Does the 40w fixture you're looking at use a 50/50 bulb? I prefer their blue-ish look.

 

[jenlovesty]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8861821#post8861821 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by todd2000
Yeah I was thinking of getting that light, do you think 40W would be enough for Zoas?

Another site, nano-reefs.com has a 10 gallon contest going on. The stock contest is limited to using 40 watts. Alot of people are using the Current USA light. To see what they are able to keep, check out the website:

http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showforum=54

 

[todd2000]

Cool thanks for the link looks like I'll be going with the Current 40W, I had a 4x65 Orbit on my old 55 and I liked it a lot. To answer your question Steve yes it has a 50/50 bulb, here is the light http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Produ...a_Gen_Page-_-Lighting&subref=AA&N=2004+113345

 

[StephenInVa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8860399#post8860399 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by todd2000
It would seem like 96W is a bit overkill wouldn't you say, although I realize there aren't many options for a tank this size?

I realize a skimmer couldn't hurt, but im trying not to clutter up the take any more then I have too, what skimmer are you using StephenInVa?

What part of VA are you in Stephen?

Maybe overkill. But I have to say I love the light. I'll be buying 2 more when I'm ready to set up another 10 gallon (Florida ric tank) and a 15 gallon for a small mantis and softies. I feel like I have very few limitations as to what I can keep with the 96 watts over a 10 gallon.

I'm using the fission nano skimmer. You'll find a lot of negativity concerning it but mine is producing a nice dark olive green skim mate. You'll get some micro bubbles however. If my mod works when I try it this week I'll post the results on here if you'd like to try it.

I'm between Charlottesville and Fredericksburg.

Here are two comparison shots of the tank. One with 40 watts of light. One with the 96 watt AguaLight. And the last few are of the tank now after a couple of months.

40 Watts

96 Watts (first day put on the tank)

Tank now

 

[SoupySteve]

That's a very NOTICEABLE upgrade - nice job! Could LPS be kept in a 3gal with 18W PC 50/50? Just trying to get everyone's opinion...

 

[StephenInVa]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8862531#post8862531 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by SoupySteve
That's a very NOTICEABLE upgrade - nice job! Could LPS be kept in a 3gal with 18W PC 50/50? Just trying to get everyone's opinion...

I bought a 3 gallon eclipse years ago from a guy here that he was using as a mantis tank. He retro'd the hood to house 2 screw in 50/50 PC bulbs for a total of 20 watts of light. It came along with some softies and they did well. I can't remember what they were exactly though. They were only in there for a few months before I put the mantis and corals in a larger tank. But I didn't have any problems with them. I think softies would be ok. But I'm not sure about LPS. All of the LPS I've ever kept seemed to enjoy light. Given it's such a small area to concentrate the 18 watts of light though you could be fine. Try it out. If it doesn't work you could always move it to a tank with more light.

 

[StephenInVa]

Duplicate post.

 

[BridgetP]

Look into a little T-5 light for your zoas, that light would make them shine. I have seen zoas in all types of PC lighting and trust me you will want either metal halide or T-5. that is if your gettting some rare morphs, if you just want zoas to grow PC will be fine but if you want them to shine it is gonna take more than PC.
JMO

 

[todd2000]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=8863190#post8863190 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by BridgetP
Look into a little T-5 light for your zoas, that light would make them shine. I have seen zoas in all types of PC lighting and trust me you will want either metal halide or T-5. that is if your gettting some rare morphs, if you just want zoas to grow PC will be fine but if you want them to shine it is gonna take more than PC.
JMO

T5s might be a bit pricey for my budget. Can you even find T5s for a 10G tank?

 

[todd2000]

Any Ideas on the T5s, I'de like to check out my options?