Arlaynriel

I want to start a 10 gal SW tank. I've never done one before, just FW. I've got my tank, what should I do to get it started? Thanks.

ATP

Start with research. Months worth. When you think you're experienced, you still research. Research is the foundation of SW or Reef tanks.


there are three types of tank for SW

Fish only:
The main thing is the fish. Mix different types of fish, but usually not realistic tank. Any lights would do.

Fish only with live rock (FOWLR)
If you want fishes like non reef safe fishes (most butterflies, most angels, triggers, etc.), but you want it too look somewhat similar to nature this is the tank for you. You will need actinic lights for coraline algae growth.

Reef Tank
Usually a mini ecosystem. Clean up crews (invertebrates), corals, fishes (fishes will be limited due to some fish eating the clean up crew), live rock. Usually reefs are the hardest and most people recommend you start with simpler unless you are truly dedicated. I started with a 125 reef. Requires excellent water parameters, high intensity lights (T-5 HO's, T12 VHO's, metal halides, LED, etc.)

I recommend you start with a bigger tank for fish only as a 10 gallon could only hold a few tiny fishes. I say a good fish only or fish only with live rocks is a 70 gallon. You could have lots of space for fish as it'll be your main display. A small tank will all so require more attention and is usually harder.

A 10 gal. would be nice for a nano reef with invertebrates and one firefish.


A little link to get you started. (FOWLR)
http://www.fishlore.com/SaltwaterAquariumSetup.htm

aquarist48

Hello Arlaynriel and Welcome to Fish Lore. Sounds like ATP has you covered. Best of luck with your salt water set up. I hope you can share some photos along the way!
Have fun and enjoy the site.
Ken

Arlaynriel

Thanks for all the info. I was planning on taking my time with this tank so I thought that maybe starting a SW would be a good way to keep me from becoming too impatient. I will deffinately do some more research. I had no idea that there were so many different kinds of SW tanks. I guess the first thing I should do is figure out what kind of tank I want to and go from there. When I do, I'll let you guys know, and will probably have some more questions. Thanks again for the info.

Arlaynriel

So I have decided to go with a nano tank, like ATP suggested. And after some research, I think I have figured out what I need to get this started, that won't hurt my pocket book.
So with the soft types of coral I want to get (mushroom, polyp, soft) I will need light water flow. So I think that by just getting an Over the Back filter will cause enough water flow that won't damage the coral and still be enough for the few fishies to swim around comfortably, with out disturbing the sand and clean up crew.
A water heater is deffinately on the list. Should it be 10 watts per 10 gals. A friend that has had SW in the past is pretty sure that was the equation, but he said he could be wrong. Any info would be welcome.
The same friend liked to use crushed coral instead of sand, to help with the pH balance. I was thinking of using sand on the bottom with crushed coral sprinkled on top. I don't want the crushed coral to be too big as to allow too much bad algae growth, but i still think the add help to the Ph would be welcome, and that it would look nice. Probably benifit the clean up crew as well.
I'm sure more research will let me know what kind of lights I should get. It should be something that will help promote the photosynthesis of the coral, but I still need to figure out what kind of coral I want to get. I guess the question I'm getting at is, the kind of light I decide to get to go with the coral, will it effect the LR growth in the beginning.
Thanks.

ATP

Ok,

For the water flow, I would recommend 1 koralia nano for a 10 gal. tank. A skimmer is not necessary, but i highly recommend it. For the lights, I recommend PC lights (power compact). The lights will probably be the most expensive equipment you have. You could even have some type of SPS with these. (digita, monti caps, and a few low light SPS)

Lights:
http://www.aquacave.com/20-2x40w-orb...br-by-current-

Skimmer:
http://www.marinedepot.com/Red_Sea_P...RS1131-vi.html

powerhead:
http://www.aquacave.com/koralia-nano...ydor-1685.html

As for the substrate, I would use live sand. A good brand is Carib sea. My opinion is not less and not more than 1 inch. of live sand. I don't like crushed coral.

You'll need about 10 lb. or LR and I recommend either you buy either cured LR from craigslist or a reef society in your area(store will be about 3 or 4 times more expensive) You could also buy dead LR from your LFS and it will turn life when your cycle is complete. You could also buy half LR and half could be dead LR.

ATP,

Arlaynriel

That's wonderful news about the LR. I was planning on picking up some dead LR from my friend and introducing some actual LR for the cycling process. For the substrate, I was definately going to go shallow so that I wouldn't harm the coral when it came time to put them in. Question though, what do you not like about the crushed coral? I'd like to get a feel for both opinions, because my friend swears by it but a lot of other people I've read about, swear by the use of sand only. That was one of the reasons I was considering using both.
Thanks, Arlaynriel

ATP

crushed traps food, dead plants, waste, etc. and will become something that produces nitrates in your tank. Most inverts seems to move better with sand also instead of crushed coral. If you choose crushed coral, you'll have to siphon in regularly or else it will produce nitrates if left alone for a long time.

sand also looks better in my opinion.

Arlaynriel

Ok, cool. That's what I needed to know. I was leaning toward the sand, but wanted to cover all options. The next question I have is about lighting. I have been trying to make sence of all the different types of information, and I say information because I'm sure it is, but I look at it, read it, and feel like I have just tried to read a C++ book. I'm just as confused as by the time I get to the end as I did at the beginning.
Long story short, what do you think about this. 1 Power Compact white light and 1 antinic or blue light, also Power Compact. From what I've gathered, the PC is better for a nano tank size wise. Plus the white and blue light will be better for the corals' growth as well as bringing out the colors of the inhabitants. I'm just not sure about the watts. What do you think, ATP?
Thanks

ATP

You have a normal 20" long 10 gal. right?

http://www.marinedepot.com/20_inch_2...U01012-vi.html

this one should be over enough for you Could even have some easy SPS like digitas and monti caps.

Arlaynriel

Yes, I do have a 20". I got a 50/50 18" bulb for it today. You were right, with cost of the bulb and getting the cover for it, I spent like 65$ on it today. I also got an over the back filter (on sale! Yay!) that will filter a 20 gal. I don't plan on using a protein skimmer so I figured a larger capacity filter would cover it and the waterflow. I don't want the powerhead to damage the corals. But anyway, I have it sitting full of water right now. So far, it's passing the test. Hopefully tonight or tomorrow, I'll get to put in the LR, salt, and sand to start the cycling period. I'll probably post some pics later.

Arlaynriel

Oh. I do have a silly question. What does SPS mean? I see it used when talking about corals, but I don't think I've come across what it means. Or I have and just didn't get it at the time. Thanks.

ATP

how many watts is the lights? water Flow won't damage corals. You actually need water flow for coral. They depend on waterflow for removing waste, getting food, and to clean them selves. Water flow is a key part to reducing algae. I recommended you get power heads and skimmer. The power filter will not cover a skimmer and a power head no matter how big it is.

I would not start your tank yet. From what you've been telling me, IMO you need more research. I spent over two months researching before I started and I'm still reading right now. (non stop on weekends because I was exited lol) I'll throw some links for a start

http://www.fishlore.com/NitrogenCycle.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/proteinskimmer.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/live_rock.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/reverse_osmo...ionization.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/QuarantineTankSetup.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/Maintenance.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/aquarium_light.htm
http://www.fishlore.com/reeftanksetup.htm
http://reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-05/rhf/index.php

I know it seems a lot, but these links are the basics for a successful reef

ATP

SPS=small polyp stony corals (acropora, milipora, etc.)
LPS=large polyp stony corals (brain corals, acan)

Arlaynriel

Thanks. I'll definately check out the links and do some more research. Do you think the light will be ok?

Arlaynriel

Yep, just as I thought. I didn't pit two and two together. Thanks for the clarification.

Arlaynriel

Oh. The light is 17 watts but I just realized that they gave me the wrong length. So I have to take it back tomorrow.. Do I really need to have around 100 watts?

ATP

No, You need about 40 or 50 watts