David C

I'm ready to buy the equipment to convert an extra tank into a 10gal nano reef. I will be using lighting giving me 8wpg and a HOT refugium with a penguin 100b filter as well. I will also have a nano protein skimmer. I intend to use 20lbs of live rock. Here are some questions...

1. Is 20lbs of live rock enough or should I use more?

2. What size power head should I add to the tank?

3. Should I go bare bottom or use 1" of sand for a decorative look?

4. What kind of stocking options do I have? I was thinking maybe one fish and an assortment of mushrooms or other inverts... I just want something extremely colorful and pleasing to the eye.

5. Will it be alright to leave the live rock in the tank for a month or so before adding anything else or will I have to do something besides water changes?

I've been reading about SW for awhile now and I think I'm ready for a small attempt if I go sloooooowwwwwwwwww enough and carefully watch my readings.

Slug

1. Get 10-20lbs and see what it looks like in the tank. Add more or use less as needed to appeal to your tastes, and aquascaping needs.

2. I use a Maxijet 400 with 2 HOB filters for flow....if i had to do it again i'd go 1-2 sizes up on the powerhead. Or with 2 MJ400.

3. If i had to do it again i'd either go bare bottom or go with very fine white sand. Substrates are a pain to keep clean and an eye sore once they get dirty IMO. But take into account your stock. Your gobies might prefer substrate over BB, etc.

4. Coral doesn't add to bioload, stock away in that department. I keep 2 fish in my 10gal sucessfully, and until recently a shrimp as well. Makes an enjoyable tank. All the coral really give the color though. Go here and see my tank and the color, don't mind the algae. My 10gal Nano (lots of pics)

5. Should be fine, just make sure the saltwater stays fresh and at the right saltinity level. As long as the rock is wet with good saltwater it will be fine and living. Keep the flow going in the tank during this time too.

David C

Could I keep 2 fish, say gobies or small clowns and a shrimp then? That's what your post sounded like to me and that would be cool, as long as it was fine. Your tank is still gorgeous, exactly what got me thinking of trying this in the first place I'll try out the 20lbs of rock, LFS is selling it for $10/lbs because it is from someone else's tank and it's about 5yrs old and looks gorgeous. All the parts won't be in for about 2-3 wks so I'll get it together then. I'm hoping for a good experience and lotsa work