Coryd55

Hey all. I posted this in the SW Beginners but thought this is a more appropriate place for it. Please comment on it.

Thanks,

Cory

Only change is I will be using two 100GPH power heads that I already own.


1. 10 gallon tank - $9.99
2. Hydor Koralia Powerhead - $28.49
3. 16 LBS of Live Rock - $69.99
4. 50W Visitherm Steath Heater - $15.29
5. 20” 96W Coralife CF Hood w/ Quad 50/50-Square Pin - $98.99 http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=1323
6. Nano Soft Coral Pack from Drs. Foster and Smith - $59.99
7. One Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - $18.99
8. Medium Fancy Empty Hermit Crab Shells (12 lot) - $5.99
9. Three Turbo Snails - $1.99 each – Total $5.97
10. Three Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs - $1.29 each – Total $3.87
11. One Green Clown Goby - $7.99
12. Two Catalina Gobies - $22.99 each – Total $45.98
13. Penguin Bio-Wheel Filter 100 - $16.99
14. Fission Nano Skimmer - $29.99
15. Reef Crystals 50 Gallon mix - $11.99
16. Instant Ocean Hydrometer - $8.49
17. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Reef Master Liquid Test Kit - $20.79

Total - $459.78

Wolfgang8810

I paid 500 for my 24 gallon aquapod with all the fixins. I think you should invest in a bigger SW tank as you will be wanting a bigger one as soon as its set up. Go atleast 30 gallons or bust.

Coryd55

I actually want to attempt a small one. I could save up for a 30 gallon(already have tank, heater, filter and no stock) but I want a small reef. I dont see benefits of getting a 30 gallon as all the fish I like will go perfectly alright in a 10G and the other fish I like need 100+(Angels and triggerfish). Also I like challenge so I don't need to hear the bigger is easier speech. All of my small FW tanks are doing just as well as my large ones.


Sorry if this sounds rude. BUT my question was not whether I should do it because that is what I plan on but my question was is that good equipment to do what I plan to do. Also I wanted to make sure my stock was okay.

1 Green Clown Goby
2 Catalina Gobies
3 Turbo Snails
3 Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs
1 Skunk Cleaner Shrimp
4 Corals (1 Mushroom, 1 Polyp, 1 Soft, and another of 1 of the previous.)

Cory

Wolfgang8810

Sure you could do i with that equipment BUT this isnt FW pbe prepared for daily maintenance. Also Take things REALLY SLOW. A reef tank is like a rece car, the faster you go the harder you crash. Waste of money IMHO.

The equipment looks good but the fission skimmer is a POS Save for an aqua C remora.

Coryd55

Okay I was reading up on the skimmer on FL product reviews and found the same advice.

I know its weird but I kind of like doing maintenance and when problems arise I like fixing them. It keeps me always doing something with my fish and keeps me out of trouble lol.

I don't plan to add the livestock until way later. Which is why in this new list I seperated the two. Also I replaced Catalina Gobies with more clowns.

I know you think its a waste of money but I really dont have room for another medium sized tank and the features of a larger SW tank dont interest me. Also I think a small tank is a unique look on how the fish interact with their environment. I guess its more "one on one" with the fish and inverts. I love my 55 but my 30 with only 4 guppies is my favorite tank. Even though it is drastically understocked I get to observe the fish more in depth and I know each one more. They also seem happier and enjoy the space.

My 10G betta and cory tank isn't that advanced but I love watching the cories. So I guess I want my first experience in SW to be a good one. I want to remember it well and not take to much off at one time. Thats why I am doing SW opposite of FW. Going small to maybe big one day rather than starting at a 55G, going to two 30G's and finally stopping for now with two 10G.

Small tanks just interest me more for some reason. More of a challenge. Also you notice the smaller things of a fish life that you wouldn't notice in a larger tank.

Just my thought. Sorry for being lengthy and unnecessary there but I hope you understand where I am comign from, even if you don't agree with my thoughts.

Well here is the revised list.

1. 10 gallon tank - $9.99
2. 16 LBS of Live Rock - $69.99
3. Reef Crystals 50 Gallon mix - $11.99
4. Instant Ocean Hydrometer - $8.49
5. Fission Nano Skimmer - $29.99
6. Penguin Bio-Wheel Filter 100 - $16.99
7. 50W Visitherm Steath Heater - $15.29
8. 20” 96W Coralife CF Hood w/ Quad 50/50-Square Pin - $98.99 http://www.hellolights.com/index.asp...OD&ProdID=1323
9. Aquarium Pharmaceuticals Reef Master Liquid Test Kit - $20.79
10. Medium Fancy Empty Hermit Crab Shells (12 lot) - $5.99
Total 289.20
11. One Brown Clown Goby - $6.99
12. One Yellow Clown Goby - $7.99
13. One Green Clown Goby - $7.99
14. One Skunk Cleaner Shrimp - $18.99
15. Three Dwarf Zebra Hermit Crabs - $1.29 each – Total $3.87
16. Two Turbo Snails - $1.99 each – Total $3.98
17. Nano Soft Coral Pack from Drs. Foster and Smith - $59.99
Total $109.80
Grand Total $399.00

Wolfgang8810

Everything looks good but that fission skimmer. It really sucks man. And not what you want it to either. you getwhat you pay for. Make sure to post pics this looks like it will be cool when your out of the rocks.

Coryd55

Yea I think I will be going with the AquaC remora or Tunze Nano. I will have to wait for the baby Bn's to grow out so I can sell them. As well as the angels but they might work in the 10G that is fry/QT. They are wigglers atm =). The pleco fry are about 1/2-3/4 of an inch. I am growing them out to about 1 1/2-2 inches.

Once I sell the angels and plecos and the 30G I will have more than enough money and space for the 10G salt. j

I will keep everyone updated but I won't be making progress for a while.

Mike

I agree with wolfgang on the fission skimmer, don't waste your money. Instead use the money from the bio-wheel and fission and put it towards one of those other two skimmers.

The downside to the tunze nano is that it would have to be placed inside the tank... The aquac remora would have to have the powerhead placed inside the tank, slightly less destracting than the tunze would be. If you're doing regular partial water changes you could skip the skimmer, but being human you'll miss a water change now and again and having a skimmer gives you peace of mind.

You'll prolly find it difficult to keep the tank temps in high 70's low 80's F using that much light over a 10 gallon. You're most likely gonna need a fan and keep the water topped off frequently. Also need a powerhead for water movement.

Also - check out ATM's nano setup articles in the Fishlore magazine. Part 4 to his nano tank setup series is coming in a couple days, but parts 1 thru 3 are out there.

Coryd55

Yea I already have 2 100GPH powerheads which is why they are not on the list. So I don't need the filter if I get the better skimmer? Also should I get Marco rocks (someone recommended) or the Nano live from DFS.

What are some good corals that don't cost to much that would work under my lighting and tank size?

I will look at ATM's article and have already talked to him about setting it up.

Thanks,
Cory

Mike

Some hobbyists still use filters, I only use a power filter sometimes to run activated carbon. That's really the only time I find myself using them on the saltwater tanks, hardly do it anymore. If you get a good skimmer it'll do it's job removing the dissolved organics completely from the system into the collection cup - don't need to worry as much about nitrates.

Not sure what marco rock is or where it comes from? I've bought live rock from LiveAquaria and was happy with what they sent me.

Lighting wise, 96 watts over a 10 gallon will grow pretty much anything I'd think, that is, if you can manage the temps and other water params. After your tank's been setup for several months (4 to 6+ months) you could look into softies and LPS. SPS are more difficult to keep (in my opinion) and the water parms might be difficult to keep steady for growing sps. People do it though.

Just an idea, but what about getting one of those aquaclear powerfilters (the 110 size) and transform it into a hang on refugium to grow chaeto? If you get the tunze you might be able to hide the skimmer inside the aquaclear too. You'd have to double check the dimensions on both first though to make sure the tunze would fit correctly for skimming. Here's the article where I setup an aquaclear refugium. The chaeto would help keep the nitrates/phosphates in check and you could grow pods for feeding the LPS down the road.