10gal Nano

Limi310

Limi310

Superstar Fish
#1
Nov 30, 2005
1,101
5
0
46
Charlotte, NC
#1
Hi all,
Well, after doing much reading here and on other sites, my boyfriend and I decided to try our hand at a salt water nano tank and I decided to start a thread so I can document our progress as well as to hopefully get feed-back from everyone here.
Here is our progress so far:

Tank: 10gal regular glass aquarium
Substrate: Coral Sand (aragonite) 10lbs
Water: R/O
Salt: Instant Ocean
Powerhead: 1 Aquaclear 20 rated at 127/gph and 1 Aquaclear 10 rated at 80 gph. Also a empty HOB for added water movement.

We mixed salt water in a bucket and then added to tank - SG was a little low at first but is now holding steady at 1.023, Ph is 8.2

We got approx. 10lbs of live rock

The light we plan to get is this http://www.hellolights.com/201xcoaqpcho.html. Right now we just have the standard hood w/ a 15 watt regular bulb. We need to look into hood options or a piece of glass for a cover...not sure if I want to do open tank. Any suggestions with this?

I tested the water today (tank has been running with LR since 8pm yesterday).
Ammonia: .50
Nitite: 0
Nitrate: 10

Here are some pictures:



Does anyone see anything wrong with the setup or comments/suggestions/constructive critisism?

Thanks!! :D
 

Last edited:
Likes: Brack-Man
Limi310

Limi310

Superstar Fish
#4
Nov 30, 2005
1,101
5
0
46
Charlotte, NC
#4
It was in a large tank and the lfs employee said it was cured. It was labeled Fiji....and that piece in front looks like Tonga Branch.

One question I have....do you think my water movement is enough with those power heads I listed? Also do you think the placement of them is alright? Thanks!
 

Shaunna

Shaunna

Large Fish
#8
Oct 6, 2005
845
0
0
42
Ohio
#8
I think it looks great so far. I really like the placemant of the rock. MAybe add a couple of more pices here and there to the top to add some height and kinda stagger them so it isn't straight across.
 

1979camaro

1979camaro

Ultimate Fish
#9
Oct 22, 2002
5,862
2
0
43
San Ramon, CA
#9
everything looks fine in your setup. as far as the light, that one should work well for you. as far as the hood, many people go with an open top...you should consider getting the little legs that come with the light so that it can be set up above the tank on them. people who have jumping critters sometimes use "eggcrate" from Home Depot or the like as a "lid". this is the hard plastic square "mesh" that is used on flourescent shop light fixtures, etc. should be able to get a piece and cut it down fairly cheaply/easily
 

F

FishGeek

Elite Fish
#10
May 13, 2005
4,294
5
0
38
South Carolina
#10
Looks Really Nice!!! Great Start!!! I like the way that your rock is set up cause when you get corals the generally come on a rock and it gives you space to put them. I wouldnt add or change anything as far as rock goes.
 

Limi310

Limi310

Superstar Fish
#11
Nov 30, 2005
1,101
5
0
46
Charlotte, NC
#11
Thanks everyone :D
Guppy, I was thinking the same thing with the rock formation. If I do end up adding any extra pieces of live rock, I'll do it soon but overall, I think I am satisfied with the look.
When I get home tonight, I am going to play around with the placement of the powerheads a little until I like it. I am concerned that the rock on the far left isn't getting enough movement.

As far as light and hood. I definitely plan to order the extension legs, just so I have them, not 100% sure if I will use them. I like the eggcrate idea, but does this cast a 'grid-shadow' into the tank or does the light go evenly through? After further thinking an open top just isn't an option for me. I have a extremely nosey cat and I can just see him sticking his paws in there :rolleyes:. If not egg crate, I may just see if I can find a piece of glass hood.

I have a long way to go, but so far my plans for the tank include a perc clown. I know some of you don't care for them, but for me it is a must. Ever since I was little and saw SW fish for the first time the clown was my absolute favorite and that hasn't changed over the years. In fact it's the whole reason I would ever want a salt water tank in the first place.

As far as clean up crew this is what I have picked out so far:

Margarita Snails
Astrea Snails
Nassarius Snail
Emerald Crab

I was thinking 2 of each snail.....does someone have a better suggestion/comment? And also 2 emerald crabs.

Also I am overly excited and plan to do water testing every day - is this necessary or just a waste?

THANKS!!!
 

Limi310

Limi310

Superstar Fish
#15
Nov 30, 2005
1,101
5
0
46
Charlotte, NC
#15
Refugim question....

I will look into the hermit crabs - I've seen the electric blue ones at the lfs and they look cool. I'm probably only going to have 1 clownfish, so I think I will take my chances with the emerald crab and see how it goes. I saw one in the nano tank at my lfs and they are so cute pulling off the bubble algea and shoving it into their little crabby mouths. That was one of the reasons my boyfriend and I wanted to start a nano....we kept thinking about that crab...lol. And the clownfish too of course.

I've been reading alot about DIY refugim (I can't spell that word) and was wondering if I should try one? Is it necessary? Here is a good link on building one out of a Aqua Clear HOBhttp://reefcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=601201&highlight=how+to+DIY+an

As far as the tank, nothing to report so far....water params are still the same as they were on 2/21. I rearranged the power heads a little. I am considering replacing one of them with the Aqua Clear 50 (I have a spare one). Do you think that would be too much flow?

Thanks!!!
 

Limi310

Limi310

Superstar Fish
#16
Nov 30, 2005
1,101
5
0
46
Charlotte, NC
#16
Update for today 2/24

Interestingly enough my ammonia and nitrite appear to be at zero and nitrates 10. Seems really fast. I will continue to wait it out another week.
Haven't ordered the light yet, I think I will do that tomorrow.

Is it necessary to add kalk to a nano?
 

lordroad

lordroad

Large Fish
#17
Sep 2, 2004
989
7
0
43
Shelby, NC
www.joshday.com
#17
Per kalk, it may be necessary if you keep SPS corals or a clam. However, I keep both and I don't do it... alkalinity and pH stay in nominal levels. It's best to check alk if you have a clam or sps and decide from there, but it's probably not necessary now.
 

S.Reef

S.Reef

Superstar Fish
#19
Dec 1, 2003
1,830
0
0
36
Michigan
#19
i personally would not dose kalk just because it can affect the ph and alkalinity drastically an is dangerous for smaller systems. Use a 2part calcium supplement if you need to dose.
 

Limi310

Limi310

Superstar Fish
#20
Nov 30, 2005
1,101
5
0
46
Charlotte, NC
#20
I just have those 5 in one test strips to test for Alk (I bought the SW master test kit for amm. No2, No3 and Ph). Anyway I just tested with the strip and Alk looks to be really good......between 180 and 300ppm. Probably due to a combo of the marine salt and the coral sand substrate.

I ordered the light....YAY!!!, so hopefully it will be here next week.

Thanks for the compliment Lordroad! I am off to a good start thanks to you anyway, I appreciate it :D
 

You must log in or register to reply here.