starting a AIO 10g

[keegoaz]

so im goning to be starting an AIO 10g and i was wondering if anyone had any tips on lighting i dont want to go MH its too expensive i would rather have something cheaper but still have enough light for some hard corals.

i was also wondering what everyone thinks the right type of light bulbs i should go with for optimum color in the corals.

once i get up and running i plan on having mostly softies and just a few hard corals.

[Fluid]

T5's should be plenty for that.

[nate82]

+1 on t5's

[keegoaz]

Nova Extreme SLR T-5 Fixtures 18" x 5-1/2" Saltwater; 40 watt
so about 4 watts per gallon i think that will do it

[keegoaz]

Nova Extreme SLR T-5 Fixtures 18" x 5-1/2" Saltwater; 40 watt
so about 4 watts per gallon i think that will do it

[redfishsc]

I have a 4X24 over my DIY 10g (click the red house, it's not your "average" tank).


It's actually probably overkill. I went way overboard on it. I have SPS and I have to keep the light higher than normal.

I would have been fine with a 2X24, lol.

[peper815]

check out the 20 gallon aio i made!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37VtG80p5rY
leave comments and tell me what u think
ill be using t-5s on this!

thank u!!

[keegoaz]

well i did it finaly went ahead and orderd my first batch of goodies.
1 Deluxe Heaters 100 watt
1 Maxi-Jet Powerhead
Caribbean Live Sand Original Grade Substrate 20 lbs
1 ova Extreme SLR T-5 Fixtures 18" x 5-1/2" Saltwater; 40 watt

and to help things out even more i finally after searching for ever found a LFS that specializes in saltwater fish and coral reef tanks. they had an amazing selection of great corals for really good prices. ill probably be going their soon after ive gotten going and finished my cycle.

Oh yeah i got the main peacces of plexi cut today to split off an area for filtration and the pump and heater just waiting for the pump to make the right size hole then i will be sealing it all and filling up the tank. i cant wait.

[peper815]

heat the bit up befor u drill!.....and apply gently!
how r u gonna cut the overflow?

[keegoaz]

well i was thinking about using a Router that i have for the overflow otherwise ill probably just try to use the jig saw i have and make something for it. Am i heating the drill bit to let it set into the plexi so the pressure wont crack it? I was thinking if you just went slow and didn't apply to much pressure it would do the job.

anyone know what the best stuff is to glue the false wall into place. i was thinking just normal silicone might work but im not sure.

also what type of spray paint i don't want anything that would be dangerous to the inhabitants and wont scrape off when i go to clean it.

[peper815]

i used normal aquarium silicone!!!...one tube did my 20 gallon!......it holds just fine....i applied a thick amount!

[keegoaz]

hmm i looked for that at the LFS but couldn't find it you think just normal silicone from home depot will work.

[keegoaz]

ok so yesterday i painted and glued the false wall in place. today i added sand, water, and live rock + a bag o carbon. i didnt realize how long it takes for these things to stop being foggy. once the sand settles (hopefully by tomorrow) ill post up some pics.

[peper815]

cant wait!!!!

[keegoaz]

CYCLE IS OVER!!! After only 1 week my tank is finishing its cycle! I am still waiting for my T-5 fixture its been on back order twice so im kinda hesitant on putting anything alive outher then rick in till i get it. but here are some pics enjoy.

Tank specs as of now.
82 degrees
6 gal display
4 gal filtration
20lbs live sand
7lbs of live rock (including rubble)

full tank shot
<a href="http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0238a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/745/img0238a.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img604.imageshack.us/content.php?page=blogpost&files=img89/745/img0238a.jpg" title="QuickPost"><img src="http://imageshack.us/img/butansn.png" alt="QuickPost" border="0"></a> Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!

Display
<a href="http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0239x.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/9628/img0239x.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img604.imageshack.us/content.php?page=blogpost&files=img515/9628/img0239x.jpg" title="QuickPost"><img src="http://imageshack.us/img/butansn.png" alt="QuickPost" border="0"></a> Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!

Filtration area (1st chamber- Bag of carbon, 2nd chamber- live rock, heater, pump)
<a href="http://img515.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0240l.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img515.imageshack.us/img515/3647/img0240l.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img604.imageshack.us/content.php?page=blogpost&files=img515/3647/img0240l.jpg" title="QuickPost"><img src="http://imageshack.us/img/butansn.png" alt="QuickPost" border="0"></a> Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!

Main rock in tank
<a href="http://img21.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0241s.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/4485/img0241s.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img604.imageshack.us/content.php?page=blogpost&files=img21/4485/img0241s.jpg" title="QuickPost"><img src="http://imageshack.us/img/butansn.png" alt="QuickPost" border="0"></a> Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!

Side view
<a href="http://img21.imageshack.us/my.php?image=img0247a.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://img21.imageshack.us/img21/9689/img0247a.th.jpg" border="0" alt="Free Image Hosting at www.ImageShack.us" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://img604.imageshack.us/content.php?page=blogpost&files=img21/9689/img0247a.jpg" title="QuickPost"><img src="http://imageshack.us/img/butansn.png" alt="QuickPost" border="0"></a> Quickpost this image to Myspace, Digg, Facebook, and others!

I still plan on adding more rock once i get my light. but so far everything is going great.

[keegoaz]

so i just got home went in my room and turned on my lights and what do i see?

About 10-15 little serpent starts moving all over the rocks i defiantly got a good batch today!

[peper815]

thats is nice lookin haha!
thats kool u were able to get it goin.
right after i finished my tank i got laid off so now i cant even get it goin haha!

[keegoaz]

that sucks man im sorry yeah ive still been having a hard time cost wise i was able to get this all put togeather so far for about 130. im outa work right now to but in about 3 weeks im starting up with this huge company working 60hrs a week im hopeing ill still have time left for my little tank

[keegoaz]

kinda ****ed right now just called foster and smith for the third time and guess what my lights got another back order date. this is the third time since ive orderd that they have gotten another date. my cycle is done an i want to start adding corals but cant do anything untill that light is here. its next date is planned to arrive at Foster and smiths by the 15th. im really not happy with the service right now.

Also yesterday i found a little greenish red zoanthid floating around the bottom just one lone guy im guessing he detached because he was in a bad spot on one of the peaces of LR i re-attached him to a peace of rock that had good flow around it near the top of the tank temporarily and i get a little sun in my window behind the tank everyday so im hoping that this will sustain the litte guy untill the light arrives in another 1 and a half to 2 weeks.

i really want to start adding something thou the tank is boring without colors or movement any tips anyone???

i was thinking maybe a couple small hermits or something

[peper815]

thats what i would do.....pick some kool diverse crabs and snails and what not!

[keegoaz]

thought i would throw up some pics i moved things around
top down
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/teatimetony/3502046309/" title="IMG_0311 by teatimetony, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3319/3502046309_aed251c959.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0311" /></a>

here is the little guy i found i couldent get a focused shot for some reason but hes right in the center on the rock
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/teatimetony/3502045707/" title="IMG_0310 by teatimetony, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3568/3502045707_a20a7fe5eb.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0310" /></a>

FTS
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/teatimetony/3502856642/" title="IMG_0306 by teatimetony, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3364/3502856642_ec2432d737.jpg" width="500" height="375" alt="IMG_0306" /></a>