Bmonarch's 10 Gallon Startup!

[Bmonarch]

Hello everyone!

I've been doing freshwater fish tanks for over 3 years now, and recently decided that I wanted to try my hand at Saltwater. With freshwater, I've always felt more of an achievement when I can succeed with plants. I've been doing planted tanks for about 2 years now, doing the whole deal, CO2, high lighting, everything, so Saltwater is definitely gonna be a new challenge. I'm guessing I'm going to be most interested in Corals, but I'm gonna need a LOT of help. I've been reading non stop on this forum for the past two weeks, and I can't wait to get help from all of you with my own build.

I only have room for 24" of length, but I don't really want to do a 20 Gallon high, because I think that's too much height for me to significantly light. Currently, my idea is that I'll do a 15 Gallon aquarium, and get some kind of 4 x 24 watt T5 system, since I don't really want to do MH unless you guys have some serious convincing abilities. I'm mostly worried about heat and the electricity bill. I live with roommates that would probably hate me a little bit.

Anyways, knowing how expensive Saltwater can be, I searched Craigslist to find some options. I luckily found a pretty sweet 10 gallon set up for $300 bucks, which I thought was a good idea. Hopefully you guys can help me with whether or not this would be a good deal or not. It's been set up in my room for about 2 days now, and some of the corals are starting to open up. I'm hoping the Hammer coral opens up pretty soon.

Here's what I got:
10 Gallon Tank (Obviously)
About 15 lbs of Live Rock
Hammer Coral
Various Zoanthids
Plate Coral
Neon Green Star Polyps
Ricordia
Bunch of Different Mushrooms
More Corals (Probably more that I'm not thinking about)
2 Clownfish (1 Male, 1 Female)
Refugium (Looks like it's made out of a Tupperware and it's flooded with Chaeto and tons of Brine Shrimp/Bristle Worms.)
1 Hydor Koralia Nano
1 Mini Jet Powerhead
2 x 24w T5 Lighting System (No brand)

So anyways, let me know what you all think about the deal and whether or not I got screwed or not. :P

Here's some pictures:

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/Guoayl/Fish%20Tanks/DSC_0038.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/Guoayl/Fish%20Tanks/DSC_0032.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/Guoayl/Fish%20Tanks/DSC_0028.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/Guoayl/Fish%20Tanks/DSC_0026.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/Guoayl/Fish%20Tanks/DSC_0034.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/Guoayl/Fish%20Tanks/DSC_0035.jpg

http://i680.photobucket.com/albums/vv164/Guoayl/Fish%20Tanks/DSC_0040.jpg

So, back to the story, my plan is to move all of this over to a fully set up and functional reef tank with sump and refugium. I want to do a 15 Gallon reef with a 5.5 Gallon Sump, as the 5.5 Gallon fits perfectly in the area I want to put the tank, which is on top of my dresser.

I want to get a hood made by another local fish lover who makes hoods and then get a retrofit T5 setup. I was thinking of doing an IceCap T5 Retro with the overdriven ballast. I'm not sure if that would be too much light or not. If it is, then I'd either go with just a two bulb overdriven retro or a 4 bulb regular retro. I really like Zoas and other LPS's, but I also want to be set up for SPS should I get the need. To be honest, I could see SPS in my future, cause I think they look awesome too. Anyone have any suggestions?

I'm not planning on getting a Skimmer as I already do 50% water changes on all of my Freshwater tanks, so another Water Change every week isn't gonna be a big deal at all. I want to do an Auto Top Off system, but I'm not sure how I want to do that yet. Not to mention, I'm kind of afraid of failures and overflows. I'll have to look into that more later.

Thanks for looking, hope someone has some advice for me!

[AHDOnline]

First comment is all that crap in photo 3 is aptasia. 99% unwanted pest by most. Find some peppermints that will keep it weeded, or look into other methods as aptasiaX, joes juice.

Your clown looks hungry. He seems skinny to me, get him on beefcake or something. Clowns usually eat anything (From my personal experience)

[Bmonarch]

@AHDOnline

Great! The guy who sold it to me mentioned it to me, but said that Peppermint Shrimp could kill coral. I do want to get rid of the Aptasia, cause I agree, it looks like garbage and I don't want it to harm my corals.

As for the fish, yes, I totally agree. I'm heading to the LFS today to pick up some beefcake for sure. Thank you for the help!

[gemini aquarius(t)]

good start!
I would recommend moving the koralia to the side of the tank or pointing at the tank for more flow throughout.

+1 on the aptasia, get rid of it. if you can find the special nudis that will eat it (bergia?) that would probably be your safest bet.

[Bmonarch]

@ Gemini and ADH

Good news! I decided randomly to run by the LFS while I was running an errand. (Story of our lives, right? :P) While I was there, I noticed they had some Peppermint Shrimp. So, I decided to take a chance. I figure I can keep an eye on him and if he starts eating something he's not supposed to, back to the store he goes!

Hopefully he'll work out.

If he doesn't, then I'll get the Berghia, but man are those expensive! I found them online for about $15 a piece not including shipping. I'd need at least 3 to control my tank too! The Peppermint only cost me $7.50, so I figured it was the better first choice.

I would recommend moving the koralia to the side of the tank or pointing at the tank for more flow throughout.

Also, I moved the Koralia over to the side like you suggested and I've got it pointing at the tank now.

Now, question time.

What kind of things should I be looking out for? Does anyone know what those rogue Peppermints tend to go after?

[pompeyjohn]

@ Gemini and ADH

Good news! I decided randomly to run by the LFS while I was running an errand. (Story of our lives, right? :P) While I was there, I noticed they had some Peppermint Shrimp. So, I decided to take a chance. I figure I can keep an eye on him and if he starts eating something he's not supposed to, back to the store he goes!

Hopefully he'll work out.

If he doesn't, then I'll get the Berghia, but man are those expensive! I found them online for about $15 a piece not including shipping. I'd need at least 3 to control my tank too! The Peppermint only cost me $7.50, so I figured it was the better first choice.



Also, I moved the Koralia over to the side like you suggested and I've got it pointing at the tank now.

Now, question time.

What kind of things should I be looking out for? Does anyone know what those rogue Peppermints tend to go after?

Do peppermint shrimp go rogue? Mine never did. I guess if they do it will be to munch on anything soft.

[Haplochromine]

My peppermint shrimp has eaten all the aiptasia. Just have to find the right ones to do the job.

[israel.kendall]

I just had a peppermint shrimp eat the calcareous tubes from a couple of my fan worms. One worm died, the other looks ok for now. Can't catch the shrimp either to take him out.

Sent from my Droid using Tapatalk

[twelvejewelz]

Had peppermints eat 140$ acans ! i hate them with a passion! I agree to put the powerhead on the side facing across the length of the tank. Looking good.

[AHDOnline]

Its one of those things i think is rare. I have never had any peppermints do any harm, nor do i know anyone personally that has. However I have read here a few stories.

I think if you put 4-5 in the tank give it a day or two and you should start noticing a difference.

[-RYknow]

I'm surprised so many people have had good luck with the pepermint shrimps. I've tried a couple in our 55 when we had it, and got 4 for our 90gal. Not once did they eat the aptasia. In their defense, they never ate any of our corals either though...

Joe's Juice works, but be careful what else it touches. Killed off a few zoa's on accident with that stuff.

-RYknow

[Haplochromine]

I've never had any problems with my peppermints save for them eating my aiptasia too quickly and having to feed them as well.

[Bmonarch]

Thanks for all the replies guys!

The Peppermint is in the tank, and seems to be doing alright. Honestly, last night I didn't think he was going to make it. He was just laying underneath one of my LR pieces and not moving. But today, I couldn't find him, and got a little worried, so I went looking. He was totally content, munching on something underneath the LR. Didn't look like Aptasia, but it wasn't Coral either.

So far, so good I guess.

I also started feeding my Clownfish some better food. I asked the guy I bought this from, and apparently he hasnt been feeding them for over a month. He's just been assuming that they'd eat all the stuff coming out of the refugium.

I haven't yet set up the refugium, cause I'm honestly kind of worried about it's safety. This thing looks like junk. I'll take a picture of it tonight when I take some update pictures just so everyone can see it.

Also, I got an offer today for some more LR and some new fish. He's a guy who works at the local LFS but wants to get out of the Saltwater hobby.

He's willing to sell me 20 lbs of LR for $40, as well as a Picasso Clownfish and Blue Maxima Clam for $120.

So, essentially, he'd be giving me:

20 Lbs of LR for $40
1 Picasso for $50
1 Blue Maxima Clam for $70

I actually was planning on bringing my current clownfish to the LFS because I was planning on getting a single Picasso in the future. I don't really want the two clowns I have currently because I'm worried about them breeding. So, in my tank, I would have around 35 lbs of LR, 1 Picasso, my new Shrimp, and the Clam. (The 35 Lbs of LR might be a little much for this tank, but they wont be when I upgrade to the 15/20 Gallon in a month or so.)

So here's my questions

Is this a good deal? Should I go for it?
Will the Clam have enough light under my 2 T5s? (Assuming soon it would be under a 4x24w set up)
Am I a bad person for wanting to get rid of my current clowns?

[Bmonarch]

Hey everyone!

Is this a good deal? Should I go for it?
Will the Clam have enough light under my 2 T5s? (Assuming soon it would be under a 4x24w set up)

I'd really like an answer to the questions above, because I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to have the option of purchasing it from him! Thanks for anyone who can help me out!

My tank now has a filter on it, because I believed that it needed some form of filtration rather than nothing at all. I'm running a Aquaclear on it with carbon and the pads.

I had to toss that make shift Refugium that I got with the set up because it started leaking just as I thought it would. More problems than it was worth.



Now, I've also got a few more new questions.

I can't seem to find my Peppermint Shrimp ANYWHERE. Should I start moving LR around to find him? Is this usually a bad thing?

If I buy the stuff mentioned above, I think I'm going to end up getting either a 20 Gallon high or a 25 Gallon. My reasoning for potentially getting the 25 gallon is because I've decided I'm going to buy this light for my more "Final" set up.

http://www.reefgeek.com/lighting/T5_Fluorescent/ATI/SunPower_Fixtures/24_inch__4x24W_SunPower_T5_High-Output_Fixture_w!_Bulbs_by_ATI

It is supposedly the best, and honestly, I want to try SPS someday, and this light will definitely do it. What do you guys think?

[AHDOnline]

A few things. One I don't think unless you try hard you will get clowns to just breed. If they do lay eggs anything else in the tank will eat the eggs.

Should you go for it? The way you worded it you already did and its been in your room for 2 days. So I take that as you paid 300 $ for a 10 gallon. Personally I wouldnt have, but then price out what you got and see what you think. If the plate colors up it will help.

You can deal without a refugium for now, they are a good addition but not 100% needed.

If the peppermint is still alive you probably wont see him unless the lights are off

Also I would think about buying new bulbs if they are any more than 6 months old (not knowing how they were treated) and if they dont know its better to buy new anyway and start fresh.

Its hard to say on the clam, I know some that are Ok but thats not much light. IF he is under high light now and you move him to your tank it could be bad. But it could live for months of its internal foods and you wouldnt know for a while.

ATI is good, IMO its the most used out there. premiumaquatics is a bit cheaper if it matters.

[gemini aquarius(t)]

i think that much rock is too much in a ten. I think what you have now could be plenty if you do a different aquascape with it.
I also dont think you have enough light right now for the clam.

see if you can just get the piccasso from him, and if it is a real one