First 10g Nano

[wunderboiy]

Hi Everyone,

I'm new the forum and new to saltwater fish keeping. I just thought I'd throw out what I've currently set up and get some feedback from everyone on it. I do have several years of experience with freshwater and was looking for a new challenge.

Current Set Up:
17lbs base rock
5lbs live rock
About a 2-3" sand bed
Salinity 1.026
Distilled and RODI water only
HOB Filter w/ carbon and sponge 200gph




I am currently in the middle of my cycle waiting for the nitrites to drop to 0.

Purple coralline algae is starting to spread to the base rock and the glass of the aquarium

My current lighting set-up 2 bulbs:
Zoo Med Ultra Sun Mini Compact Ultra Daylight 6500k daylight lamp 10 watt x2



Ideally, I want to turn this into a nano-reef with a cleaner shrimp and two clowns

My questions in regards to this are.
1. Will this lighting be at all sufficient? (I'm assuming most likely not)
2. Will the over sized HOB filter I am using provide adequate flow for the tank or will I need a power head as well.
3. Any suggestions on rock layout? I have attached my current layout.
4. Any other suggestions you may have as I move forward.

I appreciate the feedback!

[IMG]http://i42.*******.com/1zmdruc.jpg[/IMG]

[fpv930]

Looks like your off to a great start. The light will only be sufficient for a fish only tank. IMO
For my 10g nano I run a SolarMax HO2 T5 Strip Light - 20" 18w x2. This light fixture is very inexpensive and seems to work very well for me.

The HOB should be fine for flow. You can always get a Hydor 240 nano pump for extra if needed.

Not much you can do with the rock in a 10g tank. It will change over time as you add coral and they get bigger. I personally used less rock in my tank.

Check out the nano tank forums for additional ideas.

[wunderboiy]

Correction only about a 1" sandbed btw

[Boston21]

Get a T5 2 bulb fixture that is adjustable. Try AquaticLife or Corallife, 48w would be enough to grow a few coral's in there I would think.

EDIT: Does that Red Sea Hydrometer (Stick On) work well? I want a Hydro meter that can stick on the inside of my sump but the Biocube ones do not work at all nor do they even stick to glass.

[wunderboiy]

Originally Posted by Boston21

Get a T5 2 bulb fixture that is adjustable. Try AquaticLife or Corallife, 48w would be enough to grow a few coral's in there I would think.

EDIT: Does that Red Sea Hydrometer (Stick On) work well? I want a Hydro meter that can stick on the inside of my sump but the Biocube ones do not work at all nor do they even stick to glass.

It's working well so far, but I have read that they can loose accuracy with time. So I'll have to wait and see.