Help me build a 10g plz.

billabong08 · 01/07/2010, 08:17 PM

Well I am new to the site and I like it already. Lots of great information!

Well I am wanting to build a 10g marine-aquarium.
I am curious what I would need to start.
I am sure I can buy a 10g tank at my local Walmart.
I really don't want to spend lots of money on it. I just want a little project to mess with.
The less expensive the better.

What would you guys suggestion for:
Lighting?
Filtration?
Substrate amount?
Live rock amount?
Fish?

As of now I would like to someday have softy corals in it.

Daimyo68 · 01/07/2010, 08:18 PM

You may be better off to go to the nano tank forums:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75

No doubt there's tons of info here, but your appealing to a specific group of reefers in that forum.

billabong08 · 01/07/2010, 08:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daimyo68

You may be better off to go to the nano tank forums:
http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75

No doubt there's tons of info here, but your appealing to a specific group of reefers in that forum.

Alright! Thanks a lot for the information!
Ill make a post in there too.

sedor · 01/07/2010, 08:26 PM

To be perfectly honest a 20G would cost about the same amount, and be easier to get started up. Its a nice thought to think you can get going without spending a lot of cash, but in this hobby thats unheard of. My suggestion if your set on a nano would be to start with an all in one tank like a biocube or a JBJ Nanocube. Thats how I got into this hobby. I purchased mine used. I will warn you within 6 months I had upgraded to a larger tank, and 6 months later I did it again

garzaci · 01/07/2010, 08:39 PM

You can find a 20 or 30 gallon in classifieds, online, garage sales etc for pretty cheap. Those tanks would be easier to keep your water stabilized as well.

billabong08 · 01/07/2010, 08:47 PM

Oh ok cool guys
I may look into 20-30g tanks then.
Thanks alot guys!
Thats why I like this site. So much help here!

Billabong · 01/07/2010, 08:51 PM

definitely a larger tank is a better choice.

BTW nice user name.....

billabong08 · 01/07/2010, 08:52 PM

Well the reason I am wanting a smaller tank is because I dont have much space to put one.

Sisterlimonpot · 01/07/2010, 09:01 PM

Billabong, many people have a hard time keeping the parameters in check with a 10 gallon, I wouldn't recommend a newbee starting with such a small tank.

Agu · 01/07/2010, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sisterlimonpot

Billabong, many people have a hard time keeping the parameters in check with a 10 gallon, I wouldn't recommend a newbee starting with such a small tank.

Have to agree with this advice. Until you have the experience a small tank is more likely to fail, waste a lot of money and drive you ot of the hobby.

Daimyo68 · 01/07/2010, 10:04 PM

You could always look into an All in one tank, like the BioCube or NanoCube.

Once these are setup properly, weekly water and filter changes are all that's really needed. There are also lots of DIY mods that you can do that are extremely inexpensive.

lordofthereef · 01/08/2010, 01:18 AM

I agree that smaller tanks are much easier to get parameters out of whack, but IMO 20 or 30 gallons really won't be that much easier than 10, when speaking strictly parameters. If you go the walmart route, you could get a decent 10g setup started for under $100, especially if you find some nice frags from some local reefers. Here is a link to a youtube user that shows some neat tutorials for a DIY tank mostly done with stuff bought from WalMart.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ipsfdotcom?blend=2&ob=1

billabong08 · 01/09/2010, 12:36 AM

Well guys what if I just make a "Fish only" tank and just consider like 1 or 2 clown fish/damsels.
Then would I still have a few problems with parameters and such?
Then later maybe consider softie coral's when I have more experience.

Sisterlimonpot · 01/09/2010, 12:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by billabong08

Well guys what if I just make a "Fish only" tank and just consider like 1 or 2 clown fish/damsels.
Then would I still have a few problems with parameters and such?
Then later maybe consider softie coral's when I have more experience.

Clowns are pretty hardy and can usually withstand fluctuations. So that may be an option.

billabong08 · 01/09/2010, 12:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lordofthereef

I agree that smaller tanks are much easier to get parameters out of whack, but IMO 20 or 30 gallons really won't be that much easier than 10, when speaking strictly parameters. If you go the walmart route, you could get a decent 10g setup started for under $100, especially if you find some nice frags from some local reefers. Here is a link to a youtube user that shows some neat tutorials for a DIY tank mostly done with stuff bought from WalMart.

http://www.youtube.com/user/ipsfdotcom?blend=2&ob=1

thanks for the information!
Great link too!
Very good videos!

billabong08 · 01/09/2010, 11:00 PM

Is anybody very familiar with the walmart aqua-tech 5-15 power filters?

Thats what they suggest in the nano lagoon videos on youtube.
I checked at walmart today and they do carry them.
Should I get that power filter or what?

billabong08 · 01/09/2010, 11:19 PM

How does this sound?

10 gallon glass tank
Aqua-Tech 5-15 HOB filter
Odyssea 20" 36W Power Compact Light Fixture
Livesand 10-15lbs
Liverock 10lbs?
Ill think about fish and corals later

gtfourmn · 01/09/2010, 11:31 PM

I think a 10 gallon tank will be fine for a beginner, so you should be good to go.

When I first started, I bought a 10 gallon kit tank with a hob filter, heather and tube light. I had the tank setup in my dorm room for about two years without any problems. I'd say the biggest advantage to starting with a small tank like a 10 gallon is that when the water parameters is bad, just do a water change, and when it's dirty or somethings not right, just do a water change.

Good luck. Don't spend too much money on this setup, and make sure this is the hobby for you before you commit some serious cash to the love of reef.

Joe Pusdesris · 01/09/2010, 11:39 PM

I recommend you do exactly this:

* 10 gallon aquarium
* 2 26 watt 6500k GE bulbs
* protein skimmer
* quikrete commercial grade fine sand, anywhere from .5-3 inches
* Enough live rock to cover about 50% of the sand bed, stacking is good for additional rock, but I prefer no more and no less of the sand bed covered
* A lone ocellaris clown to begin, and add a mate after soft corals are established
* Add a heater if the room temperature is not proper

10 + 20 + 120 + 3.50 + 20 + 20 = 193.50

Such a tank can easily be done for under $200

01/07/2010, 08:17 PM	#1
billabong08 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 164	Help me build a 10g plz. Well I am new to the site and I like it already. Lots of great information! Well I am wanting to build a 10g marine-aquarium. I am curious what I would need to start. I am sure I can buy a 10g tank at my local Walmart. I really don't want to spend lots of money on it. I just want a little project to mess with. The less expensive the better. What would you guys suggestion for: Lighting? Filtration? Substrate amount? Live rock amount? Fish? As of now I would like to someday have softy corals in it.

01/07/2010, 08:18 PM	#2
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	You may be better off to go to the nano tank forums: http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=75 No doubt there's tons of info here, but your appealing to a specific group of reefers in that forum. __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

01/07/2010, 08:26 PM	#4
sedor Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 4,689	To be perfectly honest a 20G would cost about the same amount, and be easier to get started up. Its a nice thought to think you can get going without spending a lot of cash, but in this hobby thats unheard of. My suggestion if your set on a nano would be to start with an all in one tank like a biocube or a JBJ Nanocube. Thats how I got into this hobby. I purchased mine used. I will warn you within 6 months I had upgraded to a larger tank, and 6 months later I did it again __________________ Ryan

01/07/2010, 08:39 PM	#5
garzaci Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Richlands, NC Posts: 241	You can find a 20 or 30 gallon in classifieds, online, garage sales etc for pretty cheap. Those tanks would be easier to keep your water stabilized as well. __________________ Carlos No tank at all. Sold everything when I got stationed in Okinawa. Planning for when I return though. Current Tank Info: 20 gal reef tank

01/07/2010, 09:01 PM	#9
Sisterlimonpot R.C. Fraternity President Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Litchfeild Park AZ Posts: 11,490 Blog Entries: 2	Billabong, many people have a hard time keeping the parameters in check with a 10 gallon, I wouldn't recommend a newbee starting with such a small tank. __________________ Jimmy MASVC President Dishes are done man! Current Tank Info: 300 in progress

01/07/2010, 08:47 PM	#6
billabong08 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 164	Oh ok cool guys I may look into 20-30g tanks then. Thanks alot guys! Thats why I like this site. So much help here!

01/07/2010, 08:51 PM	#7
Billabong Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 125	definitely a larger tank is a better choice. BTW nice user name.....

01/07/2010, 08:52 PM	#8
billabong08 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 164	Well the reason I am wanting a smaller tank is because I dont have much space to put one.

01/07/2010, 10:04 PM	#11
Daimyo68 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: North Palm Beach, FL Posts: 2,270	You could always look into an All in one tank, like the BioCube or NanoCube. Once these are setup properly, weekly water and filter changes are all that's really needed. There are also lots of DIY mods that you can do that are extremely inexpensive. __________________ 120g, 50g Sump, SRO XP2000i, MP40W x2, DIY Hybrid LED/T5 Fixture, Apex PBMAS VP 2010-11 PBMAS 2017 President

01/08/2010, 01:18 AM	#12
lordofthereef One reef to rule them all Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Leominster, MA Posts: 5,299	I agree that smaller tanks are much easier to get parameters out of whack, but IMO 20 or 30 gallons really won't be that much easier than 10, when speaking strictly parameters. If you go the walmart route, you could get a decent 10g setup started for under $100, especially if you find some nice frags from some local reefers. Here is a link to a youtube user that shows some neat tutorials for a DIY tank mostly done with stuff bought from WalMart. http://www.youtube.com/user/ipsfdotcom?blend=2&ob=1 __________________ "A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself" ~ Josh Billings Visit My Home page for current build thread (click my user name and select "Visit LordoftheReef's Homepage" in the drop down menu!

01/09/2010, 12:36 AM	#13
billabong08 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 164	Well guys what if I just make a "Fish only" tank and just consider like 1 or 2 clown fish/damsels. Then would I still have a few problems with parameters and such? Then later maybe consider softie coral's when I have more experience.

01/09/2010, 11:00 PM	#16
billabong08 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 164	Is anybody very familiar with the walmart aqua-tech 5-15 power filters? Thats what they suggest in the nano lagoon videos on youtube. I checked at walmart today and they do carry them. Should I get that power filter or what?

01/09/2010, 11:19 PM	#17
billabong08 Registered Member. Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Clovis, NM Posts: 164	How does this sound? 10 gallon glass tank Aqua-Tech 5-15 HOB filter Odyssea 20" 36W Power Compact Light Fixture Livesand 10-15lbs Liverock 10lbs? Ill think about fish and corals later

01/09/2010, 11:31 PM	#18
gtfourmn Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Blaine, Minnesota Posts: 67	I think a 10 gallon tank will be fine for a beginner, so you should be good to go. When I first started, I bought a 10 gallon kit tank with a hob filter, heather and tube light. I had the tank setup in my dorm room for about two years without any problems. I'd say the biggest advantage to starting with a small tank like a 10 gallon is that when the water parameters is bad, just do a water change, and when it's dirty or somethings not right, just do a water change. Good luck. Don't spend too much money on this setup, and make sure this is the hobby for you before you commit some serious cash to the love of reef. __________________ Oceanic 50 Gallon Current Tank Info: Oceanic 50

01/09/2010, 11:39 PM	#19
Joe Pusdesris Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 470	I recommend you do exactly this: * 10 gallon aquarium * 2 26 watt 6500k GE bulbs * protein skimmer * quikrete commercial grade fine sand, anywhere from .5-3 inches * Enough live rock to cover about 50% of the sand bed, stacking is good for additional rock, but I prefer no more and no less of the sand bed covered * A lone ocellaris clown to begin, and add a mate after soft corals are established * Add a heater if the room temperature is not proper 10 + 20 + 120 + 3.50 + 20 + 20 = 193.50 Such a tank can easily be done for under $200