How difficult are nano reef?

[telathas]

I have a 10g tank and I was wondering if it would be possible to turn it into a nano reef. I have absolutely no experience whatsoever with saltwater tanks, but I am definitely willing to take the time and effort to do my due diligence and research everything thoroughly before making any huge purchases, but I'd just like to hear the opinion of people on this forum. I was originally planning on getting a larger tank, but sadly that does not seem possible (the joys of living with your parents).

Will the cost of setting up the tank be similar to a larger tank? I imagine it shouldn't be too bad? Less live rock/sand, less LEDs, smaller skimmer, etc. I could potentially try and get something like a 20-30g, but honestly I don't think that's a possibility right now. So yes, I would love to hear about what people here have to say regarding nano reefs. Thank you very much!

[brianr24]

I would say do it.just keep bio load very low. But u could still fill it with corals. All u need is a live rock and a aquaclear HOB. No skimmer. For example I personally wouldn't put a pair of clowns in a 10g. Maybe a goby and shrimp pair and corals just to get u started.Gluck

[telathas]

Originally Posted by brianr24

I would say do it.just keep bio load very low. But u could still fill it with corals. All u need is a live rock and a aquaclear HOB. No skimmer. For example I personally wouldn't put a pair of clowns in a 10g. Maybe a goby and shrimp pair and corals just to get u started.Gluck

Any idea how much it'd cost approx. to set one up? Also is the hob necessary with live rock?

[brianr24]

I tried post link but won't work for me. Go to u tube. Type in 10 gallon nano reef on a budget.

[username in use]

Here's a great place to start ��

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...aysprune=&f=75

[telathas]

Originally Posted by username in use

Here's a great place to start ��

http://reefcentral.com/forums/forumd...aysprune=&f=75

Awesome, I'll take a look. Thank you!

[SaltwaterShoup]

You should definitely add live rock, it will help to cycle the reef as well as giving your inverts and corals a place to live.

[Dkuhlmann]

A really cool fish you can have is a pygmy wrasse. Love these little guy's for a small tank and it's a bit different from what most people pick for a small tank.

Here you can check out all fish that will work in a 10 gal tank. Has pictures descriptions and lots more info.

Live Aquaria nano fish http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/a....cfm?c=15+2124

Yellow banded possum wrasse http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...96&pcatid=1396



White banded Possum wrasse

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...41&pcatid=3041



Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...43&pcatid=3043

[toothybugs]

For 15 and lower tanks, I'm a big fan of clown gobies. They're colorful and oddly entertaining!

[TimeConsumer]

Originally Posted by telathas

Any idea how much it'd cost approx. to set one up? Also is the hob necessary with live rock?

Tank: $10 at Petco $1/gallon sale
Rock: $20
Sand: $10
Aquaclear 70 HOB: $50
Heater: $20
PAR38 light and gooseneck: $125
Bucket of salt: $60
RODI: $125
Powerhead to mix salt: $20
Refractometer: $25
Misc test kits: $50-$100
Buckets and jugs: $20
Carbon and GFO bags to put in HOB: $30 (maybe?)

This is leaving out all sorts of other little things like floating thermometers, power strips, light timers, pipettes and syringes, turkey baster, siphon hose, screen cover for the tank, vinyl background, etc. And the HOB isn't necessary but it provides a lot of flow while at the same time giving you a place to run carbon and GFO. I'm also assuming you're just putting this on a counter or strong piece of furniture and don't need a stand.

[KafudaFish]

It is hard to say how much setting up a tank costs but is based upon your equipment needs and wants.

It would be easier to provide suggestions on it if you know what you want to keep and what you think is your budget for all the equipment.


Look in the coral forums and the nano section to get ideas.

Glad you are wanting to do your research first and buy second.

[telathas]

Originally Posted by Dkuhlmann

A really cool fish you can have is a pygmy wrasse. Love these little guy's for a small tank and it's a bit different from what most people pick for a small tank.

Here you can check out all fish that will work in a 10 gal tank. Has pictures descriptions and lots more info.

Live Aquaria nano fish http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/a....cfm?c=15+2124

Yellow banded possum wrasse http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...96&pcatid=1396



White banded Possum wrasse

http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...41&pcatid=3041



Tanaka's Pygmy Wrasse http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/p...43&pcatid=3043

Would I be able to keep a pair of fish in a 10g or would I for the most part be looking at a fish/shrimp pairing?

[homer1475]

I would look into a couple nano powerheads (hydor korralia are cheap and are decent)and only use the HOB filter for media(carbon, GFO). Also a tank that small wouldn't need a skimmer, you'll get better results with weekly 2 or 3 gallon water changes.

Everything all said and done, probably 4 to 500$ bucks depending on what equipment you choose and how far into the hobby you want to delve.

[Pigpen17]

Have you looked into getting a Biocube? I just bought mine, so I can't vouch for it's longevity or problems yet, but they have everything you need out of the box except a heater. (oh and no live rock and sand) At least my 12g dose. The pump it came with provides plenty of flow. I do see folks adding a powerhead in the 29g's. The JBJ has LED lighting.

http://www.marinedepot.com/JBJ_Light...FIAQNC-ct.html

http://www.marinedepot.com/Coralife-...FIAQNC-ct.html