Wat fun stuff to put in a 10 gal??

Bladeslinger · 03/12/2009, 12:37 AM

I've had my 50 gallon saltwater set up for a year now... and I'm pretty happy with how its turned out. But now I have decided to get another challenge and turn my spare 10 gallon tank to a saltwater tank.

So far, it has a whisper (30 gal) HOB filter with just the black sponge filter media thing, heater, lighting is to 50/50 power compacts, and the tank is bare with live sand (1 bags' worth). Its been running as is for a couple weeks now.... I'm still deciding on what to put in it.

So, what fun stuff can I put in it?? I really don't want to fill it with a lot of corals because my 50 gallon is a reef tank and corals are expensive enough as it is...don't wanna be buying them for 2 tanks...etc.

I was thinking an anemone (or a few) with a pair of clowns....

or

seahorses

or

?????

What do u guys think??? I spent a lot on the power compact so I'd like something besides F/O that would actually use it (anemone, but never had one... ). so.... what else can i do with it?

I'm liking the anemone idea.. but all input would be appreciated...

Alaskan Reefer · 03/12/2009, 02:13 AM

Seems a bit small for either of those choices. How about a pistol shrimp and goby?

svynx · 03/12/2009, 06:01 AM

Seahorses need vertical tanks. I'd suggest a mantis shrimp. With a tank of that size there are a number of them that you could get that would be ok. The N. Wennerae and G. Chiragra are two that are easily found, and would be perfect for a 10 gallon tank.

crvz · 03/12/2009, 07:26 AM

Dwarf seahorse may do well in a tank that size, but they bring along a lot of challenges. A mantis or pistol shrimp w/goby would make a great choice for a tank that size, though.

turretdr · 03/12/2009, 07:55 AM

I would stay away from an anemone in that tank. Very few anemones stay small enough for a 10 gallon and need intense lighting. Maybe some small clowns (occelaris).

MrsHaggis · 03/12/2009, 08:21 AM

I would get a either a pistol shrimp/goby pair or a few occelaris clowns, or a 6-line wrasse with another small fish!!

sevendigitcake · 03/12/2009, 08:54 AM

trimma gobies, clown gobies, sexy shrimp, zoanthids, ricordia. Thats what i would do. maybe even a firefish.

kraze3 · 03/12/2009, 08:54 AM

A six line is rated for around 30 gallons. Ocellaris CLowns are rated about 20 gallons. Not to mention 3 clowns is not a good idea.

with a 10 gallon tank your lookin ate the shrimp gobie combo. maybe a clown goby or a few neon gobies. You could do a firefish as well. You need to look at nano fish for a tank that small.

Juruense · 03/12/2009, 08:56 AM

Some mushrooms and a small shrimp.

svynx · 03/12/2009, 01:13 PM

Another question to think about is how interactive do you want your tank to be. Just asking, becasue my mantis tank at work changes everyday, and I'm not the one doing it. She comes out and rearranges the rock to her liking. Very interesting to watch.

Bladeslinger · 03/12/2009, 01:26 PM

Well I'm not that big of a fan of mantis shrimps. I had a pest one in my 50 gallon n it was a pain to catch and it killed some of my little fish. I'd rather not have one considering my 10 gallon is glass.... and I don't want it breaking it and bye bye water and hello angry downstairs neighbors... lol. So far I've been leaning towards the anemone and clown. Would a bubble tip fare well?? and How long before they get too big for a 10 gallon. I'd only do one clown prob. unless I get 2 small ones.

jetblacksdart · 03/12/2009, 01:41 PM

bubbletip would be ok for a while. but a skimmer is a must with anemones. why not stock it with frags from the larger tank and put in a clown and a goby or firefish. if you keep up on maintnance you should not have problems.

Uncle Salty 05 · 03/12/2009, 01:58 PM

If you can plumb it in with your DT it would make a good refugium.

petoonia · 03/12/2009, 02:54 PM

I wouldnt try an anemone, they need stable parameters, and very good water quality. Both of which can be hard to maintain in a small tank. Why not try a hammer or frogspawn, with a pair of clowns.

My clowns are in a 75G and never leave the frogspawn.

KarlBob · 03/12/2009, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by petoonia
Why not try a hammer or frogspawn, with a pair of clowns.

My clowns are in a 75G and never leave the frogspawn.

As petoonia demonstrates, you don't have to have an anenome to keep clownfish. If they can find something vaguely similar, from frogspawn to anthelia, they'll host in that. I have an 80 gallon tank with a pair of ocellaris clownfish, and I have no plans to add an anenome. Aside from the picky water quality requirements and size issues, anenomes are well known for suddenly deciding to pull up stakes and move to another part of a tank. When that happens, they sting every coral they encounter along the way. In a 10 gallon tank, your clownfish will be just fine without an anenome.

Zestay · 03/12/2009, 05:44 PM

nems are hard in a 10 gallon tank.
the lighting required will cause alot of evaopration and heat build up
and fans to cool the lights will cause more evaporation. so its tricky.

Bladeslinger · 03/13/2009, 12:26 AM

Wat about a frag tank?? how long does it take for corals to multiply?? I can do a frag tank w/ a few clown gobies... that will work. I've never fragged though..... any tips??

btw my LFS sells jellies....lol. saw one today. hahaha. ( not considering...just a thought)

fordp · 03/13/2009, 02:02 AM

I would do a pistol shrimp and goby combo, and maybe another fish.

I would avoid shrimps and other things that will scare the pistol and keep it from venturing out too far.

tetra-tag · 03/13/2009, 02:02 AM

If you insist on having an anemone in this tank, make it a Bunodeopsis, or rather a pair thereof. This is the aneomone carried in the claws of the so-called "Pom-Pom" or "Boxer" crab, i.e.Lybia tessellata.
This would probably work well with gobies in the genus Trimma or Elacatinus, or the clown gobies.

http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/produ...8&cid=80&did=2

fordp · 03/13/2009, 02:02 AM

Wow tetra, decide to necro a thread at the same time as me :-P

INSPECTOR · 03/13/2009, 06:43 AM

A anemone would require more room. A frag tank sounds like your best bet with a cleaner shrimp or two and maybe a goby.

tims28gnano · 03/13/2009, 08:14 AM

If I had a 10 gallon to play with I think I would make a nice zoo and mushroom tank - - - - - with a skunk shrimp.

Major lights are not necessary and there is little to no bioload.

A guy on here has a 10 gallon set up like that and I love it!

Also, with only 10 gallons I would buy that nutri-sea water for the water changes.

03/12/2009, 12:37 AM	#1
Bladeslinger Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 65	Wat fun stuff to put in a 10 gal?? I've had my 50 gallon saltwater set up for a year now... and I'm pretty happy with how its turned out. But now I have decided to get another challenge and turn my spare 10 gallon tank to a saltwater tank. So far, it has a whisper (30 gal) HOB filter with just the black sponge filter media thing, heater, lighting is to 50/50 power compacts, and the tank is bare with live sand (1 bags' worth). Its been running as is for a couple weeks now.... I'm still deciding on what to put in it. So, what fun stuff can I put in it?? I really don't want to fill it with a lot of corals because my 50 gallon is a reef tank and corals are expensive enough as it is...don't wanna be buying them for 2 tanks...etc. I was thinking an anemone (or a few) with a pair of clowns.... or seahorses or ????? What do u guys think??? I spent a lot on the power compact so I'd like something besides F/O that would actually use it (anemone, but never had one... ). so.... what else can i do with it? I'm liking the anemone idea.. but all input would be appreciated...

03/12/2009, 02:13 AM	#2
Alaskan Reefer Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Eagle River, Alaska Posts: 2,360	Seems a bit small for either of those choices. How about a pistol shrimp and goby? __________________ Unattended children will be given double shot espresso and a free puppy. Current Tank Info: 125g FOWLR -- Conversion Back To SPS In Progress

03/12/2009, 06:01 AM	#3
svynx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mt. Wolf, PA Posts: 974	Seahorses need vertical tanks. I'd suggest a mantis shrimp. With a tank of that size there are a number of them that you could get that would be ok. The N. Wennerae and G. Chiragra are two that are easily found, and would be perfect for a 10 gallon tank. __________________ "What?!? Haven't you ever seen someone work on an engine with an axe before?" Mythbusters Current Tank Info: Biocube 29, Aurora puck LED

03/12/2009, 07:26 AM	#4
crvz Team RC Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: houstonia Posts: 7,989	Dwarf seahorse may do well in a tank that size, but they bring along a lot of challenges. A mantis or pistol shrimp w/goby would make a great choice for a tank that size, though. __________________ -Chris- You don't win friends with salad. "Look! They're trying to learn for free!" ... "Use your phony guns as clubs!" Current Tank Info: rectangluar? wet?

03/12/2009, 07:55 AM	#5
turretdr I want to play a game Join Date: May 2006 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 296	I would stay away from an anemone in that tank. Very few anemones stay small enough for a 10 gallon and need intense lighting. Maybe some small clowns (occelaris). __________________ NO REGRETS.Every decision we make is based on current knowledge. NO REGRETS.

03/12/2009, 08:21 AM	#6
MrsHaggis Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: St Louis, France Posts: 675	I would get a either a pistol shrimp/goby pair or a few occelaris clowns, or a 6-line wrasse with another small fish!! __________________ Nothing scarier than a clown!! ----------------------------- 1 ClownFish 1 SixLine Wrasse 1 Foxface Rabbitfish Mushrooms Long Polyp Leather Green Anchor Coral Zoanthids Trumpet Coral Goniopora Current Tank Info: 360 litre (95 US Gallons), Tunze DOC Skimmer 9010, Lights: Metal Halide 250 Watt and 2x24 Watt Moon Lights, Tunze MultiController 7095

03/12/2009, 08:54 AM	#7
sevendigitcake Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 452	trimma gobies, clown gobies, sexy shrimp, zoanthids, ricordia. Thats what i would do. maybe even a firefish.

03/12/2009, 08:54 AM	#8
kraze3 Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: RI Posts: 2,373	A six line is rated for around 30 gallons. Ocellaris CLowns are rated about 20 gallons. Not to mention 3 clowns is not a good idea. with a 10 gallon tank your lookin ate the shrimp gobie combo. maybe a clown goby or a few neon gobies. You could do a firefish as well. You need to look at nano fish for a tank that small.

03/12/2009, 08:56 AM	#9
Juruense Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Fort Wayne, IN Posts: 1,138	Some mushrooms and a small shrimp.

03/12/2009, 01:13 PM	#10
svynx Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Mt. Wolf, PA Posts: 974	Another question to think about is how interactive do you want your tank to be. Just asking, becasue my mantis tank at work changes everyday, and I'm not the one doing it. She comes out and rearranges the rock to her liking. Very interesting to watch. __________________ "What?!? Haven't you ever seen someone work on an engine with an axe before?" Mythbusters Current Tank Info: Biocube 29, Aurora puck LED

03/12/2009, 01:26 PM	#11
Bladeslinger Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 65	Well I'm not that big of a fan of mantis shrimps. I had a pest one in my 50 gallon n it was a pain to catch and it killed some of my little fish. I'd rather not have one considering my 10 gallon is glass.... and I don't want it breaking it and bye bye water and hello angry downstairs neighbors... lol. So far I've been leaning towards the anemone and clown. Would a bubble tip fare well?? and How long before they get too big for a 10 gallon. I'd only do one clown prob. unless I get 2 small ones.

03/12/2009, 01:41 PM	#12
jetblacksdart Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: califonia Posts: 75	bubbletip would be ok for a while. but a skimmer is a must with anemones. why not stock it with frags from the larger tank and put in a clown and a goby or firefish. if you keep up on maintnance you should not have problems. __________________ MOPAR OR NO CAR Current Tank Info: a gutter, now upgraded to a 100 gal foam and rock reef, 50 gal sump divided into 3 chambers, refugium in one, T-5 Lights, Sun Sun Wave Pump X's 2, 2 Mag 7.5 return pumps.

03/12/2009, 01:58 PM	#13
Uncle Salty 05 Registered Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: South Florida Posts: 3,799	If you can plumb it in with your DT it would make a good refugium. __________________ In all that I endure, of one thing I am sure. Knowledge and reason, change like the season. A jester's promenade. - Kerry Livgren Current Tank Info: 180 gal reef tank with dual attached refugiums 20 long and 10 gallon. Plus 55 gallon True Percula breeding tank.

03/12/2009, 02:54 PM	#14
petoonia HereWeGoAgain... Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,648	I wouldnt try an anemone, they need stable parameters, and very good water quality. Both of which can be hard to maintain in a small tank. Why not try a hammer or frogspawn, with a pair of clowns. My clowns are in a 75G and never leave the frogspawn. __________________ I've been in the hobby for about 10 years....(so I know a little bit)...(but not all that much).... Current Tank Info: 58G. Oceanic (Starphire). Mixed Reef

03/12/2009, 05:44 PM	#16
Zestay Registered Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: gainesville, FL Posts: 1,622	nems are hard in a 10 gallon tank. the lighting required will cause alot of evaopration and heat build up and fans to cool the lights will cause more evaporation. so its tricky.

03/13/2009, 12:26 AM	#17
Bladeslinger Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Boynton Beach, FL Posts: 65	Wat about a frag tank?? how long does it take for corals to multiply?? I can do a frag tank w/ a few clown gobies... that will work. I've never fragged though..... any tips?? btw my LFS sells jellies....lol. saw one today. hahaha. ( not considering...just a thought)

03/13/2009, 02:02 AM	#18
fordp Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 55	I would do a pistol shrimp and goby combo, and maybe another fish. I would avoid shrimps and other things that will scare the pistol and keep it from venturing out too far.

03/13/2009, 02:02 AM	#19
tetra-tag Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Southern CA Posts: 167	If you insist on having an anemone in this tank, make it a Bunodeopsis, or rather a pair thereof. This is the aneomone carried in the claws of the so-called "Pom-Pom" or "Boxer" crab, i.e.Lybia tessellata. This would probably work well with gobies in the genus Trimma or Elacatinus, or the clown gobies. http://www.bluezooaquatics.com/produ...8&cid=80&did=2

03/13/2009, 06:43 AM	#21
INSPECTOR Registered Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gainesville, Virginia Posts: 62	A anemone would require more room. A frag tank sounds like your best bet with a cleaner shrimp or two and maybe a goby.

03/13/2009, 08:14 AM	#22
tims28gnano Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Jones Beach Posts: 343	If I had a 10 gallon to play with I think I would make a nice zoo and mushroom tank - - - - - with a skunk shrimp. Major lights are not necessary and there is little to no bioload. A guy on here has a 10 gallon set up like that and I love it! Also, with only 10 gallons I would buy that nutri-sea water for the water changes.