10 G Nano Help!

[katsafados]

Hey guys and girls,
New to salt water tanks, I currently own a 20g freshwater African cichilid tank. I have a 10g tank sitting in storage so I figured I'd try out a nano salt water tank. Ive been reading a lot about salt water tank's and some informatio is confusing. I would like to set up a reef tank (fish and corall).
My questions:
1. how woud I go about setting up the 10g nano. (I know roughtly 1lbs of live rock for 1g water. I know about cycling the tank before introducing fish ect.(basics)) I also read that live rock/sand should be in water when you buy it, does this matter?
2. some people say you need a protein skimmer and others dont, so do I need one?
3. I have a canister filter for the tank on route its for a 45g tank. Do i need this item, and if so anything I should be aware of? (read that this piece of equipment isnt really needed due to the reef) is it better to have it or go without it?
4. I have a 50watt heater.(reading i did said this is enough) is this true?
5. As I read on about mixing salt ect. theres no mention about water conditioners ect. do you need to put anything in the water other than salt?(i know to use ro water or distilled i believe)
6. what is the best and farly inexpensive lighting for a reef tank of my size?
7. what are some different types of bright looking coral, fish, and inverts. that will work with my conditions?
8. also when doing tank maitenence i know for my freshwater tank i have to syphon the coral, is this the same for salt water?
and any other tips or suggestions you guys can offer me will be appreciated!!

 

[pblrdom]

1. how woud I go about setting up the 10g nano. (I know roughtly 1lbs of live rock for 1g water. I know about cycling the tank before introducing fish ect.(basics)) I also read that live rock/sand should be in water when you buy it, does this matter?
Ive never heard about LS being sold in water, but if you do buy dry bagged LS, its absolutely necessary to rinse in thoroughly before adding it to the tank.
2. some people say you need a protein skimmer and others dont, so do I need one?
I would say that this is a must have, and I wouldn't go cheap. Get good quality hardware. The start up cost is high, but you will thank yourself laster.
3. I have a canister filter for the tank on route its for a 45g tank. Do i need this item, and if so anything I should be aware of? (read that this piece of equipment isnt really needed due to the reef) is it better to have it or go without it?
If you have one and want to use it go for it. Mechanical filtration should be a secondary method of filtration and could eventually raise ur trate levels, just be warned.
4. I have a 50watt heater.(reading i did said this is enough) is this true?
I don't have much experience in this field, i have a 35 watt on my 55g and im fine. (I live in AZ out in the middle of the desert though.)
5. As I read on about mixing salt ect. theres no mention about water conditioners ect. do you need to put anything in the water other than salt?(i know to use ro water or distilled i believe)
RO or distilled water is a must in my opinion. The salt mixtures seem to have all the goodies in them.
6. what is the best and farly inexpensive lighting for a reef tank of my size?
You would really have to do some shopping around. I would say that if you want to do SPS or anemone at some point invest in good lights now. This is a major component to a good reef, don't sell yourself short here to save a buck. Just my .02

 

[katsafados]

Originally Posted by PBLRDom
http:///forum/post/3021678
1. how woud I go about setting up the 10g nano. (I know roughtly 1lbs of live rock for 1g water. I know about cycling the tank before introducing fish ect.(basics)) I also read that live rock/sand should be in water when you buy it, does this matter?
Ive never heard about LS being sold in water, but if you do buy dry bagged LS, its absolutely necessary to rinse in thoroughly before adding it to the tank.
2. some people say you need a protein skimmer and others dont, so do I need one?
I would say that this is a must have, and I wouldn't go cheap. Get good quality hardware. The start up cost is high, but you will thank yourself laster.
3. I have a canister filter for the tank on route its for a 45g tank. Do i need this item, and if so anything I should be aware of? (read that this piece of equipment isnt really needed due to the reef) is it better to have it or go without it?
If you have one and want to use it go for it. Mechanical filtration should be a secondary method of filtration and could eventually raise ur trate levels, just be warned.
4. I have a 50watt heater.(reading i did said this is enough) is this true?
I don't have much experience in this field, i have a 35 watt on my 55g and im fine. (I live in AZ out in the middle of the desert though.)
5. As I read on about mixing salt ect. theres no mention about water conditioners ect. do you need to put anything in the water other than salt?(i know to use ro water or distilled i believe)
RO or distilled water is a must in my opinion. The salt mixtures seem to have all the goodies in them.
6. what is the best and farly inexpensive lighting for a reef tank of my size?
You would really have to do some shopping around. I would say that if you want to do SPS or anemone at some point invest in good lights now. This is a major component to a good reef, don't sell yourself short here to save a buck. Just my .02

So what would be a good skimmer for my 10g tank? and what are good lights for it i will be purchasing an anemone because i want a clown fish.

 

[mr.reef]

u dont have to have a anemone for a clown fish i am also seating up a 10 gallon for my little bro. but in my 125g i have 7 clowns and a anemone and they dont even touch it they like my colt coral more then any thing.. and if i am not mistaken i think the tank is to small to put a anemone in but idk. someone else chime in if they know?

 

[nycbob]

1. how woud I go about setting up the 10g nano. (I know roughtly 1lbs of live rock for 1g water. I know about cycling the tank before introducing fish ect.(basics)) I also read that live rock/sand should be in water when you buy it, does this matter?if ur lfs sells cured liverocks, it will save u 2-3 weeks due to the cycle. livesand comes in a bag with water.2. some people say you need a protein skimmer and others dont, so do I need one?
for a 10 gallon, u can bypass the skimmer if u water change weekly.
3. I have a canister filter for the tank on route its for a 45g tank. Do i need this item, and if so anything I should be aware of? (read that this piece of equipment isnt really needed due to the reef) is it better to have it or go without it?
forget the canister filter. get a powerhead like the koralia. liverocks will do all the bio-filtering.
4. I have a 50watt heater.(reading i did said this is enough) is this true?
50w is good enough
5. As I read on about mixing salt ect. theres no mention about water conditioners ect. do you need to put anything in the water other than salt?(i know to use ro water or distilled i believe)
if u r using ro/di water, no need to add anything except salt.
6. what is the best and farly inexpensive lighting for a reef tank of my size?
u can get powercompact if planning to keep zoas, softies and certain lps. dont add any corals until 2-3 months after setup.
7. what are some different types of bright looking coral, fish, and inverts. that will work with my conditions?
zoas and shrooms to start with.
8. also when doing tank maitenence i know for my freshwater tank i have to syphon the coral, is this the same for salt water?
siphoning the surface of the rocks is enough.