10 gallon nano reef cost?
- Thread starter Kaden S
- Start date
I would like a pair of clownfish ( I think ocellaris, probably spelt that wrong) and either a fire fish or i don't remember what it is called but it is pretty small and is a cool blue. For a cleanup crew I don't really know yet, I'm new to the saltwater department :/ Thanks.
For corals I would want to start out with some of the cheaper corals that don't need 500$ lighting systems. Do you have any ideas? I also want to get an estimate of the price with filter ( hang on back if possible), heaters, power heads, lights, all that good stuff. Thanks.
Edit: Frogspawn, plate, and torch corals are cool... But would they work in a 10g?
Last edited:
lmforbis
Well-Known Member
The tank you can get for $10 at *****
Dollar a gallon sale (you might consider a 20 gallon you'd have more options).
A hob filter would probably cost around $30-50 Same for a heater. Depends on quality.
A light fixture for fish only can be anything. And wouldn't be very expensive there are some LEDs that aren't too expensive for a small tank. You can still get the discontinued Kessil 150s at Amazon for $160 this would allow you some corals. HOt5s are always a good option, bulbs are around $20 and need to be changed every 9-12 months. T5 fixtures can be found on eBay they are cheap and come with bulbs, not good bulbs for coral but you can change them out for high quality bulbs when you are ready for coral a few months along.
You will need at least one power head. I'd recommend Jaebo RW4. About $40-50 on Amazon. Great pumps that are controllable so you can set speed and even on and off to mimic waves.
You will need a refractometer and calibration fluid. About $35-50.
You will need test kits for ammonia nitrite and nitrate to start with. Stay away from API, seachem, Salifert, and Red Sea are all good brands. These are usually $20-30 each but you can find master kits that contain several in one which is a better deal.
After your tank cycles you will need others Calcium, magnesium, Alkalinity, and pH.
Sand for a tank that size would be about $20
Rocks can be pricy but are essential. I usually buy dead rock at bulk reef supply for about $2.75 per pound you'd need about 1 pound per gallon. I'd also get one small live rock from a fish store to seed the dead rock. Live rock can be expensive, around $10 per pound where I live.
If it were me I'd also invest in another small tank and a sponge filter and small heater to use as a quarantine tank. You don't want to add any fish into your main tank unless they are healthy. That means at least 30 days in a QT tank.
Eventually you may want a HOB skimmer as well. Not necessary or needed until your tank has cycled. Cycling the tank is important an can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months
There are a lot of options with varied cost and quality. I'd research the products and shop around.
I'm sure I have missed some things. It isn't a cheap hobby, but very rewarding.
Dollar a gallon sale (you might consider a 20 gallon you'd have more options).
A hob filter would probably cost around $30-50 Same for a heater. Depends on quality.
A light fixture for fish only can be anything. And wouldn't be very expensive there are some LEDs that aren't too expensive for a small tank. You can still get the discontinued Kessil 150s at Amazon for $160 this would allow you some corals. HOt5s are always a good option, bulbs are around $20 and need to be changed every 9-12 months. T5 fixtures can be found on eBay they are cheap and come with bulbs, not good bulbs for coral but you can change them out for high quality bulbs when you are ready for coral a few months along.
You will need at least one power head. I'd recommend Jaebo RW4. About $40-50 on Amazon. Great pumps that are controllable so you can set speed and even on and off to mimic waves.
You will need a refractometer and calibration fluid. About $35-50.
You will need test kits for ammonia nitrite and nitrate to start with. Stay away from API, seachem, Salifert, and Red Sea are all good brands. These are usually $20-30 each but you can find master kits that contain several in one which is a better deal.
After your tank cycles you will need others Calcium, magnesium, Alkalinity, and pH.
Sand for a tank that size would be about $20
Rocks can be pricy but are essential. I usually buy dead rock at bulk reef supply for about $2.75 per pound you'd need about 1 pound per gallon. I'd also get one small live rock from a fish store to seed the dead rock. Live rock can be expensive, around $10 per pound where I live.
If it were me I'd also invest in another small tank and a sponge filter and small heater to use as a quarantine tank. You don't want to add any fish into your main tank unless they are healthy. That means at least 30 days in a QT tank.
Eventually you may want a HOB skimmer as well. Not necessary or needed until your tank has cycled. Cycling the tank is important an can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months
There are a lot of options with varied cost and quality. I'd research the products and shop around.
I'm sure I have missed some things. It isn't a cheap hobby, but very rewarding.
Thanks for all the information. Didn't expect to get that good of a response haha... Thanks though! I have done research prior to this as far as prices and watched hours of videos from well know channels. All of that is about what I've seen / heard for prices. But those lights are the only thing that scares me... Is there any cheaper lights that could work? Or are those the cheapest there is for the beginner corals. Thanks again.
Alright, here is what I found for what it would cost me for a FOWLR setup. Am I missing anything? And yes, I am going to look into possible getting a 20 gallon.
10g tank - $15.00 At Petsmart
Aqueon Quietflow 20 (filter)- $18.74 At Petsmart
Aqueon 100w Heater- $17.08 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YAJK02/ref=asc_df_B000YAJK024028723?smid=A28W13DUN6F4KT&tag=shopz0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_mp_1307-20;14499768511324852604610040302008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B000YAJK02
10lbs Carib-Sea Aroganite sand- $6.29 http://www.*****.com/product/121756/CaribSea-Aragonite-Aquarium-Sand.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
Rio Plus 180 Aqua Pump (powerhead) 120 GPH- $12.65 http://www.amazon.com/Rio-Plus-180-Aqua-Pump/dp/B0027JAXNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424832057&sr=8-1&keywords=rio+plus+180
10lbs South Sea Base Rock - $34.47 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUFUSR4/ref=asc_df_B00BUFUSR44030490?smid=A1MY3I1N8E5O8&tag=shopz0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_mp_1307-20;14499772890470198217210030302008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395129&creativeASIN=B00BUFUSR4
2x Coralife 50/50 20w CFL Lights- $28.68 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000256EMQ/ref=asc_df_B000256EMQ4030490?smid=A2YKHLMXRLPQLV&tag=shopz0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_mp_1307-20;14499773928604853243510040302008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395129&creativeASIN=B000256EMQ
^^ Will these work for coral in a 10 gallon long?
API Saltwater Master Test Kit- $14.37 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EUE808/ref=asc_df_B001EUE8083995329?smid=A3RLA49XJ3H9J3&tag=shopz0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_mp_1307-20;14499775759762716900610060302008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B001EUE808
Instant Ocean 7.5lbs Salt - $10.72 http://www.*****.com/product/5694/Instant-Ocean-Aquarium-Salt.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
Great Choice Floating Thermometer- $3.29 At Petsmart
$161.29
PS- I did this research a few days ago, not just now in the spur of the moment.
10g tank - $15.00 At Petsmart
Aqueon Quietflow 20 (filter)- $18.74 At Petsmart
Aqueon 100w Heater- $17.08 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000YAJK02/ref=asc_df_B000YAJK024028723?smid=A28W13DUN6F4KT&tag=shopz0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_mp_1307-20;14499768511324852604610040302008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B000YAJK02
10lbs Carib-Sea Aroganite sand- $6.29 http://www.*****.com/product/121756/CaribSea-Aragonite-Aquarium-Sand.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
Rio Plus 180 Aqua Pump (powerhead) 120 GPH- $12.65 http://www.amazon.com/Rio-Plus-180-Aqua-Pump/dp/B0027JAXNQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424832057&sr=8-1&keywords=rio+plus+180
10lbs South Sea Base Rock - $34.47 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00BUFUSR4/ref=asc_df_B00BUFUSR44030490?smid=A1MY3I1N8E5O8&tag=shopz0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_mp_1307-20;14499772890470198217210030302008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395129&creativeASIN=B00BUFUSR4
2x Coralife 50/50 20w CFL Lights- $28.68 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000256EMQ/ref=asc_df_B000256EMQ4030490?smid=A2YKHLMXRLPQLV&tag=shopz0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_mp_1307-20;14499773928604853243510040302008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395129&creativeASIN=B000256EMQ
^^ Will these work for coral in a 10 gallon long?
API Saltwater Master Test Kit- $14.37 http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001EUE808/ref=asc_df_B001EUE8083995329?smid=A3RLA49XJ3H9J3&tag=shopz0d-20&ascsubtag=shopzilla_mp_1307-20;14499775759762716900610060302008005&linkCode=df0&creative=395105&creativeASIN=B001EUE808
Instant Ocean 7.5lbs Salt - $10.72 http://www.*****.com/product/5694/Instant-Ocean-Aquarium-Salt.aspx?CoreCat=OnSiteSearch
Great Choice Floating Thermometer- $3.29 At Petsmart
$161.29
PS- I did this research a few days ago, not just now in the spur of the moment.
lmforbis
Well-Known Member
I wouldn't get the API test kits they are notoriously inaccurate. Look at SeaChem. Not too pricy but more reliable.
You will need a refractometer to measure salinity
You will need either REverse osmosis deionized water or distilled water both for mixing salt water and topping off evaporation. Never use tap water.
The lights will be fine for fish and maybe low light corals but no guarantee.
You will probably want at least one piece of live rock. Don't buy it at ***** it should come from a system that has only cured live rock in it. If it comes from a tank with fish it could bring disease into your tank which would be a bad way to start.
Read up on cycling yout tank it is extremely important. SnakeBlitz has written several very good articles on these subjects that are in the files here. Be patient salt water requires it.
You will need a refractometer to measure salinity
You will need either REverse osmosis deionized water or distilled water both for mixing salt water and topping off evaporation. Never use tap water.
The lights will be fine for fish and maybe low light corals but no guarantee.
You will probably want at least one piece of live rock. Don't buy it at ***** it should come from a system that has only cured live rock in it. If it comes from a tank with fish it could bring disease into your tank which would be a bad way to start.
Read up on cycling yout tank it is extremely important. SnakeBlitz has written several very good articles on these subjects that are in the files here. Be patient salt water requires it.