looking to build a 10g nano

[1990jpyj]

i am looking at building a 10g nano tank i wish i could go bigger but i really dont have the room at this time for the location i would like to put it. i would like to find out what kind of equipment is needed to run a 10g.
the only thing i have at this time is a 10g tank. i know that i would like to have about 10-15lbs of lr and a clown fish in there. i might put in some smal zoa's at some point, but not right away/first 6 months.
where i need help is what type of filter?
do i need a protein skimmer?
what type of heater/size do i need?
what type of light(zoa's)
thanks for any help

 

[patrick8929]

you dont need a whole lot to get it started. i have a huge HOB filter on mine its a millennium 3000 and i put chaeto in the back of it and that works amazing. a 50 watt heater will do just fine. if you dont want to go with that big of a filter just go with like a 30 or 40 gallon filter. the 10 gallon ones dont move to much water around. you also might want a small power head as well. i have a maxi jet 400 and that takes care of the flow very nicely. you dont need a skimmer on that small of a tank. just do weekly water changes. for zoas you would just need pc lighting. i would get t5 if you want something nicer but not necessary for zoas. i would say about 50-60 wats will give you some nice growth for soft corals like zoas.

 

[1990jpyj]

thanks man im going to the store soon and im gonna start to look at the heaters and filters. as far as the lighting goes i have some time for that. what kind of top do you have on your tank. glass or is it just the canopy?

 

[patrick8929]

it is just the custom canopy i built. im gunna put the lights in there as well so i probably wont have and glass or plastic top

 

[1990jpyj]

do they sell the small tops for these tanks. just the glass with nothing else? or do you not know?

 

[patrick8929]

im sure they do. you can always get a custom one it wouldnt be that expensive. you dont really need a top tho unless you just want one

 

[1990jpyj]

i need to have one. i have a cat that will get into the tank. i had to get a new top for the 55g just so that the cat woulnd break it. 1/2'' glass to hold him just in case he gets up there again. the egg crate idea i dont really like so i think i will have to find the glass

 

[patrick8929]

gotcha well i know they are out there even if you have to get it custom made it wont be that expensive

 

[1990jpyj]

you dont need a whole lot to get it started. i have a huge HOB filter on mine its a millennium 3000 and i put chaeto in the back of it and that works amazing.

is this filter the one that is rated up to 90g. i would like to see some pic;s of how you have it set up with the cheato and everything. i found it for like $40.00 witch isnt a bad price.thanks
chris

 

[patrick8929]

i dont know how many gallons it is for exactly i know its alot.
you will need some kind of clip on light that can stay on 24 hours to keep the chaeto alive tho....
here is how i have it set up

 

[patrick8929]

all i did was put the chaeto behind the filter so the water would flow all the way through it and still go through the filter also

 

[1990jpyj]

hmm. very nice is that the double filter version?

 

[patrick8929]

yea it has a nice big space on both sides so it has a good amount of water going through there and really works as a mini refegium

 

[1990jpyj]

ok well i got these items today:
50 watt heater
marineland 100 HOB filter
thermometer
all for the 10g
my GF wants a 20g of her own so i got a bunch of stuff for hers to.
both are being painted. i got some fine sand for her tank i just dont know what type to do for mine? but im gonna try and get some water in her tomorrow morning so hopefully that will get things going on her's. i would like to have it for her by x-mas but im not gonna hold my breath on that cuz it all depends on the cycle.

 

[patrick8929]

you will want some kind of power head as well. and what about light? you dont need it for the cycle but it helps

 

[1990jpyj]

im gonna order a set of maxi-jet 400's w/my glass tops tonight. im not sure on the light yet. in the 20g i would like to see an anenomie in there. so idk yet. im thinking a cheap PC for the 10g.

 

[patrick8929]

i would go T5's all the way. what do you want to keep in the 2 tanks?

 

[1990jpyj]

10g:
2 clowns
yellow goby
peppermint shrimp
couple of snails
Zoa's
1 shroom(not 100%)
20g:
2 clowns
1 firefish
1 blue w/yellow tail damsel
+ CUC
anenomies and a few zoa's

 

[patrick8929]

sounds good! you wont need T5's but if you go with pc dont go cheap you will regret it in the long run. and did you say more than 1 anemone in the 20g?

 

[1990jpyj]

im not sure probly just 1(maybe 2) and a few zoa's