Contemplating 10g

[sleepyreef]

I have been contemplating setting up a SW aquarium for about two years now. I frequent different forums living vicariously through other peoples' posts. I am really nervous about the upkeep, and since I have two young children and a budget, want to setup an efficient, dare I say "inexpensive" tank as possible. This will be my pet project.

I have had aquariums since I was a kid but they have always been FW. I use to be into FW planted tanks but the upkeep was horrendous with the daily dosing, CO2, trimming, etc. So I took all my tanks down except one 6 gal that holds my seven year old indestructible kuhli loach (I didn't know they lived so long). So I have some equipment that I want to use with my SW setup to keep costs down.

I am hellbent on a 10gal based solely on the fact that I already have a good light - http://www.marinedepot.com/ps_ViewItem~idproduct~CU01020.html"><span style="color: #810081;">2x40 Watt Current USA PC Orbit </span></a>. So I am curious about what corals should I focus on or limited to with this lighting fixture.

OR

I could go with a 20L with my custom made (ugly) [IMG]http://www.ahsupply.com/36-55w.htm"><span style="color: #810081;">2 x 55 watt PC DIY</span></a>. This is less watts/gal than the 10gal setup - 5.5w/gal vs 8w/gal.

Also I want to keep at least one, maybe two fish - something colorful for the kids.

Opinions welcomed.

I do have one tank that I have kept because I like its looks. The 30gal Oceanic cube w/stand, but I don't think I want to use it because I will have to get new lights and I'm not drilling.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

Well, it can be done but it is most likely not the easiest nor cheapest thing to do. What you are basically trying to set up is a nano tank. There are a few problems with that:
1) The smaller the tank the harder it is to keep in balance and problem free:
With a larger water volume you have more room for error. Problems seem to happen with more warning and more forgiveness. Little problems become BIG issues in a smaller tank.

2) Sometimes smaller tanks can be more expensive:
For what you get for you money, equipment for a smaller tank is more expensive. For example, A "nano" skimmer can cost about ad much as a normal skimmer but does not work as well. Also, there is very little chance that the equipment that you choose for your 10 gal will be able to fallow you to an larger tank later. Believe me, there will be a larger tank later!

3) You are going to be very limited in what you can do with a smaller tank:
Because of the lighting and just the size restraints, you are limited to what fish and corals you can keep. A star fish can not find enough food in that small of a tank. Same goes for some corals.

My advice is to use the 30 gal cube. That is a bit smaller then I would recommend someone starting out with but it would be much better then a 10 gal. By used equipment and retrofitting light when you can. You can find many good deals on the used market.

Believe me, I am about the cheapest reefer around here. But there are good ways to save money and bad ways. I fear that the way you have chosen is not going to save you money in the long run.

 

[johnr2604]

I gotta agree with Brandon on alot of his points. I personally love nanos and choose them over larger tanks but they can get expensive also. I have over $800 in my latest nano build with no livestock and I am sure I will spend more on drygoods. My suggestion is if your gonna invest in the hobby to invest in the future and try to get what you want to end up with to start or at least some of the pieces. If thats a nano then so be it.

Also as stated before you have to stay on top of your perameters. It dosn't take much for a minor situation to turn into a major one in such a small system. I have also found them to be just as much work. Instead of a few major maintanence jobs its a bunch of minor ones.

 

[glxtrix]

if you just want fish, you can do it no problem. Or with that light, you could put soft corals in there. Mushrooms, xenia, Kenya tree and maybe zoos. All those are pretty much low light and don't require the dosing of ca and alk. Tho watching your alk levels would be good. Honestly, you could prolly even find most if not all those corals for free! Most expensive stuff would be salt and live rock..... And maybe the fish.

 

[sleepyreef]

I just wanted to let you all know that I am going to go with the 30 gal cube. I am looking at 150w MH or 150w MH/combo. Problem is the 20.5 inch width of the 30 gal cube. Also I am still not keen on drilling the Oceanic.

So if anyone with experience with a 30 gal Oceanic cube want to share some advice with a noob, please do so.

 

[ace1204]

PM john2604 he has experience with them and making them Reef Ready

 

[johnr2604]

SleepyReef;186639 wrote: I just wanted to let you all know that I am going to go with the 30 gal cube. I am looking at 150w MH or 150w MH/combo. Problem is the 20.5 inch width of the 30 gal cube. Also I am still not keen on drilling the Oceanic.

So if anyone with experience with a 30 gal Oceanic cube want to share some advice with a noob, please do so.

Feel free to ask any questions. Me along with a few others have these cubes.

As for your light the best fit would be a sunpod or a pendant of some sort. Most of the combos are 24" but I have seen people use them. If you want to drill the tank the biggest problem is finding a sump that fits the stock stand considering there is only around 16" but its doable

 

[jeff_mcphail]

I have a drilled Rimless 10g that I am not planing on using. you are welcome to have it.

 

[sleepyreef]

Well I ordered a RO/DI unit today so I am beginning my project. I have researched and have come up with a gear list for the 30 gal...

Aqua C Remora w/maxijet 1200 w/preskimmer
Sunpod 150k MH

Now the decisions. I could go with two Koralia 1 or 2 powerheads

Or I can use what I have on hand which is a Rena 2 or Rena 3 canister. I know most people say canisters are not great, but I would not put any biological filtration and maybe leave in one tray of sponges for mechanical/polishing and have baskets available for carbon. If I don't use these I guess I could sell them because they are just collecting dust in my garage for the past year and a half.

Or

I could go with a hang on back for any mechanical/carbon and do one Koralia 2.

Any suggestions?

I am not drilling or doing a sump. If I get a wild hair I may do a HOB refugium, but I think the Remora should be enough.

 

[xyzpdq0121]

I would go with you canister and one Koralia 2...

 

[jeff_mcphail]

I ran a rena xp3 on my 30g cube. Worked great!

 

[steve]

I have a 150 watt MH over my 30 cube, drilling it is extra easy since the glass is so thick. I use one Koralia 2 power head. Everything grows great.