10 gallon nano-reef

[orchidman]

can anyone tell me how to set up a nano reef in a ten gallon? or give me a link to step by step directions? what kind of lights would i need? i have a filter that is a whisper advanced power filter, rated for a 20 gallon. it has a gph of 105

[JoseDepacos]

http://www.nano-reef.com/articles/?article=1

[orchidman]

thanks! i have the tank, lights and filter. can you tell me approximately how much it would cost for the rest?

[lilacamy931]

I havent owned a full salt water tank but we did look into it in great depth...the list (though there will be more than I have added will consist of);
UK prices when looking locally
Tank - you already have
Coral/Aragonite Sand - 20kg £25 (obviously wont need this much, just the bag price have seen)
Live Rock - depending size tank how much need - £12-15 per kg (probably 4-5 kgs)
Lighting - if upgrading £25+ (needed if going down anemone/coral route)
Heater - £10+
Filter - already have though may need to upgrade if not enough flow
Marine Salt - bags from £10 upwards
Refractometer or Hydrometer - £10 - 30 depending
Powerhead if not a high flow filter - £20
Test Kit Marine - £15-20
RO unit or RO water supply (deionised water)
Whatever live organisms adding!

Hope that gives food for thought, my latest tank came with a ancient protein skimmer, filter, heater but the push to go for the all expense of setting up a marine for a 120 litre and rock etc was too much, though one day..one day..

[xrayjeeper83]

sorry dont understand a single price you put up lol

[JoseDepacos]

You wont need a filter unless you're only using it for water movement. Remove the cartridge and any media before using it. I would add live rock rubble to it if you plan to keep using it. As far as pricing, its something you need to check locally or from somewhere you're comfortable ordering from. Its not something people on the forum can do with any accuracy. Its gonna depend on local availability and online order access.

[orchidman]

it would be for water movement. how much lr would i need? im going to read that article now

the light hood that is on my tank now, has two 25 watt light bulbs in it.

[Brent]

Are you going to have another source of water movement besides the filter? IMO filters provide little to no flow, and if anything only reach as far as what is beneath them with a downward motion. Just consider it a fuge and get a powerhead- it'd be better.

You'd need about 10 pounds of liverock. You could add as much as you really wanted though so long as you aren't too far below that amount.

Not too sure on the lighting, but isn't it based more on kelvin rating in marine tanks?

[orchidman]

i dont know what a kelvin is. how big of a power head would i need? could you tell me how much it would cost for a power head? do i NEED live sand? or what sand can i use?

[JoseDepacos]

I have 2 pumps in my ten gallon. A Pico evolution that moves 100 gph and a Seio Taam 320 which is 320 gph. I went through two others before adding the Seio, they just werent enough. I think I finally have the perfect amount of flow and surface movement. I paid $17 for the Pico locally and $22 with shipping for the Seio. Amazon is your friend. Oh, and use whatever sand you like. Preferably aragonite of some kind to buffer ph levels.

[orchidman]

would pool filter sand be ok?

[Mezzovex]

viewtopic.php?f=9&t=22417

My 5.5g nano. Prices are listed as i go.

with coral and EVERYTHING ive spent Maybe $200 on it. I had the tank and filter. I bought everything else. I would use a 9in compact floruesent light. A 50\50 bulb would be the best. ((coral looks sooo much better under blue light.)) dont worry about a heater, the light will do enough.

[orchidman]

well, i already have a the heater, so should i keep the heater? can i just screw in a cfl into the sockets of my current hood?

[Mezzovex]

That wont work. Cf bulbs are diffrent.

[JoseDepacos]

Yes, I would use a heater. 78 degrees is best. You really need a fluorescent light but if you cant afford to change then you need to pick up a couple Coralife 50/50 bulbs. They are the best replacements for that type of hood. Incandescent bulbs wont provide the light you need. http://www.fosterandsmithaquatics.com/p ... catid=9870