10 gallon nano softie tank?

MoshJosh

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So have a spot for a tank. . . needs to be filled. was thinking about trying an AIO 10 gallon soft coral tank? Trying to keep it pretty basic/low maintenance. This is sort of what I wanted to do with my evo 5 gallon, however, that has quickly become complicated with a refugium and water bridge etc. . . .

Was thinking a 10 or slightly larger AIO, likely Lifegard Aquatics, Fluval nano marine light (found one on the cheap. . . already on the way), bare bottom, soft corals only?

Think I could do it?
 
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MoshJosh

MoshJosh

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Guess I’ll make this my build thread:

seeding some media in my “sump”

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used some super glue and baking soda to make a scape out of life rock. . . I like that it doesn’t have a ton of space under it for detritus to build up. . . Still might make acrylic risers though

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gizzo12

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I have a tank just like that! 10 gallon nuvo with the asta 20 light and grow softies and favia very well. I have a couple gobies in there also.
 
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MoshJosh

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Ended up ordering one of these from my LFS:


It’s a bit smaller than I would’ve liked, only 7 gallons, but I actually did the look and it will fit the scape I built. It was actually pretty cheap too, at least compared to some of the other tanks I was looking at. Still should be large enough to how’s the only fish I want. . . a clown. . . but cutting it close.
 
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MoshJosh

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So this might get upgraded to a 20 gallon. . . after ordering the above tank I realized it wont actually fit in on the shelf I have. . .

So, if I'm going to make a tank stand why not make one for the nuvo 20 sitting in my garage. Not sure the little Fluval Sea Nano I got will be bright enough, may need to get another.

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MoshJosh

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And this was the compromise, no new stand but a new tank. Got a 15 gallon rimmed Tank. It fits on the shelf, and it will allow room on either side for the filter I want to use, tidal 35. . .

The silicone is a little sloppy, bunch of squeeze out, tried to trim at the best I could, then threw a coat of black paint on the bottom and back. Not my best painting work, ended up trapping a fly in the paint ha ha. Hopefully people will look at the fish and coral not the paint job
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Can I need more rocks, and probably more lights, unless you think I could still use the Fluval Nano to light the 2 foot long tank. . .
 
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MoshJosh

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Modified the rim to accommodate the light mounts. . . Now I just need the second light. Also while cleaning the little bits of plastic from cutting out of the tank I managed to chip the corner, don’t think it’s structural (see my other thread about it). . . Plan on getting the filtration soon so at the very least I can get it cycling.

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MoshJosh

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Made the lids today. I’ve heard arguments for and against lids, solid lids that is. I’m hoping I can make it work, and reduce the amount of evaporation/top off needed, since this is supposed to be my “easy” tank.

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MoshJosh

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Probably should’ve waited a bit longer, but couldn’t help myself. . . as my local store sells these on the cheap, and I didn’t have one yet, and and I think they look cool.

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but now I have an issue, the light is growing algae (brown algae/diatom???) and I don’t have a CUC or algae eaters. . . Worth adding some snails or other critters right now?

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MoshJosh

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Few updates, added some coral, added a fish, and if you look REALLY close you might be able to tell I got my order from algaebarn. . .

added some pulsing Xenia to the rock with the Anthelia. Added a green finger leather. . . It came with a free toadstool stuck to its frag plug. The finger and toadstool aren’t glued down yet, just glued to plugs as I’m not entirely sure where I want to place them permanently. Suggestions are welcome.

added a bicolor blenny

and might have ordered a little too much Pom Pom algae. . . I assume some will die back, but if I end up with a ton I’ll trade it to my local Fish Store

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Theulli

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So have a spot for a tank. . . needs to be filled. was thinking about trying an AIO 10 gallon soft coral tank? Trying to keep it pretty basic/low maintenance. This is sort of what I wanted to do with my evo 5 gallon, however, that has quickly become complicated with a refugium and water bridge etc. . . .

Was thinking a 10 or slightly larger AIO, likely Lifegard Aquatics, Fluval nano marine light (found one on the cheap. . . already on the way), bare bottom, soft corals only?

Think I could do it?
I have been running a softie tank in a 4 gallon Tupperware. Infuriatingly, the corals there are happier than in my fancy pants 100g.

It is super possible and with 10g or less and only softies you actually have a lot of budget options for lighting and pumps to keep the cost down
 
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MoshJosh

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A friend of mine regifted me my old Fluval nano freshwater LED. Since the mounts are exactly the same I figured I’d give it a shot on the reef tank. And hey, I think it looks pretty good. Also since I want to grow macros maybe having a fresh water spectrum will help???

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MoshJosh

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Had to do a sort of deep clean today, figured while I was at it I would drill the rock to make it easier to place flags in the future. I felt like I was kind of at the mercy of the rock, as far as where I could drill. I don’t think the spots are ideal, but hopefully I can make it work, and as I understand it soft corals are less likely to sting each other if they’re close?

also, I found out that Caribsea life rock branches are not actually rock at all, turns out they are made out of titanium. . . and cannot be drilled.

managed to brake off part of my scape during this whole process so had to superglue it back together

anyway, I made a mess:

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MoshJosh

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FTS on water change day

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also the new blue mushroom frag I paid to much for. . . sitting on the rock/frag holder I made:

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coral banded hanging out with my free Kenya tree (came attached to another frag):

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another freebie that came stuck to another frag. A random paly, pretty sure it’s the type my local store lovingly calls “trash” polyps. . . Pretty sure I should throw them out but. . . hate throwing away free stuff haha:

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everyone else seems to be doing well. My Pom Pom macro seems to be growing in 2 different patters, kinda neat.

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