Critique this newbie.

[tehSAC]

Be gentle. LOL

Hello reefers, new reefer here looking for a few suggestions/hints/comments. I’ve been lurking for a few months now and feel that I have a grasp of all that I need/desire by doing my research and reading others advice. However I am still a little hesitant so any advice or criticism you have I greatly appreciate it.

Due to size restrictions I will be starting my first nano with a 10 gallon tank. I understand this isn’t ideal, as things fluctuate so quickly, but I understand this and have been in the freshwater hobby for well over 10 years this month actually. My plan is to do weekly 2 gallon water changes, clean the glass 2-3 times a week, and switch out the filter floss ever 3-4 days. I also only plan on keeping beginner type corals (soft, maybe some lps), and a couple fish for my children to admire. Heck who am I kidding, I wanna watch the little guys swim too. So this is what I have planned so far:

Standard 10 Gallon Tank (Already Have - would love to buy a used 10 nuvo)

15 Lbs Fiji Pink Sand

10 lbs Pukani Rock from BRS

Aquaclear 70 with Chemi Pure and Filter Floss

Hydor Koralina Nano 425 (Would love an MP10 but it might be too much and not in the budget at this time.)

AI Prime HD or Kessil A80

50W Finnex Heater


As for a topoff I am not sure what would be the best as I am still a bit confused on what style is best. Any suggestions on this would be great. For now I will just keep the water level in range with daily top offs. I shouldn’t have much evaporation as my home stays at a constant 70 degrees and I will be running an LED Light.

Speaking of the light I'm not sure which would be the best option of my two choices. I want the control of the Prime but love the price of the A80. Is there a cheap ramp timer to use on the Kessil to slowly ramp up and down the light. I know of the spectral controller but that's another $100 bucks.

As for livestock, my ideal tank would include:

Fish:

Ocelaris Clownfish
Tailspot Blenny
Purple Firefish

Inverts:

2-3 Nassarius Snails
1-2 Hermits
1 Cleaner Shrimp

Corals:

Zoa’s
Hammer
Frogspawn
Mushrooms
Ricordea
Green Star Polyps
Toadstool
Candy Cane
Acan
Xenia


I understand that might be too many inhabitants or aggression would be too high between one or two of them, so any criticism/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. With my water change schedule I may have to up it to 4 gallons weekly due to the bio load. Yes/No?

 

[skybears]

Hi there and welcome to reef2reef we are glad you found her site this will become your new home there is so much information and different threads and all the fun sites to see. Here you will need an incredible amount of people that have taken the time to share their knowledge for the good saltwater experience everybody loves questions but pictures are her favorites thank you for coming to reef2reef and I know you'll enjoy your stay

 

[mcarroll]

Consider either:

Comline® Reefpack 100 ($162)
Comline® Reefpack 250 ($214)​

The smaller model gives the added benefit of hiding your heater and making it powered (and more efficient). And it's truly tiny.

The larger model, which probably sizes better with a 10 gallon, does that and has a mount inside for the ATO sensor from their:

Controller Osmolator® nano ($71)​

For flow, I'd add either a Turbelle® nanostream® 6020 ($42) or Turbelle® nanostream® 6025 ($55).

 

[cloak]

FWIW here's my 10 gallon at about 7 months or so. Most of the corals were frags from my other tank. (very simple set up)



HTH. (just something to bounce your ideas of off)

 

[tehSAC]

mcarroll I should have mentioned that I already have the AC70 so filtration like the Tunze won't be an option. Also I'm trying to keep as much out of the tank as possible. However the pumps I like the looks of those and may consider those as an option.

 

[tehSAC]

@cloak I apologize I did not mean to ignore your reply. I was responding on my phone and was unable to see your response. Your tank is what I have in mind. However I only want to have one powerhead within the tank if I can.

Also I'm still curious about ramping up and down a light. Do some of you just have your lights on a timer and they come on and off at a set time or do you have them gradually come on and off? Does the light coming on suddenly shock the coral? My cichlid tank I do this but those guys dont care at all.

The kessil is very tempting but I really want a sunrise/sunset effect, that is why I plan to purchase the AI.