Is 10G reef tank possible?

zpederson

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I have an extra 10G tank that I was thinking of converting to a reef tank. I know this may make water stability harder but I'm wondering what you all think of it? Maybe just a single live rock with a couple coral and 1-2 fish. Thoughts on if this is worth trying?
 

Halal Hotdog

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You can go much smaller as well, reef vase. These are like 1-3 gallons and have no fish, may an invert or to. Trick is doing large water changes every few days and keeping easy corals.
 

andrewkw

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This is my 10 gallon nano. Soft corals only, cheapo led light. One powerhead, one heater (both covered by that pile of macro algae) and that's it. I occasionally run that power filter on the left but it's typically off. I have 2 small clowns as well as 3 or 4 sexy shrimp.

This is my easiest tank but I make it easy. Whenever I feel like it I change anywhere from 10-75% of the water. I say this because once a week I am doing water changes on other tanks so I simply recycle some water from another tank and it ends up in here. If the 10 gallon is your only tank then I would recommend at least some basic testing, but this size tank makes it real easy to just do a weekly water change to replace trace elements.
 

ahiggins

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Absolutely possible! I have a 10 gal rock nem breeding tank, a 10 gallon rock nem display, and a 2.6 gallon softie tank.
My biggest problem is what I’m going to do about top off when I go on vacation lol
Also, algae gets out of hand fast with smaller tanks so stay on top of it if you see it.

I have 1 all in one 10 gal and 1 stock 10 gallon. The all in one is easy to filter and use but the stock one is a little harder. I keep on top of nutrients so I don’t use skimmers in either. All I use for filtration in both is some coarse and super fine filter pads that I buy in sheets and cut down to fit. Personally I like the challenge of 10 gal and under.
 

Holyreeftankaquaman

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Honestly.....i think you can probably run a reef tank in a tofu container. It would be a bit hard but doable. I ran a 5 gallons for a few months while in between tanks. No fish though.
 

ahiggins

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Honestly.....i think you can probably run a reef tank in a tofu container. It would be a bit hard but doable. I ran a 5 gallons for a few months while in between tanks. No fish though.
That’s the drawback with small tanks-I have a single fish in each one and it’s kinda boring. Although I will be putting some sexy shrimp in with the 2.6
 

Waynerock

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I have an extra 10G tank that I was thinking of converting to a reef tank. I know this may make water stability harder but I'm wondering what you all think of it? Maybe just a single live rock with a couple coral and 1-2 fish. Thoughts on if this is worth trying?
when I got back into reefing in 08 I got a Fluval Spec 5 gal and yea way more work mostly topping off and checking for Alk drops but totally doable. It wont last long though they fill up too quick. its like a awesome disease you give yourself over and over and you gotta just keep upgrading. I would like to do a small 5-10 gal with just zoa or mushrooms
 
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zpederson

zpederson

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This is my 10 gallon nano. Soft corals only, cheapo led light. One powerhead, one heater (both covered by that pile of macro algae) and that's it. I occasionally run that power filter on the left but it's typically off. I have 2 small clowns as well as 3 or 4 sexy shrimp.

This is my easiest tank but I make it easy. Whenever I feel like it I change anywhere from 10-75% of the water. I say this because once a week I am doing water changes on other tanks so I simply recycle some water from another tank and it ends up in here. If the 10 gallon is your only tank then I would recommend at least some basic testing, but this size tank makes it real easy to just do a weekly water change to replace trace elements.
What kind of substrate would you recommend? Looks like you use sand? I also plan on getting a few clowns. Would you recommend against hard coral in this small of a tank?
 

andrewkw

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What kind of substrate would you recommend? Looks like you use sand? I also plan on getting a few clowns. Would you recommend against hard coral in this small of a tank?

I would recommend no substrate. All of my tanks are bare bottom except this nano. It has a thin thin layer of sugar sized sand. I really am not a sand bed fan unless you need it to keep a certain creature. I just wanted to have one tank with a shallow sand bed for the heck of it.

You can keep hard corals in a 10 gallon but then you have to keep a closer eye on your parameters and depending on how many and what type a weekly water change may not be enough to replenish calcium / alkalinity ect.
 

El_Guapo13

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This is my 10 gallon nano. Soft corals only, cheapo led light. One powerhead, one heater (both covered by that pile of macro algae) and that's it. I occasionally run that power filter on the left but it's typically off. I have 2 small clowns as well as 3 or 4 sexy shrimp.

This is my easiest tank but I make it easy. Whenever I feel like it I change anywhere from 10-75% of the water. I say this because once a week I am doing water changes on other tanks so I simply recycle some water from another tank and it ends up in here. If the 10 gallon is your only tank then I would recommend at least some basic testing, but this size tank makes it real easy to just do a weekly water change to replace trace elements.
What are the filter, powerhead, and light that you use? I am planning to convert my currently unused 10 gallon to a nano reef and have been debating what equipment to use. So any advice would be much appreciated.
 

HonorableWhat

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Absolutely possible! I have a 10 gal rock nem breeding tank, a 10 gallon rock nem display, and a 2.6 gallon softie tank.
My biggest problem is what I’m going to do about top off when I go on vacation lol
Also, algae gets out of hand fast with smaller tanks so stay on top of it if you see it.

I have 1 all in one 10 gal and 1 stock 10 gallon. The all in one is easy to filter and use but the stock one is a little harder. I keep on top of nutrients so I don’t use skimmers in either. All I use for filtration in both is some coarse and super fine filter pads that I buy in sheets and cut down to fit. Personally I like the challenge of 10 gal and under.
Hey, what do you use to light your 10g rock nem tank? And whats stocked in it?

Im planning to do a rock nem 10g as well. Have it cycling rn
 

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JumboShrimp

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I just called it my “Clown Eater.” It got expensive, watching it gobble up fish like hors d’oeuvres, I will say that. As best I know it was just a run-of-the-mill carpet anemone… Although I think some people refer to it as an “elephant ear.” (?)
 

ClownSchool

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This was my Nuvo ten gallon. Awesome little reef. The key to keeping it stable is A GOOD ATO. Had it running for over two years before I upgraded to a larger aquarium.
What ATO did/do you use? I’m interested in getting one for my 10 gallon and one for my 55 gallon. I don’t mind paying for quality, but I’d like to avoid throwing away money on an inflated brand, if I can help it.
 

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