Ryan’s Mini Reef Progress (10 gallon saltwater aquarium)

Ryan's.Reef · Jul 26, 2023

Sharing my tank’s journey. Started in February of 2022. Will begin with posting how it was before, and progress along the way.

10 gallon tank
Equipment and biological filtration:
Aquatop eliminator internal filter w/ UV
Aquatop professional sky aqua pro LED (6500K color temperature)
Aquatop max flow CPS-1 circulation pump
Aquatop Breda fusion air pump
Orlushy submersible aquarium heater
8lbs or so of liverock
Handful of chaeto
Small bag of Cycled media

Animals and coral:
2 oscellaris clownfish (one Nemo and one frozen frostbite clown)
1 scarlett skunk cleaner shrimp
3 turbo snails
1 nassaurius snail
2 rose tip BTA’s (now 3 after split)
1 Devil’s hand leather coral
1 candy cane kryptonite coral (caulastrea furcata)
Green starry polyp soft coral
1 ricordea florida

Ryan's.Reef · Jul 26, 2023

And here’s what it looks like today! 07/26/2023

jwilkey2468 · Aug 11, 2023

Hey Ryan looks good! I'm currently starting a 10gal reef as well, same tank/setup as you. I've recently had some comments that clowns wont do well in a 10 gallon, I'm curious your opinion of this. Also Im curious how your journey is going so far in the nano world?

Ryan's.Reef · Aug 14, 2023

While I do agree clowns deserve a bit more room, there is no evidence that points to not being able to hold at least 2 clowns per 10 gallons of a tank. In my opinion and from what I see when I look at my tank they are thriving and are happy. One has even hosted a rose tip BTA and when any clown hosts an anemone they do not travel far from it. Staying tucked in for the most part of the day. As for your second question, the nano world is great! I thought originally my bio load would be too high for the amount of animals I was keeping, however a handful of chaeto does wonders! Keeps my nitrates and phosphates in check and I am only doing a water change every month or so. Speaking of water changes, only having to buy a 5 gallon bucket of saltwater is a big plus! Nano life is definetly the way to go when you are trying to have all the wonders of a reef tank on a budget.