Hi everyone I'm thinking about starting a 10 gallon FOWLR and then slowly acclimating corals to the tank. I need some help though as I'm very confused as to what equipment I need for a 10 gallon reef tank.
Here's a build I saw on another forum:
- 10 gallon tank
- A strong power head
- Heater
- All glass versa top
- A light setup - a little confused on which one to choose
Then all I would need is live sand, live rock, and saltwater to cycle the tank? For fish, I just want a clean up crew and a pair of clowns. If anyone could help me out and walk me through this that would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks everyone =)
Well you probably know this just forgot, but you also need a filter, for a ten gallon i would recommend a typical HOB or hang on back style filter. If you plan on growing SPS coral you will need a halide light fixture. if you plan on doing soft coral the cheapest and most efficient lighting system is T5 HO (high output). a heater isn't really necessary unless you live in a climate that gets cold in the winter. In terms of a powerhead it does not need to be strong. A small Azoo power head is inexpensive and will get the job done. the most practical scenario for a beginner lighting will be a t5 or PC (power compact) lighting fixture because they are relatively inexpensive and do not release large amounts of heat.
I'm probably just going to do FOWLR for now, so I'm just going to use the standard lighting. As for the HOB filter, I read one of Pasfur's posts where he says an HOB filter is actually harmful for a saltwater tank and just creates more nitrates?
I have had a HOB filter on my 29 gal reef for 7 months with no negative effects. Every couple of weeks I take it off and rinse out the debris and detritus that gets trapped in there and pop it back on the tank. Then its like I have a completely new filter again. Also if you are going to reuse the filter pads, make sure that they are rinsed to get the debris outta them too. Leave the bio pad or whatever your filter directions call it alone though. And if you want a inexpensive light that will allow you to keep all soft coral you could get this light from aquatraders.com http://shop.aquatraders.com/Odyssea-20in-1x36W-Power-Compact-Light-Fixture-p/51102.htm when it comes back in stock. LPS could probably be kept at the very top of your tank to be safe.
I don't mean to be rube to anybody. Pasfur, Dawn, and Wake are probably the most knowlagable people on this site. I know for a fact pasfur has had 23 marine aquariums. ( if wrong please correct)
+1 those are the three many look to for information as they research all the time and share vast amounts of knowlage (expecially to those like myself who need just the right answer)..
although to be fair if you dont mind cleaning the HOB every week or so then by all means go for it..... just seems like a pain in the back to me
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