Filter for 10 gallon

[rubyflutes]

Looking to set up a pretty simple 10 gallon. Planning on stocking with a ocellaris clown and maybe eventually some soft corals. Would the seachem tidal 35 work well as filtration?

 

[Dread Pirate Dave]

Welcome to R2R!

I'd go with a larger tank to start. A 20 gallon would be much better and also a better fit for the Tidal 35. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to provide a stable environment.

 

[rubyflutes]

Welcome to R2R!

I'd go with a larger tank to start. A 20 gallon would be much better and also a better fit for the Tidal 35. The smaller the tank, the harder it is to provide a stable environment.

I agree. And I actually am going with a 40 gallon. Would a bigger Tidal still be good here or should I look elsewhere for filtration?

 

[GatorGreg]

All depends on what you want out of the tank. Biggest limiting factor here is going to be budget. How far you wanna go down the rabbit hole?

Huge difference in budget between a simple setup with a HOB seachem tidal compared to a drilled and sumped tank.

There’s also another option. A lot of big tanks people here so they’ll probably disagree. But I LOVE all in one tanks. There just so happens to be a couple companies that make AIO inserts for 40 Breeders too. I think it would be pretty cool

 

[rubyflutes]

All depends on what you want out of the tank. Biggest limiting factor here is going to be budget. How far you wanna go down the rabbit hole?

Huge difference in budget between a simple setup with a HOB seachem tidal compared to a drilled and sumped tank.

There’s also another option. A lot of big tanks people here so they’ll probably disagree. But I LOVE all in one tanks. There just so happens to be a couple companies that make AIO inserts for 40 Breeders too. I think it would be pretty cool

Not really looking to spend a crazy amount but I want to make sure it is done right. I do already have a light. I have a Current Orbit Marine from a tank that I used to have set up.

 

[Coral Your World]

Go with the Fluval AC 20 (the new model). Best budget HOB filter on the market IMO. Have used them on all my nano tanks and they’ve always performed with no issues

 

[Spare time]

Not really looking to spend a crazy amount but I want to make sure it is done right. I do already have a light. I have a Current Orbit Marine from a tank that I used to have set up.

Unfortunately that light is only acceptable for very shallow tanks. For a 40 gallon, I would look at something like noopsyche.

 

[Spare time]

A tidal is fine but if you can add a sump (a diy one works well) and a hob overflow, your life will be MUCH easier.

 

[rubyflutes]

Unfortunately that light is only acceptable for very shallow tanks. For a 40 gallon, I would look at something like noopsyche.

I actually have the IC LED not the Marine. not sure if that makes a huge difference

 

[Spare time]

I actually have the IC LED not the Marine. not sure if that makes a huge difference

Not really. They just are not strong enough for tanks over a foot tall with both channels at 100%. You could get away with them on a 40 gallon but you would need 3 or so. You can get away with 2 and or not having both channels at 100% with strategic placement of the corals.

https://current-product-documentation.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/Orbit+Marine+LED/Orbit-Marine-PRO-PAR-2.pdf

 

[lil sumpin]

Unfortunately this hobby is kinda expensive but there’s still budget options that do very well ie noopsyche lights. The marketplace here often has good deals too if you wanna look out for those.

If you can go for a 40B w sump, you’ll find your experience much more enjoyable in the first years. You can achieve lots with a sump, improving filtration is just one thing.

 

[Solo McReefer]

40B tank

20 long sump, DIY baffles

And a couple used reef lights

Used skimmer

Pretty down and dirty reef system

I bought a Milwaukee 12V just to drill the glass on mine. Long time ago

Very doable

Good luck

 

[GatorGreg]

40B tank

20 long sump, DIY baffles

And a couple used reef lights

Used skimmer

Pretty down and dirty reef system

I bought a Milwaukee 12V just to drill the glass on mine. Long time ago

Very doable

Good luck

On top of your list there’s

Return pump, plumbing, ato, heater, heater controller, overflow box, power heads, rock, sand, testing equipment, RODI system if no fish store around, water change equipment.

There’s a TON more a newbie would need starting from scratch. Besides a drilled tank, lights, DIY sump and a protein skimmer. In my opinion the things above are necessities and not even debatable. I’m probably forgetting stuff too.

 

[rubyflutes]

On top of your list there’s

Return pump, plumbing, ato, heater, heater controller, overflow box, power heads, rock, sand, testing equipment, RODI system if no fish store around, water change equipment.

There’s a TON more a newbie would need starting from scratch. Besides a drilled tank, lights, DIY sump and a protein skimmer. In my opinion the things above are necessities and not even debatable. I’m probably forgetting stuff too.

So in a sump this size, how strong of a pump would be recommended?

 

[GatorGreg]

So in a sump this size, how strong of a pump would be recommended?

It would depend on what overflow you bought. Usually when you pick an overflow box it’ll have the pipe sizes to use and the recommended flow rates. Along with recommend tank sizes.

You also should familiarize and prepare yourself for drilling holes in the glass. Designing and building the plumbing routes etc.