First post /tank starting a nano 10

[Saltyspatune]

Hey everyone so this Saturday ill be picking up my tank and setting up. I wanted to run yall through what I was thinking and if you agree or have a better way about doing it. Its a 10g tank starting in the back im going to replace the filter sock with a media basket. Filling it with a sponge filter, Chemi blue carbon pack and matrix biofiltration. Or I was thinking of turning the media basket into a mini refugium thoughts on that. Im buying a baby skimmer for the back a reef octopus ns80 nano. Im stuck though with those things already running for filtration should I buy a media reactor? Then 8lbs of live sand and dry rock last thing im wondering is how long should the tank cycle since im using dry rock should I wait on a ammonia spike or longer and how long if longer? I will probably have more questions throughout this but this is it for now. This is my first tank too I know this is gonna be hard to do but due to size its all I can fit right now so if anyone wants to help no advice is bad advice.

 

[Jisko]

I'm far from an expert but I will say I doubt youll need a reactor with such a small tank. I'd also like to point out that sand can be tricky when just starting out as it can be hard to clean. Personally I used a more coarse substrate that allows me to suck/blow off the algae that is going to grow during the cycles. Where are you getting the rock and is it cured? If it isnt cured I'd look around on the forums for a guide on curing dry rock before putting it in the tank and starting the cycle. A cycle normally goes for about 4 months... youll hit the normal spikes and such then algae swings then a diatom phase. You won't need to wait the 4 months but waiting till you get past the starting phase is much safer then just putting a fish in at the start. Personally I always start with a clownfish or something hardy and a bottle of live bacteria to get things going.

 

[Katrina71]

Hi. I'm brand new too. We have a week old 8 gallon nano. Go slow. It will be information overload. The people on here have been super nice. I can say for sure get a backup powerhead.

 

[Jisko]

Hi. I'm brand new too. We have a week old 8 gallon nano. Go slow. It will be information overload. The people on here have been super nice. I can say for sure get a backup powerhead.

yeah It can be expensive but having 2 of everything is amazing.. I prolly have 3 or 4 pumps 5 heaters bunch of power heads and even 2 spare LED lights haha I have terrible luck so my closet is stacked up while im away at college just in case

 

[Katrina71]

The liquid that was recommended to me is call bio spira. It is about 10.00 online. I got mine on eBay.

 

[Katrina71]

yeah It can be expensive but having 2 of everything is amazing.. I prolly have 3 or 4 pumps 5 heaters bunch of power heads and even 2 spare LED lights haha I have terrible luck so my closet is stacked up while im away at college just in case

I need a plan B heater too. Thanks for the reminder. I got my plan B pump today.

 

[Jisko]

I need a plan B heater too. Thanks for the reminder. I got my plan B pump today.

also a heater and pump for mixing salt water ooo and a refractometer

 

[Saltyspatune]

I'm far from an expert but I will say I doubt youll need a reactor with such a small tank. I'd also like to point out that sand can be tricky when just starting out as it can be hard to clean. Personally I used a more coarse substrate that allows me to suck/blow off the algae that is going to grow during the cycles. Where are you getting the rock and is it cured? If it isnt cured I'd look around on the forums for a guide on curing dry rock before putting it in the tank and starting the cycle. A cycle normally goes for about 4 months... youll hit the normal spikes and such then algae swings then a diatom phase. You won't need to wait the 4 months but waiting till you get past the starting phase is much safer then just putting a fish in at the start. Personally I always start with a clownfish or something hardy and a bottle of live bacteria to get things going.

The rock I plan on getting is ether gonna be from Lfs or bulk reef supply and the one from BRS is cured im not sure if my Lfs even carries dry I have never asked and the vile of bacteria do you use it after cycle has completed?

 

[Katrina71]

" you're killin' me Smalls"

 

[Jisko]

The rock I plan on getting is ether gonna be from Lfs or bulk reef supply and the one from BRS is cured im not sure if my Lfs even carries dry I have never asked and the vile of bacteria do you use it after cycle has completed?

nope soon as you set up the tank.. then just ghost feed

id rather just buy from BRS that is where I got my rock from... Ordered 100lbs of it very nice rock

 

[Katrina71]

The rock I plan on getting is ether gonna be from Lfs or bulk reef supply and the one from BRS is cured im not sure if my Lfs even carries dry I have never asked and the vile of bacteria do you use it after cycle has completed?

No it helps to get the whole cycle started. Have you looked on Craigslist for live reef rock? You might find some there for way cheaper.

 

[Jisko]

No it helps to get the whole cycle started. Have you looked on Craigslist for live reef rock? You might find some there for way cheaper.

personally I hate live rock... I'm weird I don't like dealing with the negatives that come with live rock... the good never out weighs the bad in my book

 

[Saltyspatune]

No it helps to get the whole cycle started. Have you looked on Craigslist for live reef rock? You might find some there for way cheaper.

Well give me your opinion I was gonna do dry because I don't have to worry about hitch hikers pest all that I don't mind waiting a few extra weeks for curing if that's all it means

 

[Katrina71]

Check out the media baskets at Intank, LLC. They have some pretty cool designs. There are also YouTube videos to show how they work.

 

[Katrina71]

Well give me your opinion I was gonna do dry because I don't have to worry about hitch hikers pest all that I don't mind waiting a few extra weeks for curing if that's all it means

I'm new, so I'm not really sure about that. I know I was told LIVE rock by almost everyone for a beginner.

 

[Jisko]

I'm new, so I'm not really sure about that. I know I was told LIVE rock by almost everyone for a beginner.

in my book the best beginner tank is a 100g+ haha small tanks are extremely hard because the low water volume creates a disaster very quickly and most problems such as weird pests are very hard to fight off because a lot of the fish they eat them wont live in such small tanks


I have a 29g display with a 20g sump... this is my 3rd saltwater tank and lets say I didnt cheap out on anything except the light because a $400 light is out of the question at this moment haha plus my coral are doing fine as is. But its so easy to maintain it that my parents watch over it while im away at college... I get random photos everyday of something they think is gonna take over the world but besides that everything is fine... i just request photos of my corals a few times a week and they do top offs on the tank and feed my corals and fish

 

[Katrina71]

I'll be honest. My tank is for a 9 year old, and a local reefer met him at the lfs and gave it to us for free. She was a school teacher and was happy to help him learn. Her tank was healthy and we took the risk.

 

[Jisko]

I'll be honest. My tank is for a 9 year old, and a local reefer met him at the lfs and gave it to us for free. She was a school teacher and was happy to help him learn. Her tank was healthy and we took the risk.

start em young... I'm an IT major and big into reef tanks now... lets just say I'm always broke haha

 

[Katrina71]

Jisko has a point. Small tanks are risky, but can be done just fine. Water changes are much more urgent for us.

 

[Katrina71]