General questions?

[Clapping crabs]

For starters I am still learning about this hobby. I have acquired a couple 10 gallon standard tanks. Is it even possible to run saltwater aquariums of this size? I would like to start a nano tank for the sole purpose of propagating my current corals in my 55g. I have a couple leathers and zoas I would like to frag but have issues with a very large snail who likes to move everything in my tank that is no attached to a rock. And I mean everything...

Can you just use a bio cube or bioballs with a over the back filter in replacement of sand beds/live rock? Also what kind of lighting would I require? Could I use the water from water changes to start the aquarium? Also what would be a good fish that stays small to start my nitrogen cycle?

Like I said I'm still learning and am open to any and all advice. I would like to do it correctly and not waste my time nor money, and be as responsible as I can for the corals and fish. Thanks in advance.

 

[cromag27 Verified Sponsor]

first, you can absolute run a 10g nano with hob filter. it will require more attention to water parameters to avoid big changes.

using old water won’t do any positive, instead it can have an adverse effect. you can seed the new tanks with rock from your other tanks. that’s where the beneficial bacteria is going to live, not in the water column. test for ammonia as with starting any other tank and then you’ll know if it’s cycled.

 

[Captain Quint]

+1 with cromag27

 

[Js.Aqua.Project]

Is it even possible to run saltwater aquariums of this size?

It is entirely possible, there is a whole collection of people using 1-2 gallon vases as reef tanks.

Can you just use a bio cube or bioballs with a over the back filter in replacement of sand beds/live rock?

Yes, as long as there is sufficient enough area for beneficial to grow.

Could I use the water from water changes to start the aquarium?

If you are going to start a new tank I would recommend using water from the main aquarium as it will have some of your beneficial bacteria already in it, but not as much as adding a rock from your display. Also, if you are doing regular water changes on the display tank you can cycle that old water into the small frag tank (assuming parameters are still in check and no diseases) so the corals are already acclimated to your water - you will only have to light acclimate them, but if your main tank has any problems you are now adding those same problems to a smaller tank.

Also what kind of lighting would I require?

Kind of an opinionated question, I personally am a fan of LEDs, namely AquaIllumination lights (a Prime HD would work over this tank), but any light with sufficient PAR and spectrum will do fine. There are several bulbs on Amazon that will work.

Also what would be a good fish that stays small to start my nitrogen cycle?

Clown gobies, neon gobies, dottybacks (if you're ok with a little aggression)....all of these stay small and are relatively hardy.

 

[Clapping crabs]

It is entirely possible, there is a whole collection of people using 1-2 gallon vases as reef tanks.


Yes, as long as there is sufficient enough area for beneficial to grow.


If you are going to start a new tank I would recommend using water from the main aquarium as it will have some of your beneficial bacteria already in it, but not as much as adding a rock from your display. Also, if you are doing regular water changes on the display tank you can cycle that old water into the small frag tank (assuming parameters are still in check and no diseases) so the corals are already acclimated to your water - you will only have to light acclimate them, but if your main tank has any problems you are now adding those same problems to a smaller tank.


Kind of an opinionated question, I personally am a fan of LEDs, namely AquaIllumination lights (a Prime HD would work over this tank), but any light with sufficient PAR and spectrum will do fine. There are several bulbs on Amazon that will work.


Clown gobies, neon gobies, dottybacks (if you're ok with a little aggression)....all of these stay small and are relatively hardy.

Thank you very much for the advice! I now only lack a light to start this whole thing. Which is freaking expensive! I didn't realize how pricey lights where.