Is 10G reef tank possible?

[zpederson]

I have an extra 10G tank that I was thinking of converting to a reef tank. I know this may make water stability harder but I'm wondering what you all think of it? Maybe just a single live rock with a couple coral and 1-2 fish. Thoughts on if this is worth trying?

 

[sde1500]

Don’t see why not. Plenty keep nano reefs

 

[Halal Hotdog]

You can go much smaller as well, reef vase. These are like 1-3 gallons and have no fish, may an invert or to. Trick is doing large water changes every few days and keeping easy corals.

 

[mcdrichj]

I have a 15 gallon with a 10 gallon sump and I have a few corals 2 shrimp 2 clowns and a goby.

 

[andrewkw]

This is my 10 gallon nano. Soft corals only, cheapo led light. One powerhead, one heater (both covered by that pile of macro algae) and that's it. I occasionally run that power filter on the left but it's typically off. I have 2 small clowns as well as 3 or 4 sexy shrimp.

This is my easiest tank but I make it easy. Whenever I feel like it I change anywhere from 10-75% of the water. I say this because once a week I am doing water changes on other tanks so I simply recycle some water from another tank and it ends up in here. If the 10 gallon is your only tank then I would recommend at least some basic testing, but this size tank makes it real easy to just do a weekly water change to replace trace elements.

 

[ahiggins]

Absolutely possible! I have a 10 gal rock nem breeding tank, a 10 gallon rock nem display, and a 2.6 gallon softie tank.
My biggest problem is what I’m going to do about top off when I go on vacation lol
Also, algae gets out of hand fast with smaller tanks so stay on top of it if you see it.

I have 1 all in one 10 gal and 1 stock 10 gallon. The all in one is easy to filter and use but the stock one is a little harder. I keep on top of nutrients so I don’t use skimmers in either. All I use for filtration in both is some coarse and super fine filter pads that I buy in sheets and cut down to fit. Personally I like the challenge of 10 gal and under.

 

[Holyreeftankaquaman]

Honestly.....i think you can probably run a reef tank in a tofu container. It would be a bit hard but doable. I ran a 5 gallons for a few months while in between tanks. No fish though.

 

[ahiggins]

Honestly.....i think you can probably run a reef tank in a tofu container. It would be a bit hard but doable. I ran a 5 gallons for a few months while in between tanks. No fish though.

That’s the drawback with small tanks-I have a single fish in each one and it’s kinda boring. Although I will be putting some sexy shrimp in with the 2.6

 

[Waynerock]

I have an extra 10G tank that I was thinking of converting to a reef tank. I know this may make water stability harder but I'm wondering what you all think of it? Maybe just a single live rock with a couple coral and 1-2 fish. Thoughts on if this is worth trying?

when I got back into reefing in 08 I got a Fluval Spec 5 gal and yea way more work mostly topping off and checking for Alk drops but totally doable. It wont last long though they fill up too quick. its like a awesome disease you give yourself over and over and you gotta just keep upgrading. I would like to do a small 5-10 gal with just zoa or mushrooms

 

[zpederson]

This is my 10 gallon nano. Soft corals only, cheapo led light. One powerhead, one heater (both covered by that pile of macro algae) and that's it. I occasionally run that power filter on the left but it's typically off. I have 2 small clowns as well as 3 or 4 sexy shrimp.

This is my easiest tank but I make it easy. Whenever I feel like it I change anywhere from 10-75% of the water. I say this because once a week I am doing water changes on other tanks so I simply recycle some water from another tank and it ends up in here. If the 10 gallon is your only tank then I would recommend at least some basic testing, but this size tank makes it real easy to just do a weekly water change to replace trace elements.

What kind of substrate would you recommend? Looks like you use sand? I also plan on getting a few clowns. Would you recommend against hard coral in this small of a tank?

 

[uhgster1]

This was my Nuvo ten gallon. Awesome little reef. The key to keeping it stable is A GOOD ATO. Had it running for over two years before I upgraded to a larger aquarium.

 

[andrewkw]

What kind of substrate would you recommend? Looks like you use sand? I also plan on getting a few clowns. Would you recommend against hard coral in this small of a tank?

I would recommend no substrate. All of my tanks are bare bottom except this nano. It has a thin thin layer of sugar sized sand. I really am not a sand bed fan unless you need it to keep a certain creature. I just wanted to have one tank with a shallow sand bed for the heck of it.

You can keep hard corals in a 10 gallon but then you have to keep a closer eye on your parameters and depending on how many and what type a weekly water change may not be enough to replenish calcium / alkalinity ect.

 

[El_Guapo13]

This is my 10 gallon nano. Soft corals only, cheapo led light. One powerhead, one heater (both covered by that pile of macro algae) and that's it. I occasionally run that power filter on the left but it's typically off. I have 2 small clowns as well as 3 or 4 sexy shrimp.

This is my easiest tank but I make it easy. Whenever I feel like it I change anywhere from 10-75% of the water. I say this because once a week I am doing water changes on other tanks so I simply recycle some water from another tank and it ends up in here. If the 10 gallon is your only tank then I would recommend at least some basic testing, but this size tank makes it real easy to just do a weekly water change to replace trace elements.

What are the filter, powerhead, and light that you use? I am planning to convert my currently unused 10 gallon to a nano reef and have been debating what equipment to use. So any advice would be much appreciated.

 

[HonorableWhat]

Absolutely possible! I have a 10 gal rock nem breeding tank, a 10 gallon rock nem display, and a 2.6 gallon softie tank.
My biggest problem is what I’m going to do about top off when I go on vacation lol
Also, algae gets out of hand fast with smaller tanks so stay on top of it if you see it.

I have 1 all in one 10 gal and 1 stock 10 gallon. The all in one is easy to filter and use but the stock one is a little harder. I keep on top of nutrients so I don’t use skimmers in either. All I use for filtration in both is some coarse and super fine filter pads that I buy in sheets and cut down to fit. Personally I like the challenge of 10 gal and under.

Hey, what do you use to light your 10g rock nem tank? And whats stocked in it?

Im planning to do a rock nem 10g as well. Have it cycling rn

 

[GHOSTLY]

Some guy had an sps dominated tank in a 1 gallon cookie jar

 

[JumboShrimp]

This is a 7-gallon tank.

 

[GHOSTLY]

This is a 7-gallon tank.

What is that HUGE coral?

 

[GHOSTLY]

Or is it a nem

 

[JumboShrimp]

I just called it my “Clown Eater.” It got expensive, watching it gobble up fish like hors d’oeuvres, I will say that. As best I know it was just a run-of-the-mill carpet anemone… Although I think some people refer to it as an “elephant ear.” (?)

 

[ClownSchool]

This was my Nuvo ten gallon. Awesome little reef. The key to keeping it stable is A GOOD ATO. Had it running for over two years before I upgraded to a larger aquarium.

What ATO did/do you use? I’m interested in getting one for my 10 gallon and one for my 55 gallon. I don’t mind paying for quality, but I’d like to avoid throwing away money on an inflated brand, if I can help it.