Looking For Feedback On My Planned Aquarium

[Bobr]

Spoiler: Video Series I Copied Most Parts From

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAL2-zq7wFjwoNsR9yCS-Z3XEtcucOtio

I would like to keep the cost no more than 300 dollars.
Aquarium Size- 10 Gallons (I could upgrade to a 20G potentially)-Free (already have)
Filtration- Aquaclear 50 with Filter Floss for mechanical filtration - 35 dollars
Lighting- Aquaknight AO29 (HIPARGERO)- 63 dollars
Salt- Instant Ocean 50 Gallons- 12 dollars
Dry Rock (10 LB.) -20 dollars
Bio-Spira- 10.79
Coral- 30 dollars
Livestock-40 dollars
Instant Ocean Hydrometer-11.87
API Saltwater Test Kit-22
Sand- Currently undecided
Total-245 Dollars

 

[Smo]

Will this be your first salt water aquarium? If so, welcome to the hobby. For those of us addicted, it is hugely rewarding.
R2R has a tremendous amount of good information on setting up a salt water aquarium. I would encourage you to read some of the “nano” tank build threads to gain a better sense of whether your budget is realistic. While there are some very experienced hobbyists that could put together a successful 10 G tank for $300 most of us would need at least twice that amount for all the other incidentals. What you might consider is looking for someone in your area with a small system for sale that is already established. Good luck!

 

[Bobr]

Thanks . I was wondering if I was missing any components for my build.

 

[Bobr]

Forgot to answer your question. Yes this is my 1st SW aquarium.

 

[Marco S]

I've been planning my build for several years now and I initially wanted to start with a smaller tank like you. After reading and watching everything related to the reefing hobby on the internet, (alright, maybe not everything) I decided against going any smaller than 35 gallons and actually went to the extreme of starting with 170 gallons. I just started ordering stuff and so far I only have the return pump, powerheads, heaters, ATO system and RODI system and I am well over $2k so far and will probably be around $8k - $10k when all is said and done.

I realize you are talking about 10 gallons, but I am still not sure that is realistic for under $300 for a reef system. The smallest freshwater tank I have is 16 gallons and it ran me around $500 all in and that's a freshawater planted tank, (without a CO2 system). But I could be wrong...good luck either way.

 

[tdileo]

Drop the HOB filter, Bio-Spira, hydrometer, and API test kit. Put the money from all those towards a good refractometer and have your LFS test water until you can save extra.
I also suggest not planning to only spend $70 total on livestock. With $30 you will be able to get very little coral and they will not be very exciting pieces. Same goes for fish. I wouldn’t put more than 2 fish in a 10G tank, but who knows if you’ll find a nice pair of normal occelaris for $30 or you’ll fall in love with some Storms and spend $350+ on them? [emoji6]

 

[Bobr]

Do you recommend any specific Refractometer in particular?

 

[Marco S]

I got mine here: https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refr...-with-calibration-fluid-bulk-reef-supply.html and it came with the calibration fluid also. This one has an LED so I don't need light to check it at any time day or night. There is also one without the LED that is a bit cheaper or you can get the old school one for even cheaper at most of the LFS out there.

You can also get them at any other online store for around the same price, I just prefer BRS because that was the site that was recommended to me and everything I have ordered so far has been from there. It's also nice to be able to keep track of all my orders at the same place and their rewards are pretty good too.

 

[Bobr]

Thanks. I got fifty extra dollars I can spend right now so that should give me some extra room to set up the aquarium initially .

 

[Bobr]

Spoiler: Video Series I Copied Most Parts From

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAL2-zq7wFjwoNsR9yCS-Z3XEtcucOtio

I would like to keep the cost no more than 300 dollars.
Aquarium Size- 10 Gallons (I could upgrade to a 20G potentially)-Free (already have)
Filtration- Aquaclear 50 with Filter Floss for mechanical filtration - 35 dollars
Lighting- Aquaknight AO29 (HIPARGERO)- 63 dollars
Salt- Instant Ocean 50 Gallons- 12 dollars
Dry Rock (10 LB.) -20 dollars
Bio-Spira- 10.79
Coral- 30 dollars
Livestock-40 dollars
Instant Ocean Hydrometer-11.87
API Saltwater Test Kit-22
Sand- Currently undecided
Total-245 Dollars

Ok I've updated this list. Can spend 350 right now but I can get 50 more in a week or so.-30
Aquarium-20 Gallon (will sell or not use 10 Gallon) -30
Filter- Aquaclear 50 for Mechanical Filtration with Filter Floss- 35 dollars
Refractometer- This one from BRS(https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/refractometer-led-for-reading-salinity-with-calibration-fluid-bulk-reef-supply.html)-34 dollars
Heater- Eheim Jager 75 watt- 21 dollars
Lighting- Aquaknight AO29 (HIPARGERO)- 63 dollars
Salt- Instant Ocean 50 Gallons- 12 dollars
Dry Rock (10 LB.) -20 dollars
Bio-Spira- 10.79
API Saltwater Test Kit- 22
Sand- 30 dollars
Total-330 dollars

 

[Bobr]

Small question, are Zoas dangerous to handle?