Small reef..

[Cory]

A kessil a80 won’t be good enough for sps

I disagree. A 1 watt white led placed close enough to your eye is more like 250 watts intensity from far.

 

[brett_schn]

I disagree. A 1 watt white led placed close enough to your eye is more like 250 watts intensity.

Kessil says that it’s only good for sps at 14x14

 

[Ranjib]

A80 is 15w.
It will be ok if your tan is shallow, else its not very good for sps. Also its fundamentally meant for nano/pico tanks, sps are less popular in those.
Best way to figure this out is by measuring the actual PARs though, at various depth. I have handful or montipora and a stylophora growing successfully under a80 in one of my pico

 

[ChronicRage]

5 gallon.
Corals and Macro growing like crazy.
Personally, I believe an ATO is a must on picos but they're definitely doable.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

5 gallon.
Corals and Macro growing like crazy.
Personally, I believe an ATO is a must on picos but they're definitely doable.

Really, I hate to hear that also..i didn't think it would be as important on a mini tank like that. Without as much equipment in it to hear the water it still evaporates that much?

 

[ChronicRage]

Really, I hate to hear that also..i didn't think it would be as important on a mini tank like that. Without as much equipment in it to hear the water it still evaporates that much?

Well mine is an open top so that doesn't help much lol
I'm also a control freak. I like the peace of mind it gives me. I was topping off 2-3 times a day before I got my ATO. In my opinion, it's worth the investment. You can make one for under $20 but I sprang for a name brand one. No complaints though.

 

[Vinh]

I forgot to mention I use an ATO as well. Ran without one for about a year then added the Smart ATO micro. Nice and small which is good when you're limited in space.

 

[brett_schn]

I don’t use one yet. But after topping of daily for 3 months straight is a pain in the ***. I can’t wait to get my ato

 

[Adam113]

Really, I hate to hear that also..i didn't think it would be as important on a mini tank like that. Without as much equipment in it to hear the water it still evaporates that much?

Absolutely. I was shocked at the amount of water evaporated. My biocube 29 barely loses any with the lid, so I was used to that. My little NUVO 10 loses A LOT.

 

[LbulletM]

Looks like Rafiki is about to come out and show the pride the newest future king under the moonlight.

 

[ratman150]

I kept a 10 gallon and it wasn't very hard. everything has been thriving and healthy. I only had one fish though.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Well i am prepping the 10 gallon tank to make the wife a micro reef. I have live rock and my house already that has been cured that didn't get used in my 54 gal tank. I ordered 10 lbs of Fiji pink live sand and a 50 watt Finnex titanium heater from BRS earlier today. I'm gonna run a HOB filter on this tank so just out of curiosity what size are you guys running in yours? I've got one at the house that is rated 75 gallon tank.. seem like overkill to me though, lol. Thoughts?

 

[Mandrew]

Run it! As long as it doesn't stir the sand it can't hurt. Maybe run it end to end instead of front to back. I used a marineland biowheel on a 10g that was rated up there and didn't have an issue

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

Run it! As long as it doesn't stir the sand it can't hurt. Maybe run it end to end instead of front to back. I used a marineland biowheel on a 10g that was rated up there and didn't have an issue

That's what I was planning on. Running the pump left to right. Maybe put the powerhead pushing water from right to left. Or would it be better to have the powerhead pushing back to front in a cross current

 

[Vinh]

I run an Aquaclear 30 wide open with two powerheads. Maybe you only need one powerhead with a filter rated for 75g. Does the filter allow for adjustments like Aquaclear?

 

[brett_schn]

I run one for a 10g tank on my 10g. I’m ditching this tank for a used biocube 14g and a sump because it sucks not having a sump

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

I run an Aquaclear 30 wide open with two powerheads. Maybe you only need one powerhead with a filter rated for 75g. Does the filter allow for adjustments like Aquaclear?

No, it's not adjustable. It's and Aqueon quietflow 75. It says that it will turn 400 gph

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

I run one for a 10g tank on my 10g. I’m ditching this tank for a used biocube 14g and a sump because it sucks not having a sump

I have really though about doing a biocube also but I haven't found one cheap enough yet. No cheap enough to justify not using something I already have

 

[Mandrew]

That's what I was planning on. Running the pump left to right. Maybe put the powerhead pushing water from right to left. Or would it be better to have the powerhead pushing back to front in a cross current

How you set your powerhead is determined on your aquascape and coral placement really. You could put it in either place.

 

[Reef_Tank_Fan_SC]

How you set your powerhead is determined on your aquascape and coral placement really. You could put it in either place.

I thought you set them so that they had the most random water currents in the tank.. I don't know though as I am still learning on the big tank also.. lol