Starting 10g Nano Reef - Looking for some suggestions and input

[Druinz]

So I've been keeping freshwater tanks for a while now and I've decided to take on a salt-water tank. This might be a big post with different questions for different topics so I put it in general discussion.
I'm making this post to get answers and suggestions about my current plan for the tank, so any input is greatly welcome since I need to learn anything related to setting up and maintaining a reef tank.

So at the moment I've got 10lb live sand, 7 lb live rock (more to be added soon), a heater, and an AquaClear 30. I'm also currently lighting it with a Planted+ 24/7 which will be upgraded prior to adding corals.

While it is cycling, I want to prepare and plan for what I will stock it with, so I'm planning out what to add way in advance.
Right now, my current stocking idea is pretty simple:
1 Ocellaris clownfish
1 firefish
1 cleaner shrimp

As for cleanup crew, I'm still doing my research and trying to sort out what would be needed so I'd really like to hear everyone's opinion on a cleanup crew for this setup.

For the corals I'd like to keep, it's mostly simple things just to get started:
GSP
Pulsing Xenia
Some Zoas or Palys
Torch or Hammer

I also had a few general questions:
1. Without corals like leather that release growth inhibitors for other corals, would I still need constant fresh activated carbon or would it only be necessary after fragging zoas?

2. For the low-medium light corals I want, would this light be sufficient? (I have a generic 10g: 20x11x12) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0727V8C5...colid=4BYWS41CB193&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

3. For this small of a tank and the corals I intend to keep, would my Aquaclear 30 provide enough circulation or should I supplement it with https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0036S4YZ...colid=4BYWS41CB193&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

4. I read and hear that hermit crabs almost always end up killing eachother. From what I've researched, they're great for a cleanup crew but I don't want to have them killing each other. Even with extra shells for them to take, will they always kill each other? And if not, what are some hermit crabs recommended for this kind of setup?

5. With only 1 LPS (torch/hammer) would I most likely need to dose iodine and calcium?

I love reading and learning about anything related, so don't hold back with your answers!
Thanks for reading

 

[saltyhog]

I like your stock list! I would strongly recommend introducing the firefish first and let him get very well adjusted before adding the clown. Which clown species are you thinking about?

I would upgrade the Aquaclear to at least the 70. That will give more room for filtration media. I use ceramic media like this one from Brightwell . https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/xport-bio-biomedia-cubes-brightwell.html

GSP and Xenia can become invasive pretty quickly. I love GSP and put it on an isolated rock on the sand bed. Easy to keep it contained that way.

For my 10 gallon pico I have an all snail CUC. Not a huge fan of hermits though I keep a few well behaved red legged hermits.

With only one stony coral I would think water changes will be enough to keep your torch/hammer happy.

 

[Druinz]

Yikes, I figured the 30 would be good enough. I took out the default media they provide and the carbon and completely filled that portion with ceramic rings so at the bottom it's the sponge then the rest is ceramic media. I was hoping I could possibly add another HOB in the future but most likely have it set up like a refugium for copapods and chaeto.

Thanks for your input!

 

[Zac K]

Sounds like a good plan. I've had my 15 gallon for 8 months now, but it's a mixed reef packed with coral.

With zoas, I'd also isolate them on a rock, if room allows. I didn't do this, and it's difficult pruning them when the time comes. -- They're at the bottom if my rockwork and I accidentally toppled my aqua scape once trying to get to them. Oops.

With lighting, I'm glad I didn't go cheap. Like you, I thought I'd only keep the basics but then sps became too tempting...

Maybe someone else can chime in on the light you've suggested.

 

[Druinz]

Sounds like a good plan. I've had my 15 gallon for 8 months now, but it's a mixed reef packed with coral.

With zoas, I'd also isolate them on a rock, if room allows. I didn't do this, and it's difficult pruning them when the time comes. -- They're at the bottom if my rockwork and I accidentally toppled my aqua scape once trying to get to them. Oops.

With lighting, I'm glad I didn't go cheap. Like you, I thought I'd only keep the basics but then sps became too tempting...

Maybe someone else can chime in on the light you've suggested.

Very true! I've been debating on getting a much higher powered light that is adjustable but I'm not sure I'll be able to have a hanging fixture where the tank is currently located ;Sorry. But if there's a will, there's a way right?

 

[Zac K]

Yes... absolutely! Why not an ai prime with the clip on flexi arm?

It was by far the most expensive part of my set up, but well worth it. It looks very clean on the nano, too...especially if it's a cube you're working with.

 

[Druinz]

Ouch, that's a hefty one. That will be out of reach for me.
Sadly, lighting on marine tanks is a bit more complicated with spectrums. Otherwise, I'd do what I did for my planted 29 tank and DIY the light. I used a single T5 hood and modified it with different tombstones to work with LED T-5's and added a slot for another. So for the price of about 25$ I got a very powerful light that would otherwise cost $100+.
However with marine I'd like to be able to switch the blue and white spectrums separately. Moreover I'm not sure the higher Kelvin lights are made in T5 LED form
I might have to bite the bullet here and just buy a new fixture in the future should I want to upgrade and keep SPS.

Though I appreciate your input, and agree with it, it just wouldn't be manageable for me at the moment.

 

[lbacha]

Keep looking on here for someone selling a used black box led, I've seen them in that price range and they will do aloe better than tht light

 

[Zac K]

A black box would work -- some say just as well as anything else on the market.

They just don't look the part. I'll be using them on my larger build because they can be hidden in a canopy.

 

[lbacha]

A black box would work -- some say just as well as anything else on the market.

They just don't look the part. I'll be using them on my larger build because they can be hidden in a canopy.

Yeah it sounds like he wants to keep this low cost and they are the best bang for the buck out there

 

[Druinz]

Yeah, low cost is what I'm aiming for. I know the hobby isn't cheap, but considering this is my first venture into marine from freshwater, I want to start with light and simple things. All things considered, I will most likely go with the light originally posted (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0727V8C5...colid=4BYWS41CB193&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it) after viewing some reviews and par tests. It essentially is a black-box light but comes with a tank mount rather than having to be hung. Although it has a slightly lower maximum output than most of the other types of lights similar to it, it is more than enough for my current setup. As is, I probably won't have much room to add SPS in the future so that should prevent me from being tempted in the first place. ;Smuggrin
Thanks for the input sofar!

 

[bontrager]

Keep looking on here for someone selling a used black box led, I've seen them in that price range and they will do aloe better than tht light

I have a mint condition black box led that I would like to sell. Never used; from reef keepers if I remember correctly.
[email protected]
Thank you