Starting a no-expense-spared 10g sps nano, advice needed

[jnbrex]

I first got into keeping reef tanks about 10 years ago, and had to take a break for a long time during high school and college. Now that I'm done with school, I want to get back into the hobby. My vision for this tank is for it to look something like this:

I'm in the process of deciding which equipment to purchase. Here is what I currently plan on buying:

Hardware
Tank: IM Nuvo Fusion 10g
Light: AI Prime HD
Pump: Sicce Syncra Silent 0.5
Flow: Vortech MP10QD
Algae Scraper: Piranha Float Plus

Testing
Red Sea Marine Care Test Kit
Red Sea Foundation Pro Multi Test Kit
Refractometer

Salt and Dosing
Red Sea Coral Pro Salt
Red Sea Reef Foundation Ca/Alk/Mag

Inside the tank
Dry rock from marco rocks (dealt with pests like aiptasia and bubble algae in the past and don't want to deal with it again)
Live sand (hate the look of bare bottom)

So! I have some more components I need that I have not yet decided on.

Undecided components
Skimmer (want something that will fit in the back chamber of the tank, which is 3'' wide and 13'' tall)
Heater (also needs to fit in the back chamber alongside the skimmer)
RO/DI system
ATO system
Controller - I have been debating the merits of a controller. Not sure if it's worth it since they seem to be expensive and I'm not convinced that it provides adequate value for the price.

If anyone has recommendations for the components I have not yet decided on, or has an alternate suggestion for one of the components I have decided on, please comment!

 

[Mikedawg]

Since there are no expense limits, I would look at the IM Nuvo Fusion 40. It has a similar profile to the 10 (I assume you like the relative height for SPS) and, of course, provides so much more room for aquascaping, hiding equipment, growth of corals, etc. I think there are many of us whose only regret when we bought our tanks was not going bigger.

 

[jnbrex]

Unfortunately, the apartment complex I live in has a hard limit of 20 gallons for aquariums. Do you think that going from a 10g to a 20g would be worth it?

 

[Mikedawg]

Unfortunately, the apartment complex I live in has a hard limit of 20 gallons for aquariums. Do you think that going from a 10g to a 20g would be worth it?

Would for me, if nothing else to "minimize" the appearance of powerheads. If you like the cube look: https://www.saltwateraquarium.com/2...8vDX8oQcliYniyxLmpupRuHq75D6_NVhoCgb0QAvD_BwE

 

[ReeferJen]

Unfortunately, the apartment complex I live in has a hard limit of 20 gallons for aquariums. Do you think that going from a 10g to a 20g would be worth it?

Absolutely. I bought the IM 14g Penninsula, and wish I'd gotten the 20.

Also, with a tank that small, skip the skimmer and use the space for a fuge. From what I've heard, skimmers that small aren't that effective, and I have no regrets using the center rear compartment as a fuge. I have a Chatomax light velcroed to the back, and it works great.

 

[reefwiser]

Good luck with SPS in that small of a tank. No easy as they are very sensitive to water parameter changes.

 

[jnbrex]

Thanks for the recommendation Mike!

Hmm... very interesting idea Jen! I'm a little hesitant to ditch the skimmer as I know keeping SPS requires very low nutrients, phosphates, and nitrates. If I can find some proven examples of people using only a fuge instead of a skimmer and having success growing SPS, it would somewhat alleviate my concerns.

 

[ScottBrew]

I agree with going as large as you can, for system stability. For a controller, if you are handy, consider a reef-pi https://www.reef2reef.com/threads/r...tank-controller-based-on-raspberry-pi.289256/ Mine has been up for a few weeks now controlling lights, power and heater.

 

[BrianPoni]

Also plan ahead on what sps you want. Red Sea runs with with a high Alk/minerals. May want to look into a salt that has lower nutrient levels, some sps frags will not take kindly to a Kh of 11/12.
I had trouble growing frag sticks in my 20g while using Red Sea Pro, switched to Fritz blue box (8.5-9kh) and the colors/growth/polyp extension improved drastically.

 

[jnbrex]

That is awesome! I work as a software developer so I think I’d be capable of using one of those. A controller like that is exactly what I’ve been looking for, since I could also program it myself.

 

[jnbrex]

Appreciate the tip Brian. I’ll do some more research on different salt brands.

 

[ScottBrew]

That is awesome! I work as a software developer so I think I’d be capable of using one of those. A controller like that is exactly what I’ve been looking for, since I could also program it myself.

Great community here to help with any snags you might run into during your build!

 

[ReeferBean]

Just get a 30 gallon and say its a 20 gallon. I doubt they would notice.

 

[jnbrex]

I have made some progress on choosing a skimmer - from what I have read, the Tunze 9001 (https://www.bulkreefsupply.com/tunze-comline-doc-skimmer-9001.html) is a good skimmer and can be easily modified to fit either an IM nuvo 10 or 20.

I want to take advantage of the Black Friday deals, so I'm planning on buying a lot of the hardware I need tomorrow.

 

[Rakie]

I would honestly not waste my time with a 10g Nuvo. The thing is microscopic, it's cruel to keep a shrimp in it.

Minimum IM 25 lagoon IMO. Otherwise you're just gonna run out of space so quickly you'll have to start all over, with a new tank, and new equipment. SPS grow like freaking weeds dude.

 

[jnbrex]

I'm considering switching to a 20g because of some of the other comments in this thread, but unfortunately a 25g is not possible due to a stipulation in my lease that states that "any aquariums must be no larger than 20 gallons". With that said, what do you think of the skimmer choice?

 

[Katrina71]

I would honestly not waste my time with a 10g Nuvo. The thing is microscopic, it's cruel to keep a shrimp in it.

Minimum IM 25 lagoon IMO. Otherwise you're just gonna run out of space so quickly you'll have to start all over, with a new tank, and new equipment. SPS grow like freaking weeds dude.

You'll need to forgive me in the near future Rakie. Lol

 

[lbacha]

If expense isn’t an issue I would add a sump, I have an 8g nano sps tank with a sump that holds about 12-13 gallons. I’m about to tie in a 20g fuge just for the added water volume. The tank is great but I would definitely go for as much water as possible and a sump allows you to get around the 20g tank clause in your lease.

Here is mine (tank)

Whole setup

 

[Rakie]

Get a 20 gallon LONG, and make it a peninsula style tank like the one above with sump under it.

Also, I'm gonna be "that guy" here... Screw the lease agreement, there's almost zero chance they'll have any clue what size the tank is. Especially if you get 4 of the 5 gallon white jugs, stack them together and say "See, this is 20 gallons". you'll be able to claim a 40B is a 15 gallon tank easily.

 

[jnbrex]

I've been thinking about adding a sump as well Ibacha. I have two concerns - space and noise. In my previous experience, the water traveling to the sump resulted in a loud trickling/splashing sound. I would only use a sump if I could fit it in the stand for the aquarium (another piece of hardware I have not looked into yet). I do like that the sump gives me increased water volume which would help reduce one of the biggest problems with keeping sps in a nano, rapid water chemistry fluctuations.

Rakie, I appreciate your comments but I have no plans to go any larger than 20 gallons. I don't want to jeopardize my lease or risk a fine, and I also don't really want a tank any larger than 20 gallons right now. If my corals grow too quickly, great! I can cut some frags and either sell or give them to other hobbyists in the Atlanta area. Also, while I have enough budgeted to purchase the best possible equipment for a 10 or 20 gallon tank, I'm not sure that I could afford to go all-out for a 40g or larger.

If I do decide to go for a 20g, do you think I should buy two AI Prime HDs instead of one to light the tank?