Who's up for a challenge?

Oceanbear1 · Jun 13, 2014

Hello again everyone, I'm not new, but haven't been on in a while. So In the fall I am starting a Master's program in Zoo and Aquarium Management, and have to move states. My old landlord let me have whatever tank I wanted so I had a nice rimless 90. My new place only allows one 10 gallon tank. It's not ideal, but the location is so close to campus I couldn't pass it up. I am not used to working with tanks quite this small, except an old pico that didn't do much.

So here is your challenge: Design a 10 gallon tank that can support SPS corals. Lets pretend for a moment that budget is a non issue. What equipment would you use? Would you go with an all in one? If so which one? Only stipulation I can think of is that a sump is not allowed.

Let your creative juices flow! :bigsmile:

Ryan2428 · Jun 13, 2014

Hmm all I can say on this is maybe a small bio wheel filter and a small protein skimmer . Oh and a lot of water changes but it can be done . And hello from missouri

flynhawaiianz28 · Jun 13, 2014

Yeah it can be done! I have a 20 gallon long right now (sumpless) that I am pretty happy with so I will pretty much apply that to the 10 gallon. Lighting you could go with a Kessil A150 or maybe a Aqua Illumination Nano, or anything along those lines because those will support SPS. Ummmm, filtration I would use a good HOB filter like a Hagen Aquaclear. I would go a little bigger than what is need for some extra water flow and don't forget a good powerhead. Maybe a koralia of some sort, jabeo, or if you want to spend the money you could go with a MP10 vortech (wireless or not up to you) but will never need to fully unleash it's full power but at least you will have a nice powerful powerhead for the future. Heater wise go with a Jager or maybe a Cobalt Aquatics Neotherm but you can get something basic and cheaper if you wanted. Protein skimmer is kind of up in the air and up to you. It could be done but doesn't have to be in my opinion. A lighter bio-load and weekly water changes of around 25% give or take some and you would be just fine I think.

mrcoffee2 · Jun 13, 2014

If I were you... IM 8G

rdevoe11 · Jun 13, 2014

mrcoffee2 said:
If I were you... IM 8G

Id agree with this, go with an AIO system, upgrade the lights, kessil, AI, maxspect, reefbreeders, etc...I THINK IM makes a new nano skimmer that will fit in the IM 8 but im not 100% sure (could also run a Santa Monica drop2 algae scrubber!), run carbon and/or phosban in the middle chamber, replace the return with a better one of your choice.. Id say go for the MP10 just for space saving reasons, most of the other ones will take up a good bit more space in the tank but thats really up to you (the new jebao RW series is comparable at a much lower price)..GET AN ATO, it will make your life a heck of a lot easier...and since you said no budget, heh heh, why not go ahead and get an apex setup to monitor everything AND program in peristaltic pumps (Litermeter?) to do automatic daily water changes, maybe .25-.5 gallons a day? ...dosing shouldnt be a major issue in a tank that small, could conceivably be done manually, but obviously a pump would make it easier... and then call it the franken-nano :xd:

mrcoffee2 · Jun 13, 2014

rdevoe11 said:
Id agree with this, go with an AIO system, upgrade the lights, kessil, AI, maxspect, reefbreeders, etc...I THINK IM makes a new nano skimmer that will fit in the IM 8 but im not 100% sure (could also run a Santa Monica drop2 algae scrubber!), run carbon and/or phosban in the middle chamber, replace the return with a better one of your choice.. Id say go for the MP10 just for space saving reasons, most of the other ones will take up a good bit more space in the tank but thats really up to you (the new jebao RW series is comparable at a much lower price)..GET AN ATO, it will make your life a heck of a lot easier...and since you said no budget, heh heh, why not go ahead and get an apex setup to monitor everything AND program in peristaltic pumps (Litermeter?) to do automatic daily water changes, maybe .25-.5 gallons a day? ...dosing shouldnt be a major issue in a tank that small, could conceivably be done manually, but obviously a pump would make it easier... and then call it the franken-nano :xd:

Lol funny. I think the IM nano is a sexy little all in one unit. I have the IM 8G 16G and now the Fusion 40G. I am happy with them but if i could start over I would not have bought the 40g. Once you get to that size having a separate sump is a better option IMO.

rdevoe11 · Jun 13, 2014

Yeah I've got a 40 breeder and could not imagine running it AIO

sirreal · Jun 13, 2014

I have an 8g bio cube with updated everything and I can grow SPS so it can be done. I would do a JBJ 12. "landlord wont be able to tell its not a 10" 150MH or high end LEDS. RW8 or mp10. Lots of water changes. Like every 3 days 20%. so you dont have to dose. Not sure if the tunze nano skimmer will fit. But there are other small skimmers. Run a little bag of GFO and ACarb.

mrcoffee2 · Jun 13, 2014

sirreal said:
I have an 8g bio cube with updated everything and I can grow SPS so it can be done. I would do a JBJ 12. "landlord wont be able to tell its not a 10" 150MH or high end LEDS. RW8 or mp10. Lots of water changes. Like every 3 days 20%. so you dont have to dose. Not sure if the tunze nano skimmer will fit. But there are other small skimmers. Run a little bag of GFO and ACarb.

Only thing about these biocubes is the cover… I find if you want to dose trace elements and cut back on water changes you have to remove the top for more evap. I have a 14g biocube I would rec running it without the top cover.