What do you think of my setup? Any suggestions?

[morgan_9300]

Hi.

I just joined this site hoping to get some more information on keeping nano tanks. I have thought about it for awhile and I really want to keep a nano reef. I have lots of experience with freshwater including planted tanks. This would be my first saltwater tank. I have been doing lots of reading and research as suggested by just about everyone with a saltwater tank.

Here is what I am thinking of doing:

Basic 10 gallon

LED Lighting

100watt heater

Not sure what kind of power filter yet

A powerhead

Live sand and rock

One Ocellaris Clownfish and two firefish

Cleanup Crew: One cleaner shrimp, hermit crabs, snails

I also want very easy beginner soft corals. Many some of these? Kenya Tree Coral, Frogspawn Coral, Green and daisy star polyp Coral, Pulsing Xenia

 

I was thinking of buying the premixed ocean water at Petco and using that to do my 10% weekly water changes after the tank has cycled. Has anyone have advice for that?

I am also curious where the best place to buy the equipment? Online. Are there any certain websites that people use?

What do you think the average cost of this tank would be?

 

So this is just my basic ideas. I would love some feedback, advice or suggestions. Please let me know. Thank you!

[2 f15hy 4u]

Welcome!

 

A standard 10G is a great start. Your biggest upfront expense will be your lighting.

 

A cleaner shrimp doesn't really count as clean up crew in my opinion, but that doesn't mean you can't have one. I recommend going to reefcleaners for your cuc. You can't beat the prices and the service. I like to shop at marine depot, and drsfostersmith have a lot of sales. There are a lot of people that go to BRS (bulk reef supply).

 

I have cats, so I use the big plastic kitty litter container to put a few gallons of distilled water in. I put the required salt in and let that mix with a cheap pump and heater overnight.

Your overall cost depends on what equipment you want to buy. You could go cheaper with the simple hob filter, heater, powerhead, and light, or you could go all out, which I don't think you'll want to do right away.

[Dreichler]

I would say your heater wattage is a little high, but not an issue. One thing i can say is don't get yourself pulsing xenia. You always hear people saying "they grow fast" and i decided to see how fast for myself cause i truly love them, and didn't believe everyone. But trust me, you can nearly WATCH pulsing xenia grow. Put it in your tank in the from sand, and the next morning it will be spawning on the back wall, then on another rock, and soon enough its taken over your tank. As for a CUC, small turbo snails, fighting conchs, cleaner shrimps, and some emerald crabs is the best way to go IMO. Hermits have never done anything for me, my emerald crab is always cleaning up something all day and night long. I would say the best lighting you can go with is the AI Prime. For $200 for the light, and $30 for the clamp on the back, no drilling, hangning, or anything required, just clamp onto back, easy setup either through your laptop or phone, no controller necessary. And some really nice soft corals are hammer corals, scolys, zoas. Those are the most colorful and appealing to me personally, and look great everywhere. For equipment, i always look on marinedepot.com and find what i need, and then go on amazon and find it for cheaper and free Prime 2 day shipping. Are you looking to buy a basic rectangle tank by itself? Or an all in one?