all inone 10 -12 gallon build suggest for new forum member

[stingray72]

Just now, TFish77 said:

All you need in regards to filtration is a hang on the back filter and regular water changes. Keep it simple. 

thanks

[Staticmoves]

15 hours ago, stingray72 said:

or i can do a Lifegard Aquatics 9.98 Gallon for alot less 170 with filter and light....how could i take care of a protein skimmer though?  Id need that for live coral right?

skimmer can help with a few things, remove waste before it has a chance to break down and become an issue. oxygenate the water. another good item to check research up on. but yes, you could get away with no skimmer on a smaller tank, as you will be keeping up on your 10% weekly water changes AFTER the tank cycles. and many people don't bother with skimmers on smaller tanks because the water changes are so effective on the smaller tanks.

[Staticmoves]

5 hours ago, stingray72 said:

I thought about it and decided to not get an aio because what if they discontinue the item.....so i ordered a

 

SunSun JVP-110 2.5W 528GPH Mini Wavemaker with Suction Cup (1 Head)

Aqueon Aquarium Fish Tank Preset Heater For Up To 40 Gallons, 100 Watts

Tetra Whisper IQ Power Filter 20 Gallons, 130 GPH, with Stay Clean Technology

MaiceMinds Aquarium Light - 35 watt Reef Light with Timer Sunrise and Sunset with Screen Display and Touch Control

Carib Sea rock 10 pounds

and am going with a 12 dollar standard 10 gallon aquarium and will look for deal in the meantime to upgrade to tank wise

All totals 160 aprox.

looks like your off to a good start.

only comment would be 100W heater may be a little overkill, a 50W may be more fitting. the 100W may be a little taller or longer than you want. but it does say compact size, so you may be ok.

looks like a decent light too. have not seen that one yet. has some great features for the price point.

[Staticmoves]

5 hours ago, stingray72 said:

heres where i got some of the ideas to build this tank.

 

 

keeping it simple like this to start, and seeing what you can and are willing to do, will raise enjoyment factor and lower stress.

great idea.

[Staticmoves]

Alot of people jump in "Balls Deep" and burn out.

looking forward to watching your progress and report on that light.

Now time to study up on different cycling methods, what substrate to use and patience.

if your coral selling bud has a relatively pest freeish system, maybe he could hand you a couple small pieces of live rock or cycled bio media. ( or start fresh on your own. ) many ways to go here. each with there own benefits and down falls.

[stingray72]

Im hoping my brother will hook me upon some free minor stuff maybe even the 10 gallon tank.  Well see.

[stingray72]

so far my brother says he has a 10 gallon aquarium i can have.

[stingray72]

im switching the light to a

 

• hygger 30 Watts Aquarium LED Reef Light, Dimmable Full Spectrum Marine LED Fish Tank Light Saltwater Nano Aquarium LPS SPS Lightinghygger 30 Watts Aquarium LED Reef Light

[stingray72]

total approx 86 dollars

[mcarroll]

On 1/30/2024 at 3:23 PM, Staticmoves said:

I highly recommend. 

Newbs would need a professional fact-checker with them to survive the process though. 😉 Especially for newbs, books are infinitely better essential fact resources and  forums like nano-reef are better places to see what others have done and ask questions where answers will all be peer reviewed.  Most internet vids would not survive the peer review process....which I presume may be why they have a track record of steering clear of the forums.  🤷‍♂️😉

 

On 1/30/2024 at 4:02 PM, stingray72 said:

i did my research on the protein skimmer so it basically isnt needed from what i read.

Almost everything can be considered optional – water, light and flow are about the only "necessities".

 

That said, a protein skimmer is a near-perfect filter for a reef tank – it lacks the downsides that most other filters have.  

 

This makes sense too since protein skimmers were designed with saltwater tanks in mind – including reef tanks.  

 

Most other filters were designed with freshwater fish tanks in mind.  Fish tanks generally need the filter to do bio, mechanical and chem, so that's what most filters deliver.  

 

Reef tanks generally don't need bio or mechanical.  So this is why you see folks with reef tanks using media bags or reactors for chem, along with a skimmer for "soft" mechanical filtration (ie skimming) and aeration.

 

Ditto what @Staticmoves said about the heater too.   Overkill is bad for a heater because in the case of heater failure a bigger heater can cook your tank FAST, before you get a chance to notice the problem and take action.  A right-sized heater "stuck on" will also raise the temperature, but MUCH more slowly giving you more time to notice and react. 👍

[stingray72]

My brother is talking me out of going saltwater and going fresh instead.

[mcarroll]

Sounds like you have to figure out what direction you're going!  🙂 

[Staticmoves]

could start with just a Salt FOWLR. ( Fish Only With Live Rock ).  keeps the budget tight.  and if you decide to want coral ( and associated equipment ) at a later date, then you will already have the basics and a cycled tank in place.

Let us know what you decide.

has to be right for you.

cheers..................

[stingray72]

think thats somewhat along the lines of what i want.

[stingray72]

If going fresh water i want to make up for the loss of color like that.

[stingray72]

brother gave me convincing argument that i should go freshwater so i am sadly.

[Staticmoves]

4 hours ago, stingray72 said:

brother gave me convincing argument that i should go freshwater so i am sadly.

just a different adventure!

don't be shy, post us a pic.

[PeterU]

4 hours ago, stingray72 said:

brother gave me convincing argument that i should go freshwater so i am sadly.

What was that argument?

I've found most freshwater tanks boring.

[stingray72]

Part of the problem is i walk with crutches and doing some of the maintennce would be a bit of a challenge but ill be sure to post pics when it all said and done

[stingray72]

i decided im doing a single yellow lab cichlid

[mcarroll]

Beginning (at all) is important – so I'm sure the freshwater setup will work out!  🙂 

 

That said, at least in my experience, a tank is exactly as hard to take care of as you make it.  

 

I can't stand lifting buckets, for example, so when I need to move water I'm generally using a pump with a hose on a wireless remote control.  I also like low upkeep (really low) so for the most part I've kepy my system coral and inverts ONLY, no fish.  Only really added fish when I consolidated to one large tank a few years back.  I have one fish now.  Maintenance is still very low since it's in a 125 Gallon.

 

Those particular tweaks/adjustments might not be for everyone and are just examples of what's possible in terms of making even a reef easy to keep.

 

I would absolutely suggest you KEEP READING about reef keeping while you ENJOY your freshwater tank!!  😊  (That's how I did it too.  Pulled the "reef trigger" when I was REALLY ready and not a moment before.)

 

For what it's worth, I've been quietly wanting to set up another freshwater setup...haven't had one since the 1990's.  There is a MUCH wider array of inverts and plants available these days.   Seems like fish selection in most places is limited to Glofish and a SLIM selection of other very plain fish.  Back when I was into freshwater it was the other way around – there were a couple of GREAT sources in town that carried a WIDE selection of fish, but inverts were generally unheard of.  (Snails were considered a pest, so not counting them.)