Well the more money I dump into the 75, the less I have for the one I'm planning in the bar. I'm now planning a 10G, and have a few questions:

The light I have is a 24" 130watt Orbit PC fixture. What kind of corals will this support? At least LPS like a brain? Possibly SPS or clams? I know it's not about the watts per gallon, but that is a lot of light over a little tank.

For fish, I would like a Helfrichi Firefish, a black Misbar clown, and a shrimp/goby pair. Is this too much? Room for one more?

For the shrimp/goby, will they need a mixture of sand particle sizes, or what? I have about 30lbs of sugar sized oolitic sand, and it'd be great to reuse that, but I don't want to go trying to get it out later if it won't work.

What kind of power filter is recommended? There is no room for a sump, and I'm only planning on a HOB filter, no canisters, with potential room for a refugium back there behind the filter. I was looking at the filter from DFS that offers a surface skimming feature as well. I'd like to keep it simple looking, not too much clutter, and will probably put the heater in the filter if that will work.

I think I'd like a "lagoon" style look with some macro algaes. What are some of the attractive macro algaes that won't get out of control. I don't care as much about their nutrient exporting capabilities, but mostly the look.

I guess that's it for now. When I get some free time I'll begin work on the stand which will raise the tank up off the bar counter and provide space beneath it for all the wires, power strip, etc.

OK, found an old "new" Whisper 60 that was in storage, so that's good for the filter, and I think a small heater will fit in one of the compartments. I have a MJ-600 as well, should be enough circulation. No one knows what the PC fixture will support? Will it be too crowded? What about the sand size for the shrimp/goby? Macro algaes?

First pic of the tank and light fixture. Looks kinda goofy on there, very oversized. I'm sure in time it'll get replaced with a Viper MH or something, but it's good for now. Construction on the stand will probably begin next week.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/au01st/10%20Gallon%20Nano%20Reef/10GNanoFirstPic.jpg

Since no one else has posted an answer, I'll give you my opinions based on my 24g experiences... I'm no expert. :D

Your lighting should be more than enough for really anything. It might even be too bright for some things, so, research your "wish list" for stock to make sure the critters like it bright. Also, be sure to acclimate them to the bright light levels. I actually went back to the compact flourescents my 24g originally came with (had a 20" Sunpod over it) and my clam seems very happy.

As far as fish, I don't know if I'd go more than that, especially if you are going to run that combo filter/skimmer. I've looked at it and I agree it looks like a good unit for a small tank, but, I'm not sold on how effective the skimmer'll be and fish are "dirtier" than corals.

Finally, I went with some fake plants/macros in my 24g because, like you, I wanted the look, but, I decided to avoid the potential hassle of a planted tank.

Hope this helps!

Well the more money I dump into the 75, the less I have for the one I'm planning in the bar. I'm now planning a 10G, and have a few questions:

The light I have is a 24" 130watt Orbit PC fixture. What kind of corals will this support? At least LPS like a brain? Possibly SPS or clams? I know it's not about the watts per gallon, but that is a lot of light over a little tank.

For fish, I would like a Helfrichi Firefish, a black Misbar clown, and a shrimp/goby pair. Is this too much? Room for one more?

For the shrimp/goby, will they need a mixture of sand particle sizes, or what? I have about 30lbs of sugar sized oolitic sand, and it'd be great to reuse that, but I don't want to go trying to get it out later if it won't work.

What kind of power filter is recommended? There is no room for a sump, and I'm only planning on a HOB filter, no canisters, with potential room for a refugium back there behind the filter. I was looking at the filter from DFS that offers a surface skimming feature as well. I'd like to keep it simple looking, not too much clutter, and will probably put the heater in the filter if that will work.

I think I'd like a "lagoon" style look with some macro algaes. What are some of the attractive macro algaes that won't get out of control. I don't care as much about their nutrient exporting capabilities, but mostly the look.

I guess that's it for now. When I get some free time I'll begin work on the stand which will raise the tank up off the bar counter and provide space beneath it for all the wires, power strip, etc.

Thanks. I've actually gotten the fish down to a Helfrichi Firefish, a picasso clown, and a green clown goby. That will be it. I've been doing some research and would really like the live plants, not fake ones. I'm still trying to find a heater that will fit comfortably in the back of the filter. I'm not really rushing this. I'm pretty busy this week and will be out of town next weekend, but I'm going to help another member build a canopy next week, and it'd be nothing to hack up some 2x4's to make my stand. It's going to be some serious over kill, lol. I've got some sugar fine sand already, which should do nicely for the plants, and I may pick up some live rock next time I'm up in Atlanta.

I took the light apart yesterday and cleaned it out good, as well as cleaned off the lense. I'm thinking I may be able to design a cover piece that will hid the back of the tank and be able to support the light so the legs won't be there. Hard to explain, but it makes sense in my head, just like some storage above the tank as well where I can keep food, test kits, etc, with arms sticking out for the light to rest on.

If I'm lucky, I can mask off the tank tonight and get it painted tomorrow before I head out of town so it will have plenty of time to dry. I'm really wanting to find a stain for the stand that will match the cabinets in the bar, but don't know if I'll be able to do that. I am also repainting the bar during my spring break, so it will be at least another month before this thing sees water. I'm not rushing it, just like to get my research in, as I think it's half the fun.

I'm also planning to paint the filter. It's currently clear smoked plastic, but I'd like it to be black. I want the focal point of the tank to be the fish, not much else.

Thanks!

Your little shrimp will be fine as well.

He will move sugar size pieces of sand and he will move jelly bean size pieces of substrate, shells, bits of live rock etc.

Your filter should be hidden if you paint the back wall of the tank. You can also get something like this http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=490+1478&pcatid=1478 and plant it in front of a heater to hide it if you can't find a heater small enough to fit in the filter. I totally understand your desire to keep things clean and keep the focus of your tank the fish/corals and not all the supporting hardware.

Since you are going to build a full stand anyway, have you thought about drilling the tank and building in a small sump and then running all your heating and filtration down there? Take a look at Jeff's build http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/showthread.php?t=20020. This is freaking awesome and he's basically got the same concept as you (keep the focus on the small tank) and he shows you how to do all the mods already (I especially like his integrated overflow/return). If nothign else, read that build thread and get ideas before you start building your stand.

Yeah, the back wall will be painted, but the whole filter is clear smoke. Even the suction tube and the returns I want to paint the top and a few pieces on the front that will be visible. If it comes to it, I'll just get a Visitherm Stealth heater and place it along the bottom in the back, so that will stay semi hidden. The stand I'm building will only be about 12" tall, just enough to get the tank off the bar counter level so the top of the tank is at a viewing level I like, and to give some room for wires and such. I hate having to bend down to see stuff in my 75, and will fix that soon enough, but I just want this one to be done right the first time.

OK, got 2 "micro jet" or "mini jet" pumps from Dakota9 (thanks!). Are there any mods for these, like adding magnets or a deflector or something? Will the deflector off a Maxi Jet fit on the end of the pumps?

I actually went back to the compact flourescents my 24g originally came with (had a 20" Sunpod over it) and my clam seems very happy.



What kind of clam is that, and what kind of lights originally came with your 24g?

I've got a 24g Aquapod and it comes with 1-32W square pin Dual Daylight 10000°K/6700°K Daylight bulb, 1-32W square pin Dual Actinic 460nm/420nm Actinic bulb, and 2 blue LED lights.

The clam is a blue mantled crocea I got from Keen Reef. I've also got xenia, some zoas and green star polyps in there.

Where is the clam in the tank?

The lighting requirements for the clam are not even in the same ballpark as xenia, zoas, or GSP. How long have you had it under the PC?

It's in the front of the tank and has been there for quite some time and seems totally happy.

the rena smart heaters are
http://www.atlantareefclub.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=14666&d=1230249703
designed for the p/u tube to slide down in them really cool idea

Yeah, I was looking at those, also. Don't really want to buy a new filter, but I guess it wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Thanks!

Just the heater it will fit any filter p/u tube the one in the picture is on whisper 20 p/u tube

Ahh. That's not something they advertise, lol. They make it seem as though it only fits the Rena smart filters...

Thanks!

Well, since this is turning into a build thread...

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/au01st/10%20Gallon%20Nano%20Reef/PaintedBack.jpg

any updates?

Got part of the stand completed. I was also working on a hood for a corner 54 and that took most of the afternoon (that and driving back and forth because of forgotten tools). I'm off on Tuesday but have a test Tuesday evening, so maybe Thursday afternoon again, or Saturday morning before I head for the ATL I'll get the stand completed. Sand is sitting in a bucket in the bar. If the stand is done then it will be skinned and the tank filled with water and sand and maybe I'll use some of my poker winnings for some live rock from Tim's. I guess I'll just have to paint around the tank when it comes time for that.

I also got some of the filter parts painted black so they are hopefully hidden by the back wall (they were clear). I'm still debating if I want to spend the money on a HOB refugium where I'll keep chaeto and a DSB. I think I've worked a way to keep the pump out of the display tank for that and that Rena smart heater may fit around the uptake tube.

any pics

Not recently. Got water in it though. Running a spare HOB filter to get the dust from the sand out of the water. It's clearing up though. I may get the frame for the stand finished on Thursday.

Water in the tank. Trying to stabilize temp and S.G. so I can bring back some rock from ATL on Saturday to start curing. When the stand is completed, I can just drain the tank, move it, fill it up again with the same water, and hopefully I'll be good to go. Still trying to find a heater for cheap...

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/au01st/10%20Gallon%20Nano%20Reef/Water.jpg

My LFS sometimes has used equipment he's willing to sell cheap... ask yours if they have any heaters. S'looking good, btw. :up:

Nah, I've about had it with my LFS. 2 weeks ago I went in there to buy a fish. He couldn't catch the fish from his tank (it was one out of his displays) so I said okay, let me put a deposit on the fish, and when you catch it give me a call. He told me no to come back in 2 days and he would have it separated for me ready to go. Since this store's about 15min away, I called to make sure he caught the fish and it was ready to go, and he said he would have him ready when I get there. When I show up, he's helping another customer, and my fish is still in the display. I wait for about 20min for him to help the other customer, then spend 30min watching him try to catch the fish before finally leaving. He had another fish that I wanted, so I asked if he could hold it for a few days while I remove another fish from my system since they wouldn't get along. He said sure, no problem. 2 days later I go up there and he sold the fish he was supposed to be holding for me. It's not like I'm a new customer there or anything, I've spent several hundred $$$ there; it just feels like every time I go there and want to spend money, I can't, so why bother. I'm planning to pick up my stuff in ATL from now on from stores that actually seem interested in having customers.

Well that sucks. I don't blame you one bit. Since you'll be coming out ATL way, I'll put a plug in for my LFS then. Go see Tim at Keen Reef. He'll take care of you.

Go see Tim at Keen Reef. He'll take care of you.

I'll be there for the poker game, it's where I was planning to go.

Much better. Temp and S.G. should be good by Saturday when I'm getting my live rock.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/au01st/10%20Gallon%20Nano%20Reef/ClearNight.jpg

Alright, found the filter that I'll use. Looks pretty neat and has good reviews (all the bad reviews are people trying to use it on 40-55 gallon tanks, and it's only rated for 30. Still trying to figure out if the base can be flipped around so the pump output is on the right, instead of the left. I want to put it in the left corner of the tank as that is the "least viewable" side. The right side of the tank is visible from the living room and of course the front is visible. With this setup, I think I'll only need one of those mini pumps on the opposite side, and it should be easily hidden behind some rocks.

http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?pcatid=18381

http://a1272.g.akamai.net/7/1272/1121/20071030125239/www.drsfostersmith.com/images/Categoryimages/larger/lg-33086-42379-fish-filter.jpg

Not bad. I'm using something real similar to this one http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3579+3632&pcatid=3632

I got mine form PetSmart (I can look for the brand tonight if you are interested). I like it cuz the input is on the bottom and you hang it anywhere with any orientation (left side, right side, doesn't matter).

I like that one because of the surface skimming ability. It's small enough that it won't be intrusive. I'll put some rocks around it and the arm can reach through some rock structures, it should blend in nicely.

I like that one because of the surface skimming ability. It's small enough that it won't be intrusive. I'll put some rocks around it and the arm can reach through some rock structures, it should blend in nicely.

Jus' offerin' options! :up:

Quick update, ditched the sugar sized sand for "special grade", got some cool rocks and some macro algae. Pod population is thriving and I just added a few frags today. I'm thinking I'm going to do all zoas on the rocks, maybe some rics or acans on the sand bed.

I'm planning to transfer all my zoas in here over the next week or two so when I switch the 75 to the 90 there's less livestock at risk.

Also debating if I am going to get the picasso clown. I'm still set on the Helfrichi Firefish, but I'm thinking possibly a pair of pipe fish also.

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/au01st/10%20Gallon%20Nano%20Reef/NanoMay24.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/au01st/10%20Gallon%20Nano%20Reef/PurpleShrooms.jpg

http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w257/au01st/10%20Gallon%20Nano%20Reef/OrangeZoas.jpg

I have several macro algae in my seahorse tank. My favorites are:

1. Ulva

2. Red Gracilaria

Neither of these attach and grow into the rock. The Gracilaria is especially pretty as it is a very deep red.

I also have the Mermaid's fan, it's cool and has grown 2 new fans since I put it in. The Shaving Brush I put in at the same time as the Mermaid Fan and it just disintegrated.

You can see pictures of all of these on LiveAquaria, but I know that Einstein has the Gracilaria. (And LiveAquaria is way more expensive than I paid for all of them at Creation Reef and Aquarium Showcase.)
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/aquarium-fish-supplies.cfm?c=490
.

Yeah, those are ones I want as well. Sad to hear about the shaving brush, I was really hoping that would be an easy one. I'm still gonna try it.

I have a spot picked out in the back corner for mermaid's fan that should allow it plenty of room to grow.

Yeah, those are ones I want as well. Sad to hear about the shaving brush, I was really hoping that would be an easy one. I'm still gonna try it.

I have a spot picked out in the back corner for mermaid's fan that should allow it plenty of room to grow.

Just remember not to strip out all the nitrates in a planted tank. In order for them to grow well, you need to keep the nitrates a little higher than we normally do in our reef.

Yup, no skimmer here, relying on HOB filter so there's bound to be some nitrates in the water. The halimeda has taken off nicely in a few sections.