First 10 Gallon Reef Tank

[Zoy Dent]

Ok so I've wanted a saltwater tank since I saw the cutest pair of clowns in a 10 gallon tank at a friends house. That was 5 years ago! I've finally got enough money to start one and set it up last week.
I've already posted a couple questions on other threads but I want this one to be the official build thread and I'll post any future questions I have here.
Anyway enough talking here are some pictures from last week.

 

[Frankie_Garcia]

That's a nice little tank! Do you have any powerheads?


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Frankie_Garcia]

Sorry just saw it!


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

Nice scape, 2 things I see that could lead to issues, 1 take the shroud off the light clamp it will lead to overheating as the heat sinks on the par bulbs get hot!! 2 swing arm hydrometers are notoriously unreliable, refractometers are a great investment.

 

[Zoy Dent]

Yep it's a little koralia 240, and I also have a small 10 gallon filter (for flow only)

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Zoy Dent]

I've had the light on all day when I was testing things out and the only thing that got hot was the bulb. And I plan on getting a refractometer in a couple months when I get some more money

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[BigRedsReefs10]

I know but your trapping that heat in the heat sink, it's designed to release the heat to the air and that can't be done with the shroud. Should be a screw or 2 to get it separate from the socket itself. It will over heat your bulb if you don't and it will stop working.

 

[Zoy Dent]

Oh ok thanks I'll get right on that

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Zoy Dent]

Also should I have the light on for a couple hours while cycleing to keep the stuff on the LR alive ?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Macscale]

Also should I have the light on for a couple hours while cycleing to keep the stuff on the LR alive ?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

No, leave the light off. Will create a much bigger algae outbreak at the end of the cycle.

 

[Zoy Dent]

No, leave the light off. Will create a much bigger algae outbreak at the end of the cycle.

Ok thank you

 

[Zoy Dent]

This might be a stupid question but is this some kind of starfish on the clam? I'll see it one minute and then later it'll be gone.

 

[bribo12]

Yep an asterina star. Common hitchhiker and harmless


Sent from my iPhone using Aquarium Advice

 

[Zoy Dent]

Ok cool I've found two of them at the same time, not sure how many I actually have. Will they survive the cycle?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Zoy Dent]

Ok so I'm still trying to figure out a CUC for my tank. I really want a Emerald crab, a fire shrimp, and this little red starfish that my lfs has, but I'm not sure if that's enough or should I get a couple turban snails, and zebra hermit crabs?
Also would a CUC sustain the bio filter in the tank for 4 weeks before I get back from vacation or should I go ahead and get the clownfish before I go?

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app

 

[Zoy Dent]

Yay I have Nitrite and Nitrate now and my Ammonia is down to 0.5ppm. To my understanding that means that I'm about half way done

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Aquarium Advice mobile app