My 10g Nano

[KantGetRite]

I am posting to keep track of the progression of my 10g nano and to get any suggestions from people.

Here is my setup:

100W Tetra Heater
Maxi Jet 400 Powerhead (110 gph)
HOB Filter (100gph)
2 Zoo Med 10W 50/50 Reef Sun bulbs
10lb LR
2-3 pieces of dry rock from Bulk Reef Supply (coming)


Here are some pictures

 

[KantGetRite]

I should be getting my Saltwater Test kit tomorrow. I'll be recieving my dry to aquascape on Thursday so I'll repost some pics after I aquascape. Any advice or tips is always appreciated.

 

[KantGetRite]

Got new rock and did some moving around and aquascaping. thoughts?

 

[KantGetRite]

Any point in getting this for my 10g nano? Will it let me house more fish?

Rio Nano Protein Skimmer Needle for Aquarium

 

[bribo12]

Nice tank, I wouldn't waste your money on the skimmer. It's not needed in such a small tank, just keep up on water changes

 

[KantGetRite]

Ok, yesterday I added some ammonia to my tank and today I tested my water, here are the results:

Ammonia: .25 ppm
NO2: 5.0ppm
NO3: 40ppm

What should I do next?

 

[Mebbid]

I would add an ammonia source and let the tank cycle. Either a raw shrimp or pure ammonia.

 

[Tmar]

I cycled my 10 gallon by feeding it 5 drops of ammonia once every 24 hours, until one day both the ammonia and nitrites were at 0. At this point the nitrates were sky high 160 by the API test.....
I fed the tank 5 drops a day for another 3 days and each one of them, 24 hours later the ammonia & nitrites were again at 0. I then did a huge water change and left it for 4 hours, tested and made sure nitrates were less than 10 (they were at 5) - I got my clown fish the next day!
IF my nitrates had not been at less than 10 after the huge water change and the 4 hour wait, I would have done another water change! As it turned out, I didn't need to but each tank is different.

 

[KantGetRite]

I added some ammonia and will test it tomorrow. Did you not add a CUC before you went to get your clown? How are you stocking your 10g? We have a similar setup

 

[Tmar]

nope, no CuC before the fish... I only had one live rock, the rest was dry. Not much to clean up. I don't mind the brown dusty coating of diatoms at the end of the cycle, it just shows my tank is healthy so I kinda like it.
I will probably add half a CuC by the end of this week, wait two weeks and then add the other half IF you don't want to have to feed the tank with pure ammonia every day, you may want to cycle with shrimp instead....

 

[KantGetRite]

I don't mind adding the ammonia. It an office aquarium so it gives me something to do at work. Im trying to figure out what to do as far as stocking and when. I'm gone 4 days next week (Thanksgiving) and 9 out 10 days in December.

 

[KantGetRite]

So I have a HOB filter that I'm using for additional current. Thought about putting carbon in it eventually if needed. I have an extra piece of dry Tonga branch that just didn't fit in the tank in an attractive manner, should/could I break it into rumble and place it int he HOB filter and create a mini-refugium? or is that pointless?

 

[KantGetRite]

Tested the water today (after I dosed 10 drops of ammonia yesterday):

Salinity: 1.021-1.022
Ammonia: 0ppm
NO2: 5.0 ppm+ (its a little brighter then color on test strip)
NO3: 40 ppm
pH: 8.0

Should I dose the tank again with more ammonia?

 

[Tmar]

I wouldn't have started anything at all if you are going to be away that many days
Unless, of course, you have someone you can rely on who will "feed" the tank and look after it while you are gone
I would dose it with 5 drops per 10 gallons per day, until 24 hours later the ammonia and nitrites are both 0. At that time, your nitrAtes should be high.

 

[KantGetRite]

Well I wasn't thinking about everything long term until I started thinking about stocking the tank with animals. So my thought process is that I can place some shrimp in the tank the day I leave and leave the shrimp in there for the 4-5 days that I'm gone so it will have a continuous source of ammonia and I don't worry about having to rely on someone to "feed" my tank while I'm out. Think this will work? if it does, do you think I can add the CUC and they be okay for those time periods?

 

[Tmar]

I really have NO idea about cycling a tank with shrimp at all. I have just used pure ammonia cuz believe it or not I don't like the idea of things rotting in my tanks! Perhaps someone with more knowledge and experience will chime in on that....

 

[Lloydxmas]

Yes that should work. Be sure to put the shrimp in a stocking so when it start to decay it doesn't flow all over your tank instead it stays contained.

 

[Mebbid]

Yes that should work. Be sure to put the shrimp in a stocking so when it start to decay it doesn't flow all over your tank instead it stays contained.

+1 I wouldn't want to have to pick shrimp goo out of my tank *shudders*

A lot of people use shrimp for their entire cycle and it doesn't cause any problems. It'll work just fine.

 

[KantGetRite]

Can I just get frozen shrimp from the store or what?

 

[Lloydxmas]

Can I just get frozen shrimp from the store or what?

It may sound funny but go to the fresh seafood department and buy one shrimp. But I'm sure you could probably thaw out a frozen shrimp before putting it in the tank.