10-gallon reef????

[Danio35]

Is it possible to have a 10-gallon reef or semi-reef tank with maybe one or two fish? Someone told me you couldn't have a SW tank less than 75 gallons, but that just doesn't seem right with me? Of course, I'm the kind of person that thinks I can do anything and it always gets me in trouble.

Gracias

 

[austinsdad]

Yep. Nano tanks are kept by some. I believe they are as small as 8g. However. for a beginner hobbyist, it may be much more work and trouble than keeping a 75g. Stable conditions are easier to keep with more water volume.

If you read well, do your homework, and practice well, you can keep a succesful 10g SW tank.

 

[RMPD109]

Do a search on this sight for nano tanks and nano reefs. I have heard of tanks as little as 2.5 gallons being succesful.

 

[grimlock3000]

You can do it, just do not plan on it being very cheap or easy

If you want to do it, spend a few weeks researching and looking into your options. Also, make sure that you will be OK with only one or two fish, because anything more will be pushing it. I can give you a price breakdown on my 15g tank if you want.

 

[klam]

If a LFS told you couldn't have anything less than a 75g it's probably that they want to make more money off of you. Or the person still has the old school mentality that nano's dont work

 

[MarineFlake]

There is a 1G nano that has been up and running at our LFS for months..its beautiful, but LPS only and requires daily attention.

 

[ellisz]

I have a 5 gal, 10 gal, 29 gal and a 75 gal. The smaller tanks are no more work than the 75. Really depends on what you what to do. I had a 38 gal Fo tank for 7+ years with no problems.

Lighting is about the only real expensive piece. Small lights are not necessarily cheaper than bigger lights. My 5 gal cost me $35 for the tank and filter and I bought a screw in PC bulb for $10 and a heater for $20. The rest(LR/LS), I already had.

It all depends on what you want to keep

 

[RocketSeason]

You could do it. but it is very difficult to maintain and won't provide much room for anything more than a small fish and some corals.

I highly recommend starting with a 55 gallon. If you are an experenced FW hobbiest, you could go smaller and get away with it. I started with a 37 gallon tank. But I have also been into fishkeeping for 18 years.

 

[lando]

As everyone has mentioned here it is possible to do SW tanks that small, infact, I have seen pics of 1/2gal. nano reefs! If you are new to the hobby it should be avoided though. Smaller tanks are much less forgiving and a lot easier to screw up if you are inexperienced. The moe volume you have the less parameters flucuate, they simply provide more room for error. I am not saying you could not start with a small tank, it would just require even more time and attention then alarger system. I would certainly begin to question the LFS that gave you that advice. I would not seek them out for any more information...Lando

 

[beefcake]

nano-reef.com has a good forum of people just keeping nano's. Make sure you read a lot about upkeep, and test often.

 

[foma2000]

my first tank for ether salt or fresh was a 9 gal salt water, and it worked out very well, but after a wile i wanted more stuff and got a 25 gal, there alot better and easyer to take care of.
by the way a also take care of a 3 gal salt water change for a friend and it is really butiful.

 

[ellisz]

What you don't want to do is get a small tank and load up on fish. Most nano's have 1-2 fish at the most. Mine have softies and inverts mostly.

 

[Danio35]

Thanks so much for all your advice! I really appreciate it! U guys are great!

 

[nodoubt471]

heres a pic of my 10g nano at 3 months.... just some inspiration

 

[Danio35]

Gorgeous tank!!! Thanks for all your advice!! I'm going to do some more research before I decide. I'm leaning toward trying a brackish tank because that seems to be 1/2 way between SW and FW. Then, once I get the hang of that trying the nano tank.

Have a SAFE and happy new year!

 

[schoeplein]

I'm totally going to steal the flowerpot idea!