Can I have a 10gal FOWLR ?

[kansei]

I have a spare 10gal tank with light hood , aquatech 10-20 filter , 100w heater and the want to set up a small sw tank . Not looking for fancy just LR with a couple of inverts and a clownfish - an anemone if I could to have the clown feel at home . Also could I use LR/foam in the HOB filter instead of a carbon/biofoam refill . My main thing is can I actually make a tank like this happen . I don't want to lose my 125gal FW tank , so this will have to cure the SW itch .

[Nave]

well Im not 100% sure if all of those supplies would be able to be used for SW but I dont see why not, as long as you keep an eye on your heater so it dont get to hot, if I remember right 10 gallons get 50watts. The heater I have in my 29 SW is 100w and I usually have to run it below 74 to get at 74. Look around in the nano area at the topics where others are posting about their 10 gallons, might get a few tips from that.

Look around in the nano section yes, however you can have a FOWLR for sure.

I would not use those filters. All you need for a 10 gal. is about 15-20 lbs of LR, small powerheads, or 1 powerhead, salt, a good heater, sand (Titanium is better) Cycle and you are n business.

Usually protein skimmers are used but for that size tank if a small bioload is kept and PWC are done you would be ok.

The anenome is another story. They should not be put into a tank that is not fully established and need good light. And a 10 is to small for many anenomes. The fact is that clownfsh do NOT need an anenome to be happy at all.

The reason I say to scratch the filter is because it can lead to a buildup and nitrates and f you decide to upgrade lighting and add some easier to keep corals you will be all set. Plus a filter takes up alot of room in such a small tank.

Keep in mind that with a tank that size you have to keep up with water paramters and topoffs to maintain stability. It can be done, but takes a little work.

Come back with more specific questions and we will help you out.

[stevefromga2000]

if i were you, i would save up a little extra money and put together enough for something at least 30 gallons. do you have any experience with 10 gallons? i am working on my first saltwater, and it's 40 gallons, i run into problems all the time. luckily, i have enough water in my tank to be comfortable. i think you should still do a saltwater, but try to save up a little and get something like 30 gallons or so. it sounds like you already have some of the equipment for a 30, so think about it. good luck either way, and i hope you enjoy your tank, no matter what size.

[melosu58]

Let me say first that it can be done but you`ll need to stay on top of it every day. Smaller tanks are less forgiving of mistakes and neglect than larger tanks that have more water volume. I also agree that an anenome needs to be in an established tank of about 9-12 months. As stated above you might even put it in your tank and the clown will totally ignore it.I have two clowns and they ignored mine and host a bubble coral and a pagoda cup coral. There is no guarantee. Check out the nano forum also. Hope all goes well

[kansei]

I know that a small tank is alot of work . It's just I have all the stuff I listed . I would have 3w per gal lighting and I only want a single clown and a couple of inverts . LR is $10.00 a pound here - so it would still cost 150-200 to fill , stock and mantain- at lest double that if I bought a 29gal . As for the work - I spend about a hour every day cleaning checking equip/perameters in my two tanks now (125 and 10) , thats not counting three meals a day for them . I forgot I also have a spare powerhead301 (174gal/h) - I guess I could use that with the LR for filtration. Sorry guys I don't get to the SW parts of the forms very often , so I never realized the nano section was there. Maybe someone could put this tread in there.

[melosu58]

Will do. I hope everything goes well

[kansei]

Also could I use actual seawater for the tank - I live 10 minutes from the atlantic so there is alot of water I could use.

[melosu58]

I`ve heard that if you get it close to shore that it probably has pollutants in it. Just what I`ve heard.

[Sadielynn]

Eh too many chances for parasites and other nasties to chance it

[Devilishturtles]

Can't wait to see pics of the tank. I agree with what everyone else has said as well. Salt is relatively cheap when you look at it, and you know it's safe. I would just use salt.

[kansei]

OK I am serious about it now and have my 10gal cleaned , black background , 2 x 23w 50/50 compact lights , 50w heater , small powerhead and converted an AC110 into a HOB fuge waiting now for the LFS i wan't to deal with for SW to reopen ( moving closer to me 5 min away) to get salt , LS , LR and refractometer . I will be using the same salt mix and matching their tanks salinity and ph. I still have to pick up a light for the fuge this week , is a 23w CF( 50/50 or reg light ) enough for the fuge and should the lights be on 24/7 or opposite the tank .

[MyCatsDrool]

Sounds very similar to my 10 gal setup, although I do have a few softies, a condyalactis anem that my pink skunks live in, some snails and a frogspawn.

I use premixed SW from my LFS and top off with 1 gal jugs of RODI from publix. I rarely have to top off because the cover is almst compeltely covering the tank.

I also have an orange firedart, a cleaner shrimp and a scallop. Tank is doing very well. I'd be happy to offer any advice on keeping a 10 FOWLR since mine is very close to that.

[kansei]

Thanks , My main ? now is the fuge light , should I go with a regular CF bulb sold at LFS or a 50/50 bulb like I will have in the take . Also how are your lights in the fuge 24/7 or opposite the main tank. Oh I think I went past the FOWLR and will get some corals and inverts.

[MyCatsDrool]

My light is a little clip on light for reading over my fuge....it is a 7 w CF light. I run it 24/7