Future 44 project

[10gal_nano]

Hi everyone, as you may know I have a successful 10 gallon nano reef. I want to eventually (prob in august for my birthday) turn my 44 gallon freshwater corner hex into a saltwater.

It has been set up and running well for about 7 years.

I have a few questions

1) lights?

2) skimmer

3) lid?

4) filter. I have a great quality canister

5) heater?

6) refugium? Can I use the 10 gallon tank?

7) powerheads?

Anything I'm forgetting? Thanks

 

[10gal_nano]

 

[10gal_nano]

 

[Macscale]

Alright well, I'm going to respond here because the location is correct, haha.
1.) Well, a budget would help a ton.
2.) Sump? HOB? Internal?
3.) Hmm, you might have to get one specialty cut for the tank.
4.) Honestly, I just don't like canisters. They are also nitrate factories in saltwater tanks. Maybe a sump if possible?
5.) I'd do a 200-250 watt heater.
6.) For a refugium to have any significant affect it should be half the size of the DT. So, no the 10 wouldn't work.
7.) 30x is a good turnover rate. 1500-200gph is what I would shoot for.
More Details, More Info.

 

[10gal_nano]

Don't really have a big budget.

 

[Macscale]

Don't really have a big budget.

That's fine a lot of reefers don't. A general ball-park would help a ton though.

 

[10gal_nano]

I'm going to use mostly base rock but a but about $500

 

[Macscale]

I'm going to use mostly base rock but a but about $500

Completely do-able. I planned my 55 based on a budget of $500, and it would have worked. Except I wanted a couple of pricier things.

Alright, so here is what I would do.
Lighting: Tao Panel. Cheap, good, perfect. $120
Flow: Jebao WP-10 or 25. You can get 25's cheaper then 10's on amazon. $50 second hand, $60 new.
Skimmer: Reef Octopus HOB: bh-100 = $139.99
Rock: Marco Rocks or Reef Rocks: 40lbs = $80, you can pry do 30lbs =$60 if you are upgrading the 10 to the 44 and not keeping it.
Sand: $8 a 10lb bag down here. = $32
Filter: AC-70 or AC-110= I think you already have one. Unless you want to go sump, someone is pry better then me.
Heater- 200watt = $76
Total= $507
I think I'm not missing anything...

I don't really like that footprint, its your opinion though. I've read it limits fish too, sorry.

 

[bribo12]

Just be aware those tanks aren't the best for swimming room so you'll still be limited to smaller fish.

 

[10gal_nano]

Just be aware those tanks aren't the best for swimming room so you'll still be limited to smaller fish.

Ok. Thanks. Flame angel?

 

[10gal_nano]

Completely do-able. I planned my 55 based on a budget of $500, and it would have worked. Except I wanted a couple of pricier things.

Alright, so here is what I would do.
Lighting: Tao Panel. Cheap, good, perfect. $120
Flow: Jebao WP-10 or 25. You can get 25's cheaper then 10's on amazon. $50 second hand, $60 new.
Skimmer: Reef Octopus HOB: bh-100 = $139.99
Rock: Marco Rocks or Reef Rocks: 40lbs = $80, you can pry do 30lbs =$60 if you are upgrading the 10 to the 44 and not keeping it.
Sand: $8 a 10lb bag down here. = $32
Filter: AC-70 or AC-110= I think you already have one. Unless you want to go sump, someone is pry better then me.
Heater- 200watt = $76
Total= $507
I think I'm not missing anything...

I don't really like that footprint, its your opinion though. I've read it limits fish too, sorry.

Thanks for all the info! I think I have a heater big enough. How much live rock?

 

[bribo12]

I think a flame would be fine

 

[10gal_nano]

I think a flame would be fine

Sweet. My favorite dwarf angel. Thanks!

 

[Macscale]

Thanks for all the info! I think I have a heater big enough. How much live rock?

1-1.5 pounds per gallon is for rock. You don't need any, only for Coraline seeding which you can get from your 10.

 

[10gal_nano]

Ok. It won't hurt the cycle? I probably want to keep the 10.

 

[Psychocircus91]

Ok. Thanks. Flame angel?

I wouldn't put an angel in a tank that's under two feet long, as they are open water swimmers. That is just my opinion.

Also it is a risk to put them in a reef as they may nip your corals and harass other fish since your tank is moderately sized.

 

[bribo12]

The tank isn't under 2 feet long if I read the dimensions right but I could've just read them completely wrong. If it's under 2 feet than yeah I wouldn't do the angel.

 

[10gal_nano]

Can I have a link to the correct Tao panel please.

 

[Macscale]

I wouldn't put an angel in a tank that's under two feet long, as they are open water swimmers. That is just my opinion.

Also it is a risk to put them in a reef as they may nip your corals and harass other fish since your tank is moderately sized.

Well, I wouldn't call them open water swimmers because they would require a much larger tank. Like Tangs. LA has them at 75 but we know they are fine in smaller systems. They are simply active swimmers, not open water. They don't need 6+ feet of swimming room.

 

[Macscale]

Ok. It won't hurt the cycle? I probably want to keep the 10.

No, it may take longer though.