kaiofcanada
Aquarium Advice FINatic
So, I have been wanting to go salt for a long time. I have read article after article, books, and have read tons of threads . But one can never get enough good advice. I intend on doing a fishless cycle and am prepared for the cycle to take months to complete. I am a graduate student with very little money but alot of patience and really want to do this right. So here goes....
The planned setup for my dream Nanoreef
10 gallon
20 gal HOB
heater
1 powerhead (size)
Crushed coral substrate or sand (15lbs) (opinions?)
7 lbs base rock
5 lbs live rock
lighting to come later
I have some questions for nanoreef/reef experts.
1) With respect to substrate, what would be the pros and cons of using crushed coral versus sand?
I have decided against live sand as from what I have read and from what I can assert based on the sand sitting on the shelves of my LFS for months on end...it would be mostly dead anyways. I am considering crushed coral as a potential source of calcium, but am unsure if that is necessary in a nano setup.
2) What size and number of powerhead(s) is sufficient for a 10g nano? I plan on using natural filtration in the live rock, and hoped to be able to use the 20g HOB as extra circulation on one end of the tank and one powerhead on the other.
3) Protein skimmer or no? I don't really have much money and have read several sources that have differing opinions on the need for a protein skimmer for a nano setup. The major arguement against a skimmer is that it can take away nutrients. I really wouldn't be able to afford anything expensive right away, so advice/opinions welcome here...
4) What should go in first for the cycling...baserock+live rock, sand/coral, both,...I have read so many different opinions ???
5) Water: Mineral supplements??? As a graduate student I work in a lab with a state of the art Milli Q water station. Milli Q is a step up from RO/DI. This will save me lots of money, but I wonder if I might need to supplement the MilliQ water with any nutrients?
6) Lighting: Cost versus requirements with minimal heat. Power compact versus LED? I am currently debating between a power compact lighting setup that would give me around 6wpg, but have also been reading up on newer LED lighting systems that provide an intense lighting source without the worry of extra heat.
My apartment can be as warm as 82F in the summer. The nano would be kept in a cool area in an airconditioned room, but I worry about the heat of high intensity lighting system heating the 10g too much. Hoping that someone with a 10g reef setup can suggest an affordable lighting setup that won't give off too much heat. My friend offered me a his metal halide system that would fit my 10g, but I have read that they produce too much heat to be a good choice for a nanoreef.
7) Will 6 wpg be enough to grow healthy happy mushrooms, zoos, polyps and corals? So far I plan to have no fish other than 1-2 gobies (maybe). I don't want to get a useless lighting setup as I am primarily interested in keeping coral not fish.
8) Water changes after cycle is complete. Are 25% water change weekly a healthy habit or should I plan to do more for a 10g reef? Will the amount of water changes I need to do change by adding 1-2 gobies?
Thanks in advance for the advice and suggestions. I am excited to get started
The planned setup for my dream Nanoreef
10 gallon
20 gal HOB
heater
1 powerhead (size)
Crushed coral substrate or sand (15lbs) (opinions?)
7 lbs base rock
5 lbs live rock
lighting to come later
I have some questions for nanoreef/reef experts.
1) With respect to substrate, what would be the pros and cons of using crushed coral versus sand?
I have decided against live sand as from what I have read and from what I can assert based on the sand sitting on the shelves of my LFS for months on end...it would be mostly dead anyways. I am considering crushed coral as a potential source of calcium, but am unsure if that is necessary in a nano setup.
2) What size and number of powerhead(s) is sufficient for a 10g nano? I plan on using natural filtration in the live rock, and hoped to be able to use the 20g HOB as extra circulation on one end of the tank and one powerhead on the other.
3) Protein skimmer or no? I don't really have much money and have read several sources that have differing opinions on the need for a protein skimmer for a nano setup. The major arguement against a skimmer is that it can take away nutrients. I really wouldn't be able to afford anything expensive right away, so advice/opinions welcome here...
4) What should go in first for the cycling...baserock+live rock, sand/coral, both,...I have read so many different opinions ???
5) Water: Mineral supplements??? As a graduate student I work in a lab with a state of the art Milli Q water station. Milli Q is a step up from RO/DI. This will save me lots of money, but I wonder if I might need to supplement the MilliQ water with any nutrients?
6) Lighting: Cost versus requirements with minimal heat. Power compact versus LED? I am currently debating between a power compact lighting setup that would give me around 6wpg, but have also been reading up on newer LED lighting systems that provide an intense lighting source without the worry of extra heat.
My apartment can be as warm as 82F in the summer. The nano would be kept in a cool area in an airconditioned room, but I worry about the heat of high intensity lighting system heating the 10g too much. Hoping that someone with a 10g reef setup can suggest an affordable lighting setup that won't give off too much heat. My friend offered me a his metal halide system that would fit my 10g, but I have read that they produce too much heat to be a good choice for a nanoreef.
7) Will 6 wpg be enough to grow healthy happy mushrooms, zoos, polyps and corals? So far I plan to have no fish other than 1-2 gobies (maybe). I don't want to get a useless lighting setup as I am primarily interested in keeping coral not fish.
8) Water changes after cycle is complete. Are 25% water change weekly a healthy habit or should I plan to do more for a 10g reef? Will the amount of water changes I need to do change by adding 1-2 gobies?
Thanks in advance for the advice and suggestions. I am excited to get started