Need Help: Somewhat Urgent

[Shadoe]

Hi guys.

I have a few questions. Hopefully you guys can help me. I have a 10 Gallon tank I'm starting up.

1.) If you have Live Rock do you need Live Sand too? (I have sand in there now.It's just basic sand.At my lfs the bag said "Marine Sand." Will this sand work if I have live rock? I also have crushed coral under the sand.)

2.) I have a protien skimmer and a HOB filter. Should I have them both running or what?! I just have skimmer going now. Is a HOB filter really needed w/ Live rock and Live sand?

3.) How many pounds of live rock should be used in a 10 Gallon FOWLR tank?

4.) What are the chemicals I need to watch. I'm talking like Ph;nitrates;nitrites, etc. (Are they like freshwater?!)

My Setup so far.....
10 Gallon Aquarium
1 15 watt fluor. light
1 protein skimmer
1 power head
1 120 volt (sub) heater
10 lbs of 'Basic' Marine Sand (no living substances)
10 lbs of crushed coral (under sand)

Please tell me if this is a good setup so far. I don't want to miss anything!

Thanks
-Shadoe :sick:

[LT1OwnzYou]

Sounds similar to what i have. I set up a 10 gallon with just marine sand/gravel from the pet store, a small 20 gph rated filter, 75 watt submersive heater, a dual bulb 18 watt light and a single tube 15 watt light. 7 lbs live rock, so far its doing great with just a damsel, clarkii, scooter blenny, few crabs and a recently added condy anenome... u should be ok :D

[MonoSebaelover]

Set up sounds okay.
1. By having live rock the bacteria that colonize the rock will also colonize the sand so give it a couple of months maybe less and you will have live sand. No reason to go out and spend money on more unless you want toe get it started now.
2. I like HOB filters but you don't have to use it. Especially if you keep stocking levels low, like one fish, and maybe a couple of inverts.
3. There should be 1-2lbs per gallon, and if you are not going to have any other filter I would go with 2lbs per gallon so 20lbs.
4. You need to watch Ammonia, Nitrite, Nitrate, pH, and Salinity. Those are the main key ones. Anyway, hope this helps.

[Shadoe]

Thanks a bunch. :) :D :laugh:

[Shadoe]

If I have the HOB filter do I need a skimmer in such a small tank?!:confused:

[Gealcath]

If you have a good deep sand bed and live rock to go with it you dont need a skimmer (although it makes less work) as long as regular water changes are done. When you get enough Anerobic (low oxygen) bacteria in the sand and live rock the nitrates should stay under control as long as the bio load doesnt become too great.

[Shadoe]

Just what I wanted to hear! Thank you. (I will be getting a skimmer whn I upgrade my tank.....)


Thanks
-Shadoe :laugh: