Need opinions for 10gal Nano setup

[tepelus]

Hi everyone! It's been quite some time since I've been on here. I have a ten gallon tank that currently houses a betta, of which is not doing so well. When the little fella makes his way to the big waters in the sky, the plan is to convert his tank into a nano reef. Right now I'm not sure whether or not to keep the ten gallon or just go buy a 20 gallon, but if I choose to go bigger I'll just upgrade the equipment I've chosen for the ten. Nothing is bought yet, or set in stone, I just want your humble opinions on whether or not the equipment I've chosen will be good for a ten gallon, which will house zoas, shrooms and polyps (and maybe a small fish or two). BTW- I have had a reef tank before, a 46 gal, but that was set up all wrong from the beginning, and had to make adjustments over the years to get it right...and then the divorce came and I gave away all the inhabitants to a friend...but I digress. So, just to let you know, I do have experience raising a reef tank, just not one so small.

Here's the rundown of what I have picked out, thus far:

Lighting- 20in 2x40w Currant USA Power Compact Dual Satellite w/white lunar light, 1 Daylight dual 6700k/10,000k 40w and 1 Actinic dual 420nm/460nm 40w bulbs. The only PC light with dual bulbs and a lunar light I could find to fit this tank.

Protein Skimmer- Tunze Nano DOC Skimmer 9002

Powerhead(s)- Hydor Koralia Nano (240gph) x 2, one on each side of tank, set on a wavemaker which I already have from previous tank, timed to go on and off opposite of each other (will these powerheads be able to do that?)

Filter- Just the stock one that is in it now(an Aqua Tech, cheap Wal-Mart brand), I think with just a protein skimmer, good clean-up crew, powerheads and live rock, I might not even need one...we'll see.

Substrate- 15lbs CaribSea Dry Aragonite Super Reef Sand

Live Rock- 15lbs probably local bought

Haven't figured heater yet, I might just use the one I have or buy a submersible one, but that's the main stuff I've picked out for this tank. For a clean-up crew, after the tank has had several weeks to cycle, I've chosen, though not definite:

6 Nassarius Snails
4 Nerite Snails
4 Margarita Snails (or, just 8 Nerite or 8 Margarita)
4-6 Scarlet Reef Hermits
Maybe a Skunk Cleaner shrimp or a Blood Cleaner shrimp, if they'll work, cuz I like shrimp!

And...I have three fish choices (ok, so I'm going beyond the tank equipment now...lol), but these may change in the future, as the fish will go in last, after I put in the corals:

1 Citron Clown Goby or
1 Hi Fin Red Banded Goby or
1 Tailspot Blenny (blennies are so adorable!)

If I go with a 20 gallon, I could do all three, but with a ten, I know I could only do one, maybe two.

Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read my post. Hope to read your opinions soon.

[fsn77]

While power compacts will be fine for a 10g, have you considered a clamp-on metal halide? They are available in wattages as low as 70w and would light a 10g reef nicely. Replacing the MH bulb will likely cost the same as replacing 2 PC bulbs, but I think you'll get much more out of a 70w MH than 2 x 40w PCs. I have a 70w Hamilton Technology BIMINI HQI light system (http://www.hamiltontechnology.com), which is a clamp-on MH. I run their 14,000K bulb and like the look it gives. There's also the Aqualight Advanced Series HQI (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+13922&pcatid=13922) and the JBJ Viper HQI clamp-on (http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+15489&pcatid=15489).

While I've never used them, I've heard the Koralia Nanos are not so great for flow. I've seen people recommend getting at least the #1s instead. The standard Koralias will not run properly on a regular wavemaker / timer. They have restarting issues and will sometimes even spin backwards when switched on and off. If they do restart properly, the on/off is said to prematurely wear them out.

The filter won't be a requirement if you have an adequate amount of live rock. However, you can still use it to run carbon to help remove organics or a filter pad (clean / change frequently) to catch detritus.

I think the number of snails you're planning on is quite excessive. That many in such a small tank will likely starve to death. If you have a decent amount of sand, 2 nassrius snails is plenty, and I wouldn't go more than 2 each of the others you listed (including the hermits).

[tepelus]

Thank you for the reply! What kind of small power heads would you recommend to go with a wavemaker? I've thought about those clamp-on MHs, but I think I may stick with the PCs, I dunno, I may change my mind. ;) I wasn't sure on the number of crabs, snails etc to go in there, I'm glad you suggested a lower number. Wouldn't want the little guys to starve. Probably after Christmas will be the time when I'll start buying the stuff to get this puppy going. I've got plenty of time until then to think and shop around...and stare at the tank and daydream how I want it to look.