Will this work for a 10 gallon nano-reef?

[mhmh]

I see I can buy an inexpensive 10 gallon tank from my LFS for $11, PCs from AH Supply-the 2x36W Bright kit, including the reflector, is $63. Two of their 10000K/Dark Blue Combo bulbs are $36. A black finished enclosure is $30, or I could make one myself.

Aquaclear powerhead 201 is $12 and EboJager 100W heater is $15, Rena 100 air pump is $15 from Big Al's.

Total of above is $182.

If I need a protein skimmer, and want to keep it outside the tank, this is the cheapest I've seen: an AquaClear 200 filter ($20 @ Big Al's) with a CoraLife Super Skimmer I ($14 @ Big Al's) in the media compartment.

Grand total for all hardware is $216, plus shipping charges.

So, how'd I do?
1) Have I put together a workable setup?
2) Do I need a skimmer?
3) Can I do it cheaper?
4) Can I do it better, but for not too much more $$?

I've posted this on nano-reef.com also. I figure there might be some different points of view here.

[latazyo]

that sounds pretty cheap to me...not a bad idea

I've HEARD (can't confirm this, as I don't use a skimmer on my 10g), but I've heard that it is not advised to use a skimmer on such small tanks, as it ends up not being beneficial and perhaps harmful (like I said, this is what I heard, so you may want to research this more), but I think you'll be fine w/out a skimmer

and that is a great choice for lights!

[fishfreek]

I would get the bulbs from hellolights.com vs ahsupply.com I have no problem with ahsupply's ballst kits but their bulbs are less than desirable in my book. Their blue bulbs are just that blue. They are not actinic IMO.

Why are you getting an air pump? Unless its to drive the skimmer.

I would maybe not use a skimmer on the 10 or maybe use it part time. If you do regular weekly 10% or 20% water changes you should be able to get by without a skimmer.

[mhmh]

Some advice - thanks! :D

Yes, the air pump was for the skimmer, but I see from both answers that won't be necessary. Regular water changes are no problem, I already do them on my FW tanks. There's 50 bucks saved.

The retro kits from Hello Lights seem expensive. Will everything work together if I get AH Supply's Bright Kit and these bulbs from Hello Direct:

36W Actinic 03, 16 7/8 -Straight Pin Base
Price: $21.95
36W 10,000K, 16 7/8 -Straight Pin Base
Price: $23.95

[latazyo]

that lighting sounds VERY good, I only have 32w combo actinic/10000k pc + 4x13w 6500k CF, so you are doing VERY well in lighting!

edit: you probably won't get help like this at nano-reef.com

[mhmh]

Originally posted by latazyo
edit: you probably won't get help like this at nano-reef.com
You're right about not getting this kind of help at nano-reef.com. I was just about to bump my message to see if I could find signs of life there! :p

[latazyo]

newbie questions aren't very welcomed there....I, too, am a nano newbie

[littleprince]

For lighting, you could always use fixtures from walmart.

Or for a real nice hood, go with petsupplyliquidators.com

Get the daylight bulbs from them, and than order actinic from hello lights. Because petsupplyliquidators uses blue bulbs also.

Thats the combo I would go with.

Edit: Read your post again. Your forgetting things that really add up. Hydrometer, test kits, salt, water, buffers and alk, and of course animals which can cost a lot. Also, LR, and LS, detrivore kit if you want. Perhaps you'd want some kind of refuguim, or sump for such a small tank and your first attempt. Instead of the aquaclear, I would also recommend a maxijet instead. You might also want a small desktop fan, 120vac fan, or micro chiller to cool it in the summer depending on your room temperature.

You might laugh at the thought of water. I was originaly going to use store bough RO/DI water on my 20 gallon, and do weekly water changes. But I soon realized that the combination of makeup water and water changes added up to way more than I thought. So it was more economical to go with a 5 stage RO/DI unit.

[mhmh]

I actually didn't forget the other things you mentioned. First I'm looking for info about cost of the tank & related hardware - I have to convince my wife that another tank is necessary and affordable!

littleprince, which hood do you like from petsupplyliquidators?

Will I need a glass top on the tank before putting on the hood?

Why do you like the Maxijet powerheads better?

One thing I guess I don't know anything about yet - do I NEED RO/DI water? I just assumed I could keep a container of salinated water around for dechlorinating and adding as needed.

[BrianH]

Maxijet powerheads are the highest recommended powerhead in the saltwater community. It seems no one who has used them has any complaints.
Brian

[littleprince]

Your going to need a source of RO water, RO/DI would be much preferable. It could be the lfs, supermarket, water store, or a unit. In the long run, and I'm only talking a year or so here for your 10 gallon, you'll probaly find a unit for your house most economical. Plus your family gets a source of drinking water instead of buying bottled water.

The best lights money can afford of course...

[Ashes]

Ok, I know this isn't my thread, but I'm curious - why is RO water necessary?

Saying it has the added benefit of being a cheaper source of drinking water than bottled water doesn't work for some people. Granted, it might be cheaper than bottled - but some people (myself included) have excellent drinking water, straight out of the tap.

[BrianH]

Along with removing chlorine and ammonia, RO/DI filters also remove nitrates, phosphates and silicates which all fuel algae growth.

Brian

[wayne]

What's the cost of a 20 as opposed to a 10? A lot less limiting, for not much more money

[latazyo]

theoretically for a 20 you'd double the lighting and double the live rock....so your lighting cost would rise (not necessarily double) but your live rock prices would double, unless you get a bulk package or something

[wastesubscribe]

I am in researching mode now to start my nano reef with Aquatic Gardens 6.6 gallon book shelf aquarium and making the same list as yours.

What I had in mind was a DIY for my PCs.

Your 2x36W Bright kit, including the reflector, is $63.

You can buy 3 pack Spiral CFL of ~36 watts in walmart or HD for 10 - 15$ and break it open to remove the ballast from there to power up your 36 watts PCs. You still have to shell out money for base pins, wires and reflectors. And of course your effort to put it all togather. Could save you some $$$$

(FYI : found out this can be done from http://www.nano-reef.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=65684&st=20 )

Arun

[ooja3k]

your equipment list sounds good!

its very similar to what i have done for my gf's 10gal nano..


just a note:

the cost is not in the equipment. it is in the rock, sand, salt, water, testing kits, and livestock.

[Grins]

I'm thinking the original poster figured some of this out back in 2003. =) I wonder what it is about search that has so many new people finding such old threads, I've noticed it happenning before.

Wastes, welcome to AC. Would like to hear more about your plans for the bookshelf nano.

[wastesubscribe]

Thankx Grins,
Since I am goin to be a first time reefer, I am doing a search/research from past 2 weeks and every day I find/learn something new. Thanks to the search engines. I will continue this for another week or two until I am confident and then start my initial setup. Again since it is a nano very less tolerance for mistakes. Will post the update in a diffrent thread.

And latazyo, u r right about NF, I feel more welcome here for a newbie.

Arun

[Sploke]

Waste, I really like that link over on nano-reef.com. Got myself a new project for over Christmas, might be able to get cheaper lighting for my frag tank than I thought.

[wastesubscribe]

Its my project for chrismas too. Looks like many donot know this method and spend lots of $$$ in buying a ballast.

Looks like this needs to be new thread in -- Marine Products & DIY (http://www.aquariacentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=29)

And then anyone doing this DIY can post reviews/hurdles crossed. I will post the pics and progress in that thread after chrismas.

[Sploke]

Yeah, I think I might try it with T5 bulbs for my 150 cichlid tank and see how it goes. I'll be interested in seeing your progress thread as well.