Hey guys... setting up a ten gallon marine tank that I intend to eventually be a nano-reef. It's currently sitting with nothing but saltwater, a heater, and a powerhead.
My plan is to, after I have the salinity stable (1.023?) to add live rock and sand.
So, my questions...
1. Are there any invertebrates that I should add at the same time as the rock/sand? The rock is fully cured. I was thinking of adding a couple hermit crabs, but not sure.
2. The cured rock should be ~ to a partially cycled tank, right? So while I should monitor ammonia/nitrite, there is a possibility of only small or no spikes?
3. Filters... right now all I have is a sponge prefilter on my powerhead. Do you guys use HOB filters on small marine tanks for filtration, or do you use just the powerhead/live rock combo.
4. I haven't bought my lights yet... I was under the impression I didn't need them until I wanted corals. However, I read somewhere you need a minimum level for the live rock. Is 20 watts of screw in PC lighting enough to keep the rock "alive" ... and if so, does the color spectrum matter? If it does... where in the world would I find actinic screw in PC bulbs :/
Thanks for the answers guys, and I apologize if they've allready been given somewhere.
My plan is to, after I have the salinity stable (1.023?) to add live rock and sand.
So, my questions...
1. Are there any invertebrates that I should add at the same time as the rock/sand? The rock is fully cured. I was thinking of adding a couple hermit crabs, but not sure.
2. The cured rock should be ~ to a partially cycled tank, right? So while I should monitor ammonia/nitrite, there is a possibility of only small or no spikes?
3. Filters... right now all I have is a sponge prefilter on my powerhead. Do you guys use HOB filters on small marine tanks for filtration, or do you use just the powerhead/live rock combo.
4. I haven't bought my lights yet... I was under the impression I didn't need them until I wanted corals. However, I read somewhere you need a minimum level for the live rock. Is 20 watts of screw in PC lighting enough to keep the rock "alive" ... and if so, does the color spectrum matter? If it does... where in the world would I find actinic screw in PC bulbs :/
Thanks for the answers guys, and I apologize if they've allready been given somewhere.
