Hi,
I've wanted to keep Saltwater for about as long as I've had aquariums, but was always really intimidated by it. Having had some success with my high-tech planted tanks, and also an (almost) empty 33 gallon on hand. I'm seriously considering a nano-reef.
Here's what I was thinking, comments and criticism are very welcome:
Equipment:
Hardscape:
~45 lbs of Live Rock
~40 lbs of Aragonite sand
Livestock:
This is where I'm really running into some challenges, especially in terms of stocking level and compatibility - any suggestions as to what would be some good livestock (a clownfish? some sort of blenny? dwarf angelfish?) for a first-time nano-reef would be great.
I'd also like some other inverts - I guess the "clean-up crew" but again, not sure what an appropriate stocking level for snails, shrimp, hermit crabs etc would be.
Also, would I be able to keep some soft coral with the lighting I have? From what I've read I believe I should be fine, but again, it's all very new.
I'm also a little unclear as to what exactly I would put in the refugium, aside from macroalgae, and either live sand or refugium mud (or if anything other than macroalgae should be in the refugium).
Thanks!
I've wanted to keep Saltwater for about as long as I've had aquariums, but was always really intimidated by it. Having had some success with my high-tech planted tanks, and also an (almost) empty 33 gallon on hand. I'm seriously considering a nano-reef.
Here's what I was thinking, comments and criticism are very welcome:
Equipment:
- RO/DI Water Filter
- Tank: 33 Gallon rimless
- Lighting: 4-bulb T5 HO - would I able to keep soft coral with this? (Obviously I'd change the bulbs from the planted tank setup I have now)
- Protein Skimmer: Aqua-C Remora HOB
- Refractometer
- Heater
- Powerheads: 2 Hydor Koralia (425 GPH) - is this too much flow or not enough flow? I'm a little unsure on how much water movement I'd want. My planted-tank brain envisions this as a hurricane blowing through the water, but I understand that it should be turbulent, so advice would be appreciated.
- Salt (obviously)
Hardscape:
~45 lbs of Live Rock
~40 lbs of Aragonite sand
Livestock:
This is where I'm really running into some challenges, especially in terms of stocking level and compatibility - any suggestions as to what would be some good livestock (a clownfish? some sort of blenny? dwarf angelfish?) for a first-time nano-reef would be great.
I'd also like some other inverts - I guess the "clean-up crew" but again, not sure what an appropriate stocking level for snails, shrimp, hermit crabs etc would be.
Also, would I be able to keep some soft coral with the lighting I have? From what I've read I believe I should be fine, but again, it's all very new.
I'm also a little unclear as to what exactly I would put in the refugium, aside from macroalgae, and either live sand or refugium mud (or if anything other than macroalgae should be in the refugium).
Thanks!