Can this work..........

H

Habz

AC Members
Dec 4, 2005
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Hey guys,

I was planning on starting a 72 gallon saltwater tank, but have decided to hold off on that a bit, and do a small 15 gallon reef first. Just to get some experience.

The plan is to have a 15 gallon tank, with 30 pounds of sand (caribsea aragamax), 15 pounds of live rock (not sure which on yet), with a aquaclear 150 HOB filter rated 150 GPH, and a small Rio Mini 50 Aqua pushing 66 GPH.

The aquaclear will be filled with nothing, except maybe a small sponge. No protien skimmer. R/O water will be used for top-off and water changes, which will be done %20 weekly.

Lighting will be a PC with each bulb rated at 20 watts each. These are the bulbs.......

http://www.bigalsonline.ca/catalog/product.xml?product_id=28903;category_id=1845;pcid1=1843;pcid2=

I will have two fish......

1. Kaudern's Cardinal
2. Ocellaris Clownfish - Tank-Bred
3. A large clean up crew. Snails, shrimp, starfish, etc.

My questoin is, can i make this work?? Will corals survive?? Ive seen small reef tanks that look very healthy, but im wondering is this set-up can work. Im assuming it will, as i'll be doing relatively heft water changed weekly (20%) and using R/O water.

More then anything though, this is just to get a small grip on saltwater.
 
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A 15 gallon nano reef will actually be more challenging than a 72 gallon as a first SW tank. More challenging to keep parameters in check with the smaller water volume. Must be super diligent with your top-ups as even small salinity swings can be deadly to many inverts like shrimp.

That said, your plan is entirely do-able. I had a similiar 10 gallon nano going before it was subsumed into my current 46 gallon. I'd turn the Aquaclear into a refugium rather than having any media in it. The AC150 may be a little small though. I had an AC500 hanging off the back of my 10 gallon. Fit perfectly and added a significant amount of valuable water volume and flow.

Bangaii cardinals are like clowns in that they do better in pairs. Also a 15 gallon may not be much swimming room for a cardinal. Perhaps look into a goby?

With only screw in PC bulbs, you'll be limited only to soft corals. That's not so bad, as most nano-appropriate corals are softies anyway. I'd recommend that you look into any number of PC hoods. You can often find them dirt cheap used and you'll have a lot more options for corals.

Here's one example:
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/tlist/pc/hoods.php?category_ID=87
 
Crown Royal said:
A 15 gallon nano reef will actually be more challenging than a 72 gallon as a first SW tank. More challenging to keep parameters in check with the smaller water volume. Must be super diligent with your top-ups as even small salinity swings can be deadly to many inverts like shrimp.

That said, your plan is entirely do-able. I had a similiar 10 gallon nano going before it was subsumed into my current 46 gallon. I'd turn the Aquaclear into a refugium rather than having any media in it. The AC150 may be a little small though. I had an AC500 hanging off the back of my 10 gallon. Fit perfectly and added a significant amount of valuable water volume and flow.

Bangaii cardinals are like clowns in that they do better in pairs. Also a 15 gallon may not be much swimming room for a cardinal. Perhaps look into a goby?

With only screw in PC bulbs, you'll be limited only to soft corals. That's not so bad, as most nano-appropriate corals are softies anyway. I'd recommend that you look into any number of PC hoods. You can often find them dirt cheap used and you'll have a lot more options for corals.

Here's one example:
http://www.jlaquatics.com/phpstore/store_pages/tlist/pc/hoods.php?category_ID=87
Click to expand...

How bout a pair of clowns then??

As for a PC light, ive found a 3 month old unit. It's a coralife, 36 x 2 watts, one 6700L bulb, one 50/50 bulb. Total of 72 watts or 4.8 watts per gallon. $50, that should be perfect!!

Also, can i keep the lid off the tank?? I know more evaporation will occur (i'll top off daily), but will any inverts or fish (Clowns, Gobies) jump out?
 
Ok, heres what ive decided on fish

2 True Percula Clownfish - Tank-Bred

or

2 Royal Gramma Basslet
 
Keeping the lid on will reduce evaporation, but may lead to a rise in CO2 leading to a drop on pH. This is because of poor gas exchange with a closed top, especially considering that you don't plan on running a skimmer. Keep a close eye on both your KH and pH.

I've never actually seen tank-bred Perculas. Good on you if you can find them.

I wouldn't put to Grammas together in a 15 unless they're already a mated pair. Grammas are very territorial.

Also consider perhaps a type of small goby:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pCatId=31
 
Crown Royal said:
Keeping the lid on will reduce evaporation, but may lead to a rise in CO2 leading to a drop on pH. This is because of poor gas exchange with a closed top, especially considering that you don't plan on running a skimmer. Keep a close eye on both your KH and pH.

I've never actually seen tank-bred Perculas. Good on you if you can find them.

I wouldn't put to Grammas together in a 15 unless they're already a mated pair. Grammas are very territorial.

Also consider perhaps a type of small goby:
http://www.liveaquaria.com/product/categ.cfm?pCatId=31
Click to expand...


Would having a power head rippling the water above not solve this problem??
 
Yes, but the CO2 has to "gas off" somewhere. With a lid, there's no airflow and nowhere for the CO2 to go. It remains trapped in your system. Now a lid is not hermetically sealed, but the rate of gaseous exchange with an open top is greater than with a closed one.
 
Honestly...you'd be much better off doing the larger tank. I agree with the other posts. Nano reefs are extrememly difficult to keep everything in check, even for someone with experience. I have kept salt tanks for 15 years, last year I decided to get a small 20gal for my kitchen. UUUGGGHH is all I have to say. I couldn't wait to tear the thing down. It was a royal pain. You know what they say.."Bigger really is better"
 
fancychicken said:
Honestly...you'd be much better off doing the larger tank. I agree with the other posts. Nano reefs are extrememly difficult to keep everything in check, even for someone with experience. I have kept salt tanks for 15 years, last year I decided to get a small 20gal for my kitchen. UUUGGGHH is all I have to say. I couldn't wait to tear the thing down. It was a royal pain. You know what they say.."Bigger really is better"
Click to expand...


What was the problem??

Did you weekly 10-20% water changes?
Did you top off water regularily (daily, or everyother day)
Did you use R/O water?
How much live rock did you have?

Many have told me, if the above rules are followed, it's really not that hard.
 
I have a four year old reef in a 15H (10 gal surface area), with 2 small powerheads a countercurrent skimmer, the thing is you don't want to mess with it too much, adding chemicals, overstocking. It sounds like a plan to me however I would not use the sponge in the 150, just a little carbon every now and again, and if your not skimming keep up on the h20 changes. Be patient it takes a while for a tank like that to establish itself up to (6 mos.).

Good luck :)
 
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