Nano project build, first time SW tank!

[brokenteef]

First off, let me clarify. I will NOT be adding any live fish / inverts until I am 100% sure the tank is ready, and I will make sure you guys are able to reassure me of this before I commit. I understand the way I am doing things will take a long time, and I am fine with that (I've got a FW tank I'm playing with atm).

Secondly, I will be duel posting on my blog as well as here, but I will only be asking questions on here. If i decide to update something, I will change it on the blog and make a new reply on here (just wanted to situate how this would work so no one is confused!)



With that said, let's get started! This is my first saltwater tank, and I decided to start VERY small and work my way up to a larger tank, as I don't have the room to do a full SW setup.

My tank is a plain glass 10 gallon, and I plan to establish the live rock and sand completely before adding anything else. I will post up my progress here!

The blog can be found at http://nano-project.blogspot.com/

 

[brokenteef]

Day one: Slow but steady.

" I decided to start a Nano Reef aquarium, so I cleaned out my 10 gallon and got to work.
Today I was able to accomplish two things:

Started half of my water:


And placed my substrate:

I will be picking up one of my filters tomorrow, and start getting the water a little cleaner / getting the tank a little bit more situated. The lighting will follow, and then the skimmer / live stuff after.

My plans for live stock for now are as follows:
-mated pair of clowns
-four stripe damselfish
-firefish
-neon blue goby
-assorted hermit crabs
-emerald crab

Please note that these are just options, and I will NOT be putting all of these fish into such a small tank.

I should have plenty of updates as all the technical parts get sorted out, so keep checking!"

 

[brokenteef]

Filtration, here we come!

"Okay, well I decided to do another step today, so I ordered the Fission Nano Skimmer from liveaquaria.com. I will be getting my Aquaclear 50 either tomorrow or the day after. This is one step in the right direction I think!"

 

[brackeeper75]

" I decided to start a Nano Reef aquarium, so I cleaned out my 10 gallon and got to work.
Today I was able to accomplish two things:

Started half of my water:


And placed my substrate:

I will be picking up one of my filters tomorrow, and start getting the water a little cleaner / getting the tank a little bit more situated. The lighting will follow, and then the skimmer / live stuff after.

My plans for live stock for now are as follows:
-mated pair of clowns
-four stripe damselfish NO NO NO NO NO
-firefish
-neon blue goby
-assorted hermit crabs
-emerald crab

Please note that these are just options, and I will NOT be putting all of these fish into such a small tank.

I should have plenty of updates as all the technical parts get sorted out, so keep checking!"

Skip the damsel you will be happier in the longrun!
The clowns can grow to be 4 inches...2x 4 inch fish in a 10 gallon...no go!
the neon blues are cool and a firefish are cool just be prepared with the firefish they can jump!
look at a goby shrimp combo as well

 

[egkid]

Sounds like your off to a good start, can't wait to see the progress.

 

[Andrew225]

I've heard of Clown pairs working i na ten gallon ,but only if they're the only fish...
Neon gobies, however, are -sweet-, as are Firefish.

I'm about, oh, three hand a half-four months into a 12 gallon nmyself, so im ight be able to offer soem help/advice should you ever have a question.

 

[brokenteef]

Skip the damsel you will be happier in the longrun!
The clowns can grow to be 4 inches...2x 4 inch fish in a 10 gallon...no go!
the neon blues are cool and a firefish are cool just be prepared with the firefish they can jump!
look at a goby shrimp combo as well

Well this wouldn't be a permanent tank, as once I had it established I would start working on a 30-40 gallon. But if you think they would grow too fast, then I will definitely reconsider it. What is the reasoning behind skipping the damsel? It is my girlfriends favorite, and I think it's a great looking fish as well.

Sounds like your off to a good start, can't wait to see the progress.

Heh thanks, hopefully you'll be saying good things in the future as well!

I've heard of Clown pairs working i na ten gallon ,but only if they're the only fish...
Neon gobies, however, are -sweet-, as are Firefish.

I'm about, oh, three hand a half-four months into a 12 gallon nmyself, so im ight be able to offer soem help/advice should you ever have a question.

I guess I'll have to consider dropping the rest, as I hear clowns are very easy to raise and they look great.

What did you do about live sand? I mistakenly bought regular substrate (natures ocean white sand) thinking it was live sand, and I am planning on going to my LFS to ask to buy a little bit of their live sand.

I'm trying to keep this as cheap as possible, as my budgets pretty tight.


My substrate is:

Marine White Sand #0

Premium Aragonite Reef Sand:
Ideal for reef system tank bottoms, denitrifying anaerobic beds, extremely high surface area filter media.
Aragonite Benefits:
Reduces Nitrates. Maintain pH. Increases Carbonate Hardness. Provide Marine Trace Elements. Pre-washed Minimum Rinse Required. 100% From The Ocean Floor. Heat Sterilized. Ideal for culturing Live sand.
Item #: 10791
UPC: 029904107912
Grain size: 0.1-0.5mm
Packaged: 2 - 20 lb Bags per case
Net Weight: 40 lbs

 

[Andrew225]

I feel you on the budget thing mate
Don't worry about the sand. It's argonite based, and you're LR should seed it with little to no problem.

You mgiht also want to consider doing only one clown and something else. I did T.R. Percula and a firefish, and I personally couldnt' be happier. (Except, of course, if i can find a way to keep a healthy neon goby in addition )

 

[Catpicklesdog]

The reason people will advise against the damsels, is that they're aggressive little suckers. I had a humbug damsel and sent it back to the shop when I upgraded as it was virtually impossible to add any other fish without them being attacked by it. Although clowns are from the damsel family they are more peaceful (unless you have a maroon clown like mine!)

I also wouldn't recommend 2 clowns in a ten gallon. I know you're planning on upgrading int he future but what if that falls through for some reason, you've already said your budget's tight. If you know going to upgrade for sure, then wait. JMO

It sounds like you're off to a good start, and like Andrew said, I wouldn't worry about about the sand, you went for aragonite which is good. If you can get a cupful of live sand from your LFS or a fellow aquarist then it would help but is certainly not the be all and end all:grinyes:

 

[DominionDesign]

I would not put in a damsel due to aggression, like cpd said they can have an attitude. Also know that starting into Marine in such a small tank makes it more difficult. Usually nano tank keepers have perfected their skills in larger tanks and then worked down. This is because more water buffers change and gives you more room for error. Just keep an eye on your parameters and be patient, which it sounds like you are. Lastly buying fish with the idea of upgrading the system in the future is dangerous at best, the best laid plans of mice and men...