10g saltwater tank! - MyFishTank.Net Freshwater Saltwater Aquarium Fish Forum

jf228 · 03-31-2002, 07:49 PM

Hi,
 
      I'm am planning on starting a 10g mini saltwater aquarium. I've seen many smaller saltwater tanks with about 3 to 4 small fish. I heard that I could use a freshwater filter for this size, but what I want to know is what do I need besides the water and filter?

                Please help! Thanx!

dattack · 03-31-2002, 08:20 PM

Get about 10-15 lbs of live rock for biofiltration.  Remove the biomedia on your power filter and only use it for circulation.  The biomedia will act as nitrate factory.  Also get a small powerhead for increase circulation and be sure to do 10% water change every 1-2 weeks.  If you don't do water changes, you will need a small skimmer.
You could only hold a couple of 2-3" fishes in that tank, otherwise more than that and you might have major problems.

jf228 · 03-31-2002, 08:31 PM

What filter should I get? What substrate? Where do I put the filter media? Sorry for so many questions that are probally dumb to you? First time.

dattack · 03-31-2002, 08:37 PM

It it's a nano, then any type of sand will do.  You can get some silica sand at Home Depot for $4 for a 50 lb bag.  I would only use an inch of it because a 10 gallon is already pretty small.

Use no filter media because your live rock will do the biological filtration for you.  That's actually the best way to cycle a new tank.  Just put in the live rock and wait a couple of weeks instead of using fish.

So here is what you need.
1.  Sand (any cheap sand that will just make a ground cover).
2.  Live rock
3.  Power filter without media
4.  Small powerhead for water movement.
5.  Lighting.
6.  Do weekly or biweekly water changes.  If you can't do this, then by a skimmer however a skimmer can cost a lot of money.

jf228 · 03-31-2002, 08:42 PM

Is a 15watt bulb ok for the light?

dattack · 03-31-2002, 09:01 PM

[quote author=jf228 link=board=saltwater&num=1017625773&start= 0#4 date=03/31/02 at 18:42:18]
Is a 15watt bulb ok for the light?
[/quote]

If it's a fish only system, yes it will be enough.  If you want coral, probably not.

jf228 · 03-31-2002, 09:16 PM

ya it's gonna be fish only. How much sand do i need to put? What filter do you recommend? What type of live rock? Again, I am sorry for all the questions.

jf228 · 03-31-2002, 09:17 PM

and what fish? can i put true percula clowns?

dattack · 03-31-2002, 09:41 PM

Yes, those true perculas are nice.  I don't know much about perculas because I think you are supposed to get one large one and one small one.  If they are the same size, they will kill each other.  If one is larger, he will be the dominant one and become male.  And the smaller one will become female.

You can put as much sand as you want but since it's only a 10 gallon, too much sand will take up too much space.  

GEt any cheap HOB filter.  Remember these filters are only for circulation and doesn't filter anything.  The live rock does all the biological filtration.  If you don't have live rock, then you are going to need a skimmer to take away waste.  So I suggest you get some live rock.  It might be even cheaper to buy rocks online if your LFS is too expensive.  I paid 2-4$/lb here while some stores can charge up to $10/lb.  Most online stores sell them for $3-$5/lb plus shipping.

jf228 · 04-01-2002, 08:57 AM

How many fish do you think I could put? I know for saltwater it's an inch of fish per 5g, is that true? Can you give me some neat fish that I can put?