Plans for 10 gallon nano

[Lotus]

That's not good (the water before adding the LR). What are the ammonia, nitrite and nitrates of the water you're using (before the salt)?

If it's going to be a fish-only tank, the nitrates will be OK (but not the ammonia).

[tom91970]

Originally Posted by Lotus

That's not good (the water before adding the LR). What are the ammonia, nitrite and nitrates of the water you're using (before the salt)?

If it's going to be a fish-only tank, the nitrates will be OK (but not the ammonia).

Yeah, I know. Seems odd, since when I've tested the water from the tap before with my freshwater kit it was 0 for all the above. However, I have considered the possibility that this is the time of year that people fertilize for hay and other crops and I'm right in the middle of it all. Looks like I might have to start buying some RO water from the store after all since I do intend on having a reef set-up.

I need to recheck the water using the SW kit without the salt to have other comparisons, though.

[Lotus]

If you're in an agricultural area, there will likely also be phosphates in your water, in addition to the nitrates, etc. I think RO water is going to be your best bet. Otherwise, you'll end up with algae soup and dead corals.

In a 10g tank, you really only need to do a 10% water change. If your LFS sells premade saltwater and RO water, it's probably worth buying from them. Otherwise, something like the Cullligan machine at the grocery store will work (assuming you don't want to buy an RO unit).

If you do go for an RO unit, you'll have the added advantage of making drinking water, without all the chemicals, for your family (just do RO, not DI for drinking water).

[tom91970]

The LFS sells saltwater for $1/gal but it's tap water, too, so that's not an option. Guess I'll be making a couple trips to the Glacier water machine at the HEB grocery store.

[innerchi89]

their not from Texas, so they probably wont know what a HEB is haha.

[tom91970]

Originally Posted by innerchi89

their not from Texas, so they probably wont know what a HEB is haha.

Yeah, I know...that's why I decided to included those last two words

[tom91970]

Water parameters several hours after live rock was added on 8/8:

pH- 8.0
ammonia- .5
nitrite- .5
nitrate- 20


Yesterday (8/11/08) I bought 10 gallons of RO water. Switched out about 7 gallons of the 8 gallons that was in the tank.

tap water in tank (latest results):
ammonia- 0
nitrite- .25
nitrate- 20

RO water:
pH- 7.8
ammonia- 0
nitrite- 0
nitrate- 5.0

Today (8/12) I took a few pics:

Full tank shot (you can see the clam to the right of the Koralia about two inches from the top of the LR, under the light fixture cords)-



...and one from a slightly different angle-



With out a flash-



And here is a close up of the clam that is lodged in a hole-



This morning the temp was down to 81F but was back up to 84.5F at 7:00 PM (no lights were on and the house was about 77F). Isn't that a little too high? Stealth heater is set to 79F.

[brian1973]

Tom..looks good...if you dont mind me asking how much do u have tied up in that? I am thinking about giving SW a shot once I get down south but I dont know if I can afford to.

[tom91970]

Thanks. It's not cheap, I can tell you that!

So far this is what I have bought:

*5 gallon bucket of salt, about 6 pounds of base rock, and 25 pounds of substrate- $40
*8 1/2 pounds of live rock- $65
*10g tank- $3
*tank stand- FREE!!! (but spent $2 on paint)
*light fixture, powerheads, refractometer, test kit, timer, heaters, etc. purchased from Big Al's- $227

Total so far is $337 (with the paint included). If you include the 5 gal water container ($10) and water I bought on Monday ($3.50) my total so far is $348 and some change.

I plan on saving up for a coral package ($130 with shipping), which will be many months from now. I also need to buy a fish or two and a clean up crew.

I predict I'll have at least $600 in this tank. Kinda makes that 55g planted tank I did look really cheap in comparison.

I really hope my wife doesn't find out about MFT. I'd hate for her to read this thread and find out how much I've spend so far on this nano tank.

[Fishmonger70]

That's a nice digital thermometer you have. I bought one just like it for my tank. Unfortunately I lost the suction cup for the display and so I had it sitting on the top of my tank. My arm bumped it and it sank to the bottom of the tank. Now it don't work anymore. I now have an analog thermometer.