hi im trying to raise corals with limited space and money. Can anyone tell me how to make one for around 250 dollars or less. I need a good light that can support corals, and(im probly stretching it) maybe a small anemone. what kind of equipment should i use, and what kind of wattage, with a light small enough for a 10-15 gal, can i buy. links are appreciated.
How do i build a 10-15 gal nano reef???
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johnsmb
Active member
I have a 25 gallon nano and did a lot of researching of equipment and prices. Your best/cheapest bet would be a 10 gallon tank which ought to be about $10. Or a 15 gallon would give you more room and probably cost not too much more. With a tank this size you can probably avoid getting a stand and just find a sturdy piece of furniture for it.
The best bet for lighting would be a powerquad 96 watt pc fixture. These can usually be bought for about $100 on ebay. This light would be very strong and give you lots of options with corals.
Then you would need a heater - ebo jager is about $20. Two maxi-jet powerhead - about $18 each. Maybe an aquaclear filter for more flow and for carbon - size 200 or 300 - about $20. A bag of salt is $10 to $20. Seachem multi test kit is about $25. You will also want a calcium test kit, too - get Salifert brand for about $20.
None of those prices include shipping, of course. But, avoid shopping at pet stores - way too pricey. Buy everything but the tank online. I used BigAlsonline.com and Marine Depot and Ebay.
Try to find live rock from someone that is breaking down a tank or has too much.
Protein skimmer would be nice, but pretty optional with a smaller tank where you can do frequent water changes.
A nano tank needs to be topped off with fresh water daily. Use Ro/Di water - just get a 5 gallon jug and fill it at the grocery store for about .30 cents a gallon.
I would avoid that anenome for quite awhile. But, you will have lots of fun with corals and fish!
The best bet for lighting would be a powerquad 96 watt pc fixture. These can usually be bought for about $100 on ebay. This light would be very strong and give you lots of options with corals.
Then you would need a heater - ebo jager is about $20. Two maxi-jet powerhead - about $18 each. Maybe an aquaclear filter for more flow and for carbon - size 200 or 300 - about $20. A bag of salt is $10 to $20. Seachem multi test kit is about $25. You will also want a calcium test kit, too - get Salifert brand for about $20.
None of those prices include shipping, of course. But, avoid shopping at pet stores - way too pricey. Buy everything but the tank online. I used BigAlsonline.com and Marine Depot and Ebay.
Try to find live rock from someone that is breaking down a tank or has too much.
Protein skimmer would be nice, but pretty optional with a smaller tank where you can do frequent water changes.
A nano tank needs to be topped off with fresh water daily. Use Ro/Di water - just get a 5 gallon jug and fill it at the grocery store for about .30 cents a gallon.
I would avoid that anenome for quite awhile. But, you will have lots of fun with corals and fish!
Thanks alot man thats exactly what i needed. i have bee looking forever in vain to find a reasonably priced light with good wattage. what kinds of corals or other animals do you have in your nano reef? Also how long has your tank been up and running and how are the animals doing with the kinds of equipment that you use?
johnsmb
Active member
I have a 25 gallon nano and did a lot of researching of equipment and prices. Your best/cheapest bet would be a 10 gallon tank which ought to be about $10. Or a 15 gallon would give you more room and probably cost not too much more. With a tank this size you can probably avoid getting a stand and just find a sturdy piece of furniture for it.
The best bet for lighting would be a powerquad 96 watt pc fixture. These can usually be bought for about $100 on ebay. This light would be very strong and give you lots of options with corals.
Then you would need a heater - ebo jager is about $20. Two maxi-jet powerhead - about $18 each. Maybe an aquaclear filter for more flow and for carbon - size 200 or 300 - about $20. A bag of salt is $10 to $20. Seachem multi test kit is about $25. You will also want a calcium test kit, too - get Salifert brand for about $20.
None of those prices include shipping, of course. But, avoid shopping at pet stores - way too pricey. Buy everything but the tank online. I used BigAlsonline.com and Marine Depot and Ebay.
Try to find live rock from someone that is breaking down a tank or has too much.
Protein skimmer would be nice, but pretty optional with a smaller tank where you can do frequent water changes.
A nano tank needs to be topped off with fresh water daily. Use Ro/Di water - just get a 5 gallon jug and fill it at the grocery store for about .30 cents a gallon.
I would avoid that anenome for quite awhile. But, you will have lots of fun with corals and fish!
The best bet for lighting would be a powerquad 96 watt pc fixture. These can usually be bought for about $100 on ebay. This light would be very strong and give you lots of options with corals.
Then you would need a heater - ebo jager is about $20. Two maxi-jet powerhead - about $18 each. Maybe an aquaclear filter for more flow and for carbon - size 200 or 300 - about $20. A bag of salt is $10 to $20. Seachem multi test kit is about $25. You will also want a calcium test kit, too - get Salifert brand for about $20.
None of those prices include shipping, of course. But, avoid shopping at pet stores - way too pricey. Buy everything but the tank online. I used BigAlsonline.com and Marine Depot and Ebay.
Try to find live rock from someone that is breaking down a tank or has too much.
Protein skimmer would be nice, but pretty optional with a smaller tank where you can do frequent water changes.
A nano tank needs to be topped off with fresh water daily. Use Ro/Di water - just get a 5 gallon jug and fill it at the grocery store for about .30 cents a gallon.
I would avoid that anenome for quite awhile. But, you will have lots of fun with corals and fish!
johnsmb
Active member
oops, double post ealier.
I was also thinking for a light on a 10 or 15 gallon, you could also get away with either a single 65 watt pc bulb or a 2x40 watt pc fixture. But, I think the single 65 watt only comes in 24" size and a 10 gallon is only 20". At any rate, you should shoot for at least 4 to 5 watts per gallon, and usually the more the merrier. You might be able to find a light for as cheap as $60 to $75, but plan on $100 to $120 to be safe. Also, check out Reef Central and Nano-Reef.com for used lights. I hope you have been to Nano-Reef.com - it is great!!
My 25 gallon has been up for 9 months and is doing great. I prefer soft corals, I don't like the look of hard corals. I have several colors of mushrooms, a couple different zooanthids, a cabbage coral, tree coral, lots of pulsing xenia, button polyps, star polyps and a candy cane. I have 4 fish - which is the max for my tank size. Handful of hermits and snails, too. I have 35 to 40 pounds of liverock - I think you should get as much liverock as you can - that is your filtration system. Try for at least 1 1/2 pound per gallon.
I have a CSL light fixture which is great because it has a moonlight included - very cool. I just recently added a Remora skimmer, but it seemed to do just fine without a skimmer.
Beth.
I was also thinking for a light on a 10 or 15 gallon, you could also get away with either a single 65 watt pc bulb or a 2x40 watt pc fixture. But, I think the single 65 watt only comes in 24" size and a 10 gallon is only 20". At any rate, you should shoot for at least 4 to 5 watts per gallon, and usually the more the merrier. You might be able to find a light for as cheap as $60 to $75, but plan on $100 to $120 to be safe. Also, check out Reef Central and Nano-Reef.com for used lights. I hope you have been to Nano-Reef.com - it is great!!
My 25 gallon has been up for 9 months and is doing great. I prefer soft corals, I don't like the look of hard corals. I have several colors of mushrooms, a couple different zooanthids, a cabbage coral, tree coral, lots of pulsing xenia, button polyps, star polyps and a candy cane. I have 4 fish - which is the max for my tank size. Handful of hermits and snails, too. I have 35 to 40 pounds of liverock - I think you should get as much liverock as you can - that is your filtration system. Try for at least 1 1/2 pound per gallon.
I have a CSL light fixture which is great because it has a moonlight included - very cool. I just recently added a Remora skimmer, but it seemed to do just fine without a skimmer.
Beth.
Beckmola24
Hawkfish
Nubes, I recently purchased the power quad on ebay for 65 bucks. Keep looking. You'll find one. They show up every once in awhile.
Grant
www.fortfido.com
gkeong
Member
Coral Beauty sells 65w pc retro with reflector, ballast, bulb for $39 new. Check them out in the Sponsors page.
Katchupoy
Well-known member
Also, check out the 20 gallon long... very nice dimension... you could go 24" vho strip configuration....
3 VHO bulbs for $60 (225 watts total)
1 workhorse 7 for $40.00 (wannareef sells it)
have fun!!!
3 VHO bulbs for $60 (225 watts total)
1 workhorse 7 for $40.00 (wannareef sells it)
have fun!!!
Grant
www.fortfido.com
Not to be a hi-jacker here but... Do VHO's have as high of an intensity as power compacts? I am under the impression that they are either inbetween PC's and Halide or just under PC's in intensity and penetrating power??? Let me know somebody! Thanks,
-Grant
-Grant
