10 Gallon Mini-Reef Build

[kbuser92]

Im upgrading to 2x20 watt T5. 10,000K/460NM with 3 lunar LED's. I want a small acro, birdsnest, frogspawn, bubble coral, zoas and a brain. Would those be okay with the upgraded lighting? If not, what fixture would you recommend?

Something I just thought of: should I keep a versa-top on or is open okay? Which is better for my stock?

 

[NanoReefer]

no 2x20 wont be enough for those corals. i reccomend this for a tank your size 7 LED PAR38 Bulb. it just screws into a normal bulb socket.

 

[kbuser92]

What else could I use? Isnt there a 70 watt Viper clip-on mh?

 

[kbuser92]

Or a 50/50 pc?

 

[NanoReefer]

the 70 watt halide would be a good option. i wouldnt use pc bulbs

 

[kbuser92]

I just looked at the price and holy crap! Theres gotta be a cheaper fixture that would be okay for corals...

 

[NanoReefer]

i would go for the leds, no bulb changing for 5-10 years

 

[kbuser92]

Is there a fixture that would have maybe 6 10,000 and 2 blue/actinic?

 

[kbuser92]

I got a little anxious to get something in there and LFS had Coraline Margaritas for $0.99. I was gonna get a Blue-Legged Hermit, too, but we couldn't find any...I just got a small one so it would get the bacteria working, but not too hard yet until I get more rock and more bacteria to grow. Slowwwww.........zzzzzzzzzzzzZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzz...

I can't wait!

 

[kbuser92]

My new companion, a Coraline Margarita Snail. (It's grazing on a rock that it stole from the store. Bad snaily...-from my girlfriend) It's all the way on the right, if you can't tell. Sorry for the bad quality, it's still on my phone...

 

[kbuser92]

Does anybody know anything about stylophora?

 

[Waddi]

Birds Nest is a relatively easy SPS, a lot of flow and light needed.

 

[kbuser92]

Okay. Will 90 gph in a 5.5 be enough if I placed it along the right-hand side right under the filter?
Here's the light I'm looking at: Current USA 18" Nova Extreme T-5 Fixture 2x20W 10K/460NM, (1136) - AquaCave
Is that sufficient for the corals I've stated that I'd like?

That coraline snail has been in the same place for 4 hours. Hasn't moved at all, but I can see he's still munching on his souvenir...Should I be worried or is he okay?

One more question...: What's a good monitor that would have specific gravity, pH and temperature all in one unit? Or is there one..?

Thanks and goodnight, all!

 

[kbuser92]

It appears my mistake was forgetting that snails have to be set right-side-up...hes out and about now, temp is 78 and sg is 1.025.

 

[kbuser92]

What about this light?
http://www.petco.com/product/113490...re.aspx?CoreCat=MM_FishSupplies_HoodsLighting
Or this one?
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3578+3733+23550&pcatid=23550

 

[kbuser92]

I picked up a Margarita and two Blue Leg Hermits today and drip acclimated them just to try. I'll be getting a proper top (e.g. for a 5.5 and not a 10) and a timer next week and a light after that. Any thoughts yet? I'm leaning towards the Marineland LED fixture right now, but I also thought of using two of the pcs that screw into a regular socket...lemme know your thoughts...

In 2-3 weeks, I plan on adding either a Fire Shrimp or my little goby friend that's hanging out at my LFS. That's what I'm scared for now that I have all the crabs and snails I'm planning on for now.

Here's a couPle more pics:

 

[kbuser92]

 

[ZyberGoby]

I <3 hermit crabs

 

[kbuser92]

Theyre cool little critters. : )

 

[ZyberGoby]

that they are I watched my Blue's and red's wadge war on each other in the end the "GCBS" became fat :D lol now i just have loads of blue legs.