Starting my own reef build

I've finally decided to make a tank that isn't a boxed kit. I'm tired of my jbj 24 that has PC lights and I can only keep crappy corals in it. So I've decided to make a small reef (10 gallon) because thats all I can fit in my room haha. I'll upload pictures tomorrow when I find my camera, but between my massive entertainment center, a 25 gallon fresh water, a 24 gallon salt water, and my furniture thats all I can really fit. Heres some pictures using my phone sorry its a blurry the sand hasn't settled yet.



Originally I was going to make this a tank for just some softies and maybe one or two sweet fish. So I just got a PC system again *yawn* 2x18 watts 50/50. Then I built a nice hood setup for it and went out to get paint for it. I came back from Sears and went to pick up my lighting fixture and burnt my hand. This thing was so hot that when I liked my finger and touched it, it sizzled. Needless to say I returned it, along with a wave maker pump rated for a 20 gallon, and upgraded that to one for a 50 gallon (100-160 gph it claims). I also have a RIO pump thats either 200-300 gph I forget which I have to check the box. (I actually have two of them but that would be overkill).

 

What kind of lighting are you planning on using now that you took that one back?

 

like the rock work.. you should add a little more..IMO

 

Next phase: Went and returned the PC fixture (if your in the market for a small 36 watt fixture be weary of one in a red box, I won't mention a name because I don't want to get in trouble. I'm just saying this because I bad mouthed a pet store for getting salt water that didn't contain an ounce of salt and a moderator edited my post. So this time I'll just save them the trouble). I decided this time to man up and go for the t-5s. I got 2x24 watt 18k and actinic and couldn't be happier. I also added more LR because now it is just going to be a reef. This is my current aqua scape and I wanted advice, the picture is blurry so I'll take a better one tomorrow. My only thing that i'm scared of is that I have LR on the back wall because I see other people doing this. Isn't how cyano is formed? I can move it need be.

Once again sorry for blurry, sand didn't settle and I was trying to hold up a light fixture and take the picture at the same time. Tomorrow I am going to build a new hood, and take pics for you guys. Goodnight!

 

Damn you guys are quick haha

 

That should be a great light for this tank. I have rock all along my back glass and have had some cyano problems but it never had anything to do with where the rock was. You could put a small power head such as a rio near the back to keep dead spots out.

 

very nice, i like the aquascaping

 

Looking good.. Keep us updated.

 

So heres why I can't fit a bigger tank in my room, unless I turn my tv stand into like a 200 gallon stand it kind of looks like a fish tank stand anyway. I also have to stain it, so many projects.....so little time

 

Heres what it looks like with no lights

heres my hood that I started, pretty much down now (not done in the pic) except I have to figure out how to run the wires, and put in a splash guard.

and heres a pic with me holding the lights.