TheSaltwaterGuy's 10 Gallon build (pics added)

You will have fish right? I would recommend a protein skimmer to export nutrients. For a FOWLR you could do just a HOB skimmer and weekly 10-20% WC. To keep things more stable in the long-run, I recommended a protein skimmer. Your choice though.

 

Thanks. I'm thinking just a purple firefish and 1 goby; it is a 10 gallon, so 2 gobies might be too much. Also thinking of a blood shrimp. I'll probably go to my LFS and try to trade my maroon in. As for CUC, I'm thinking 2 or 3 more hermit crabs since I have a small one in there right now. With water changes every Friday i think I'd be fine on that note...

 

Well I have the biocube skimmer so I guess I could use that. I might get a few zoanthids in a few months or something but I would have to upgrade my lights first. Besides I want some nightlights too

 

I do remember having this very conversation before. lol. Yes, that biocube skimmer would be perfect.

 

oh yeah thats right. I only have one problem with it; when I turn it on a part of the skimmer makes this VERY irritating noise and I couldn't sleep for about 3 days until I got used to it. It's the part that provides air I think, so any suggestions on making it stop? I assume putting it on top of something; I use my rug but the noise can still be heard.

 

so anyway i tested again and ammonia and nitrite are in fact 0 so thats obviously a good sign

 

Do you a sound like it is rattling or like it is sucking air?

 

It's just like a rumbling noise or a very annoying and loud buzz that goes on and on until i disconnect the skimmer

 

another problem is that my powerhead keeps making the sand rise and its not even aimed towards the sand itself...

 

If it's that bad then just point the powerhead across the tank. Have it like 3/4 the way up the side of the glass, basically for surface agitation. The PH you have is plenty for that tank.